Winter 2012 Page 7

The Trail Conference’s Invasives StrikeForce (ISF) got off to a great start in 2011,its inaugural season of monitoring invasiveplant species along trails: 100 volunteerstrained and 163 miles of trails in New Jer-sey and the lower Hudson Valley region ofNew York surveyed for 14 invasive species.This mileage represents 12% of the 1,430trail miles in the focus areas. We are start-ing to tabulate initial results.Our most common invaders will likely

not surprise anyone. Japanese barberry topsthe list, followed by Japanese stiltgrass(a.k.a. Nepalese browntop), multi-florarose, and garlic mustard. Our fifth mostcommon species might be unexpected,however: burning bush (a.k.a. wingedeuonymus), a commonly planted shrub inresidential and commercial landscapes. ISF members also documented sightings

of many of the species on our Phase 2 listof 11 emerging invasives. The most com-mon of these was Japanese angelica tree(a.k.a. Japanese Hercules’ club, or devil’swalking stick). We also had quite a fewrecords of linden viburnum, another land-scape shrub, which is only just beginningto be recognized as invasive.Using our initial data we were able to

identify some areas that were only lightlyinvaded in Norvin Green State Forest, andtwo ISF Trail Crew work days were heldthere in the fall to try to remove some of theinvaders. One of the big problems there wasburning bush, and volunteers cleared out afew dozen very large individual specimens.

Our goal with the ISF Trail Crew is notto remove every invasive everywhere alongthe trails, but rather to concentrate ourefforts on protecting the native communi-ties that are relatively intact and pushingback the encroachment of invasives in theseareas. The work crew enjoyed sights of afew native trailing arbutus and pink lady’sslipper orchid plants as they worked toclear the invaders.Our plans for the 2012 season involve

increasing our volunteer monitoring forcewith the goal of doubling the miles of trailsurveyed, and ramping up the number ofISF trail crew work days across the region.We are looking for many more new volun-teers for both efforts. Training sessions fornew monitoring volunteers will be held inlate spring; trail crew volunteers are notrequired to attend training.You can find more about the program,

on our web site (www.nynjtc.org/invasives)or contact me at rohleder360@gmail.com.Thanks to all of our volunteers for their

participation, and a special thanks to thefollowing ISF volunteers who surveyedmore than five miles of trail: Sona Mason,Stephen Zubarik, Therese Zubarik, BillMales, Nancy Males, Schuyler Jenks, RyanHasko, Mary Dodds, AeLin Compton,and Michael Bellaus.The following are some quotes from our

ISF volunteers summing up their thoughtsabout the program:“I see so much more now when I hike!

The training has broadened my interactionwith the environment when I’m in thewoods or just driving down the street(ailanthus is everywhere!).”“[The single best thing about participat-

ing was the] sense of satisfaction atcontributing to a very worthwhile project.”

Trail Conference member Linda Rohleder is aPhD candidate at Rutgers University in theDept. of Ecology, Evolution, and NaturalResources. She volunteers as ISF project man-ager and is among the ISF members whohave surveyed more than five miles of trails.

Early Results:The Top FiveInvasive PlantsAlong Our Trails Are...By Linda Rohleder

These maps show the trails surveyed for invasives in New York and New Jersey in 2011. The program achieved broad coverage across the region and across many parks. Additionaldetails will be posted on our web site at www.nynjtc.org/invasives as they become available.

2011 was a bust year for acorns. The oaktrees in our area produced few nuts. In con-trast, 2010 was a boom year, and a thicklayer of acorns covered both forest floorsand suburban yards. Year-to-year variationin acorn production is common, but whydid such an extreme variation occur in2010 and 2011? How does this affect for-est ecosystems?First, a little background on oaks. The

four most common oak species in our areaare split into two groups. The red oakgroup, which includes red (Quercus rubra)and black (Q. velutina) oaks, has leaveswith pointed and bristled lobes. The whiteoak group, which includes white (Q. alba)and chestnut (Q. prinus) oaks, has leaveswith rounded lobes. The red oak grouptakes two years to mature its acorns, whilethe white oak group takes one year. Acornsmature in late summer and early fall andare an important food for mammals, birds,and insects. At irregular intervals of about three to

