CATS Grand Hike Party Features Headwall Band at Winton’s in Westport on May 11th

The Champlain Area Trails (CATS) Grand Hike post-hike party at Winton’s 1898 Tavern in Westport will feature the Headwall Band, an Adirondack-based classic rock band. The party will take place on May 11th to celebrate the completion of the 14-mile Grand Hike, a town-to-town walk through forests and fields from Essex to Westport.

“We are thrilled to have the Headwall Band return as our live act this year,” said Chris Maron, CATS executive director. “Their focus on classic rock will be a crowd-pleaser, as it was last year, and since they are locally based, we know they have a great vibe and feel for the crowd. It will be an excellent opportunity for walkers, hikers, and the general public to celebrate local hiking trails and how they connect our communities.”

The hike will begin between 10:00 and 11:00 am at the Essex Gateway Trailhead in Essex and end at Winton’s 1898 Tavern at the Westport Golf Club, where hikers and non-hikers can join the “après hike party.” Along with live music from Headwall Band, the party will offer drinks and food for purchase, an outdoor games area, camaraderie, and a post-hike celebration.

Hikers will check in starting at 9:30 at Ballard Park in Westport and then catch a bus to start the walk at the Essex Gateway Trail. Along the way, hikers will find three “oases” where they can have snacks, water, and portpotties. Hikers can also opt for shorter hikes by stopping at any oases and taking a shuttle from the oasis to the finish line.

Past event participants have praised the event’s organization, saying it’s “super organized and a good distance for hiking in a group or on your own” and that they “loved being outside, helping CATS, and enjoying the company of other enthusiastic hikers.”

The après-hike party is free for everyone, including non-hikers. The hike costs $30 per person and $60 per family until May 6th. After that date, the price is $35 per person and $70 per family. Children under 18 can join for free. To register for the Grand Hike and learn more about the event, please visit www.champlainareatrails.com, email info@champlainareatrails, or call 518-962-2287.

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.