Winter Hiking and Other Events

CATS Trail sign — Enjoy a moonlight hike on Wildway Passage Trail on Friday, January 30! RSVP to let CATS know you’ll be attending. (Credit: CATS)

I received an email today extolling the virtues of hiking the Beaver Flow Trail in the snow. Winter trails are pretty amazing—nearly all are cleared of the snow-fallen branches so enjoy and let us know of any problem areas. Most trails have room for parking and if you get to one that does not, just locate a nearby trail on your map and try hiking there.

Please note that the Ancient Oak Trail on Route 22 between Essex and Willsboro is temporarily closed because of a short-term tree harvesting operation.

Upcoming Events

Here are some cool upcoming programs:

Saturday, January 24 at Pok-O-Moonshine – Mammal tracking led by Elizabeth Lee. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Observers’ Trailhead (1 mi. south of the Campground on Rte. 9) for a 3-4 hour excursion on snowshoes to follow and identify mammal tracks in the snow. The Friends of Pok-O-Moonshine are heading up this hike. Call David Thomas Train 518-576-4592 or email him at badtts[at]kvvi.net to sign up.

Friday, January 30 – Moonlight hike on the new Wildway Passage Trail. Meet at 7:00 for the 45-minute snowshoe and follow it with a gathering at the Westport Hotel and Tavern. The hike is free, but please email us at info[at]champlainareatrails.com or call 962-2287 if you plan to attend so we know how many hikers to expect.

Saturday, Saturday, Jan. 31 (5:30 p.m. pre-concert presentation and 7:00 p.m. music) and Sunday, Feb. 1 (3:00 p.m.) – Piano by Nature is honoring the late Woodswoman author and conservationist Anne LaBastille with a special multimedia concert by “Ricochet Duo” – Jane Boxall, marimba and Rose Chancler, piano at The Hand House in Elizabethtown featuring photos from Carl Heilman II, Mark Bowie, Shaun Heffernan, and the Anne LaBastille estate. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for 15-and-under. Call 962-2949 for reservations. Visit their website for more information.

Chris Maron
CARS Executive Director

CATS Hamlet-to-Hamlet Hike Success and Future Plans (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Volunteers from Across Country Help CATS Trail (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
CATS’ Grand Hike A Great Success (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
First Public Hike on Wildway Passage Trail (essexny.us)
CATS Moonlight Hike (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.