Chautauqua County Hiking Club
http://www.bigsplat.net/organization/hikeclub/
2004 Season
Late 2003
Saturday, December 6 Chestnut Ridge Park ( Erie )
Meet at the parking lot by the toboggan slides at 10:00 AM. Use the
route 277 entrance near Newton Road. Hike on paved park roads until
noon. Bring lunch or hot food and drink, picnic tables available at
the Casino. ( 2 hours)
Coordinators: Ceil & Tom Bingham 673-1434 easy
A few members are beginning to coordinate a weeklong canoe/kayak trip
to Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario-Canada) for August 2004. Space
is limited. If you are interested in going on this trip, please attend
a planning meeting on December 13th at 1:00 PM at the Prendergast
Library in Jamestown. Contact Ron Jorgenson (814) 757-4774 or Brian
Pound 488-0501 for further details. A permit is required for this
trip and we need to know who is going in advance.
2004 Season
Saturday, January 10 Let's go Tubing!! ( Catt )
Meet at the Park and Ride north of Jamestown on Rt. 60 at the
expressway. Call to find out the time and the cost, as we are unable
to confirm at this time. We will be towed up a 17-story slope on a
vehicle more often seen under a car, only to hurtle down at great
speeds. And do it again! Guaranteed to please the inner child.
Coordinators: Ron Jorgenson 814 757-4774 Bonnie Bowen 296-8563 moderate
Sunday, January 11 Stockton Winter Walk ( Cha )
Enjoy a leisurely walk along snowmobile trails. This is a good
"get out of the house on a Sunday afternoon" type of walk.
We will follow a combination of paved road and wooded trails in the
Stockton area. Approximate length is 2.5 miles bur we can adapt the
length based on how the group feels. Anyone who wants to come back
to my place at the end for hot chocolate is welcome. Meet at the Stockton
Post Office on Rt. 380 at 1:30 PM.
Coordinator: Eileen Campbell M-TH 838-3737 Fri-Sun 595-2087 moderate
Saturday, January 17 Beginner Ski ( Cha )
Meet at the Clock Tower on the Fredonia College Campus (Central
Ave Entrance) at I:00 PM to ski. Some skis available for loan. Call
Bev ahead of time if you want a loaner pair.
Coordinators: Bev Ruska 679-9676 moderate
Sunday, January 25 Liz's 'Out the Back Door' Ski ( Cha )
Meet at the Chautauqua Institution Welcome Center just inside
the Main Gates at 1:30 for a 1 to 2 hour ski in a nearby forest. Course
route will be adjusted depending on skiers' experience.
Coordinator: Elizabeth Lasser 753-2838 easy to moderate
Sunday, February 1 Sleigh Rally at Chautauqua Institution ( Cha
)
The 24th annual Chautauqua County Horseman's Association Sleigh
Rally begins at 10:00 AM with draft, light horse and pony single and
team hitches and lasts through 3:00 p.m. or so. It is highlighted
by a Currier and Ives Sleigh Competition around the Institution perimeter
around 12:00 noon. Refreshments will be offered at the Fire Hall and
the Diner, and hayrides will also be offered. Come and see the Sleigh
Rally and join us on our 1:30 p.m. hike around the grounds (approx.
2 miles). We will meet where the 'big red trucks' exit the Fire Hall
(inside the grounds, just south of the Main Gate). Dress appropriately
for the weather (including your footwear!).
Coordinator: Joan Smith 357-4539 easy
Saturday, February 7 Sam's Moonlight Cross Country Ski ( Cha )
We will meet at the Bemus Point blinker light at 7:30 PM. Our
course will depend on the weather, the snow pack and the thickness
of the Chautauqua Lake ice, but it should be an easy to moderate ski,
2 to 3 miles long with some hot chocolate at Sam's house après
ski. Call for more details.
Coordinator: Sam Kent 386-7332 easy to moderate
Saturday, February 14 College Lodge Ski ( Cha )
Meet at the Green Arches Restaurant in Brocton, NY (Rt. 20) at
1:00 PM and will drive to the nearby College Lodge. There are several
trails with varying conditions and a lodge to warm ourselves.
Coordinator: Bev Ruska 679-9676 moderate
Sunday, February 15 Chautauqua Institution Ski ( Cha )
Meet at the Main Gate Welcoming Center at Chautauqua Institution
at 1:30 PM to ski the golf course and grounds. Apres ski stop at Joan's
house.
