Nature Trail Newest Addition to Table Rock Hike
There’s more to the Table Rock trails than the magnificent view at the top.
There’s more to the Table Rock trails than the magnificent view at the top.
“I had no idea we had American Chestnut, Bigtooth Aspen and Hop-Hornbeam trees. We even have an area of witch hazel. I thought it was scrubland,” said Sanford.
And now, thanks to the Trail Committee’s marking and mapping of existing blue and yellow trails, the newly marked trail will give hikers the same opportunity to identify these – and others.
Set to be launched at the committee’s Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 20, the nature trail will feature signage detailing the flora and fauna hikers will encounter. Maps – including a digital map from a QR code – will be available at the revamped trailhead.
But the launch of the nature trail isn’t the only event the Trail Committee is planning for Earth Day. Students, faculty and the public are invited to join trail clean-up efforts.
Volunteers can help perform trail maintenance, clean up blown-down branches or pick up trash near Table Rock and the practice fields. They can also help support work on a new footbridge on the blue trail.
All equipment will be provided and volunteers are asked to come dressed in work-appropriate clothes, including work gloves and footwear. Students participating in the event can receive service learning hours.
“It’s just one more way we’re helping to make the trail more appealing to members of the community,” said Sanford.
Mary Allen, professor of biology at Hartwick, will accompany the group and offer a faculty perspective informed by her work in microbiology, food systems and the biological processes that shape food.
McIntire, a member of the Hartwick Institute of Public Service Leadership Council, was joined in conversation by Hartwick students Addison Havens ’27 and Oiram Duenas-Valles ’27, along with Laurel Elder, professor of political science, department chair and co-director of the Hartwick Institute of Public Service.