New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invite New Yorkers to celebrate the New Year at one of the 75+ hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State and the nation as part of the 9th annual First Day Hikes program.
Hikes are being offered at more than 50 state parks and historic sites (with some facilities offering multiple hikes for different age groups, skill levels and destinations within the park) and 21 DEC State lands, wildlife areas, Forest Preserve trails and environmental education centers. Staff from State Parks and DEC, along with volunteers and partners at many sites, will lead these family-friendly walks and hikes, which range from one to five miles depending on the location and conditions.
In Allegany County...
Jersey Hill State Forest /Karr Valley Creek State Forest (DEC)
11:00 AM
Meeting location: Jersey Hill State Forest, Town of Birdsall at Fire Tower Forest Road, which is a very short spur to the maintained former fire tower site, north from Davison Road, just west of the Jersey Hill Road/Davison Road intersection. GPS coordinates (fire tower site)
For information and registration (required): Justin Thaine, DEC Forest Ranger, (585) 415-1521 (cell) justin.thaine@dec.ny.gov or email Theresa Draves, DEC Forester, (585) 466-3241 (office), Theresa.Draves@dec.ny.gov
Get off the beaten path and come take part in the First Day Hike on New Year's Day, on Jersey Hill State Forest in scenic Allegany County. Learn about the history of the (former) Jersey Hill fire tower, which was constructed at our meeting site in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Hear about how it was used to detect forest fires, as well as the other works accomplished by this program in the area, the results of which continue to benefit us today. Join a DEC Forest Ranger and Forester as they lead a unique loop 4-mile moderate hike across parts of Jersey Hill and Karr Valley Creek State Forests. We will walk along these two contiguous parcels, which sit atop a major watershed divide of the eastern United States, during our route.
Hike will be approximately 1/3 trail; 1/3 (unplowed) forest roads; and 1/3 Ranger-guided off-trail travel to complete a loop. Please wear adequate boots, dress in layers, and be self-sufficient with water, snacks/lunch. Due to the cross-country portions of the hike, skis are discouraged for the guided walk. Davison/George Road and Jersey Hill Road are town-plowed roads but are dirt. The event may be canceled in the event of severe weather (winter storm or extreme cold) or unexpected Forest Ranger emergency response needs. Leashed dogs are allowed.
Meeting location: Jersey Hill State Forest, Town of Birdsall at Fire Tower Forest Road, which is a very short spur to the maintained former fire tower site, north from Davison Road, just west of the Jersey Hill Road/Davison Road intersection. GPS coordinates (fire tower site)
For information and registration (required): Justin Thaine, DEC Forest Ranger, (585) 415-1521 (cell) justin.thaine@dec.ny.gov or email Theresa Draves, DEC Forester, (585) 466-3241 (office), Theresa.Draves@dec.ny.gov
Get off the beaten path and come take part in the First Day Hike on New Year's Day, on Jersey Hill State Forest in scenic Allegany County. Learn about the history of the (former) Jersey Hill fire tower, which was constructed at our meeting site in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Hear about how it was used to detect forest fires, as well as the other works accomplished by this program in the area, the results of which continue to benefit us today. Join a DEC Forest Ranger and Forester as they lead a unique loop 4-mile moderate hike across parts of Jersey Hill and Karr Valley Creek State Forests. We will walk along these two contiguous parcels, which sit atop a major watershed divide of the eastern United States, during our route.
Hike will be approximately 1/3 trail; 1/3 (unplowed) forest roads; and 1/3 Ranger-guided off-trail travel to complete a loop. Please wear adequate boots, dress in layers, and be self-sufficient with water, snacks/lunch. Due to the cross-country portions of the hike, skis are discouraged for the guided walk. Davison/George Road and Jersey Hill Road are town-plowed roads but are dirt. The event may be canceled in the event of severe weather (winter storm or extreme cold) or unexpected Forest Ranger emergency response needs. Leashed dogs are allowed.
