Frost Valley Maple Sugaring Hike

Frost Valley has tapped 1200 trees and could make up to 500 gallons of maple syrup a year in their sap house. It’s a short walk from camp. But first, a hike through the woods, led by environmental educator and sap expert, Amber.

How can you tell if it’s a Maple tree in the winter when there are no leaves? In the Catskills or Hudson Valley, there are a few ways to identify them. Look at the branches. If they come out at the exact same height, but on opposite sides of the tree (opposite branching), it’s likely a Maple. Then look at the bark. A diamond like pattern (see photo) means it’s an Ash, not a Maple. Then look at the leaf buds. If they’re red, it might be a red maple.

We didn’t see many animals, but there was no shortage of wildife activity. We could tell by the tracks….and the carnage!

We saw an area in the snow where some coyote had taken down a deer. Amber explained how important controlling the deer population is to maintaining diversity in the forest, since they tend to eat most saplings.

At last, the sap house. Inside, a visual wake-up call: at least 50 gallons of sap are needed for one gallon of syrup. (I wonder if I’d get a gallon or two from my dozen or so trees?)

These blue tubes carry the sap from the sugarbush (clump of maple trees) to the tanks.

The holding tank stores the sap until it’s ready to be boiled in this wood-fueled evaporator.

Aunt Jemima, your days are numbered.


Frost Valley YMCA

2000 Frost Valley Road
Claryville, NY 12725
Phone: (845) 985-2291

http://www.frostvalley.org/