Hiker's Corner


INSURANCE NOTE: Attention members: Foothills Trail Club carries liability insurance to financially protect all of us in case a participant in a Foothills activity is injured. As a condition of our insurance coverage, every participant in an activity needs to sign the liability waiver before the activity begins. So please make sure you sign the form!
¢ Hike Leaders and Hikers: Before you commit to lead a club hike or plan a personal hike, check the trail conditions to ensure that the trail is open. This information can be found on the FLT website: www.fingerlakestrail.org. Click on "TRAIL CONDITIONS" and select the map # for your intended hike. Map numbers that appear in ORANGE have trails closures for hunting. Trail conditions are outlined for all the other maps #'s.


HIKER RESPONSIBILITY: We remind you that you, and only you, are responsible for your own actions. Come to our events prepared. Do not participate if the event may present a hazard for which you or your party members are not prepared. If weather is questionable or if you have questions, please call the named hike coordinator; the hike may be canceled. When participating, please respect the coordinator and do not break away from the group without telling them. We suggest you always keep your eye on someone in front of you, and behind you if you are in the lead. Please remember that hike leaders are not guides; they are volunteers, willing to share their knowledge and experience with you. Please give them your cooperation and respect. The leader has the right to refuse anyone who is not prepared for the outing. In addition, if the hike leader does arrange carpooling, passengers are expected to contribute toward the cost of transportation. Finally, since there are RISKS INVOLVED in hiking everyone participating does so at his or her own risk.


REMEMBER TO RESPECT LANDOWNER RIGHTS: Stay on the trail, don't take shortcuts, don't walk on crops, don't build fires or camp on private land and NEVER, EVER enter landowner buildings.


Be sure to thank those members who have volunteered to lead these activities.


HIKE COORDINATORS: If you need to cancel your hike or send additional information about your hike to Foothills members via the club's Google group, please use foothills-trail-club@googlegroups.com.

Monday, Feb 5 10am 4 mi 1A
Chestnut Ridge Park Pond Saunter
MEET: at 6121 Chestnut Ridge Road, Orchard Park. Please park in lot by sheriff's building. Bring snowshoes or micro spikes if weather is snowy. Lunch & socialization in park casino afterward. Call 716-435-0841

Saturday, Feb 10 9:30am 7 mi 2B+
Little Rock City (M3/CT3)
MEET: at the end of Stone Chimney Road at the Elkdale golf course. Call 716-393-0986

Sunday, Feb 11
Watch for a Google email regarding a possible hike.

Monday, Feb 12 10am 4-5 mi 2B
Chestnut Ridge Park Boy Scout Trail
MEET: at 6121 Chestnut Ridge Road, Orchard Park. Please park in small parking lot by Boy Scout trailhead. Bring snowshoes or micro spikes if weather is snowy. Some trail hiking improvisation may take place (road hiking) if conditions are unfavorable. Lunch & socialization in park casino afterward. Call 716-435-0841

Wednesday, Feb 14 10:15am 2-3 mi 1A
Knox Farm State Park
MEET: in the main parking lot off of Seneca Street (Route 16). This will be hike. If the snow is deep, we will walk on the road. Call 585-457-9892 or 716-445-3179

Saturday, Feb 17 9:30am 2B
Conservation Trail, Map CT7 - Hike (5 mi) or Snowshoe (4 mi)
MEET: at trailhead on Old Big Tree Road. If you are coming from Route 400: after passing through Wales Center, make a left turn onto East Blood Road and then a quick right turn onto Old Big Tree Road. Call 572-4975

Sunday, Feb 18
Watch for a Google email regarding a possible hike.

