(Photo by A. Purdy)

This 8.9-mile out-and-back hike in the Willowemoc Wild Forest will include 4.2 miles of the Long Pond-Beaverkill Ridge Trail (to Flugertown Rd.) and a side trip to Long Pond. Rated as moderate, the outing is expected to last about six hours.

Participants need to bring bring lunch/snacks, water/ drink, layers of winter clothing, proper outerwear, microspikes, gaiters -- and snowshoes and trekking poles (as needed). Registration for this hike is required by January 16. Register by contacting Al Purdy at Albertpurdy1@aol.com or (845) 514-0919. Please note, the hike is limited to 12 people, and dogs are not permitted. Severe weather will postpone the hike. Be prepared for unpredictable trail and travel conditions.

We will meet at DEC Wild Meadow Road Parking Lot (also known as the Black Bear Parking Lot) at 8:00 am.

From State Route 28 at Big Indian, take Ulster County Hwy 47 south for 19.3 miles. Make a sharp, uphill right turn onto Pond Road, go 0.7 mile and turn right onto Wild Meadow Road. The parking lot is on the right in 0.3 of a mile.

From State Route 55 (between Neversink and Grahamsville), turn north at Curry onto Sullivan County Hwy 19 (Claryville Road) and proceed 4.6 miles. Turn left onto Sullivan County Hwy 157, go 1.4 miles (becomes UlsCo 47), and turn left onto Pond Road. Proceed 0.7 mile and turn right onto Wild Meadow Road. The parking lot is on the right in 0.3 of a mile.

GPS Coordinates to parking lot: 41.94367, -74.58718

Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/X8g6d9rvxowYY6gP8