End Of Winter - Trail Report for 3/14/2019
It may be a few days before the official start of spring, but we are making the decision to end our winter grooming and our winter rentals.The trails conditions will be deteriorating and you can expect spring conditions. Over the weekend and into next week you will find soft snow in the open areas, bare patches appearing, and icier conditions in the shady areas.On days when it freezes overnight, you may consider using a traction device like microspikes.Thanks for a great winter season!!
Family Snowshoe Walk and Rentals on March 9
Weekend Update:Saturday - Beautiful, Sunny, in the mid-upper 30s.Sunday - snow overnight turning to sleet in the morning and rain for the afternoon.On Saturday: Come and rent snow shoes or cross country skis from 10:00 - 3:00 or join in our Family Snowshoe Hike at 11:00.On Sunday: Stay home warm and dry under the covers! Our Winter Rental Cabin will not be open on Sunday.
Trail and Grooming Report 3/4/2019
Well, we got a little less snow than was forecast with two new inches. The trails were rolled this morning while the temperatures were still below freezing.This should keep the trails in good shape for the upcoming week and the cold weather that is predicted.Get out and enjoy the snow while we still have it!
March 6th Volunteer Meetings! New Volunteer Orientation/Meet-Up and Bimonthly Volunteer Meeting
New Volunteer Orientation and Meet-Up at 5:45 pm at the Park Office at 80 Scout RoadIf you have been thinking of volunteering at Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park, then this meeting is for you! There will be a brief presentation on the history of the organization and work that we do in the areas of conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. There will be a question and answer time and refreshments.Registration is appreciated so we can plan for the right number of people. 518-450-0321 or info@wiltonpreserve.orgVolunteer Meeting Monday, March 6 at 7:00 pm (refreshments served at 6:45) at the Park Office at 80 Scout RoadWe will talk about what has been going on and what volunteer opportunities are coming up at the Preserve & Park.
Trail and Grooming Report 2/13/2019
We got around a foot of snow - soft powder at first and then a crust from the sleet and rain.The trails were all rolled this morning, so they should be beautiful - just in time for getting out and enjoying the upcoming School Winter Vacation Week!
Lots of Great Winter Break Activities Scheduled
No reason (or excuses) to suffer from cabin fever!You can get out of the trails with our snow shoe and cross country rentals - we have lots of kids and adults sizes.You can sign up for a nature walk or an owl prowl! There is something for everyone!!
Update for February 9th Winterfest and 8k Snowshoe Race
Trail and Grooming Report 2/7/2019
We have not groomed since the warm-up and rain. Grooming only happens when it is below freezing or it makes the trails worse!The trails are taking a beating as you can seen in the following pictures.
The warm-up and rain will continue through Friday then it is supposed to get cold again. We will see what the conditions are like after the freeze.We may groom over the weekend if the conditions allow.
Trail and Grooming Report: 1/30/2019
What great, fluffy snow! Looks like we got around 10 inches!!During the storm, the trails were rolled on Tuesday, the 29th when about 5 to 6 inches had already fallen.We will be rolling the trails again this morning as additional snow fell since then.Get out and enjoy while the conditions are great!!As always - PLEASE - do not walk in your boots on the trails that we groom. You can go across the road and walk on the trails at Camp Saratoga South or at Edie Road or at Neilmann. Walking in boots ruins the trails for everyone!!
Trail and Grooming Report 1/25/2019
What a bummer for the rain to ruin all of our beautiful snow!We did a reconnaissance of the trails this morning and while the trails in the forested areas are not in terrible shape, the meadow trails took a beating.The water accumulated under the snow and it has not completely frozen yet.
We are waiting to groom until the snow sets up.We want to also remind people to please please please not walk on the trails that we groom. There are so many other trails to walk on! One person walking can do tremendous damage as you can see in the picture below. These frozen foot prints are going to last a very long time!
