Holiday Weekend Hikes

The Holiday Weekend is coming up and it looks like it will be a lovely weekend for getting out doors. There are plenty of things coming up for you to enjoy!

The next CATS hike is the first in the trio of “CATS Hour Summer Hikes.” Michelle Maron and Catherine Haskins will lead you on this first hour-long hike on Tuesday, July 5, on the Ancient Oak Trail on Rt. 22, 2.2 miles north of Essex in Willsboro. Then on Saturday, July 9, join Nancy Lindquist and Harley the pack horse for a hike up Blueberry Hill. Harley will carry your lunch and water (bring your own) and Nancy will discuss safety around horses and the difference between prey and predator. Children are welcome! Check out the Events & Hikes Page for details and to register for these and other hikes and events.

Trail of the Week – For the long weekend, try one, two, or all three of these hikes.

Coon Mountain view — Hike CATS trails for great views! (Credit: CATS)

For those of you that would like a hike that’s a little longer and challenging, we suggest Coon Mountain. The trailhead is on Halds Road, 3/4 of a mile west of Lakeshore Road. Shortly after you leave the trailhead, the trail divides into two trails — Hidden Valley Trail goes along the base of the mountain and Summit Trail follows an old road before you climb up stone stair steps, follow around the shoulder of the mountain, and up to the summit and some fabulous views.

For the birders out there, you will enjoy the Brookfield Headwaters Trail on Reynolds Road, 4/10 of a mile west of Brookfield Rd. This easy, 0.8 mile loop trail is great for bird watching. It takes you through a forest and by a beaver pond (no dogs please as they scare the water fowl).

And for those of you that have young children in the house this long weekend, they would enjoy the Footbridge Trail. The trail starts at Footbridge Park, at the end of Footbridge Lane in Elizabethtown. This easy 1/4 mile loop has several interpretive signs (designed by local naturalist and artist Sheri Amsel) that tell about the wildlife in the area. Also along the trail is a climbing wall and other things for children to enjoy as they walk the trail.

Have a happy Fourth of July!

Chris Maron
CATS Executive Director

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.