When the forecast calls for not only rain, but thunder and lighting

too. It's time to hang up the closed sign for another season!  Since

our humble 1996 start, each season our dedicated staff have worked hard

to enhance "FWP's Nordic Experience".  Skiing connects us to some

wonderful natural resources. At the same time, it offers tremendous

life-long recreation, fitness and lesiure sport opportunities. Having a

State Park "right in your backyard" that supports such experiences is

quite a bonus.



So on behalf of all our staff, thank you for all the compliments and

support this season. Hope to see you next December.

Hopefully our first FWP condition report of 2007-08 finds everyone in

good spirits!  It seems that a significant snowfall is a strong

possibility. The weatherman is calling for 7 plus inches.  If the

anticipated amount of snow actually falls we are planning to be open

for skiing on Friday.  Storms can impact and delay our operating

schedules. As always, call for an update before traveling

845.225.3998.  Just as a reminder - when weather permits, we are open

weekdays: 10am-5pm and weekends/holidays 9am-4:30pm.  Closed on

Christmas.  Hope to see you on the trails this winter!

As of 6pm, FWP has rec'd about 6.5" of snow. The overnight forecast

calls for additional accumulations.  Late this afternoon, we packed

most (Field Loop, Ridge Line and the Stillwater System) trails. If 5"

or more falls this evening, in the morning we will need to roll them

once again. This would delay our ability to groom and set track.  We

plan to open at 10am.  But as always call before traveling for an

operation update.  Snow conditions will be soft packed powder. Sledding

hill is open. The lake trial is closed.

Good evening! We have early seasons ski conidtions on a 3 to 5" packed

snowbase. With the overnight temperatures dropping into the teens.

Todays wet powder will turn much firmer and quicker. Skate skiing

should be decent. In the morning we will attempt to set tracks were the

snow base permits.  There are thin spots and exposed surface rocks.

Rock skis are recommended. Caution is advised on all downhills.

We hope you were able to ski today! A Noreaster is heading our way.

The overnight forecast calls for 4" of new snow.  So it appears there

will be an opportunity for some early morning skiing before the main

part of the storm heads into the park. Hopefully it will track to the

east. This will give us the best opportunity for afternoon snow rather

than a mix of sleet and freezing rain. Hope to see you soon!

Good evening! The crusty snow was a challenge today. Our machines and

staff had to work extra hard to break up the trail surface.  We did the

best we could and had some success. During the last storm, we received

3 inches of sleet and about 2 hours of moderate rain.  Thanks to sleet

there is now a solid 5 plus inch base of snow on the trails. Most

obstacles are now covered up.  The cold temperatures created a quick

and firm variable granular surface. Any downhill will be fast. Ski

skating is recommended.  Sorry, no tracks at the moment.  We need some

moisture to soften the base.  Warmer temperatures over the next few

days should do the trick.  All trails are open with exception of the

lake, Upper Ridgeline and Hemlock.  Tomorrow morning we will be working

on Hemlock and anticipate opening it up after we break up the crust.

Any questions, give us a ring at 845.225.3998.

Good morning!  Overnight we rec'd 1" of new snow.  Conditons will be

similar to the previous days.  Moderating temperatures and the new snow

will soften the base.

We do not have the snow base to overcome Sunday's forecasted wind,

heavy rain and warm temperatures.  So FWP will be closed till further

notice.  When conditions allow, we will re-open.  We will keep you

posted!

We received 4" snow last night. Not enough to open the trails, but

useful in creating a base that might come in handy on Thursday when

another storm system tracks our way.  We will keep you posted! Have a

good evening.

Seeing that it has been a winter without snow - we decided to have a

snowless Winterfest. The program will take place at the Taconic Outdoor

Education Center(TOEC) this Sunday, February 3 from 11am to 3pm. The

Center is a ten minute drive from FWP. Scheduled activities include

Outdoor Skills, The Lake in the Winter, Snug as a Bug, Tracks and

Traces, Winter birds, a hike around the lake and a live Wildlife

Presentation.  Food and beverages will also be available. Information

845.265.3773.



Directions: From Taconic Parkway travel to Fahnestock State Park/Cold

Spring exit. Travel East on Rte. 301 past FWP for approx. 4 miles.

Watch for TOEC signs. Turn left on Dennytown Rd., travel 1/4 of a mile,

turn right on Indian Brook Rd., travel 1/4 mile and turn left on Mt.

Laurel Lane.

Good evening! We will be open this weekend. On Friday, we received 7

inches of snow. Overnight sleet is forecasted.  Trails have been packed

and rolled.  Further grooming efforts will start on Saturday morning.

Early season conditions are anticipated. The base will be soft. Thin

spots are possible on downhills.  In poor drainage locations wet areas

are possible.  All trails will be open, except the Lake Loop.  Tube

sledding will also be available.    Hope to see you this

weekend.