Trail and Grooming Report 1/22/2019
There were so many people out enjoying the beautiful snow today!In anticipation of the coming freezing rain and rain, the trails were rolled again this afternoon.With the warmer temperatures and rain forecast through Thursday, we will not groom again until Friday at the earliest.
Trail and Grooming Report 1/20/2019
SNOW!!!We have lots of lovely fluffy snow!!The town plowed parking lot #1 earlier and it has more snow on it since the snow is continuing to fall.We are just getting ready to head out and groom, so barring equipment issues, that trails should all get rolled by this afternoon.
Cancelled: Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe
We have made the difficult decision to cancel the Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe for this year.The overflow parking lots (Parking Lot #2 and the Parade Ground) are extremely icy and dangerous.The same goes for the trails.We walked the meadow loop at Camp Saratoga and found that it is completely icy and is not safe. (See the picture below.)The forecast for 1 – 3 inches on Friday is not enough to groom but it is just enough to cover the ice and make it a hidden hazard.If the Saturday/Sunday storm that is being forecast moves in during the afternoon and into the evening, it will create additional safety concerns.While we are extremely disappointed to have to cancel, the conditions and the forecast leave us without much of a choice.We have lots of other great winter activities planned including our Winterfest on February 9th.Let's hope we get some great winter trail conditions soon!
No Winter Rentals Until We Have More Snow
We are postponing the opening of our winter rentals of cross country skis and snowshoes until we have a little more snow on the trails.There is not much snow on the trails at all, the main surface is ice as of today (Friday, January 11.)With the icy conditions, we are recommending microspikes.With the cold weather and lack of snow in the forecast we do not expect the trail conditions to change over the next few days.
January 19: Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe Registration Information
While the weather is not looking good, we are hoping for a snowstorm between now and the 19th!Since parking is limited and we do not want to cause any damage to the trails at the Preserve & Park by having too many people show up, this year we are requiring registration for the event. You will need to print out a ticket and show it to one of the parking attendants to be admitted to the event.We encourage people to carpool and ONLY ONE PASS IS NEEDED PER CAR so only one person in each car needs to register.Please use this Eventbrite link to register for your Parking Pass.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-moonlight-ski-and-snowshoe-wilton-wildlife-preserve-park-tickets-54550789881*****************************************************************************Join us at the popular and highly anticipated Annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe at Camp Saratoga on Scout Road. Luminaries will glow along 2.5 miles of groomed trails. Along the way you will find fields and forests, warming bonfires, and plenty of hot chocolate!The terrain is suitable for all levels and ages and includes a smaller 1 mile loop. We will have a bake sale in the I.P Winter Lodge and donations are always appreciated.We have a limited number of snowshoes that will be available on a first-come first-served basis in the I.P. Winter Lodge off of Parking Lot #2. The rental fee is $5/ person. We cannot reserve snowshoes and set any aside. If you want to be sure to have snowshoes for the event we recommend that you rent them from somewhere like the Alpine Sport Shop in Saratoga Springs or at EMS in Wilton.We encourage people to carpool and ONLY ONE PASS IS NEEDED PER CAR so only one person in each car needs to register.You will be asked to choose either the first shift at 6:00 or a later shift beginning at 7:30. This should help to alleviate parking congestion and traffic and insure a smooth experience for everyone.Parking will be directed by volunteers so please be patient and polite.This event is weather permitting.Please call or email for more information or if you are interested in volunteering for this event.Volunteers do not need to register and they will use the volunteer parking at the office at 80 Scout Road.518-450-0321info@wiltonpreserve.orgWe encourage people to carpool and ONLY ONE PASS IS NEEDED PER CAR so only one person in each car needs to register.
