The 10th Annual First Day Hike on January 1st, organized by the Friends of the Catharine Valley Trail (FCVT) and NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, saw record attendance, with over 60 people taking part in the 1.5-mile hike to promote physical fitness for the new year.
Similar events were held across New York State.
According to FCVT Secretary Elizabeth Watson, the mild weather helped to encourage attendance, with one participant even wearing shorts. The hike started at the Fairgrounds Lane entrance to the Catharine Valley Trail in Watkins Glen and extended to State Route 14 in Montour Falls, where participants turned around and returned to the start. The route ran adjacent to the Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area, where a pair of wintering bald eagles were observed by participants.
The Catharine Valley Trail is a multi-use trail that stretches 17 miles from Seneca Lake to Horseheads, connecting Watkins Glen and Mark Twain State Parks. It is open to the public year-round.
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