CATSWomen is a volunteer-led group that offers a welcoming environment for women of all ages and abilities to gain confidence in the outdoors through Champlain Area Trails.
Check out this 5-mile out-and-back trail in the Eagle Mountain Preserve in Chesterfield, New York. Benny's Trail leads to Clear Pond, a pristine and remote body of water with lots of beaver activity. The trail follows an old logging road, and for the most part, is a gentle climb, and is easy on the feet. This is an extraordinary trail, as it travels through a truly wild country, and is more characteristic of what is found around Saranac Lake, not in the Champlain Valley. There has been a lot of beaver activity on this trail in the last two years, so be aware that some sections of the trail face potential flooding. This is considered a moderate hike, with 469 feet of elevation gain.
REGISTER: Spacing is limited. Click here to register.
TIME: Meet at the trailhead at 8:45 am for a 9:00 am start. This hike should take about 4 hours.
WHAT TO BRING: Bring boots that can get muddy and wet, lots of water, food & warm layers.
DIRECTIONS: The trailhead is off Trout Pond Road. If coming from the North, you can get to Trout Pond Road from Green Street in Ausable Forks. If coming from the South, take Route 9N and find the turn for Trout Pond Road just south of Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain. Click here for Google Map directions.