On Saturday, we had a good day skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. Trail

conditions on Sunday morning should be packed powder, however with

night time temperatures dropping into teens there could be some icy

patches too.  As the temperature climbs, the snow will take on

moisture.  All trails have been groomed and tracked.  There are some

thin spots (downhills and under the hemlocks) and wet areas. Caution

advised.  Lake Loop is closed. Sledding hill is open. Hope to see you

on the trails.

Winter is back! No rain is forecast for our area, so things look good

for another 4 to 8" overnight snowfall.  If road conditions allow safe

early morning travel, we hope to have the trails rolled and groomed by

9am.  We anticipate early season base conditions.  At the moment, we

have a 1 to 4" icy packed granular trail surface.  The new snow should

create a soft packed powder cover.  There could be icy and thins spots,

especially on southern exposed hillsides and down hills.  If the

predicated snowfall amounts hold up, all our ski and snowshoe trails

will be open. For those with kids, the sledding hill will be operating

too.  Overnight storms create special challenges (plowing, staff

traveling safely, etc.) so before heading out call 845.225.3998 for an

operation update.  Sometimes we delay opening as a result of

aforementioned challenges.  Hope to see you on the trails.

Spring greetings! If you are looking for a something to do next

Sunday, May 18 consider attending our Mt. Laurel Outdoor Recfest.

It will take place at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center which is

located in Fahnestock about 7 miles from FWP.  The following

activities are scheduled for the day:



Bird Banding (9am-10:30)- Check out a bird up close and personal.



Guided Bird walk (10am)- Learn how to identity our avian friends.



Interpretive Canoe Paddle (9:30am & 12:30) - Our educators will guide

you on a canoe trip on our pound.  Space is limited.  Signed release

required.



Nature Walk (10:30am)- Can't make the bird walk? Join our educator on

a forest walk.



Orienteering (11am-1pm)- Hudson Valley Orienteering will provide the

map and compass instruction - walk/jog/run a beginner course.



High Rope Adventure (Noon-2pm) Put on a harness/helmet and climb one

of our high rope elements.  Space is limited. Signed release

required.  Children need to be 12 years of age.



Outdoor Skills (12:30pm) Learn about building a fire and a survival

shelter.



Birds of Prey - Live animals take center stage. Wildlife Specialist,

Bill Robinson teaches us about the fascinating world of wildlife.



Other on going activities:



Skins & Skulls - Build a Bluebird box - Guiding Eyes for the Blind

service dogs, meet their canine ambassadors -  food & beverages



Sorry no pets!



For further information 845.265.3773

I hope this note finds everyone in good health! Since September, our

staff have been preparing the trails and facilities for the upcoming

season. Hard to believe that the third week of December is around the

corner. As always, we will be sending out our usual updates throughout

the season. Hope to see you on the trails soon!

A winter event is in the forecast, so things look promising if the

predicted 8 to 12" snowfall on Friday is accurate. We will keep you

posted.  It is possible, as we have done in the past, to delay our

Saturday morning opening time.  We need to make sure that all of the

chores are finished and staff can safely arrive. Please call FWP at

845.225.3998 before travelling for an update on our weekend operation

schedule.

At the moment 9 plus inches of snow has fallen.  All trails have been

machine packed. Early Saturday morning, our first effort will be to

groom this packed snow. Afterward tracks will be set. We anticipate

having this task completed by mid-morning. All trails, except the Lake

loop will be open. Snowshoe paths and inner tube hill will be open too.



Soft packed powder conditions will prevail.  Some wet spots will be

encountered in the traditional poor drainage areas.



Hope to see you on the trails!

Due to Thurdsays rain and the warm temperatures on the way for the

weekend, FWP will be closed.  We plan to reopen when conditions

permit.

I just finished checking our trails. The soft dry 4" snowfall

unforunately did not provide the coverage required to open our trails.

In addition, the wind has picked up and is now moving the snow around.

So we remain closed.  On the positive side, there is a chance of snow

on Friday and next Wednesday. At least we have some base to work off if

the forecast is accurate. Think snow!

So far 5 plus inches of snow has fallen.  Overnight we should see

additional accumulations.  At the moment, the trails have been rolled.

In the morning additional grooming chores will be addressed. We

anticipate soft variable conditions.  The snow will be mixed with sleet

and ice particles from the last ice storm. Icy patches will be

encountered. All trails should be open, except the lake loop.

Snowshoeing and sledding will also be available. We might delay opening

if our chores are not done or poor road conditions impact staff

arrivals.  Please call before traveling.

