Grafton Lakes State Park is offering two nature hikes and a Mountain Bike Festival as part of the Ninth Annual Hudson River Valley Ramble in September. The Ramble is sponsored annually by the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, Hudson River Valley Greenway and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Estuary Program. A total of 202 events will take place from Saratoga County and the Capital Region to New York City on the weekends of September 13-14, September 20-21 and September 27-28.
Grafton Lakes State Park will host three events as part of the 2008 Hudson River Valley Ramble. On Saturday September 13 the Park will hold its annual Mountain Bike Festival and a nature hike on Long Pond Trail. A second nature hike on the Long Pond trail will take place on Saturday September 27.
The Mohawk-Hudson Cycling Club’s 10th Annual Mountain Bike Festival begins at 8 am on September 13, and will include a skills clinic and rides for all levels and abilities. Rides begin at 9 am and run throughout the day to selected historic and natural sites on the Rensselaer Plateau, including the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower, the remains of the Troy Astronomy Club site and the home of writer Granville Hicks. Please bring your own food or buy from local vendors. There will be bike shop support on-site if needed. Call Dick Gibbs to preregister for rides at (518) 283-0155.
The Long Pond Trail hikes will be held from 1:30 to 3 on September 13 and 27. The hikes are moderate 2.5 mile hikes around beautiful Long Pond, with picturesque views of the lake. The terrain is rocky and steep in some places, so please wear appropriate footwear. Please pre-register by the Friday before each hike by calling (518) 279-1155.
The Ramble offers the opportunity for participants to enjoy guided walking, hiking, kayaking and biking experiences, estuary explorations and historic site tours that highlight the significant historical, cultural and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley. Events are offered on every ability level and many are free.
Several event series offer an in-depth exploration of themes that earned the region its designation as a National Heritage Area. They include the role of the Hudson Valley in the Revolutionary War, the Hudson River School of Art, the Great Estates and the Hudson River Estuary. Nearly 200 environmental, land conservancy, trail and historic preservation organizations, New York State historic sites and parks, as well as the National Park Service participate by offering events. More than 100,000 people participated in the 2007 Ramble.
“The Hudson River Valley Ramble provides a great opportunity for people of all ages and ability levels to explore the landscape, trails, historic sites and communities throughout the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area,” said Mark Castiglione, Acting Director of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) and the Hudson River Valley Greenway. “With over 200 events being offered this year, there is truly something for everyone so I encourage all to participate!”
For a complete listing of events, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.hudsonrivervalley.com/ramble.” www.hudsonrivervalley.com/ramble. Copies of the program guide may be downloaded and printed directly from the web site. To receive a free program guide, call (800) 453-6665, or e-mail ramble@hvc.rr.com.