Trails Update 3/13/14
A little of everything fell during the storm yesterday - rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow and trees. There are several fallen trees on the trails at Camp Saratoga and the Opdahl Farm. As soon as they are removed, we will be able to groom the trails. In the meantime please use caution on the trails.
Trails Report 3/3/14
The icy trails were groomed over the weekend. It took quite a bit to break through the frozen surface, but they have been groomed!The conditions are improved, but still a little rough.
Conservation Conversation – Blue Birds
Postponed!! No Ski Demo Day on 2/17/14
The planned Cross Country Ski Demo Day scheduled for Monday, February 17th has been postponed.Sorry for the late notice. We will let you know as soon as we have a new date.
February 15th Full Moon Ski and Snowshoe at Camp Saratoga
The popular Full Moon Ski and Snowshoe will be taking place on Saturday evening, February 15th at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.The free event will begin at 6:00 pm from the Scout Road entrance to Camp Saratoga and run until 9:30 pm. People can drop in anytime during the event and participate free of charge, but donations will be graciously accepted at the information table in the Winter Lodge.There will be more than two miles of groomed trails lit by luminaries. People can ski or snowshoe out to two different bonfires where they will find free hot chocolate.Snowshoes will be available for rent on a first come/first served basis beginning at 5:30 in the International Paper Winter Lodge that will be set up as a warming hut and information center. Rentals are $5.00/pair or free for members of the Preserve & Park.There will also be free hot chocolate, a bake sale and an information table in the Winter Lodge. The Winter Lodge is located between Parking lots #1 and #2 on Scout Road.Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited at Camp Saratoga. There is overflow parking available at Parking Lot #3 on Scout Road.For more information, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. If you are interested in volunteering at the event as a trail monitor or parking lot attendant, please contact the park office at the number listed above.For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Preserve & Park’s website at www.wiltonpreserve.org The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization that conserves ecological systems and natural settings while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation.
Trails Update 2/14/14 - We Love Snow on Valentines Day!!
We got well over a foot of snow and all the trails at Camp Saratoga were rolled today. We are prepping for tomorrow night's Full Moon Ski and Snowshoe, so you might see luminary's placed by the sides of the trails on Saturday afternoon. We will be lighting the luminaries starting around 3:30 tomorrow and the event will officially begin at 6:00.
Trails Update 2/6/14 - Snow Glorious Snow!
We are back in a winter wonderland with close to a foot of light, fluffy powder. Today, the trails were rolled.We are preparing for the 8k snowshoe race that is taking place Saturday the 8th.Be advised that the trails at Camp Saratoga North will be used by the racers on Saturday morning between 10:30 am and noontime.
February Vacation Events and Programs
Looking for something to do during Winter Vacation? Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park offers “naturally” fun programs!Full Moon Ski & SnowshoeSaturday, February 15 from 6:00-9:30 pm at Camp SaratogaThe popular Moonlight Ski and Snowshoe event at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park will be taking place on Saturday evening, February 15th. The free event will begin at 6:00 pm from the Scout Road entrance to Camp Saratoga and run until 9:30 pm. People can drop in anytime during the event and participate free of charge, but donations will be graciously accepted at the information table in the Winter Lodge. There will be two miles of groomed trails lit by luminaries, and there will be bonfires and free hot chocolate. Snowshoes will be available for rent on a first come/first served basis beginning at 5:30 in the International Paper Winter Lodge that will be set up as a warming hut and information center. Rentals are $5.00/pair or free for members of the Preserve & Park. There will also be hot chocolate, hot tea, and an information table in the Winter Lodge. The Winter Lodge is located between Parking lots #1 and #2 on Scout Road. Cross Country Ski Demo DayMonday, February 17 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pmAt the I.P. Winter Lodge at Camp Saratoga (between Parking Lots #1 and #2)Join us in welcoming the Alpine Sport Shop for an opportunity to demo some great cross country skis on the groomed trails at Camp Saratoga. There will be a number of different skis to try and some kids’ skis and boots as well. If you have been wanting to try out cross country skiing, this may be what you were looking for! Snowshoe rentals will also be available during the demo hours. Animal Tracking Snowshoe Hike Monday, February 17 at 11 am at Congress ParkWe will be partnering with Saratoga Springs Public Library for their Animal Tracking Snowshoe Hike. Preregistration is required for this event. To register, please call the Children’s Room at (518) 584-7860 option 3.Winter Animal Olympics Tuesday, February 18 from 1:00-2:00 pm at Camp SaratogaIf you’re in the Olympic spirit this is the program for you. Come learn about the different “Olympic events” animals compete in throughout the winter. Then compete in some yourself! We will be outside for the program so please come dressed for the weather. Preregistration is required by calling 450-0321.Owl Prowl with Jacqueline CitrinitiWednesday, February 19 from 6:00-8:30 pm at 80 Scout Road and then Camp SaratogaIn collaboration with the Saratoga Springs Public Library, we will be going out on an early evening “hunt” for local owls. First, we will learn about what owls are found in our area with an indoor presentation by Jacqueline Citriniti of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Then we will head outdoors to listen and look for wild owls! Group size is limited and is for ages 5 and up. Pre-registration is required by February 18 by calling the Library at (518) 584-7860 option 3. This program will be offered again on March 14th and 21st. Winter Experiments Thursday, February 20 from 1:00-2:00 pm at Camp SaratogaJoin us for some thought-challenging winter fun. We will be learning about some of the different properties of snow and doing some snow related experiments. We will be outside for the program so please come dressed for the weather. Preregistration is required by calling 450-0321.Preregistration is suggested for all programs at least one business day in advance of the actual event. Preregistration in not required for drop-in events like the Full Moon Ski or Demo Day. For more information, please call the Preserve & Park office at 518-450-0321 or via email at info@wiltonpreserve.org. For up-to-date trail conditions or program information, please visit the Preserve & Park’s website at www.wiltonpreserve.org The Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park is a non-profit organization that conserves ecological systems and natural settings while providing opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation.