Thursday Greeting! Sorry about the delay in forwarding this message,

but computer and travel challenges limited my ability to send this note

in a more timely manner.  We are presently closed. We received 4 plus

inches of snow - however the rain and colder evening temperatures

impacted all surfaces. The road and trails are icy.  We hope to reopen

on Friday.  As always, please call FWP 845.225.3998 for a condition and

operation update before traveling.

Good morning!  Presently it is snowing.  Forecast calls for steady

light snow over the next 12 hours. Three to four inches is possible.

Hope to see you on the trails

The Saturday night into Sunday morning forecast calls for snow.  If we

receive enough (we need 6" to link trails into usable loops) we would

consider opening.  That call has to be made Sunday morning. If the

coverage is deemed to be adequate, it would take most of the morning to

prepare the trails. We would then anticipate opening at noon. I would

suggest calling FWP on Sunday for an update.



We would predict snow conditions to be variable. The base that is left

on the trails is hard pack and ice. Therefore, there would be thin

spots and quick downhills. Caution would be advised on all downhill

descents.

Rec'd 8 plus inches of snow.  All trails have been packed and rolled.

We will groom and track in the morning.  On Tuesday, we anticipate soft

packed powder snow conditions. Good for classic skiing.  There are icy

spots (remnants from our base)on north facing downhills. In addition,

on the exposed ridgeline and field thin spots and drifts could be

encountered due to a breezy northwest wind. We will be open at 10am.

Gate closes at 5pm. Feel free to give us a call (845.225.3998) in the

morning for a condition update. Hope to see you on the trails.

A inquiry was made about the status of the Lake Loop.  Presently it is

closed.  We will be checking it this morning. Have a good day!

The weather is warming! We will be open today - however due to the southerly

flow of warm air that will cover the Hudson Valley over the next three days we

will be closed on Friday and beyond. Just not enough base to withstand 55 degree

weather. However, we are still optimistic regarding another snow event- so we

plan to reopen with another significant late season snowfall! Have a good

weekend

It was a great year at FWP! Thank you for all the constructive comments and the

many positive compliments.  They help us plan for the future and provide the

motivation for us to improve services each year. Hope to see all of you on the

trails once again next season!



On a support note - over the last few years, a fledging friend's group has

evolved to support programs, stewardship, and operations in Fahnestock and

Hudson Highlands State Parks through advocacy, education, volunteerism and

fundrasing.



A "Friend Raising Picnic" is planned for Saturday May 16 from noon to 4pm at the

Winter Park area. The picnic will be held rain or sunshine. Activities include:



*BBQ picnic lunch & Live music

*Proposed design plans for the facilities (including FWP)will be displayed

*Volunteer projects to soften state budget reductions will be highlighted too.

*Information about other organizations involved with the park



Pre-registration is required by April 25 by e-mailing events@.... The

event free due to a generous donor, but a $10 donation would be welcome.



Hope to see you at the picnic!



Paul

FWP Friends - I hope your summer went well. The following public planning

meeting was recently announced by the New York State Park's Taconic Region.



The purpose of the event is to highlight the Draft Master Plan/Draft

Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands State

Parks.



FWP being a program facility located in the park under review, Park Staff would

like to invite you to consider participating in this  Public Information

Meeting.  If you cannot attend, written feedback would be welcome.



Park Staff are interested in listing to patron comments and capture the issues,

impacts and alternatives that a Draft Master Plan/DEIS would address.



The meeting will take place in Fahnestock State Park at the Taconic Outdoor

Education Center (TOEC), 75 Mt. Laurel Lane, Cold Spring, NY 10516 on Tuesday,

September 22, 2009 at 6:30 pm.



A brief overview of the planning effort will be highlighted, along with the

natural, scenic, recreational and educational resources that the parks possess.



If you are not able to attend the meeting, Park Planners would encourage you to

to become involved in the process by providing and forwarding written comments

by email or regular Post Office service by October 23, 2009 to:



Elisabeth Pezzolla

Park Planner

Empire State Plaza

Agency Building 1, 17 floor

Albany, NY 12238



Email: Fahnestock-HH.Plan@...



Office: 518.486.2909

FWP comments rec'd as part of the Fahnestock + Hudson Highlands Master Plan

process has been very positive and overwhelming. The information received has

provided more than enough material to use in the next phase. I thank all of you

for your participating.



Lastly, in a recent conversation with the Planner spearheading the effort, it

was noted that a number of remarks indicated that FWP could possibly or was in

danger of closing. She wanted to make sure that everyone knew that was not the

case.  Another important point shared was that at the September Master Plan

Meeting, FWP was absolutely mentioned and highlighted during this initial public

forum.



Think snow!

Greetings! This evening we received around 3 plus inches of heavy wet snow.  A

good start - but not enough to consider opening. Hope to see you on the trails

soon!  Think snow!