Guests Welcome

Click HERE to see slide show from 2008 Winter Outing

Enjoy a rustic weekend of xc skiing and snowshoeing in the Tughill region. This Adirondack-like wilderness, located in upstate New York, boasts of the greatest snowfall in the state. We will again be staying at the Mad River Club. Bring a sleeping bag and pad or stay at a nearby motel. Full package includes floor space for your sleeping bag, snacks Friday night, all meals on Saturday, including a gourmet dinner, Sunday breakfast and a packed lunch for the trail. Tentative trips will include:
Chateaugay State Forest: Easy, 3-4 miles
Winona Way: Easy, 2-4 miles
Barnes Corners:    Moderate, 3-6 miles
Wart Road: Moderate,    6.5 miles
Raspberry Trail: Moderate, 6-8 miles
North-Gold Spike Trail: Moderate,    8-9 miles
Snowshoe:  Little John

Save these dates and enjoy a rustic weekend of XC-skiing and snowshoeing in the Tughill region.

Registration and details will be available after Sept. 30, 2008.

For registration questions, contact Kathy Disque , 785 Fyler Rd #23, Kirkville, NY  13082; 315-656-3383; kathydisque@yahoo.com . For general information contact Mary Coffin at mcoffin1@twcny.rr.com , 315 687-3589

We will be staying at the Mad River Club, located 5 miles east of I 81 via the Sandy Creek-Lacona exit. The exit off of I 81 is 40 miles north of Syracuse and 35 miles south of Watertown. (MAP). The Mad River Club is a rustic yet comfortable building with a large basement. There is indoor plumbing (one woman's bathroom, one shower and one men's bathroom), electricity and wood stove heat.  Bathing facilities are limited to one shower.  Sleeping will be on the floor. You will need to bring sleeping bag and pad or small cot. If you prefer privacy, a soft bed and your own shower, we encourage you to stay in alternate lodging nearby and attend all the daily activities.  A list of local accommodations follows.

The Tug Hill Plateau is bounded by the Black River valley to the east and Lake Ontario to the west. There are rolling hills dissected by many streams and Adirondack-like vegetation.  The area boasts of the greatest snowfall in New York State, often well over 200 in/yr. There is a vast network of trails (some groomed) with a variety of difficulty levels. We will offer short easy/novice, moderate and more strenuous, longer ski trips as well as a snowshoe option each day. We hope you will join us.

Tentative Agenda

Friday
2:00 pm   Open club house
5:00-9:00 pm   Arrive, unpack, register snacks, not a meal: homemade soup or chili, munchies and hot and cold beverages will be provided.
9:00 pm   Greetings, introductions, announcements, hike descriptions
10:30 pm   Lights out

Saturday
7:30am Breakfast provided, everyone is welcome to help with dishes and clean up THANK YOU!
8:30am  Pack trail lunch
9:00am  Assemble with hike leader. Hike # on leader’s windshield.
6:00 pm   Dinner provided
8:00 pm  Evening Program
9:00 pm   Optional but traditional night ski/hike
10:30 pm   Lights out

Sunday
8:00 am   Breakfast provided
General clean up, car packing, distribution of lunches, weekend evaluations
9:30 am  Hike groups assemble with leaders
2:00 pm   Final clean up, closing of Mad River Club House
Please drive carefully on your way home.

If there is anything that we might do to make your time at the Winter Outing a more pleasant experience, please ask one of your Black River Chapter hosts.  We will do our best to try to accommodate you.

Other accommodations within 10 miles of I-81 Lacona/Sandy Creek exit

• All Season Lodge, Sandy Creek  (315) 387-5850 
• Harris Lodging B&B, Sandy Creek  (315) 387-5907 
• Tug Hill Lodge, Sandy Creek  (315) 387-5326
• Portly Angler Lodge, just off I-81, some group rooms w/bunks, (315) 298-4773 
• Redwood Motel, just off I-81, Pulaski, (315) 298-4717 
• Super 8 Hotel, Pulaski, (315) 387-5326