CATS Grand Hike from Westport to Essex on May 12

Registrations for the Grand Hike May 12 have been rolling in and we received a wonderful comment from one of the early registrants:

“This has become a family event for us. Our kids come back for the weekend and we do the hike with my husband for his birthday celebration.”

What a great idea! I know others that put together a Grand Hike team, wearing matching tee shirts. There are a few groups of friends that, having scattered geographically over the years, all meet up at the Grand Hike to catch up and stay connected. A couple of our Volunteer Vacationers from past years also make a point to come back for the Grand Hike.

Yes, the CATS Grand Hike is just that—a grand hike that celebrates our communities, draws attention to our area, and brings people together in the best way—on the trails!

This year, the Grand Hike will go from the Westport Train Station to the Essex Inn; the new Viall’s Crossing Trail makes that possible. You’ll park in Essex at 10:30, take the shuttle to Westport, and then walk to Essex. There will be oases along the way and opportunities to hop back on the shuttle.

You can register for the Grand Hike at http://www.champlainareatrails.com/ or call the office at (518-962-2287). Register by May 7 and save $5!

The block party is from 3:00 to 7:00 and features the Steady Benders Band. Dinner will be available at the Essex Inn, but we need your reservation to let them know how much food to prepare (you’ll pay the Essex Inn at dinner, CATS just takes the reservation).

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.