Since 2013, the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has transformed the Fifth of July into a celebration of their free parks and preserves – the Hike-A-Thon! Hundreds of hikers and paddlers sign up each year to show their appreciation for these natural resources in the Lake George Region. There is no cost to participate, but pre-registration is required and space is limited!
Photo Credit: Gerry Lemmo
The LGLC is a local nonprofit land trust that works on conservation projects in the Lake George watershed. The group owns a wide variety of preserves, mountains, and other properties in the region that are open to the public, such as Cook Mountain, Amy’s Park, and the Godwin Preserve.
To showcase these free public resources, the LGLC created the Hike-A-Thon. This one-day event is held annually on July 5th, and it encourages participants to join together for simultaneous hiking and paddling trips.
Once everyone has reached a specified location during the Hike-A-Thon, renowned Adirondack photographer Carl Heilman II will take aerial photos of each site from a helicopter. Photos will be available for purchase afterward.
For the 5th annual Hike-A-Thon, hikers and paddlers can sign up for 1 of 17 possible sites (subject to change). Each of the sites has a maximum capacity, so registration will close as they are filled.
The main focus is on the LGLC’s free properties, but this year, four Partner Sites have been added to the list:
- Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center
- Silver Bay YMCA (for members only)
- YMCA Camp Chingachgook
- Charles R. Wood Park
Although the Hike-A-Thon is still four months away, sites are already reaching maximum capacity. Rogers Rock is full, and a few others are expected to fill up in the coming weeks.
If you’re at all interested in this year’s Hike-A-Thon, then you should pick a site and register for it soon. Early bird registrants (until April 30) receive a free t-shirt. If hiking isn’t for you, there are volunteer positions available as well.
Ready to sign up? See the list of sites and registration information >>
You can bring your dog along too (except at Up Yonda Farm and Camp Chingachgook). Learn about hiking with your dog >>
Source:
- Post-Star – Four months away, hiking slots filling up
