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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
12/5/2025
22nd Annual Friday Night Christmas Hike from Niagara Falls, NY, to Niagara Falls, Canada
MEET: in Niagara Falls State Park parking lot next to the Rainbow Bridge. Join us for a winter evening walk across the Rainbow Bridge to Canada to see the Holiday lights and fireworks. Bring 4 quarters and either a passport or enhanced license for the bridge. Fireworks at 8pm.
12/6/2025
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
12/7/2025 10:00 AM 4-5 Miles 2B
Genesee County Park & Forest – Hike or Snowshoe
MEET: enter park by turning down Memory Lane off of Bethany Center Road, then park in the large parking lot near the Interpretive Nature Center (map available on park website). The park consists of 431 acres of rolling hills with nature trails winding through a nice mix of habitat. We will finish up around noon at which time the Nature Center should be open. Pack a lunch.
12/08/2025 10:00 AM 3 Miles 1B
Chestnut Ridge Pond Saunter
MEET: in parking lot near sheriff’s barracks. Weather dependent: may need spikes or snowshoes. Saunter will be modified if there is considerable snow. Socialize in casino afterwards. Bring a snack or lunch.
12/8/2025 6:00 PM
Foothills Trail Club Board Meeting
The meeting is held at the Julia Reinstein Library on Losson Road (between Borden and Union Roads). Please consider joining us.
12/13/2025
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
12/14/2025 10:00 AM 4 Miles 1A
Rails to Trails in Orchard Park / Birdsong
MEET: in Orchard Park library parking lot (4570 South Buffalo Street).
12/15/2025 10:00 AM 2 Miles 2B
Sprague Brook County Park
MEET: in casino parking lot. Hike up Skunk Ridge to bridge, creek trail and back to parking lot. Weather dependent: may need spikes or snowshoes. Socialize in casino afterwards. Bring lunch or snack.
12/20/2025
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
12/21/2025
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
12/22/2025 10:00 AM 2-2.5 Miles 1B
Knox Farm State Park Saunter
MEET: in parking lot. Hike inner forest trails. Weather dependent: may need spikes or snowshoes. Socialize at Charlie’s Diner in East Aurora village afterwards.
12/27/2025
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
12/28/2025
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
1/1/2026 9:00 AM 5.5 Miles 2B
First Day Hike – Conservation Trail (M2/CT2, Access 5 to 6)
MEET: at Elkdale golf course (Access 6) on Route 353 (42.20444,-78.75274). We will carpool to the hike start on East Bucktooth Road. This will take us through Elkdale State Forest (DEC Region 9) and the Pat McGee Rail-Trail. Vertical climb = 500’
1/3/2026 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.
1/4/2026 10:00 AM 3 Miles 1A
Birdsong Park, Orchard Park – Hike or Snowshoe
MEET: park on Fairway Drive off of Freeman Road.
1/5/2026 10:00 AM 2.5-3 Miles 1B
Chestnut Ridge Pond Saunter
MEET: in parking lot near sheriff’s barracks. May need spikes or snowshoes. Saunter may be modified due to excessive snow. Socialize in casino afterwards. Bring a snack or lunch.
1/10/2026 9:00 AM 9.45 Miles 2+C
Holland Ravines – Hike or Snowshoe – Conservation Trail (CT6)
MEET: in the Holland Willows (177 Savage Road, Holland, 42.62992,-78.52915) parking lot. We will carpool to hike start on Carpenter Road, South Wales (CT6, Access 7, 42.69942,-78.55388).
1/11/2026
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
1/12/2026 10:00 AM 2.5-3 Miles 2A
Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
MEET: in parking lot on Honorine Drive off of Como Park Boulevard. May need spikes or snowshoes. Socialize at Tim Horton’s (3816 Union Road, Cheektowaga) afterwards.
1/17/2026
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
1/18/2026
Members Watch for Google eMail regarding possible hike
1/19/2026 10:00 AM 3-4Miles 2A
Route 240 Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail – Ellicott Rd to Old Glenwood Rd, Town of Aurora
MEET: in small parking area on Ellicott Road (Route 240) across from Five Star Equipment (284 Ellicott Road). May need spikes or snowshoes. Socialize afterwards at Spot Coffee (6519 Quaker Street, Orchard Park).
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
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