Saturday, Feb 24 9:30am 6-7 mi 2+B+
Letchworth State Park
MEET: at the Glen Iris Inn. Watch for updates. Call 716-393-0986

Sunday, Feb 25 10am 5 mi 1B
Eighteen Mile Creek Conservation Park
Google map directions are available on the Erie County Parks website. The park is at the dead-end of South Creek Road in Hamburg. Call 716-512-0124

 

Saturday, Mar 2 9:30am 6 mi 2A
Conservation Trail - Peanut Line
MEET: in Clarence Highway Department parking lot, 6185 Goodrich Road, Clarence 14031. Plenty of parking. Hike the Peanut Line west to Transit Road and back
Call 716-946-5840

Sunday, Mar 3
Watch for a Google email regarding a possible hike.

Monday, Mar 4 10am 3 mi 1B
Chestnut Ridge Pond Saunter
MEET: in parking lot ACROSS from CASINO (6121 Chestnut Ridge Road, Orchard Park). Lunch and socialization in casino afterwards. Call 716-435-0841

Saturday, Mar 9 10:30am 4-5 mi 2B
Zoar Valley Holcomb Pond Trail - Challenge Hike
MEET: in parking lot on the corner of Vail Road and Unger Road, Gowanda (42.4510, -78.8793)
Two ponds and wet areas. Beaver activity good. Nature hike. Please carpool - the parking lot is small. A great place to meet before is across the street from The Wicked Glen public parking. Will need a headcount before the hike. Please call 716-393-0986

Sunday, Mar 10 10am 4 mi 1A
Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail - Orchard Park
MEET: in the Orchard Park Public Library parking lot (4570 South Buffalo Street).
Call 716-512-0124

Monday, Mar 11 10am 4 mi 2B
Sprague Brook Park Ridge Hike to Veteran's Pond
MEET: in casino parking lot (4674 Foote Road, Glenwood 14069).
Call 716-435-0841

Saturday, Mar 16 9am sharp! 9-10 mi 2+C
Part of Holland Ravines - Out and Back - Hike or Snowshoe
MEET: at trailhead on Carpenter Road, South Wales. Bring your snowshoes, microspikes, hiking poles, lunch and water. Dress according to the weather. This is NOT for beginners -NOTE: The Holland Ravines snowshoe hike is rated as strenuous during the winter time due to the length of the trail, the use and need of snowshoes and the weather. Proper Clothing is an absolute necessity as frostbite could occur. Plan on 4-6 hours depending on the weather. Please consider your physical fitness and equipment, not only for your safety, but the safety of fellow hikers before doing this hike. No snow; this will be a hike.
Call 716-587-2675

Sunday, Mar 17 10am 4 mi 1B
Village of Hamburg
MEET: in Tops parking lot on side by Hamburg town hall and Goodwill trailer. We will walk on sidewalks through the historic village. Call 716-512-0124

Saturday, Mar 23 9:30am 6 mi 2C
Chestnut Ridge Park
MEET: in the back of the casino parking lot near the tennis courts. We will be hiking the orienteering and cub scout trails. Bring water. Some steep hills. Rain will cancel hike.
Call 572-4975

Sunday, Mar 24
Watch for a Google email regarding a possible hike.

Monday, Mar 25 10am 4-5 mi 2B
Chestnut Ridge Park Scout Trail Hike
MEET: in small parking lot on Chestnut Ridge Road opposite casino (6121 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Orchard Park). Bring snacks for stop along the trail. Call 716-435-0841

Monday, Mar 25 6pm
Foothills Trail Club Board Meeting
The meeting is held at the Julia Reinstein Library on Losson Road (between Borden and Union Roads). Please consider joining us.

Saturday, Mar 30
Location to be announced in Google email.

