Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center is partnering with the Lake George Land Conservancy to offer a new series of hikes in Bolton led by Up Yonda’s naturalists.
This year’s Discovery Series will include themed hikes February through October that are geared towards learners of all ages. Hikes vary in location and difficulty, but are generally easy/moderate and take 1.5 to 2 hours.
FREE. Registration is required at least 24 hours in advance with the Lake George Land Conservancy.
Our thanks to all that have made this year’s program series possible:
Lake George Ecology
Saturday, May 20 at 8:30am-11:30am
Cat & Thomas Mtns Preserve, Valley Woods Rd, Bolton Landing
On this out and back hike up Thomas mountain, you’ll learn from a Naturalist about the plants and animals of the area. While enjoying the views of Lake George’s south and central basins and the southwestern Adirondacks you will learn about the Lake George and surrounding watersheds.
This hike is rated moderate and includes a gradual but steady ascent. 3 miles total length.
Saturday, June 3 at 9:00am-10:30am
The Pinnacle Preserve, Edgecomb Pond Rd, Bolton Landing
Celebrate National Trails Day by learning how you can be a steward of the land. The Adirondacks are a unique and special place that we can all work together to protect. Learn about best practices for outdoor recreation and some of the history behind the Adirondack Park.
This hike is rated moderate and includes a steady ascent. 3 miles total length.
Saturday, June 24 at 9:30am-11:00am
The Pinnacle Preserve, Edgecomb Pond Rd, Bolton Landing
Be a Citizen Scientist when out on the trails and contribute to scientific research. While hiking along the trail to Bradley’s Lookout, you will learn how to use the apps iNaturalist and Seek to record your nature observations along the way.
Download the apps and make a free account before arriving to the hike. Visit iNaturalist.org for info.
This hike is rated moderate and includes a gradual ascent. 1.2 miles total length.
Insect Hunt
Friday, June 30 at 9:30am-11:00am
The Pinnacle Preserve, Edgecomb Pond Rd, Bolton Landing
Join a Naturalist for a hike looking for signs of insects! Will they be flying, crawling, or hiding? How many different six-legged creatures can we find?
This hike is rated moderate and includes a gradual ascent. 1.2 miles total length.
Create a Field Guide Through Nature Journaling
Saturday, July 8 at 10:00am-11:00am
Cat and Thomas Mtns Preserve, Edgecomb Pond Trailhead, Edgecomb Pond Rd, Bolton Landing
Join a Naturalist to sharpen your observation skills! We will look for interesting phenomena around Edgecomb Pond and create field guide pages to describe what we find. After, you will have some more ideas for deepening your observations and understanding of the natural world. The best part about Nature Journaling – no art skills required!
Optional- bring a small journal or notebook, colored pencils, or small watercolor paints.
This hike is rated easy. Less than 1/2-mile total length.
Adirondack Geology
Friday, July 14 at 9:00am-11:00am
The Pinnacle Preserve, Edgecomb Pond Rd, Bolton Landing
Wander up the Pinnacle trail with a Naturalist and learn about the geology of the Lake George basin. You’ll find out what has happened in the geologic past to create the beautiful scenery we see from the lookout.
This hike is rated moderate and includes a steady ascent. 3 miles total length.
Pond and Stream Life
Friday, July 21 at 9:30am-11:00am
Amy's Park, Padanarum Rd, Bolton Landing
Join a Naturalist for a walk looking for signs of animal life! We’ll keep an eye out for evidence of animals living around the pond and stream as well as try to catch aquatic life.
This hike is rated easy but will include some hands-on activities in wetlands and a stream. Please bring appropriate footwear, like boots or other shoes you don’t mind getting wet. 1 mile total length.
Critters of All Sizes
Saturday, August 5 at 10:00am-12:00pm
Sucker Brook Preserve, Sagamore Rd, Putnam
Join a Naturalist for a walk looking for signs of animal life! We’ll keep an eye out for insects, footprints, scat, birds, and other evidence of terrestrial animals. We will even try to find aquatic life in the wetland.
This hike is rated moderate. Mostly flat, the trail does includes a few stretches of climbs, including one with rocky footing. 1.6 miles total length, following the yellow and blue trails from the Sagamore Rd trailhead.
Beginner Birding
Friday, August 18 at 9:30am-11:30am
Godwin Preserve, Padanarum Rd, Bolton Landing
New York is home to more than 450 species of birds. While hiking up to the Godwin Preserve Overlook you will learn birding basics on how to identify birds. The overlook will provide great views of soaring raptors and nearby songbirds to test out your new identification skills.
Binoculars and the smartphone app Merlin Bird ID recommended.
This hike is rated moderate and includes a some short climbs. 1.6 miles total length.
Beavers
Friday, August 25 at 1:00pm-2:30pm
Amy's Park, Padanarum Rd, Bolton Landing, NY
Beavers are called ecosystem engineers for a reason! During a walk along the trails, check out a real beaver pond and lodge. Then use your observations to make a beaver dam model. Will it hold back water as well as a beaver’s?
This hike is rated easy but crosses some bridges and elevated walkways. 1 mile total length.
Lake George Ecology
Saturday, September 9 at 9:00am-11:00am
Amy's Park, Trout Falls Rd Trailhead, Trout Falls Rd, Bolton
On this out and back hike following Ed’s Red Stripe Trail, you’ll learn from a Naturalist about the plants and animals of the area. While enjoying the views of Lake George’s Northwest Bay in the distance you will learn about the Lake George watershed and surrounding wetlands.
This hike is rated moderate and includes a steady ascent. 1.5 miles total length.
Changing Trees
September 30 at 9:30am-11:00am
The Pinnacle Preserve, Edgecomb Pond Rd, Bolton Landing
Join a Naturalist on a walk through the forest observing how the local trees are changing before winter, and learn some Adirondack tree identification.
This hike is rated moderate and includes a gradual ascent. 1.2 miles total length.
Falling Into Winter
Saturday, October 14 at 9:30am-11:30am
Godwin Preserve, Padanarum Rd, Bolton Landing
Walk through the Godwin Preserve observing how Adirondack plants and animals prepare for winter. This hike will include a stop at the overlook to see these changes on a larger scale over neighboring Amy’s Park..
This hike is rated moderate and includes a some short climbs. 1.6 miles total length.