It was only last August 2008 that we formed the Long Island Trails Enthusiasts (LITE) meetup. With the help of fellow avid hikers, we got the group going right away to exploring the trails. In just five months of hiking, we were able to visit many trails and see the beautiful sights we have here in Long Island. And with our active cooperation with the Westchester Hiking Meetup, we were also able to do several upstate hikes.


Here’s a quick recap of what we have accomplished in 2008:

1. As of 12/31/08, our membership had gone up to 97, not to mention the many guests that members had with them during our hikes.

2. We did a total of 36 hikes, with a combined distance of 223 miles. In just 20 weeks, LITE (including LITE guests) hiked a total of 790 man-miles!

a. Five (5) hikes with a total of 46 miles were co-organized with and led by the Long Island Trail Lovers Coalition. Thanks to Ken Kindler of LITLC.
b. Five (5) hikes with a total of 15 miles were co-organized with and led by the Sierra Club of LI. Thanks to Jane Fasullo of SCLI.
c. A 7-mile hike was co-organized with and led by the East Hampton Trail Preservation Society. Thanks to Richard Lupoletti of EHTPS.

3. We hiked various sections and covered 65 miles of the 140-mile Paumanok Path. The Paumanok Path is the longest trail in LI that spans from Rocky Point up to the Montauk Point Lighthouse on the east end.

4. We hiked 12 miles of the 32-mile Greenbelt Trail. The Greenbelt Trail is the oldest and second longest trail in LI that connects the Sunken Meadow Park at the north shore to the Hecksher Park at the south.

5. Of the 36 hikes noted, we did 4 hikes and a total distance of 33 miles with the Westchester Hiking Meetup (WHM). Some of our members are also now members of WHM. Also, with our active participation in the Westchester Hiking Meetup, I was promoted as assistant organizer of the group. This will allow us to better work cooperatively and participate in the many exciting upstate hikes the group offers.

We joined some of WHM's events and hiked the following beautiful places:
a. Minnewaska Park and Awosting Lake in New Paltz, NY, 9 miles
b. Hunter Mountain in the Catskills, 10 miles
c. Alander Mountain in the Bershires, 6 miles
d. Macedonia Park in the Bershires, 8 miles

6. Though we set the event a bit late, we were able to donate almost two dozen coats to the Warm Coats, Warm Heart Coat Drive. My special thanks to Jane Fasullo for her coat donations. Jane Fasullo is from Sierra Club and an active LITE member and hike co-organizer.

7. Since last month, we started the work on upgrading and maintaining the website of The Long Island Trail Lovers Coalition (www.litlc.org). We, in the Long Island Trail Enthusiasts (LITE), support all trail preservation groups and their work of caring the trails for us. Providing support to the groups through our IT expertise is our way of thanking them for providing us the trails we enjoy now. Ken Kindler, the president of LITLC, is also an active LITE member and hike co-organizer.


Most, if not all, of the hikes we did were firsts to many of us. Not even the weather deterred us from enjoying our hike plans, whether it’s raining, with below freezing temps, and on snow. We all know that with the right clothing, the cold weather was as much fun as the hikes during spring or fall. Many have also moved up in their hiking skills. We see how some of our members who started with short hikes can now comfortably do 8 or 10-mile hikes.

The most important aspect of our hikes was the camaraderie and fun that comes from meeting and hiking with friends. Hiking with like-minded enthusiasts allowed us to share the fun, the sense of accomplishment, and the great feeling of wonder and awe as we explore nature around us.

Thanks to all our members and partner groups for a wonderful 2008. We hope that 2009 will offer more exciting experiences and fun-filled hikes to us all. We will work hard to provide our LITE members and guests, as well as our partner groups, all the support to promote hiking here in Long Island.


Rollo