five years, individuals of an oak species overa wide geographical area produce abumper, or mast, crop of acorns. Onehypothesis is that the trees evolved mastingas a strategy to improve reproductive suc-cess. In most years, animals consume 80 to100% of the acorn crop, leaving few acornsto germinate into new tree seedlings. In amast year, trees produce so many acornsthat animals cannot possibly eat them all.Another hypothesis is that masting is a

response to favorable environmental condi-tions, especially to weather conditionsduring April, when trees are flowering andbeing pollinated. The trees exhaust themselves by produc-

ing so many acorns in a mast year andtypically produce few acorns over the fol-lowing one to three years. Each species ofoak follows its own annual pattern of acornproduction–an acorn boom year for blackoak might coincide with an acorn bust yearfor white oak. If each species is at a lowpoint in its acorn production cycle in a giv-en year, there will be virtually no acorncrop, as happened in 2011. What can happen to a forest ecosystem

following an acorn bust year? Larger ani-mals like deer and bears often can findalternative food sources and may not beseverely affected. But mice and chipmunksrely upon acorns for their winter cachesand will likely suffer dramatic populationdeclines. The following spring and sum-mer, populations of insects and otherinvertebrates may increase because thereare far fewer mice and chipmunks eatingthem. Mice and chipmunks also eat theeggs of ground-nesting birds like juncos, sothese birds might increase in number. Theraptors, snakes, and mammals that preyprimarily upon rodents may face foodshortages and population declines.Mice also harbor the bacterium that

causes Lyme disease, which they can trans-mit to black-legged ticks that obtain theirfirst blood meal from them. Fewer micefollowing an acorn bust year means fewerticks being infected with the bacterium.These ticks get their second blood meal thesummer thereafter, often from a largermammal or human. If the ticks were notinfected with the bacterium the previousyear, they cannot transmit Lyme disease.Studies by Dr. Richard Ostfeld and othersat the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studiesin Millbrook, NY, have shown that the sizeof an acorn crop is a valuable predictor of

Find full article and more of RobertRodriguez’s photos at nynjtc.org/photography

World class landscapes, art and culture, andhistory all make the Hudson Valley anattractive destination for nature and land-scape photographers. But for me the realtreasure is found in the huge network ofhiking trails that cover both sides of theHudson River, especially in the HudsonHighlands region.This region provides some of the most

dramatic viewpoints along the Hudson,and a well established trail network attractshikers in large numbers, especially fromNew York City and surrounding areas.

I have visited and photographed many ofthe same locations for years, yet never tireof finding new ways to interpret the land-scape. Winter creates a whole differentperspective, so my snowshoes get lots of use(and abuse) during the snow season.

Here are a few locations to get you started:• Breakneck Ridge: open summits, spectacular views, and many photo-graphic options.

• Storm King Mountain: great location for panoramas, changing light, and often covered in fog.

• Mount Beacon: climb to the south firetower and enjoy a 360-degree viewall the way to NYC on a clear day. Sunsets can be magical. Thank you to the Trail Conference for

keeping these trails in such great condition.

Robert Rodriguez Jr., is a professional landscape photographer specializing in landscapes of the Hudson Valley(www.robertrodriguezjr.com).

Acorn Booms & BustsVariability in annualacorn productionhas an importanteffect on forestecosystemsBy Edna Greig

World Class Landscapes forPhotography in the Hudson ValleyBy Robert Rodriguez Jr.

Science & Ecology

ROBE

RT ROD

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Atop Mount Beacon in the Hudson Highlands.continued on page 11

Winter 2012 Page 11

Hiking on a truly frigid day should make asane person nervous. We are mammalsafter all, fur-less, warm-blooded, engi-neered to function optimally at a core bodytemperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit(F), more than 60 degrees above the freez-ing point. Simply put, we are not designedfor the cold. And nothing says “cold” likethe gnawing pain of icy toes.

The Body’s Design ChallengeThe human body is designed to preservethe temperature of the important organs inthe chest and abdomen even at the expenseof the extremities. In cold conditions,warm blood will be shunted to the body’scritical core organs to maintain the righttemperature. In all conditions, the amount of blood

that can flow into the toes is limited by thesize of their very small arteries; further, thetoes have a large surface area relative totheir size, resulting in significant heat loss.Indeed the surface temperature of the toesis often 10-20 F less than that of other areasof the body even while indoors. Moreovertight laces and thick socks can further con-strict the blood flow to the toes.