Sunday, Mar 31 - Easter

Monday, Apr 1 10am 3 mi 1A
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Saunter
MEET: in parking lot (2655 South Park Avenue, Buffalo 14218). We will walk three times around arboretum and gardens. Optional: visit Botanical Gardens after hike.
Call 716-435-0841

Tuesday, Apr 2 10am 3 mi 1A
Billy Wilson Park Saunter
MEET: in Dash's plaza parking lot on Hopkins Road side near bicycle store. Rain/snow/ice will cancel hike. Call 716-691-6750

Saturday, Apr 6 9:30am 6 mi 2B
Franklin Gulf County Park
MEET: in School Street parking lot in North Collins. Call 716-572-8497

Sunday, Apr 7 9:30am 7 mi 2B
Sprague Brook Park
MEET: near the tennis courts by the casino. Rain will cancel hike.
Call 572-4975

Monday, Apr 8 1:30pm - 5pm 3-5 mi 1B
Special Solar Eclipse Hike
Hike out to a viewing location. View the eclipse and hike back. Bring water, snacks and dress accordingly. Weather conditions may cancel hike. Please call the morning of the hike to confirm. Location yet to be determined. Please call ahead to find out or check the group's email. Call 716-759-4429

Tuesday, Apr 9 10am 3-4 mi 1A
Ellicott Creek Trailway Saunter
MEET: in parking area on North Forest Road just north of Maple Road.
Call 716-882-3488

Saturday, Apr 13
Mystery Hike
Location to be announced in Google email.

Also

Saturday, Apr 13 9:30am 6 mi 2A
Conservation Trail - Peanut Line
MEET: in Clarence Highway Department parking lot, 6185 Goodrich Road, Clarence 14031. Plenty of parking. Hike the Peanut Line east and return. Call 716-946-5840

Sunday, Apr 14 2pm 3 mi 2B
Knox Farm State Park
MEET: in the parking area by the red barns. Rain will cancel the hike.
Call 675-3989

Monday, Apr 15 10am 3 mi 2B
Franklin Gulf County Park
MEET: in parking lot at 9700 Larkin Road, Eden 14057. We will hike the orange trail.
Call 716-435-0841

Tuesday, Apr 16 10am 3 mi 1A
Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve Saunter
MEET: in the parking lot on Honorine Drive, off of Como Park Boulevard. Rain will cancel hike. Call 675-3989

Saturday, Apr 20
Mystery Hike
Location to be announced in Google email.

Also

Saturday, Apr 20 10am 3 or 4 mi 1A
Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail - Orchard Park
MEET: in the Orchard Park Public Library parking lot (4570 South Buffalo Street). Wear sturdy walking shoes as there are some large stones on the trail after crossing Jewett Holmwood Road and continuing on that portion of the trail. Call 716-445-9231

Sunday, Apr 21 1:30pm 4 mi 2A
Erie Canalway Trail
MEET: in parking lot of Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road, Amherst (corner of New Road). We'll hike north to Fiegle Road and return. Ice cream at Uncle G's afterward. Call 882-3488

Monday, Apr 22 - Earth Day 10am 1.5 mi 1B
Eternal Flame Trail Hike, Chestnut Ridge Park
MEET: in Eternal Flame parking lot (heading south past the main park entrance, lot is on your right at 42°42?06.5?N 78°45?06.1?W). Elevation and creek walk involved. Gloves and bags will be provided to pick up trash (if any) along the way. Tailgate after hike.
Call 716-435-0841

Tuesday, Apr 23 10am 3 mi 1A
Walton Woods Saunter
MEET: in parking lot between trailhead and Amherst Senior Center on John James Audubon Parkway. Call 716-688-4593

Saturday, Apr 27
Trail Steward Meeting
See the TALES for details and watch for a Google email regarding any updates.

Sunday, Apr 28 9:30am 6-7 mi 2+B+
Letchworth State Park - New 7A Trail
MEET: in the Glen Iris big parking lot. Restrooms across the street. Carpool to the other side of the river and hike back over the stone bridge. Will need a headcount before the hike. Please call 716-393-0986

Tuesday, Apr 30 10am 4 mi 1B
Williamsville Escarpment to Glen Park Saunter
MEET: in Wegmans bottle return area, Sheridan Drive and Essjay Road. Rain will cancel hike.
Call 716-691-6750

 

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