A Gentle Hike to the Monitor

Join us “On the Trail to the Monitor,” in an easy hike led by local historian Morris Glenn on Saturday, September 12 (Credit: CATS)

On the Trail to the Monitor – The CATS events/outreach committee has put together a great calendar of events for the fall. The next event scheduled is “On the Trail to the Monitor,” led by local historian Morris Glenn on Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Morris is a retired oceanographer from the US Navy and an amateur historian. He is very interested in the Champlain Valley since he began spending his summers in the area many years ago. Morris has given tours for AARCH (now ECHO) and the Adirondack Garden Club.

For this event, Morris will lead you on a slow, easy hike beginning at the parking lot of the Penfield Museum. You will follow a short, easy, and very beautiful half-mile route along the Old Ironville Road and Penfield Pond Trails as he presents information on the history of the area and the USS Monitor. The Monitor was the first ironclad warship commissioned by the Union Navy during the American Civil War and played an important role in defeating the Confederates. The iron for this historical ship was produced at the foundry right here in Ironville.

The hike will end back at the Penfield Museum parking lot. Participants are encouraged to bring a packed lunch and enjoy lunch together on the picnic tables outside the museum. Click here for more information and to register for this and other upcoming hikes.

LePuy en Veley, France (Credit: Chris Maron)

And speaking of hikes….As you know, Chris Maron and family are on quite an adventure. I received word from Chris who said: “After 26 hours of travel and a day in amazingly beautiful LePuy en Veley, France (photo), we are starting the walk. The Champlain Valley needs a “Hike the Lake” movie because all sorts of Americans showed up here in LePuy to begin walking the way after they saw the movie, The Way.” Stay tuned for more updates.

If you are out hiking a CATS trail and notice that it needs some attention (a downed tree, a bridge repair, or some tall grass needs mowing, etc.), please let our stewardship coordinator, Bill Amadon know. You can email Bill or give him a call at 518-925-0552.

Enjoy a CATS Trail this weekend. Post some photos on Facebook. Let us know what trail you hiked and how you enjoyed it. It’s promising to be a beautiful weekend…..enjoy!

Gail Testa
CATS Operations Manager

Vintage Photo: Civil War Soldier Portrait (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Walking the French Way (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
CATS Achieves Accreditation! (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
CATS Welcomes New Summer Interns (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.