The Volunteer Vacation crew of 13 hikers from around the country did tremendous work at three CATS’ trails.  They installed waterbars at the Wildway Overlook Trail to divert flowing water off the trail.  Sound easy?  Yes, if you call “easy” hauling 6-foot logs cut from telephone pole up almost a mile of trail.  And then turning around to get another and another so that 24 were hauled up and put in place.  And think of the fun of digging in soil full of rocks up to two feet wide.

Their other projects were to clear logging debris from last year’s timber operation that temporarily closed the Rocky Ledges Trail.  Stay tuned—we’ll soon replace missing trail markers and have it open before the snow flies.  Then on Friday, they cleared more logging slash and cut branches on the new Wildway Passage Trail in Westport.  You’ll love this trail which is a loop and can also be part of a trail planned to connect Coon Mountain and Split Rock Wild Forest.

Thank you to the thirteen volunteers and to our local project leaders—Ed Wojcik, Peggy Staats, Bill Amadon, and Malinda Chapman.  And to American Hiking Society, Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness for the Tuesday Yoga class, Camp Pok-O-MacCready where they stayed, Sheri Amsel for leading a hike at Blueberry Hills, and Nancy Lindquist for hosting a pot luck dinner.

Upcoming Events

Here are some upcoming events you may be interested in:

Thrall Dam Park Trail Project, Saturday, Oct. 18 – Join us for the second project to create a multi-use trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.  Meet at the Lewis Town Hall on Rt. 9 at 8:00 a.m. and we’ll work until noon.  Bring a shovel and/or loppers.

BRASS Cookie Run, Saturday, October 18 – The Boquet River Association (BRASS) will be hosting a 4 mile race this Saturday.  Runners will meet at the Dogwood Bakery in Wadhams at 9:30 a.m. for sign-up.  The cost is $10 a person and includes a fresh-baked Dogwood cookie. The race will begin at 10:00.  Walkers are invited to participate at no cost.  All proceeds benefit BRASS.

Enjoy the Trails, ANYTIME – Call a friend, bring your family, or take yourself out for a walk on a CATS trail.  Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage, breathe the clear Champlain Valley air, and simply enjoy what you create by supporting Champlain Area Trails!

Chris Maron
CATS Executive Director

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