Trail Stewards Needed - Southern Tier Area (contact us for more info)
HIKE RATING GUIDE
Pets are not allowed on hikes
1 - Leisurely pace or nature walk
2 - Moderate pace
3 - Brisk, steady pace
4 - Fast pace
A - Flat or gently rolling terrain
B – Steps/stairs, moderate hills
C – Fairly steep steps/stairs, hills or ravines
D – Steep hills, scrambles possible
See the bottom of this page for additional important Hiker information
Bring lunch on all day hikes
The weather may force cancellations or changes to an outing.
If in doubt, please check the calendar on this page before you leave.
Members will receive a Google email with the latest updates.
Always check trail conditions before you hike at:
Members: Refer to your Tales newsletter or the Google group email for hiking leader and contact information
Hike has Been Cancelled
1/19/2026 10:00 AM
Route 240 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail – Ellicott Rd to Old Glenwood Rd, Town of Aurora
1/24/2026 10:00 AM 2B
Sprague Brook Park - Hike or Snowshoe
MEET: at casino (9674 Foote Road, Glenwood). Distance will be determined by the conditions and what the group prefers to do. Bring lunch to eat in casino afterwards.
1/25/2026 9:30 AM 2B
Chestnut Ridge Park – Hike (6 mi) or Snowshoe (4 mi)
MEET: in the Newton Road parking lot.
1/31/2026
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
2/1/2026
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
2/2/2026 10:00 AM 2B
Sprague Brook Park - Hike or Snowshoe
MEET: at cross-country warming shelter (9674 Foote Road, Glenwood). Distance will be determined by the conditions and what the group prefers to do. Bring lunch to eat in shelter afterwards.
2/7/2026
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
2/8/2026
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
2/9/2026 10:00 AM 3-4 Miles 2B
Chestnut Ridge Park – Orienteering Trail
MEET: in Newton Road parking lot closest to the bridge leading to the trail. May need spikes or snowshoes. Socialize in casino afterwards
2/14/2026
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
2/15/2026
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
2/16/2026 10:00 AM 3 Miles 2B
Erie County Forest – Conservation Branch Trail (sugar shack side)
MEET: in parking lot on Genesee Road (11323 Genesee Road, East Concord). May need spikes or snowshoes. Socialize at Mel’s Place (10945 Olean Road, Chaffee) afterwards.
2/21/2026 10:00 AM 3-4 Miles 1B
Eighteen Mile Creek Conservation Park – Hike or Snowshoe
MEET: at trailhead on South Creek. Google map directions are available on the Erie County Parks website. The park is at the dead-end of South Creek Road in Hamburg.
2/22/2026
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
2/23/2026 10:00 AM 2.5-3 Miles 2A
Route 240 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail – Orchard Park
MEET: in Orchard Park library parking lot (4570 South Buffalo Road). May need spikes or snowshoes. Socialize afterwards at Spot Coffee (6519 Quaker Street, Orchard Park).
2/28/2026 10:00 AM 2B
Sprague Brook Park - Hike or Snowshoe
MEET: at casino (9674 Foote Road, Glenwood). Distance will be determined by the conditions and what the group prefers to do. Bring lunch to eat in casino afterwards.
Important Hiker's Information
INSURANCE NOTE: Attention members: Foothills Trail Club carries liability insurance to financially protect all of us in case a participant in a Foothills activity is injured. As a condition of our insurance coverage, no pets of any kind are allowed and every participant in an activity needs to sign the liability waiver before the activity begins. So please make sure you sign the form!
Hike Leaders and Hikers: Before you commit to lead a club hike or plan a personal hike, check the trail conditions to ensure that the trail is open. This information can be found on the FLT website: www.fingerlakestrail.org. Click on “TRAIL CONDITIONS” and select the map # for your intended hike. Map numbers that appear in ORANGE have trail closures for hunting. Trail conditions are outlined for all the other maps #’s.
HIKER RESPONSIBILITY: We remind you that you, and only you, are responsible for your own actions. Come to our events prepared. Do not participate if the event may present a hazard for which you or your party members are not prepared. If weather is questionable or if you have questions, please call the named hike coordinator; the hike may be canceled. When participating, please respect the coordinator and do not break away from the group without telling them. We suggest you always keep your eye on someone in front of you, and behind you if you are in the lead. Please remember that hike leaders are not guides; they are volunteers, willing to share their knowledge and experience with you. Please give them your cooperation and respect. The leader has the right to refuse anyone who is not prepared for the outing. In addition, if the hike leader does arrange carpooling, passengers are expected to contribute toward the cost of transportation. Finally, since there are RISKS INVOLVED in hiking everyone participating does so at his or her own risk.
REMEMBER TO RESPECT LANDOWNER RIGHTS: Stay on the trail, don’t take shortcuts, don’t walk on crops, don’t build fires or camp on private land and NEVER, EVER enter landowner buildings.
BE SURE TO THANK THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THESE ACTIVITIES.
HIKE COORDINATORS: IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL YOUR HIKE OR SEND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR HIKE TO FOOTHILLS MEMBERS VIA THE CLUB’S GOOGLE GROUP.
Please refer to your Tales newsletter or the Google group email for hiking leader and contact information