Coordinators: Joan Smith 357-4539 Dick Rose 763-6892 easy
Saturday, February 28 West Overland Ski ( Cha )
Join me for a ski on the West Overland Trail from the parking
area near Panama to the lean-to about three miles to the North. Meet
at 10:00 AM in front of the Wegman's store on Rt. 394 in Ellicott
next to the new Home Depot to form car pools. This is a very pleasant
part of the trail through beautiful sheltering woods, mostly on the
level with a few moderate ups and downs. Bring a trail lunch, a hot
beverage or soup to eat in the shelter of the lean to in front of
a campfire. After eating we will ski back to the cars. Dress appropriately
for the weather and snow conditions. If there is no snow, we will
hike instead. Please call me if you have any questions.
Coordinator: Dick Rose 763-6892 easy
Saturday, March 20 Hopeful Spring Hike ( Cha )
Weather will make the call on hike location and length, but if
history repeats itself with Doug, it will be a hike on the strenuous
side. Doug has led us through some of the "lesser hiked"
areas of our county in the past with some natural wonder sights that
are not all that common. We can't make the call on whether there will
be a snow pack or not at the time of typing this, so we encourage
you to call Doug and get the details, or you could just show up. Meet
at the Sinclairville Commons (look for the gazebo) at 10:00 AM and
bring a lunch.
Coordinator: Doug Schroeder 962-8447 moderate to strenuous
CANOE EVENTS COMING UP-PLAN AHEAD
EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 11
Sunday, April 18 Eastside Overland Trail (Cha )
Meet at the Southside plaza on Foote Ave. in Jamestown at 9:00
AM to carpool to the trailhead (or call ahead for a meeting place).
Bring a lunch.
(approx. 11.5 miles)
Coordinators: Joy Leonard 569-6517 Brenda Brook 487-9996 moderate
Saturday, April 24 Baer Trail ( Cha )
Met at the trailhead at 10:00 AM on Plank Road near Honeysette
where the Niagara Mohawk Power signs are posted. Parking is available
under the high-tension wires. We will hike the trail bed to Bliss
Road and back through forest. We will cross ponds on the rail line,
Bring a sandwich to eat on the trail. ( 2 hours)
Coordinator: Ceil and Tom Bingham 673-1434 easy
Saturday & Sunday, May 1-2 Clarion Canoe/Kayak Overnight ( PA
)
Canoe/Kayak the Clarion River between Ridgeway and Cook Forest
State Park, camping along the way. The river is described as scenic
with mostly smooth but swift water. If time allows, we will take a
hike at Cook Forest, which contains a stand of virgin white Pine,
and Hemlock. Call ahead for details and for meeting time (we may leave
Friday night). You should bring your canoe/kayak, food, water, and
camping gear.
Coordinator: Ron Jorgenson 814 757-4774 Brian Pound 488-0501 moderate
Sunday, May 2 Meadows-Wright Roads ( Cha )
Let's walk a pleasant country road! Meet at 2:00 PM on the Meadows
Rd. at the Dewittville Methodist Church (Rt. 430). Total distance
up to the Stockton-Hartfield Road via Wright Road and back via Meadows
is about 7 miles. At 4 miles there will be a hot chocolate stop and
an opportunity to be shuttled back to your car.
Coordinators: Evelyn & Sam Thorndike 753-5194 easy
Saturday, May 8 Tifft Nature Preserve / Botanical Gardens ( Erie)
Meet at Silver Creek Park in the center of town at 9:30 AM or
at Tifft at 10:30 AM. Enjoy birdwatching and other nature sightings;
explore the Botanical Garden with guided tours by Bev and John. Bring
a lunch, and binoculars or camera. (A pocketful of sunflower seed
is a great idea too! The chickadees are hand fed here)
Coordinator: Bev and John Ruska 679-9676 easy
Saturday, May 15 Sixth Annual French Creek Float ( PA )
Arrive at Wattsburg Fair Grounds Friday night after 6:00 PM to
camp, or Saturday morning by 11:00 AM to leisurely float by kayak,
canoe or raft, down French Creek. Transportation for you and the vessel
of your choice to starting area provided. $20 advance fee or $25 day
of the event fee covers two beverage breaks, lunch, dinner and campsite
for Friday and Saturday nights.
Coordinator: Jim Backlas 753-2562 individual
REMINDER!!!
The Allegany Nature Pilgrimage is June 4-6
If you don't know about this Nature education/recreation weekend-call
Bonnie Bowen at 296-8563.
Saturday, May 15 Bike Day Trip (Erie)
Call for directions and reservations for this event. Several bike
trails are being considered.
Coordinator: Karen Briggs 965-4807 moderate
Saturday, May 22 French Creek Nature Preserve ( Cha )
Meet at 2:00 PM in Sherman at the parking lot on State Route 76,
between I-86 exit and State Route 430. Learn about natural and cultural
history of the area on an easy one-mile stroll on The Nature Conservancy's
French Creek Preserve, located two miles north of the community of
French Creek. We hope the weather is warm enough to leave us hungry
for ice cream in Sherman following the hike.
