Mapping, Snowshoeing, Trailblazing, Tracking, and More

Map Reading (Credit: CATS) — On Saturday, January 16, CATS and Pok-o-MacCready Camps will present Survival Skills 201 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Beaver Flow Trail in Essex. (Credit: CATS)

Have you ever wandered off the trail and weren’t sure where you were? Or perhaps you’ve picked up a map for a trail you haven’t hiked before and were uncertain as to the route. Here’s a chance to brush up on those map-reading and compass skills.

On Saturday, January 16, CATS and Pok-o-MacCready Camps will present Survival Skills 201 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Beaver Flow Trail in Essex. Instructors Zack Floss and Alex Mihavics will cover map-reading and compass skills and then you will practice navigating off-trail. Beginners and experts are welcome. Meet at the Walker Road trailhead, about 1.25 miles west of Whallonsburg. Space is limited, so click here to register now!

Volunteer Trail Project

If on Saturday, January 16, you would rather work on a trail, join the Third Saturday of the Month Volunteer Trail Project. We’ll meet at the Whallonsburg Grange at 9:00 a.m. and go to the Three Creeks Trail on Walker Road where we’ll do some general maintenance and, for those that are interested, discover how a “trail adopter” helps CATS maintain trails. We’ll be done about 1:00 p.m.

Animal Tracking

Then on January 23, learn about animal tracking on the Poke-O-Moonshine Trail with backwoods guides and naturalists David Thomas-Train and Elizabeth Lee. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Observers Trail Parking Lot (lower trailhead on Rte 9). Bring food, a warm drink or water. Plan to be outside until 1:00 p.m. There is no charge for this wonderful hike.

Snowshoe Hike

To cap off an activity-filled month, on January 30, we will host a Snowshoe Hike with Tree Identification and Animal Tracking on the Beaver Flow Trail let by artist and naturalist Sheri Amsel. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at Black Kettle Farm, intersection of Cook and Leaning Roads in Essex before heading out to look for animal tracks and signs, beaver flows, and identify winter trees. Children are welcome if comfortable on snowshoes. Registration is $5.

Click here for more information or to register for these and other events.

We are currently planning our Spring and Summer programs. Is there an event you’d like to see presented? Give us a call or send us an email at info@champlainareatrails.com and let us know!

Chris Maron
CATS Executive Director

Group Snowshoe with Tree ID & Animal Tracking (essexny.us)
CATS Moves Bruce Klink Bench Dedication to Trailhead of Wildway Overlook Trail (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)

About Champlain Area Trails (CATS)

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is a non-profit organization, begun in 2009, which creates and maintains hiking and cross-country ski trails in the Champlain Valley that link communities, connect people with nature, and promote economic vitality. In its short history, CATS has developed 35 miles of trails that when added to existing trails, gets it half-way toward the long-envisioned goal of a 30-mile trail loop between Westport and Essex. CATS will extend its trails to neighboring towns and eventually connect them to trails in the Adirondack Mountains, Vermont, and Quebec. Learn more on the CATS website.