2008 CNYNCTA Hike Schedule

Come out and meet other members and guests of the Central New York Chapter of the North Country Trail Association. We look forward to a great season of recreational and work hikes. If you would like more information about a particular hike or event, call the volunteer coordinator listed in the description.

When you go on a hike, be sure to dress properly, and bring a lunch and water. The coordinator will arrange car pooling at the meeting place. Remember that the coordinators are volunteers; please help them by staying with the group during the event. Of course, hiking involves risks; anyone participating does so at his/her own risk.

Rating For Difficulty of hikes:
E - easy, level, less than 4 miles hiking distance
M - moderate, less than 1000 feet of elevation gain, 4 - 7 miles of hiking distance
S - strenuous, 1000 to 2500 feet of elevation gain, 7 - 12 miles of hiking distance

Work Hikes: Work hikes involve trail maintenance or trail construction. No expertise is needed. Try one! The club has tools. However, if you can bring loppers or a bow saw or a weed whip, that is great. Also, remember to bring work gloves.

Thurs., March 27 – Health & Wellness Fair Open to the Public at the Roberts Street School in Canastota. Our Chapter will have a display table. Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Sat., April 12 – WORK hike (M) – Coordinator Kathy Eisele, 315-672-5645
Join us for trail maintenance or construction. Meeting time and place: 9:00 a.m., parking lot at south end of Caz. Lake on Rte. 20 just east of NY 92.

Sat., April 19 – BLACK RIVER FEEDER CANAL (S) – Coordinator Kathy Disque, 315-656-3383
Hike 9.5 miles from Boonville to Forestport on our chapter’s most eastern completed section of the North Country National Scenic Trail past several canal artifacts and with some scenic views of the Black River. Joint hike with ADK-Onondaga. R/T Drive: 120 miles. Meeting Time: 9:00 a.m. Meeting Place: Call leader.

Sat., May 10 – WORK hike (M) Coordinator Kathy Perry, 607-345-0528
Join us for trail maintenance or construction. Meeting time and place: 9:00 a.m., parking lot at south end of Caz. Lake on Rte. 20 just east of NY 92.

Thurs., May 29 – WORK hike (M) - Coordinator Kathy Eisele, 315-672-5645
Join us for trail maintenance or construction. Meeting time and place: 9:00 a.m., Park and Ride lot at Canastota, Thruway Exit 34.

Sun., June 1 – WILDFLOWER Hike (E) – Coordinator Mary Dineen, 315-424-1284
Hike in Nelson Swamp Unique Area on the Link Trail and the DEC Interpretive Loop while enjoying Mary Dineen’s wildflower expertise. Joint hike with ADK-Onondaga. Hiking distance: approx. 3 miles. Meeting time and place: 1:00 p.m., parking lot at south end of Caz. Lake on Rte. 20 just east of NY 92.

Sat., June 7 – NATIONAL TRAILS DAY (M) – Coordinator Kathy Eisele, 315-672-5645
Join us to celebrate National Trails Day with a work hike on a section of the Link Trail/North Country National Scenic Trail. No trail work experience needed. Bring water, lunch, work gloves and appropriate footwear. The club has tools, but bring loppers if you have them. Meeting time and place: 9:30 a.m., parking lot at TriValley Family Practice, corner of Mt. Pleasant St. and Rte. 5, Canastota (across the street from Aldi’s).

Sat., June 21 – WORK hike (M) – Coordinator Steve Kinne, 315-687-6312
Join us for trail maintenance or construction. Meeting time and place: 9:00 a.m., parking lot at south end of Caz. Lake on Rte. 20 just east of NY 92.

Sat., July 5 – WORK hike (M) – Coordinator Kathy Eisele, 315-672-5645
Join us for trail maintenance or construction. Meeting time and place: 9:00 a.m., parking lot at south end of Caz. Lake on Rte. 20 just east of NY 92.

July 9- Aug 29: NEW WOODSTOCK FREE LIBRARY, "Green and Wild”-- Special appeal for families and children. Environmental Awareness Exhibit, includes CNY NCTA display about the Link Trail--close to New Woodstock village. The trail makes green and wild accessible! Check http://www.midyork.org/newwoodstock/ or (315) 662-3134 for library hours.

Thurs., July 24 – WORK hike (M) – Coordinator Kathy Eisele, 315-672-5645
Join us for trail maintenance or construction. Meeting time and place: 9:00 a.m., parking lot at south end of Caz. Lake on Rte. 20 just east of NY 92.

Thurs., Aug. 7 through Sun., Aug. 10 - North Country Trail Association’s Annual Conference hosted jointly
in Cazenovia by our Central NY North Country Trail Assoc. Chapter, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference, and ADK-Onondaga. Plan to attend to join hikers from the seven states of the North Country National Scenic Trail for four days of hiking, workshops, and camaraderie. Seven years ago we helped to host this event in Cazenovia. For the first time ever, NCTA has chosen to return to the same site for the annual conference. Be sure to put this event on your calendar. For registration information, watch the April issue of the North Star or <www.northcountrytrail.org>

Sat., Aug. 30 - WORK hike (M) – Coordinator Eileen Fairbrother, 315- 684-9488
Join us for trail maintenance or construction. Meeting time and place: 9:00 a.m., parking lot at south end of Caz. Lake on Rte. 20 just east of NY 92.

Sat., Sept. 13 - WORK hike (M) - Coordinator John Scott, 315-655-0619
Join us for trail maintenance or construction. Meeting time and place: 9:00 a.m., parking lot at south end of Caz. Lake on Rte. 20 just east of NY 92.

Sat., Sept. 27 – REC hike (S) – Coordinator Kathy Disque, 315-656-3383
Hike about 12 miles on the Lehigh Valley Railbed from Cazenovia to Canastota. We will be some of the first through hikers on this newly completed section. Joint hike with ADK-Onondaga. Meeting time and place: Call leader for information.

Sat., Oct. 18 - WORK hike (M) - Coordinator Kathy Eisele, 315-672-5645
Join us for trail maintenance or construction. Meeting time and place: 9:00 a.m., parking lot at south end of Caz. Lake on Rte. 20 just east of NY 92.

Thurs., Oct. 23 - ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: Details to follow.
Meeting time and place: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Cazenovia Library, downstairs meeting room.
Call Kathy Woodruff, 315-697-7017 if you have any questions.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Central NY Chapter NCT Executive Committee Meetings: First Thursday of January, March, May, September and November. General Membership Meeting: Fourth week in October. Call Kathy Woodruff (315-697-7017) for information.

Newsletter publication dates: Early January, April, July, October; send copy to Al Larmann approximately 10 days before deadline <aflarmann@msn.com>