Important Information about the 2019 Annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe
Annual Moonlight Ski and SnowshoeSaturday, January 19, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pmAt Camp SaratogaMaybe you heard that last year we issued a limited number of registration tickets to attend our free annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe because of the overwhelming interest in the event (over 7,000 indications of interest on Facebook) and the concern that everyone participating have a safe and enjoyable experience. The tickets were quickly snapped up by those who first saw the Facebook posts, and many of our long-time members and attendees were left disappointed. This year, we will send out a link on Monday, January 7th to our paid supporters in advance of the general public. This will give them an early opportunity to register for the event in case it sells out again. If you have not made a donation in the past year, we need two things from you – a paid membership donation before the first week of January and your current email address. If you don’t use email, please contact the office, and we will make separate arrangements for you. Your membership donation means that we can continue providing the year-round programs and activities that you have come to know and love, like the Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe!Donate Today!Join us at the popular and highly anticipated Annual Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe at Camp Saratoga on Scout Road. Luminaries will glow along 2.5 miles of groomed trails. Along the way you will find fields and forests, warming bonfires, and plenty of hot chocolate! There will be a bake sale of homemade goodies in the Winter Lodge, so stop in for some treats and to warm up.The terrain is suitable for all levels and ages and includes a smaller one-mile loop.Snowshoes will be available on a first-come first-served basis in the I.P. Winter Lodge off of Parking Lot #2. The rental fee is $5/person for non-members.Parking will be directed by volunteers who will collect people's registration ticket.This event is weather permitting.Please call or email for more information or if you are interested in volunteering for this event.
December 3: Annual Meeting, Holiday Reception, and Opening of the Annual Photography Show
We hope you can join us for our Annual Meeting which is a wonderful overview of the activities of the Preserve& Park this year, including education, conservation, trails, volunteerism, fund development, and finances.The Annual Photography Show Opening and Holiday Gathering will immediately follow the meeting and will include a variety of homemade refreshments. The Show features photographs from area photographers that highlight the beauty and mission of the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. There will be prizes awarded for the following categories; Best in Show, Best Nature in Winter, Best Nature in Autumn, Best featuring Conservation, Best featuring Education, Best featuring Recreation, Best Animal Shot, and Best Karner blue butterfly.Also on display will be paintings created as part of the Plein Air Painting workshops that took place this fall led by local artists Catherine Wagner Minnery and Page Darrow. These workshops were funded through Saratoga Arts with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Notice: Temporary Trail Closure
Wild About Blue Fundraiser on November 4th: Honoring Laura Clark
Join us from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Prime at the beautiful Saratoga National Golf ClubWe are well underway with our planning for our Annual Fall Fundraiser at the Saratoga National Golf Club.It is always a fun event where you can enjoy the evening with like-mined supporters of conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. There will be a wine raffle and a unique silent auction! Funds raised will support protecting Karner blue butterfly habitat and our year-round environmental education and outdoor recreation programs.Invitations were mailed, if you would like to receive one, please contact the office at 518-450-0321 or register now via our website. http://www.wiltonpreserve.org/how-you-can-help/make-a-donationIndividual tickets for the event are $75 and include a bountiful buffet and beer, wine, and soft drinks.This year we are delighted that our Metamorphosis Award honoree is Laura Clark, for her work in both environmental education and outdoor recreation. As an avid snowshoer and runner, Laura, as a member and former president of the Saratoga Stryders, has been a tireless promoter of getting outside for year-round activities. As the Children’s Librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, she has created dozens of programs over the years to encourage families to learn about nature and to get outdoors. Laura has created positive and dramatic changes in our community and we are proud to have her as our honoree this year!
Fall Plein Air Painting Workshops Offered at Camp Saratoga
From 9:00 am to noon on Saturday, September 29: Acrylics with Page DarrowFrom noon to 3:00 on Thursday, October 4: Watercolors: with Catherine Wagner MinneryMade famous by the French impressionists, the idea of painting outdoors and capturing the landscape is growing in popularity. If you want to get outside, get some pointers from an artist, and combine your love of art and nature, this is the workshop for you!This program is appropriate for participants older than 13. Workshop size is limited to 12 participants so please register by calling 518-450-0321 or emailing info@wiltonpreserve.org.All supplies will be provided but if you prefer to use your own supplies, you can bring them. Registration is required by September 24.Saratoga Arts made this program possible with a Community Arts Grant funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.