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Snowshoeing

Hiking offered at Genesee County Park & Forest, preregistration required

By Press Release

Press release:

Enjoy the forest in winter and track the secret lives of wild animals on a guided hike! Winter Wonderland Hikes are held at the Interpretive Nature Center at the Genesee County Park & Forest on the following Saturdays:

  • Jan. 9th from 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Feb. 6th from 1 to 3 p.m.

Hikes will go, snow or no snow. Snowshoes may be used, weather permitting, and are available for rent or you may bring your own. Snowshoeing lesson provided, no previous experience needed.

Rental is included in the price, $5/person, $15 max/family. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Space is limited. Preregistration is required, call (585) 344-1122.

Masks must be worn whenever unable to maintain 6 feet of social distance. Participants are encouraged to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Join us for Winter Fun Night Hikes from 7 to 9 p.m. on the following Saturdays:

  • Jan. 9th -- meet at the Interpretive Nature Center
  • Jan. 23rd -- meet at Pavilion B
  • Feb. 6th -- meet at the Interpretive Nature Center
  • Feb. 27th -- meet at Pavilion A

Enjoy the tranquil beauty of the forest at night! Park guides lead you on a night hike for ages 18 and over.

Snowshoes may be used, weather permitting, and are available for rent or you may bring your own. Snowshoeing lesson provided, no previous experience needed. Rental is included in the price, $5/person, $15 max/family.

Space is limited. Preregistration is required, call (585) 344-1122! Masks must be worn whenever unable to maintain 6 feet of social distance. Participants are encouraged to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Make a memory this winter with your own Private Group Snowshoe Hike! A Naturalist guides your group through peaceful woodland trails and open meadows.

Listen to winter’s quiet beauty and find signs of wildlife in this 431-acre park. Private hikes are available on Saturdays in January and February from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. by reservation only at the Interpretive Nature Center.

No previous experience is needed; snowshoes provided or bring your own. Rental is included in the price. Limit group size of 10 people. $5/person, minimum group fee is $50. Call (585) 344-1122 to book your own adventure!

Snowshoe Rentals are available at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Center: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, December through March, weather permitting.

Snowshoes must be used in the park. Fee is $5/pair and all proceeds go to ACORNS, the nonprofit organization that supports the parks!

Call (585) 344-1122 to register. For more information visit our website, or contact Shannon Lyaski at:  Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or phone (585) 344-1122.

ACORNS invites you to enjoy snowshoeing on the trails of GC Park & Forest

By Billie Owens

Everyone is invited to come explore 12 miles of trails in the 431-acre Genesee County Park and Forest in East Bethany. Wintertime hiking is especially beautiful.

Snowshoes must be used. You may bring your own or rentals are available at the Interpretive Nature Center December through March, weather permitting: starting at 10 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; 12 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Ending time for all days is 3 p.m.

Sizes are available for age 3 and up.

Fee: $5/person. All proceeds go to the ACORNS group supporting the parks -- the Association for Conservation of Recreational and Natural Spaces Inc. The park and forest are not handicapped accessible.

Preregistration recommended, call 585-344-1122!

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Snowshoe Trail Group Hikes are also an option at Genesee County Park & Forest on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m January and February, by reservation only and weather permitting.

You may bring your own snowshoes or rentals are available at the Interpretive Nature Center in sizes for age 3 and up. Fee: $5/person; minimum group fee $75.

Handicapped accessible: No.

Call 585-344-1122 to book your own adventure! 

Make a memory this winter with your own Snowshoe Trail Group Hike! An intrepid Naturalist guides your group through peaceful woodland trails and open meadows.

Enjoy winter’s quiet beauty and find signs of wildlife. Lessons are included, no previous experience needed! Come explore and escape to the wild!

Website: http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/eventsprograms.html
Email: Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us

Enjoy moonlight hikes and winter walks at GC Park & Forest

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Enjoy the tranquil beauty of the forest on a full moon night! Naturalists lead you on a peaceful Moonlight Hike and Winter Walk from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb, 24th.

Meet at Pavilion B. Hikes begin and conclude with refreshments by a warm fire in Pavilion B! For ages 18 and over. Snowshoes may be used, weather permitting, and are available for rent or you may bring your own. Snowshoeing lesson provided, no previous experience needed! Rental is included in the price, $5/person, $15 max/family. Preregistration is required, call 585-344-1122!

Make a memory this winter with your own Private Group Snowshoe Hike! A Naturalist guides your group through peaceful woodland trails and open meadows. Listen to winter’s quiet beauty and find signs of wildlife in this 431-acre park. Private hikes are available on Saturdays in February from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. by reservation only at the Interpretive Nature Center. No previous experience is needed; snowshoes provided or bring your own. Rental is included in the price, $5/person, minimum group fee is $75. Call 585-344-1122 to book your own adventure!

Snowshoe rentals are available at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Center 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 12 – 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays December through March, weather permitting. Snowshoes must be used in the park. Fee is $5/pair and all proceeds go to ACORNS, the nonprofit organization that supports the parks!

Call (585) 344-1122 to register. For more information visit our website here, or contact Shannon Morley at Shannon.Morley@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Snowshoeing 101: a primer courtesy of the Genesee County Park volunteers

By JIM NIGRO

Thankfully a few inches of snow had fallen the previous evening. It was Saturday afternoon and just enough snow to get the gist of snowshoeing. That's park volunteer Charlie Augrom out front, our trail leader for the day.

Before donning snowshoes and hitting the trails, our group was given a brief and informative talk on the history and how-to of snowshoeing by Charlie and Judy Spring. That's Judy pictured above with an older-style Michigan snowshoe.

Here Judy displays a modified version of the Michigan snowshoe. Both styles were forerunners of todays lightweight models.

A modern snowshoe, lightweight and user-friendly.

Just prior to heading out, Charlie assembles the group.

A bit tentative at first, the group is off to a good start.

With each step confidence is gained. A broad smile is an early indicator of a good time.

A trail through the hardwoods.

George Squires, in the background, is a park volunteer and district manager for Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District. Here he gives an on-the-spot talk regarding the park's spruce forest. 

While the rest of the group continues on through towering Norway spruce, George makes sure all trekkers are accounted for. 

This pair certainly seem to be enjoying themselves.

The trail leads between snow-covered spruce boughs.

Evergreens on the left, hardwoods on the right -- we're in the home stretch...

The 90-minute hike proved to be exhilarating, invigorating and informative. In addition to the above mentioned people, I'd like to express our thanks to park volunteers Mary Jane Pearce and Peggy Grayson who accompanied our group.

Snowshoes can be rented at the Genesee County Park Interpretive Center and they can be reached 585-344-1122.

Athletes excel in snowshoe competition

By Genesee ARC News

Special Olympics athletes representing Genesee ARC participated in a snowshoe competition Saturday (Jan. 22) at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort.

Missy Cook, Laura Mroz, Casarah Dieck, Erik Goodrich, Carl Jeerings, James Grudzien, Juan Baez and Jason Stimson took part in individual and relay events bringing home nine gold, eight silver and four bronze medals.

Special Olympics provide year-round competition for athletes with disabilities. Two snowshoe team members, Erik and Casarah, have been selected to compete in the State Winter Games Feb. 4 – 5 in Syracuse.

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