2005 Fall Hiking Weekend

The details are now set for this years Fall Hiking Weekend. Once again we will be traveling to Old Forge, NY in the western Adirondacks. This years trip is set for the weekend of October 14-16. We will be staying at the Water's Edge Inn and Conference Center. The reviews after last years trip were very favorable, so we decided to return for one more year.

The Water's Edge Inn and Conference Center is located lakeside on the Fulton Lakes Chain. It is a large full service hotel with numerous amenities and recreational activities. There is an indoor pool, sauna, library with a fireplace overlooking the lake and catering facilities on the premises. For further details, see their website at www.watersedgeinn.com

The price this year is 'per person' and includes Friday and Saturday night's (Oct 14 and 15) lodging, continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings, Saturday night buffet dinner at the inn, and a boxed lunch for the hikes.

Price Per Person:

Single Per Person Single Occupancy: $199.00
Double Per Person Double Occupancy: $129.00
Triple Per Person Triple Occupancy: $109.00
Quadruple Per Person Quadruple Occupancy: $100.00

+ 8 1/4% sales tax.

Booking should be done directly with the inn this year at (315) 369-2484 (Ext. 309), or ask for Betsy. Please mention that you are with the Rip Van Winkle Hikers. You will need to give them a credit card in order to hold the room. Betsy will be available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. I would appreciate it if you could drop me an email (at fredericksmith@hvc.rr.com) when you have booked so that I can keep a running count of those attending. Repeat: The actual booking should be done by you directly with the inn this year.

The inn is holding a block of 15 rooms for the club. In past years people have elected to share rooms and this is possible again as the prices are broken down per person. It will be up to you to make contact with other club members and arrange to book a triple or quadruple, etc. If there is anyone out there who cannot find a roommate, drop me an email and I will see what I can do.

ABOUT THE REGION:

There are a lot of recreational possibilities in the area around Old Forge and extending over to the Blue Mountain Lake area of the Central Adirondacks. The area right around Old Forge features large areas of wilderness dotted with hundreds of small lakes and ponds. Quite a few possibilities exist for easy to moderate hikes in the local hills. The more advanced hikes will be found further east (45 minutes to 1 hour drive) where several mountains rise to 3500-3800 Ft. I will send a subsequent email with hike details as the date approaches.

Other activities in the area include a narrated boat cruise through the Fulton Lakes Chain, canoeing or kayaking on the Moose River and many nearby lakes, white water rafting, mountain biking, two nearby 18 hole golf courses and fishing on nearby lakes, a scenic train ride, and the nearby great camps.

The quaint village of Old Forge has shops, restaurants and other amenities. Other nearby attractions include Great Camp Sagamore Lodge on Raquette Lake, the Arts Center of Old Forge, and the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. Take a ride on the Adirondack Railroad (goes from Utica to just past Old Forge with many stops along the way). The annual Moose River (kayaking) Festival takes place in mid-October.

DIRECTIONS: Old Forge is best reached via state route 28 from Utica. Most of us would take the Thruway to Utica and then route 28 north. An alternative (somewhat longer) route involves taking the Thruway/Northway, exiting at Warrensburg and then taking route 28 north/west to Old Forge. The drive time will likely be around three hours from the Mid Hudson Valley. Detailed directions will be provided as the date approaches.

Itinerary:

Friday Evening:

Arrival at the Inn..anytime after 1:00 PM.

Informal dinner with club members at various restaurants in Old Forge.

Saturday:

Continental Breakfast

Novice to Intermediate/Advanced hikes (bagged lunch supplied by inn)

Formal Dinner at 7:00 PM (barbeque style buffet - chicken or beef choice)

Famous Club Card Game for prizes (This year we will ask for a $1 donation
per attendee to finance the deluxe prices.)

Sunday:

Continental Breakfast

Easier hikes or walks near old Forge - then depart around noon.

I hope to see as many members as possible at this years weekend. It is
always a great time for everyone involved.