A Grand Time at the 2017 CATS Grand Hike

CATS Grand Hike 2017 (Credit: CATS) — 2017 CATS Grand Hike (Credit: CATS)

Undaunted by a gloomy weather forecast, 250 hikers came out Saturday, May 13 for the 2017 CATS Grand Hike and were rewarded with a perfect hiking day of cool temperatures and slightly overcast skies. People of all ages enjoyed peak springtime scenery of greens fields, delicate wildflowers and blossoming trees as they hiked the 12-mile route from Wadhams to Essex. The enthusiasm and smiling faces were truly contagious.

First time Grand Hiker Tim Rowland was impressed by both the celebratory atmosphere and the number of young hikers. “People just had fun,” he said, “the kids I saw were having a blast. That was great to see because that’s the future for hiking and land preservation.”

The rains conveniently held off until the tail end of the block party so after “bonging the gong” to celebrate finishing the hike, everyone had plenty of time to enjoy music by Zip City Blues Band. For tired muscles, people appreciated the restorative yoga and chair massage provided by Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness. Kids enjoyed an art table hosted by Erin C. Hall Studio. And, to commemorate the day, a free photo booth was provided by Overtime Photography.

We have so many people to thank for helping make the 2017 Grand Hike such a success:

Bill Amadon, Sheri Amsel, Bill Bardeen, Sharon Boison, Ted Cornell, John Davis, Tom Duca, Helen Eagle, Cynthia Fairbanks, Matt Foley, Steven Kellogg, Melissa Maki, Michelle Maron, David McNamara, Clorinda Moore, Jen Moore, Rebecca Palmer, Robert Powell, Vivian Reiner, Susan Smith, Audie Sparre, Sharp Swan, Maeve Taylor, and Delia Thompson.

And these organizations: Camp Dudley, College for Every Student, Cornell Cooperative Extension Service, Dak Bar, Dogwood Bread Company, Ernie’s Market, The Essex Inn, Essex Initiatives, Gratitude for Wellness, Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness, Lakeside School, Moriah School Board and Superintendent William Larrow, The Village Meat Market, Willsboro School Board and Superintendent Stephen Broadwell. Thanks to our four bus drivers Charlene Lobdell, Michelle Koenig, Nestor Rodriguez and Art Coogan.

Special thanks to Ken Hughes (MacMan) for tech support.

Thank You to all!

Take the Moriah Challenge!

Now that the 2017 CATS Grand Hike is behind us, how about a new challenge? The Moriah Challenge: June 3, 2017!

To celebrate National Trails Day, the Moriah Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with CATS will host four hikes at:

Belfry Mountain Trail
Big Hollow/Coot Hill Trail
Cheney Mountain Trail
Crowfoot Pond Trail
Take the Moriah Challenge! June 3, 2017

The hikes officially kick off at 10 a.m., and you’re welcome to join at any time throughout the day. You can hike any or all of the trails. They range from easy to moderate and are all fabulous hikes. The four trails are listed and described on the CATS Trail Map.

And, once you have completed the Moriah Challenge, you can claim a commemorative embroidered patch at the Moriah Chamber of Commerce. For more information, click here.

Chris Maron
CATS Executive Director

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.