Posts Tagged ‘Champlain Area Trails’

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Adirondack area organizations welcome new hires

Several Adirondack area organizations recently welcomed an allotment of new staff, including Champlain Area Trails (CATS), the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), The Hyde Collection, Silver Bay YMCA, and the Trudeau Institute.

Trudeau Institute President Atsuo Kuki Leaves Position, Chief Administrative Officer William Chapin named interim director

Saranac Lake—Atsuo Kuki has stepped away from his role as president and director of Trudeau Institute, after serving in the role for six years.

Chief Administrative Officer William Chapin, a 9-year Trudeau veteran, has been appointed the Institute‘s interim director.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, April 25, 2022

Champlain Area Trails to host family-friendly Grand Hike, Brew Party on May 14

After a two-year hiatus, Champlain Area Trails (CATS) will present a “shorter” Grand Hike on May 14 through the fields and forests of Westport. This year’s hike will be a six-mile loop on Viall’s Crossing trails. The hike starts at the Essex County Fairgrounds and ends at the Ledge Hill Brewing Company right next to the fairgrounds. All are invited to attend a “brew party” at the conclusion of the hike that will feature live music by the Bionic Band from Saranac Lake, drinks, food to purchase from DaCy Meadow Farm, a kids’ area, and a post-hike celebration.

“We are so pleased to start this up again,” said Chris Maron, CATS Executive Director. “With so many uncertainties, we chose to keep it simple—to have it be an afternoon walk beginning at the Essex County Fairgrounds in Westport, going on a number of CATS trails, then on easy roads through Westport and ending at Ledge Hill Brewery which is right next to the fairgrounds. That makes for convenient parking for all those who want to enjoy our family-friendly trails and for those coming from farther distances.”

» Continue Reading.


Friday, February 25, 2022

Taking time for impromptu outing

bobcat trail CATS

For more than a few Adirondackers, buying groceries is more complex than it ought to be, because the simple act of loading bags in the hatchback is complicated by the presence of skis, snowshoes, spikes and myriad other vaguely medieval looking winter gear left there for the express purpose of impromptu adventures. 

Don’t try to tell me I’m wrong about this. I’ve been in the grocery store parking lot. I’ve seen your cars. But it’s OK, because I maintain that you haven’t lived until a previously unnoticed trailhead causes you to slam on the brakes on an icy road, affording the people behind you one of those all-too-rare chances to test out their wintertime evasive driving skills. 

» Continue Reading.


Sunday, January 30, 2022

Town to Town on the CATS trails

turnpike signBy Mary McGowan

I saw on the Champlain Area Trails (CATS) map that there is a town to town hike starting in Port Kent and ending in Ticonderoga. Well, Peter and I were game. Since we could not go to Spain and walk the Camino de Santiago, we decided to do el Camino de Ticontiago!

Looking over the map we pieced together the trails we would take and made a guess at the mileage. Choosing the number of days, we would walk lead us to what towns we would sleep in and where to eat along the way. Planning our meals to coincide with restaurants being open was a challenge.

Choosing a Tuesday as our start day, we drove to the Port Kent train station and parked the car there as I felt it would not be in the way since the train is not running. With a clear sky we started out with our trusty walking sticks, small backpacks of dry socks, toiletries, change of outfits, sweaters, light rain jackets, water and snacks.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, November 18, 2021

Champlain Area Trails to Open Spirit Sanctuary Trail

Hikers enjoy a sneak peek of the new trail at Spirit Sanctuary.

WESTPORT – Champlain Area Trails (CATS) will host a trail opening hike on the new Spirit Sanctuary Trail in Essex, on Saturday, November 27th at 10 a.m.  

The Spirit Sanctuary Trail is a one-mile there-and-back trail that begins on Cook Road, about 1.3 miles west of NYS Route 22 in Whallonsburg. It goes through the new “green” cemetery, then along a forested little ridge overlooking a wetland and connects to the popular CATS Black Kettle Trail. Hikers can continue on this 1-mile loop trail with beautiful views, cliffs, big trees, and a scenic brook and then return through the Sanctuary. 

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Grand opening of Essex Quarry Nature Preserve set for Sept 18

essex quarry
Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is hosting a Grand Opening Celebration for the newly opened Essex Quarry Nature Preserve on Saturday, September 18th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The day will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and then a self-guided hike through the preserve.
It will feature Taylor Haskins playing his unique style of music as you walk around the quarry. Plus – there will be free food and refreshments graciously supplied by Essex Eats, activities for kids and more.
Organizers ask that you sign up in advance so they can gauge how many people will attend. Please park at the ferry parking lot, in downtown Essex, and on School Street. The EQNP parking lot will be closed off. To sign up, click here!
Photo provided by CATS

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Champlain Area Trails announces Northern Pathways Challenge

patch of cats northern pathways challenge

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) has announced the Northern Pathways Challenge. Participants can register on the CATS Website. Hike three of the five trails described on the website, and earn a limited-edition commemorative patch.

“I’m looking forward to this challenge,” said Derek Rogers, CATS Development Director, “It will give our supporters a chance to explore some wonderful Clinton County trails.”

