What a fabulous Grand Hike!

The weather was great, hikers were happy, the Block Party rocked—and we’re already looking forward to next year. Check out the terrific coverage by NBC5 here.

Thank you to all who made it possible:

Oases Sponsors: Dogwood Bread Company, Essex Initiatives, DAK Bar, Village Meat Market and DaCy Meadow Farm, long with Oases hosts Marilyn Trienens, Sheri Amsel, Susie Smith, Ken Hughes, Steven Kellogg, Delia Thompson, David Johnston, and Cynthia Ford Johnston.

Volunteers: Rebecca Palmer, Rob Powell, Sharon Boisen, Tom Duca, Sharp Swan, Catherine and Brian Houseal, Tim Rowland, Nadine Lemmon, Tricia Bhatia, Annie McKinley, Martha Smiles, David McNamara, and Michelle Maron.

Bus Drivers: Larry Allen, Pete Jacques, Ron Sargent, Rob Lake and Dawn Gay. Kids Art Table: Erin Hall. Face Painting: Wren Van Dusen. Essex Inn: Tommy, Jordan & Gavin.

CATS landowners, including those who allowed one-day licenses for a beautiful finish to the Grand Hike.

And thank you to all the hikers who came out and had some fun on a perfect day in the Champlain Valley! 

Jen Zahorchak of ZVD Photography took many photos during the Grand Hike. For the full photo album, click here. You can also order prints of any of Jen’s photographs at that link.

Songbird Hike is May 25

Join conservation biologist, zoologist and conservation photographer Larry Master as he leads an early morning songbird workshop on the Bobcat Trail in Whallonsburg.

The hike begins at 8 am, when the bird chorus will be most lively and will last about 3 hours. Bring binoculars and tick repellant!

The Song Bird Hike is free, but registration is requested by calling (518) 962-2287 or emailing info@champlainareatrails.com.

You can see Larry’s impressive photos here. 

The Moriah Challenge is back!

The new Moriah Challenge is underway.  Hike four CATS trails—Belfry Mountain, Big Hollow/Coot Hill, Cheney Mountain, and Crowfoot Pond Trails—and receive this beautiful commemorative patch.

For more details, click here.