Another challenge to keeping toes warmwhile winter hiking is snow condition. Ear-ly morning’s hard-packed, firm, andrelatively dry snow may, by afternoon, be aslushy mix that makes the feet cold and wet. Moreover, a boot and sock warm enough

for active winter hiking may be under-insu-lated to keep the feet warm during a lunchbreak. If the core body temperature drops,the feet will become even colder. And if per-spiration is not wicked away from the feet,the dampness will accelerate the loss of heat;feet may become encrusted in an icy coating.

Before Thinking About BootsBefore deciding on footwear, the hikermust dress appropriately from head to toeto maximize insulation and prevent heatloss throughout the entire body. A coldcore will lead to even colder toes. The hik-er must likewise be adequately hydratedbefore and during the winter hike, as dehy-dration will also lead to cold extremities.Keep in mind that caffeine, nicotine, andalcohol all are reputed to lead to constric-tion of blood vessels, and thus to reducedwarming action by blood flow.Before setting out, the hiker should

assess the status of the terrain on the trail.Walking on hard-packed snow below thefreezing point requires insulation, but notnecessarily waterproofing. Hiking in deepsnow above freezing requires less insulationbut waterproofing is necessary. Hiking at amoderate to strenuous pace without stop-ping, even in below freezing temperature,may require less insulation since the activi-ty of hiking will promote warmth to thetoes. But, planning a full day out with reststops will require extra layers for the lulls inactivity. During the rest stops the hikershould change into dry socks if necessary.Up to a half-pint of fluid can be lost from

the feet through perspiration becomingtrapped, and frozen, in the socks and boots.

The Standard SolutionFor a moderate-to-strenuous hike in fairlydry snow and temperatures close to thefreezing point, most hikers will be com-fortable in an insulated, waterproof,over-the-ankle boot with layers of socks. Athin wicking sock made of polypropyleneor wool under a thick insulating sockmade primarily of wool can be a quiteeffective insulating combination. Do notlace the boots too tightly, to avoid con-stricting circulation, and change sockswhen wet. If wetness is anticipated, hikersmay add a waterproof sock over their insu-lating sock. One popular brand is RockyGore-Tex socks. To accommodate extralayers, winter boots may need to be onesize larger than usual.Waterproof, breathable, insulated boots

abound. They are insulated with materialslike Thinsulate or Primaloft, syntheticmicrofibers much thinner than standardpolyester fibers. They are added to boots inincrements of 200 grams/square meter.Manufacturers equate increased insulation

with a lower temperature range of comfort.LL Bean, for example, advertises winterboots insulated with 200 gm of Primaloftthat they have tested during active outdooractivity like quick-paced hiking or snow-shoeing to be warm to minus 5 F, 400 gmof insulation tested to minus 40 F, and a600 gm Primaloft boot that they have test-ed to minus 50 F. But determining a comfort range depends

on many factors, and the same boots LLBean says will keep feet warm during jog-ging or snowshoeing to minus 5 F, theyestimate will keep feet warm only to 30 Fduring regular walking. One specialty winterboot company, Baffin, says its boots with athick inner boot are tested to minus 100 F!When hiking in several inches of snow or

in situations where snow or ice could bekicked up and land inside the boot or wetthe lower pants leg and slowly drip into theboots, hikers should add a gaiter—a water-resistant fabric sleeve that covers the lowerportion of the leg and the top portion of theboot, including the opening around theankle. The gaiter prevents snow, slush, andwater from entering the shoe around theankle area. Gaiters come in different heightsand materials and methods of attaching tothe top of the boot. They are secured to the

bottom of the boot with a strap.When Standard is Not Warm EnoughEd Viesturs, America’s best known moun-taineer, recently posted that he finallyfound comfort for his cold toes whileclimbing Mt. Vincent in the Antarctic in2011 by donning a neoprene overboot thatcompletely encloses his plastic moun-taineering boots but also includes anintegrated gaiter. Though hiking in theNortheast does not pose the challenges ofthe Antarctic, Mr. Viesturs’ solution forwarm toes is now being used from Norwayto the Himalayas, from the Antarctic to theeast coast of the United States. Indeed, onecompany, aptly named Forty Below—thetemperature at which not only humanskin, but mercury in thermometersfreezes—specializes in creating insulatingneoprene overboots that can form-fit toany type of shoe, from a flexible runningshoe to a stiff mountaineering boot. A fewcompanies offer overboots. Products varyin their weight, height, ability to accom-modate traction devices, and other features.