Coordinators: Susan McAlpine 386-7332 Bev Ruska 679-9676 easy
MEMORIAL WEEKEND MAY 29-31
Saturday, May 29 Geocaching ( ? )
How about coming to a modern day TREASURE HUNT. The name of the
game is Geocaching. It is a fun new way of enjoying the woods you
may already know or would like to get to know. We will start with
some coordinates supplied by the kind folks at www.geocaching.com,
plug them into a GPS and let the games begin.! The object is to locate
a cache of trinkets that have been hidden from plain sight. When you
find it you can claim a trinket as a prize and replace it with one
of your choosing. Sounds like child's play you say? Well the GPS will
get you close but then it is up to you to find the cache, or did it
turn out to be just another clue? You've got the picture. If you would
like more information please call and leave a message or check it
out on the web site above. Don't worry if you don't have a GPS, we
only need one in a group. Meet at the Southside plaza in Jamestown
on Route 60 at 9:00 AM. Bring a lunch.
Coordinators: Ron & Sue Jorgenson 814 757-4774 ??
Saturday, June 12 Little Chautauqua Creek Hike ( Cha )
What a beautiful creek-three waterfalls---we descend 300 feet
in 3.5 miles from Quillian Rd. to Gale St. Bring a lunch, swimsuits
and sturdy footwear. Meet at Quality market on Rt. 20 in Westfield
at 10:00 AM. Those who wish to do only the first waterfall can easily
retrace their steps back to their cars.
Coordinators: Ron Jorgenson 814 757- 4774 challenging
Saturday, June 19 University Campus Tour- Fredonia ( Cha )
Turn at the traffic light on Central Avenue west into the main entrance
of the University and park by the Bell Tower Clock at 10:00 AM. All
campus roads will be traversed and interesting sculpture and buildings
will be noted. The natatorium and area concert halls will be pointed
out as well as hidden gardens and walkways. Lunch can be eaten at
the Campus Community Grove on one end of the complex.
Coordinator: Tom & Ceil Bingham 673-1434 easy
Saturday, June 26 Breakfast Hike ( Cha )
Meet at the Central Avenue Pier on Rt. 5 in Dunkirk at 9:00 a.m.
to cook breakfast and hike around the Gratiot Point Park and Beach,
and maybe catch a swim. Bring your own food and cookware.
Coordinator: Avey Giacchino 366-3936 easy
Sunday, July 18 Gardiner's Rocks ( PA )
Let's go check out Gardiner's Rocks in Russell PA. They are said
to be like Little Rock City, so we should have some fun. Afterward
we can stop at the Village ice cream parlor if anyone has a hankering.
We will meet at the Russell Park at 2:00 PM. Take Rt. 62 south until
you come to the blinking light. This will be about half way between
Jamestown and Warren. Make a left (heading east) and drive into the
metropolis of Russell. You will come to a four way stop. Go straight
and the park will be just past the Post Office on your left. If you
go over a steel bridge you went too far. If you need any more information
please call.
Coordinators: Ron & Sue Jorgenson 814 757-4774 moderate
Saturday & Sunday July 31-August 1 Blue Moon over Kinzua (
PA )
There are two ways to enjoy this outing. By canoe or kayak we
will put in on the west shore of Kinzua and paddle across to camp
on the shore near the Tracy Ridge/Johnnycake Trails. You could also
pack in on the hiking trail to meet us. We plan to hike, paddle and
cook up some good food. And watch the Blue Moon rise in this beautiful
place. Please call to plan.
Coordinator: Bonnie Bowen 296-8563 depends!
Saturday, August 7 Arkwright Falls ( Cha )
Meet at Wendy's in Fredonia at 10:00 AM and bring a lunch or snack.
Coordinator: Tina Wilson 965-2922 easy
Saturday, August 21 Westside Overland Trail ( Cha )
Meet at the four corners in Panama in front of hardware store,
(Rt. 474 and 33), at 10 AM. We will hike over fairly rugged trails
for 3 - hours; could be muddy, wear boots, bring raingear. First section
is 3.7 miles,
mostly uphill, to Panama Rocks Road, (Co Rt. 10). Meet us there, at
the trail marker heading South at 12:45, if halfway (3.7 mi., mostly
downhill) is far enough for you. "Bring your own" picnic
lunch is optional. Telephone for additional details.
Coordinator: Elizabeth Lasser 753-2838 moderate
Saturday, August 28 Presque Isle Paddle ( PA )
Presque Isle is a wonderful place to paddle. The lagoons are peaceful
and have a number of birds,turtles and water plants to observe. Bring
your canoe or kayak or rent one there. We will go exploring and those
who wish can stay and camp on Lake Erie. Please call ahead for time
and meeting place.
