Champlain Area Trails (CATS) will hold a Harvest Hike to kick off the 4th Annual Adirondack Harvest Festival, Saturday, September 21 at the Essex County Fairgrounds in Westport.
The Adirondack Harvest Festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. and the Harvest Hike starts at 10:00 a.m., beginning and ending at the Fairground (look for the registration table near the Fairgrounds entrance). Hikers will get back just in time for a fabulous lunch by one of the many festival vendors.
The 5-mile Harvest Hike route is a delightful loop from the Viall’s Crossing Trail to the Hemlock Hill Trail and on to the Woods and Swale Trail, then back to the fairgrounds on Lakeshore Road and Sisco Street. There will be an oasis a little more than midpoint on the hike with facilities and refreshments, including apples donated by CATS sponsor Forrence Orchards.
This year’s Harvest Hike is a fundraiser for the Viall’s Crossing Project, where CATS recently protected a 135-acre farm from development, and created a wonderful trail with two terrific loops. CATS Executive Director Chris Maron said, “The funds raised from the Harvest Hike will help pay the $47,000 loan balance for the conservation easement that saves the land and guarantees a permanent trail. Our goal is to raise a total of $27,000 by year’s end. We invite everyone to come out and support CATS in this effort—and have fun while you do!”
The registration fee for the Harvest Hike is $10, with free for those under 17. Hikers can register at champlainareatrails.com/our-events/ or by using this link: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/ChamplainAreaTrails/interpretivehikes.html. Hikers can also register just prior to the hike, but it’s easiest and faster to get on the hike with advance registration.
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