Non-Standard ApproachAvid hikers have long strived to develop alight-weight system for winter hiking andsnow-shoeing. Many believe that lighter-weight footwear is more comfortable, andenables one to hike further, and that unre-stricted motion in a flexible shoe helps keepthe feet warmer. One such system for hiking in snowy

cold temperatures incorporates a linersock, an insulating sock, a non-waterproofnon-insulated trail runner shoe, an insole,a gaiter, and a waterproof Gore-Tex sock,explains Will Reitveld, senior editor forgear and apparel, in the online publicationBackpackingLight.com. This layering sys-tem could be further modified byreplacing the light trail runner with aninsulated light hiking boot and a neopreneoverboot for snowshoeing in colder tem-peratures, he writes.

Toes still cold?A few more warming aids are available to thehiker suffering with chronically cold toes.Chemical warmers that become activatedwhen exposed to the air can be placed undera sock and may add about five degrees ofwarmth for a few hours to the immediatearea they contact. During a rest break, theycan be placed into a boot in advance to “pre-heat” the inside of the boot, suggests JoelAttaway, president of Forty Below. In addition, some pre-fabricated foot

beds are reportedly quite helpful in provid-ing further insulation. Toasty Feet Insolesare a favorite of Will Reitveld, while Mr.Attaway recommends Spenco Polysorb,which he says is a good insulator due to itsclosed-cell flexible neoprene and shockabsorbing qualities.Overall, hikers should be actively

engaged in thinking about and planningtheir winter cold weather footwear. Simplylacing up the insulated boots and hopingfor the best is not sufficient, as it may verywell lead to a curtailed hike or evenextremely painful feet and toes. With a bet-ter understanding of how to apply theconcept of layering to footwear, hikersshould be able to customize their footwearto their planned hike and modify it asneeded even during the hike.

Howard E. Friedman, DPM, is an avid hik-er, a podiatrist in Suffern, NY, and a frequentcontributor to Trail Walker of articles relatingto hiking and health. Find his articles on ourwebsite at nynjtc.org/news/health-news

Warm Toes While Winter Hiking:Finding Comfort Below FreezingBy Howard E. Friedman, DPM

The revised 10th edition of North JerseyTrails is now available. This two-map set fea-tures over 275 miles of marked trails withinmore than 16 parks in northern New Jersey.Several new trails and many relocations ofexisting trails have been incorporated intothe maps, including the new ManaticutPoint Trail and a revised configuration oftrails near Weis Ecology Center in NorvinGreen State Forest, as well as the relocationof the Highlands Trail and surroundingtrails near Clinton Reservoir in the Pequan-nock Watershed. In addition, the PochuckBoardwalk section of the Appalachian Trailis now shown in its entirety.The maps show all trails and many woods

roads in Ringwood State Park, Ramapo Val-ley County Reservation, Ramapo MountainState Forest, Norvin Green State Forest,Wawayanda State Park, Abram S. HewittState Forest and the Pequannock Watershed,and a large-scale map of Campgaw Moun-tain County Reservation is also included.Nearly 15 miles of the Appalachian Trail and40 miles of the Highlands Trail are shownon the maps. To obtain this map set, shop online at

nynjtc.org, call 201-512-9348, or stop in atthe Trail Conference office.

The map set was produced with support from Campmor, an outdoor store and retailpartner of the Trail Conference.

Now Available:Tenth Edition of

North JerseyTrails Map Set

Neoprene overboot (left) by Forty Below Ltd can be used over a hiking boot or trail shoe in freezing, wet temperatures.

Coming to our area in March!New York City & Rockland County/Northern New Jersey

See exciting films on mountain themes from around the world.

Wednesday, February 29, 7pmSuffern, NY — Lafayette Theater

Tickets at Ramsey Outdoor after February 1

Programs each night are entirely different.

Sunday, March 4, Monday, March 5and Tuesday, March 6, 7:30pmNew York City — Peter Norton

Symphony SpaceTickets at Paragon Sports after February 1

ACORN BOOMS & BUSTScontinued from page 7

the risk for Lyme disease in humans twoyears later. Acorn booms and busts affect forest

ecosystems in complex ways that scientistsare continuing to investigate. Given theacorn boom crop of 2010, we should beextra vigilant about Lyme disease in 2012.

Trail Conference member Edna Greig writesregularly for Trail Walker on natural historytopics. Find previous articles by her and other science/natural history contributors onour website: nynjtc.org/news/science