The Northern Pathways Challenge will be Clinton County-based, and participants will have to complete three out of the five trails to be awarded a patch. It runs from National Trails Day, June 5th, 2021 until December 31st, 2021. Registration is $5 per hiker.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, June 4, 2021

CATS marks National Trails Day on June 5 with service projects

CATS logoThis year for National Trails Day on June 5th, Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is doing something different.  Instead of just hiking trails, we will be making trails! Please join us and help make a trail. Choose between these two projects:
Broughton Ledges Trail in Moriah –  We initially cleared this trail going up the mountain over a year ago and it needs to have fallen branches removed and some pruning. There is also a new section about a mile in which needs to be cleared and another section that needs rerouting to avoid a wet portion of the logging road. Tools to bring are loppers, a hand saw, and gloves to protect your hands as you pick up the branches. To sign up, click  here !
*This is a fairly difficult 4-mile long trail so please keep that in mind when you consider registering.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, February 15, 2021

Champlain Area Trails awarded State Grants

Essex Quarry provided by CATSChamplain Area Trails (CATS) has been awarded two grants from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) totaling $63,225.

“We are thrilled to be awarded $28,500 to create a new website that will greatly improve our online presence,” said Emily Segada, CATS Operations & Communications Manager, “We’ve already reached out to designers and are working to have a much more interactive trails page among many other improvements.”

CATS has also been awarded a $34,725 grant to support their Essex Quarry Nature Preserve and Trail project. These funds will help pay transaction costs (legal, survey, staff time) and some of the trail-making expenses.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, January 2, 2020

A Full Moon Hike With John Brown Lives

full moon provided by champlain area trails John Brown Lives! (JBL!) is set to co-host a Full Moon Hike with Champlain Area Trails on the John Brown Trail at Viall’s Crossing Farm in Westport on Friday, January 10, 2020.

The farm has a unique connection to John Brown. Asa Viall, the son of the farm’s first owner, was a friend of the abolitionist, who led an unsuccessful raid on a Virginia armory in 1859. When Brown was executed for leading a rebellion to end slavery, Asa Viall provided and drove the wagon that took Brown’s body to its final resting place at his farm in North Elba, near Lake Placid. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Full Moon Hike Planned for Viall’s Crossing Trail

full moon provided by champlain area trailsChamplain Area Trails (CATS) and John Brown Lives! (JBL!) are set to co-host a Full Moon Hike at the Viall’s Crossing Trail in Westport on Friday, January 10th, 2020.

Viall’s Crossing Farm has a unique connection to John Brown.  Asa Viall, the son of the farm’s first owner, was a friend of the abolitionist, who led an unsuccessful raid on a Virginia armory in 1859.

When Brown was executed for leading a rebellion to end slavery, Asa Viall provided and drove the wagon that took Brown’s body to its final resting place at his farm in North Elba, near Lake Placid. » Continue Reading.


Sunday, November 10, 2019

New Trail Maps for Central, Northern Champlain Valley

CATS trail mapsChamplain Area Trails (CATS) has published two new trail maps that cover hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities in the Champlain Valley, from Ticonderoga and the nearby Pharaoh Lake Wilderness north to the Canadian Boarder.

The Central Champlain Valley Trail Map is the latest update of the trail map first published 12 years ago, which covers a geographic area from Peru south through Ticonderoga and into northern Warren County. New this year, the Northern Champlain Valley Trail Map expands north from Willsboro Point to Canada. » Continue Reading.


Friday, September 13, 2019

Featured Hike: Wildway Overlook Trail, Whallonsburg

wildway overlook trail mapWildway Overlook trail, part of the Champlain Area Trails (CATS), is a relatively easy, family and dog-friendly hike that begins in Whallonsburg. The hike is 1.5 miles round trip, includes interpretive signs along the trail, and ends in at a rocky outcrop that overlooks the Split Rock Wildway Wildlife Corridor and the Lake Champlain Valley. » Continue Reading.


Monday, August 5, 2019

Ferns and Mosses Hike Planned Near Split Rock

Naturalist Audrey HysonChamplain Area Trails (CATS) is set to host a hike led by Audrey Hyson, Saturday, August 17, on the Flying Squirrel Trail, between Westport and Essex.

Hyson writes the “Everyday Naturalist” column for Adirondac magazine and is an experienced naturalist. » Continue Reading.


Sunday, September 9, 2018

‘Fest to Fest’ Hike Showcases Viall’s Crossing

Katherine Preston leads the way on the Vialls Crossing TrailChamplain Area Trails (CATS) is set to host a ‘Fest to Fest’ hike to coincide with the Third Annual Adirondack Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 15. Hikers will begin and end at the Festival on the Essex County Fairgrounds in Westport, New York. The hike starts at 10 am; hikers should come early to check in at the registration desk near the main entrance.

The hike showcases the new Viall’s Crossing Trail where, to ensure permanent legal access to a critical railroad crossing for the trail connecting Westport and Essex, CATS “spent some serious money,” according to a CATS announcement.  All proceeds from this year’s hike will help pay for the Viall’s Crossing Conservation and Trail Project. » Continue Reading.



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