Super Sunday Snowshoe Rentals
We will have snowshoes available for rental on Sunday, February 2nd from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. You will find us in the cabin next to Parking Lot #1 on Scout Road. Rentals are $5 a pair or free if you are a member of the Preserve & Park. Hot cocoa will be available so stop by even if you have your own snowshoes or skis - we always love to chat with our visitors!
Trails Update: 1/31/14
We made it through the week with the trails in OK condition. While the coverage is thin, there are no bare spots. With the forecast for warmer temperatures and maybe some rain or snow over the weekend, this may change. We will update over the weekend once we have a better idea of what falls from the sky and how much!
Trails Update 1/27/2014
We got a little snow over the past two days, about two to three inches all together. While it has improved the conditions a little, there is still ice under the thin cover of snow, so caution is advised.There is not enough snow depth to do any grooming at this time.
Trails Update 1/14/14
Due to the thin snow cover, wet and icy conditions, all trail grooming has been suspended until we get another snow storm.Please use the trails with caution as there is ice out there!
Pilates For A Purpose - March 8th
We are excited that Reform Pilates Studio has chosen us to be one of their non-profit partners for the Pilates for a Purpose program.Mark your calendars for March 8th!All donations for the class that day will go to support our programs at the Preserve & Park!http://www.reformyourbody.com/specials/pilates-for-a-purpose/
1/10/2014 weekend update
Due to the expected rainfall trails will not be groomed. The red-blue meadow loop was dragged yesterday however. The earliest the trails can be groomed again may be Monday, but this is all dependent on the weather we receive. Let's hope for snow instead of rain!Additionally, there are NO guided programs this weekend. (It would be a slushy time through all of the wet snow anyways.) Please be sure to keep us in mind for the Nature in Winter snowshoe hike on Saturday 1/25/2014 at 11am! Call the office or email info@wiltonpreserve.org to register if you're interested.Have a great weekend!
Snowshoe Rentals
We have snowshoe rentals available through our office at 80 Scout Road. Rentals are $5.00 and are free for WWPP members.Please call ahead since we are sometimes out on the trails, doing programs, or at meetings!We don't have weekend rental times scheduled but you can make arrangements to pick them up on Friday to return on Monday for a weekend rate of $10 a pair.Call us at 450-0321 for more information. We have lots of kid sizes, so you can go as a family!
Trails Update 1/4/14
Today all of the trails were rolled in anticipation of the warm-up and rain that is forecast for tomorrow. No more grooming will be done until after the rain. Enjoy the soft snow while you can!
Trails Update 1/3/14
Snow! Lots of beautiful, fluffy snow! With the frigid temperatures, the trails will not be rolled or groomed until tomorrow at the earliest.
Trails Update 12/23/2013
With the 30+ temperatures we've had and the extended forecast staying like that for a while the trails will likely not be groomed until after January 1, 2014. The snow is very wet and heavy.Coverage is thin-to-bare in some places. That being said, please continue to wear snowshoes or cross-country skis when on the trails; boots can still damage the snow base that is present.Additionally, if you see snowshoe tracks headed off the trail please resist the urge to follow them! Those are from our snow pack monitors going out to check the snow gauges we have placed in the habitat. The less traffic over the habitat the better.The office will re-open after the New Year. We wish everyone a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season!
Trail Signage
Interns Brian & Sarah are working on updating the trail signage for the XC skiing and snowshoeing. Please bear with us as we're adjusting to the new grooming equipment and learning how to groom the trails! Happy Holidays!