Hi all! Most of you may know that there is a 9/11 Memorial painted on the summit of Shenandoah Mountain here in NY, between Fahnestock State Park and the Taconic State Parkway... Well then you also know it is a favorite haunt for the local kids as well.**

Well, on September 16, we are getting a crew together to do some clean up the mess from numerous parties this past summer. There is a lot of broken glass, quite a bit of trash, beer cans, paper, and the like, that needs to be taken care of. We plan to sweep up the glass and take it out in 5 gallon buckets, carry out the other trash, and try to spruce the place up a bit. There are a few fire rings that need to be dismantled, and the remains of them spread out so it is not obvious that they were there.

We may do a bit more normal trail work like brushing back some of the trail, clean out some waterbars, and maybe do some minor stone work if the weather is good, and we get a decent number of folks to lend a hand.

If you are interested in joining us, please let me know, otherwise show up at the RPH Shelter about 9am, we will carpool up to Long Hill Road as parking is limited there, or you can always hike the trail! We will spend a most of the day there, unless the work is done early... There will be some snacks provided, please bring gloves, brooms, buckets, trash bags and sun screen! There will not be a real need for big tools at all, as most of the work will be of the 'trash pickup' variety.

Hope to see some folks there!
KevBoy

**... As an aside note, be careful if you are planning on using the Shenandoah tenting area anytime soon, I guess some of the locals near by have made it their party site. They have trashed the place! Using ATV's to bring in booze and crap, burning anything and everything, including parts of the cabin! The register is long gone...

Sadly it was the one of the local maintainers that stumbled upon a large group, 20+ passed out and tired kids one morning up there... Defiantly NOT hikers. He got them to clean up a bit, but of course was worried about his safety and wisely did not pick a fight with them.

Local authorities and the NPS have been notified, but honestly, they almost always find out after the problem. It is locals that live next to the trail easement and we are on the look out for yellow ATV's. We plan to remind the local PD that this weekend (back to school is a notorious party weekend around here) they should try to get to the area a few times at night to make sure things are OK.