2015 Grand Hike A Success - CATS Sends Thanks

Crossing a bridge on the Grand Hike (Credit: CATS)

Steven Kellogg hosting at a Grand Hike Oasis (Credit: CATS)

Hikers starting out on the Grand Hike from the Westport Fairgrounds (Credit: CATS)

Thumbs up on the Grand Hike (Credit: CATS)

“Great day, great people, great hike!”

“Each year just gets better!”

“A beautiful walk through the Champlain Valley.”

Thanks to over 250 people, four dogs, and one llama who walked all or part of the 15 miles from Westport to Essex.

A big thank you to the volunteers, sponsors, and all who supported Champlain Area Trails and this event:

Sim*Vivo who donated the beer and soda for the thirsty hikers to enjoy at the block party.
Pok-O-MacCready Camps and the Town of Willsboro for the shuttles
Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness which provided restorative yoga and chair massages to over 100 hikers
Erin C Hall Studio for the kids’ art table
Overtime Photography for the photo booth
College For Every Student for hosting the Block Party, the planning meetings and publicizing the hike
Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism for spreading the word about the hike
Denpubs – especially the Valley News and Times of Ti for the excellent coverage of the hike and other CATS activities

A special thank you to all of the volunteers who prepared the trails, organized the hike and block party, greeted hikers at the registration tent and the oases, drove the vans, made sure no one was left stranded on a trail, and worked tirelessly to make the event a success.

Thank you for supporting Champlain Area Trails! Please look at the names of all our sponsors below, then visit the CATS Facebook page for more photos!

Sycamore Giving Level ($500)
Chez Lin and Rays Restaurant in Essex
The Galley at Westport Marina
Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness
Sim*Vivo
Summit Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine
Champlain National Bank

Hickory Giving Level ($250)
Adirondack Council
The Art Farm at Crooked Brook Studios
Dogwood Bread Company
Emmet Carter Green Design
Juniper Hill Farm
MacMan Ken Hughes

Oak Giving Level ($175)
The Breathing Body – Yoga & Bodywork
Josh Schwartzberg, D.O.
Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union
The Trailhead, Lodging between the High Peaks & the Champlain Valley
Trent Abare Trucking & Logging

Maple Giving Level ($125)
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Chazy & Westport Communications/Westelcom
Cupola House – Lodging on Lake Champlain
DaCy Meadow Farm
Elizabeth Lee, Outdoor Guide
Elizabethtown Sunoco Station
Full and By Farm
Phillips Art Conservation Studio

Oasis Sponsors
Northwaters Langskib Wilderness Canoe Programs
Ernie’s Market & Deli
Village Meat Market & Bakery
Dogwood Bread Company
Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm

Additional support and thanks goes to:
The Essex Inn, College for Every Student, Overtime Photography, Scenic View Campground, Pok-O-MacCready Camps, & The Town of Willsboro

CATS Grand Hike: Shuttles at Oases (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
CATS’ Grand Hike A Great Success (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
CATS Announces Second Annual Grand Hike May 9th (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
CATS Grand Hike Promotes Region (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Spirit of Place 2015: Mark Your Calendars (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.