CATS Wildflower Hike Location Chosen

Investigating Wildflowers (Credit: CATS)

Tension was building as people throughout the known world were contemplating “Where would CATS’ April 25 Wildflowers of the Champlain Valley Hike take place?” A collective sigh of relief created Saturday’s strong spring winds as Outdoor Guide Elizabeth Lee selected Coon Mountain for the hike. It is an excellent choice because the ravine features rich, moist soils and abundant wildflowers. Expect to see Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, wake-robins, trout lilies, and more.

Elizabeth will lead a morning hike from 10 – noon geared for children and an afternoon hike from 1 – 3:30 p.m. for adults. Meet at the Coon Mountain Trailhead – directions are below. Click here for more information and to register.

Thank you to the Adirondack Land Trust for conserving Coon Mountain and making the trails that thousands enjoy every year.

Directions to Coon Mountain Nature Preserve:

From Westport: Take Route 22N toward Essex. In 0.4 mile turn right onto Lakeshore Road and continue 3 miles to Halds Road on the left. Take Halds Road about 0.75 mile to the parking area/trailhead on the right.

From Essex: Take Lakeshore Road about 8 miles to Halds Road on the right. Take Halds Road about 0.75 mile to the parking area/trailhead on the right.

From Wadhams: Take Route 22N toward Essex. In 1 mile, turn right on Morrison Road. Cross the Boquet River and continue straight onto Halds Road for about .75 mile to the parking area/trailhead on the left.

Register for the Grand Hike

Now is the time to register for the Grand Inn-to-Inn Hike. Registering now provides “certainty” in knowing that on Saturday, May 9, you will spend that day walking on CATS trails and scenic back roads from the Westport Hotel to the Essex Inn. Or maybe just part of the day as you can walk all or part of the 14-mile route.

Start in Westport at 11:30 or later at one of the four oases. Just plan to get to the Essex Inn at 4:00 for the Block Party with music, drinks, restorative yoga and chair massage provided by Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness, and more.

This picture and the word “FABULOUS!” summarize Saturday’s Coot Hill Hawk Watch. Thank you Glen, Malinda, Catherine, and all the hawk watchers. (Credit: CATS) — This picture and the word “FABULOUS!” summarize last Saturday’s Coot Hill Hawk Watch. Thank you Glen, Malinda, Catherine, and all the hawk watchers. (Credit: CATS)

Shuttles provided by from Camp Pok-O-MacCready can take you from Essex to Westport in the morning and after the hike. Click here for more information and to register.

Celebrate CATS on June 6

Save the DATE: June 6 – Celebrate Champlain Area Trails on National Trails Day at the barn at Blockhouse Farm in Essex. Our featured speaker is Tony Goodwin, a true Adirondack trail pioneer, creator of the Jackrabbit Trail, and author of Adirondack Trail Guides.

Chris Maron
CATS Executive Director

Upcoming CATS Events: Bird Watch, Wildflowers, & Grand Hike (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Split Rock Wildway: A Critical Wildlife Corridor (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Volunteer Vacation Crew Completes Three Trail Projects (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
CATS Announces Second Annual Grand Hike May 9th (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.