More than 200 people have already signed-up for the Lake George Land Conservancy’s annual Hike-A-Thon. The Conservancy anticipates a total participation of nearly 600 hikers, paddlers and volunteers.

The Lake George Hike-A-Thon is a one-day event held each July 5th, created to showcase the Lake George Land Conservancy’s parks and preserves as free public resources, and to promote a healthy, active lifestyle and appreciation for the outdoors.

Hikes take place simultaneously all around Lake George, culminating with aerial photography of each group by Carl Heilman, II, who will be flying in a helicopter piloted by Bruce Mowery of North Country Heliflite.

Early registration is necessary to get a spot at a popular site. Of the 14 available sites, two have already filled to capacity, including a new site for 2016, Rogers’ Rock/Little Slide in Ticonderoga. Other new sites include Pole Hill Pond Preserve in Bolton, and a paddle to Northwest Bay, also in Bolton.

Although the property that includes Rogers’ Rock’s Little Slide is owned by the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC), there is no official trail to the spectacular view overlooking Heart Bay and the north end of Lake George. The hike’s inclusion in this year’s Hike-A-Thon was made possible thanks to Gray and Susan Densmore, owners of Valley View Farm, and Dean Cook (Heart Bay Association), who have allowed LGLC to use their land to access Little Slide.

Pole Hill Pond Preserve is a NYS Forest Preserve property managed by the LGLC. With a nearly six-mile round-trip hike, its addition provides another option for those wanting more of a challenge.

The paddle to Northwest Bay will start at the NYS boat launch on Rt 9N, and end at the tip of the LGLC’s Loines Preserve, just at the mouth of the bay. The 37-acre Loines Preserve was donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1964 by Hilda and Elma Loines, and Sylvia Loines Dalton. The land was transferred into the care of the LGLC in 2004.

Participants can also climb the face of Rogers’ Rock as part of the Hike-A-Thon.  RockSport, an indoor rock climbing facility and outdoor guiding service in Queensbury, will lead a climbing group on the Slide during the Hike-A-Thon. There is a fee to climb, and all climbers must sign up through RockSport. Contact RockSport owner and guide Tom Rosecrans at (518) 793-4626 for details.

The LGLC is also seeking Hike-A-Thon volunteers. A large crew of volunteers is needed to help lead hikes and keep things running smoothly on the ground. For those who want to be part of the event but are unable to hike, joining the Ground Crew is a way to be involved. Further information is available here.

For more information about the Hike-A-Thon visit the LGLC website, or contact Communications and Outreach Manager Sarah Hoffman at (518) 644-9673 or via email at shoffman@lglc.org. The Hike-A-Thon can also be found on Facebook.

Photo: View of Cat Mountain summit in Bolton Landing, 2015 Lake George Hike-A-Thon by Carl Heilman, II/Wild Visions, Inc.