Coordinator: Bonnie Bowen 296-8563 moderate
Saturday & Sunday, September 11-12 Overnight Campout ( Cha )
Come and camp for the weekend. Or, just join us for a cookout
on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Call ahead for location and directions.
Coordinators: Joan Smith 357-4539 easy
Saturday & Sunday, September 11-12 Two Creek Canoe/Kayak Trip
( Cha )
We will canoe the Cassadaga and Conewango Creeks from Hartson
Road (outside Falconer) to the school in Warren. We will camp out
on a campsite maintained by Chautauqua County (Clam Island). Call
ahead for details on meting time and place.
Coordinators: Brian & Sara Pound 488-0501 moderate
Saturday, September 18 International Beach Sweep ( Cha )
We will be cleaning up the Barcelona Beach area from 10:00 AM
to 12:00 PM. Meet at the end of N. Portage Street (turn at light and
bear to the west). Bring gloves and plastic bags.
Coordinator: Joan Smith 357-4539 easy
Saturday, September 18 Ney Trail - Town of Portland ( Cha )
Meet at the corner of Prospect Station Road and Fish Road to park
at the Allison Ney Trail entrance at 10:00 AM. We will hike the rail
bed to Thayer Road and return to eat our lunch at the picnic table
by the cars. Don't forget your lunch. Views of Lake Erie are spectacular!
Coordinators: Ceil & Tom Bingham 673-1434 easy
Sunday, September 19 Annual Organizational Meeting ( Cha )
Please gather at my home to enjoy potluck and talk about the year
to come. I am located on the northwest corner of Weaver Road and Aldrich
Hill Road in Cherry Creek. Call for directions or email me for my
printed directions at bbowen@copper.net. Bring ideas and a dish to
pass and hope for a flawless autumn day. We can hike the snowmobile
trails.
Coordinator: Bonnie Bowen 296-8563 piece a cake
Saturday, September 25 Off Trail Hike ( Cha )
Doug will take us on an off trail tramp through statelands. Doug
knows these woods like the back of his hands. If you are up to some
nice scenery and want to get your heart pumping hiking through Chautauqua
County hilled and daled woodland, this is a hike you should not miss.
Bring a lunch and meet Doug at the Cassadaga Village Park next to
the traffic light at 10:00 AM. Figure on a 5 mile hike.
Coordinator: Doug Schroeder 962-8447 moderate to strenuous
Saturday, October 2 Tanbark Trail ( PA )
Meet at the Southside Plaza, Route 60, Jamestown at 7:00 AM to
car pool to the trailhead. This hike starts near Dunham Siding, passes
near the Heart's Content Scenic Area and ends on U.S. route 62 at
the Allegheny River. We'll pass some interesting rock formations and
hike through several forest valleys. Bring a lunch. Hike is 8.1 miles.
Coordinator: Bill Tuthill 661-9337 moderate to difficult
Saturday, October 9 Fire Tower Trail ( Catt )
Meet at the Park and Ride at Route 60 and I-86 at Jamestown at
10:00 AM to carpool to Allegany State Park to hike the Fire Tower
Trail. (approximately 4 miles) Bring a lunch.
Coordinator: Eileen Campbell 838-3737 (M-Th) 595-2087 (F-Sun) moderate
Saturday, October 16 Asbury Woods Greenway Trail ( PA )
Meet at 10:00 AM at the Asbury Woods Nature Center. Asbury Woods
is a 200 acre tract of wetlands, trails, forests, streams, and fields
located in southwest Erie County, PA. The Millcreek School district
operates Asbury Woods as an environmental education and recreation
center. The 4.5-mile Greenway Trail system is the primary pathway
through the Asbury Woods.
Directions: Asbury Woods is located at 4105 Asbury Road, one quarter
of a mile south of West 38th Street in Millcreek township. From Erie
travel west on West 38th Street to the 4-way stop at Asbury Road.
Turn South on Asbury Road and travel 1/4 mile to the Asbury Woods
entrance on the left. From NY travel I-90 to exit 5 for Sterrettania
Road/Rt. 832. Go north to West 38th Street and follow the directions
listed above. More information on Asbury Woods can be found on their
website at www.asburywoods.org.
Coordinator: Max Peaster 814 455-6673 easy to moderate
Sunday, October 17 Griffis Sculpture Park ( Catt)
Meet at the library in Gowanda, NY at 10:00 AM. We will drive
to the Park to enjoy the autumn scenery and the variety of sculptures.
Definitely a "hands on" art gallery. Bring a lunch and your
camera.
Coordinator: Bev Ruska 679-9676 easy
NOVEMBER IS OPEN, NO VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS. NEXT YEAR'S SCHEDULE
TO COME OUT AROUND THANKSGIVING AND BEGIN WITH HIKES THE WEEK AFTER
THE HOLIDAY.
