Calendar

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 hike:
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. Minimal expertise required. 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.

Sat., May 8 – WORK hike (M) – Coordinator Steve Kinne, 315-882-3684
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. Anticipated work site is NCT/LT segment between Art Park and Cazenovia; tasks will include trail improvements-- including benching and raking, plus light lopping.

Sun., May 23 – REC hike (M) Coordinator Kathy Disque, 315-656-3383
Enjoy a pleasant Sunday afternoon hike on the Link Trail from Carpenter Rd. to Rte. 80 and return. A few years ago, we saw a baby fawn in this section. Let’s keep our eyes open and see what we can find this time. Joint hike with ADK-ON. Meeting time and place: 11:30 a.m., parking lot at south end of Caz. Lake on Rte. 20 just east of NY 92. Round trip hike distance: approx. 5 miles.

Sun., May 30 – WILDFLOWER Hike (E) – Coordinator Mary Dineen, 315-424-1284
Hike at the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park while enjoying Mary Dineen’s wildflower expertise. 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 5 – NATIONAL TRAILS DAY -- Celebration at the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park
—10:AM –12:30PM.
Coordinator Al Larmann, 315-697-3387. Convene at the hilltop area adjacent to the HQ building. Parking is to the immediate south area and car-pooling is encouraged. Options: You will be able to explore one of the Art Park Trails of your choice, tour the exhibit hall, learn about the many attractions offered by the Art Park, and check on the NCT/Link Trail segment within the Park. At Noon, we reassemble at the picnic table area immediately adjacent to the HQ for refreshments—The Chapter will supply the coffee, tea, etc. and other good things you have earned by your hiking about the Park. A fine restroom facility with a view is nearby. For those interested, you can stay longer and enjoy more of the Art Park area trails, exhibits, and great vistas.

Sat., June 19 – 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., July 8 – WORK hike (M) – Coordinator Mike Lynch, 315-687-6113
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 24 – WORK hike (M) – Coordinator Steve Kinne, 315-882-3684
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 24 – Canastota Bicentennial Celebration: Coordinator Al Larmann, 315-697-3387. Our Central NY NCTA Chapter is pleased to be a supporter for the Bicentennial Celebration. Visit us at our tented display, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., near the Canal Town Museum. The Canal Town Museum and the Canastota Fire Department are the major attractions on N. Canal Street, with many area-interesting sites also featured. The always energetic President of the Canal Museum organization Joe DiGiorgio, will have the Museum open all day—great attractions. (Note: I need a few volunteers who can assist for a few hours—call me if interested)

Thurs., Aug. 5 – Sun., Aug. 8 – NCTA Annual Conference in Ashland, Wisconsin: Check the website for details www.northcountrytrail.org. Ashland is located on the south shore of Lake Superior, an attractive area.

Sat., Aug. 7 – REC hike (M) Coordinator Peg Whaley, 315-633-0154. Joint outing with ADK-Onondaga Chapter. Enjoy a pleasant hike on the Link Trail/North Country National Scenic Trail on flat terrain, partly through a hedgerow and partly in the open, Nelson Rd. to Quarry Rd and back. Meeting time and place: 10 a.m., Thruway Exit 34 (Canastota). Round trip hike distance: approx.5.8 miles.

Thurs., Aug. 12 - WORK hike (M) – Coordinator Mike Lynch, 315-687-6113
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. 25 - 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., Oct. 23 - ANNUAL MEETING: Cazenovia Public Library 1-3 p.m. Matt Urtz, Madison County Historian, will talk about the importance of Chittenango Creek to Cazenovia in terms of businesses on the water. His talk will include but not be limited to the Cazenovia Lake icehouse, the railroads, Chittenango Falls, Nelson Swamp, and possibly the tunnels dealing with the railroad. Refreshments will be served. SAVE THE DATE!!

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Central NY Chapter NCT Executive Committee Meetings: Second Thursday of January, March, May, September and November. General Membership Meeting: Fourth week in October. Call Kathy Woodruff (315-692-4651) for information.

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

2010 Trail Events

North Country Trail Association Central New York Chapter