Syracuse.com - Get off the couch: Start a New Year's tradition by getting outdoors

[HuntingNY-News]

Don't be a couch potato. Take a hike, put on a pair of snowshoes, slap on some cross country skis.

This New Year's Day, forget about the football.

Instead, start a new tradition of getting outside and doing something active.

Take a hike, put on a pair of snowshoes, slap on some cross country skis.

Unsure where to go? Check out these Central New York locations:

In this 2010 photo, Dave Schubert, on the staff at Beaver lake Nature Center, snowshoes on one of the trials there. Publish History: Dick Blume | [email protected] 

GUIDED OUTINGS

New York State Parks has latched on to this idea, offering free, guided "First Day Hike" excursions at selected parks across the state. Several are scheduled in our area:

- Clark Reservation: The hike, which starts at 1 p.m., will be about one mile and is appropriate for all ages. Those who like to snowshoe or cross country ski should bring their own equipment. Hikers should wear good, sturdy boots. The hike will be led by members of the Council of Park Friends. Hot drinks will be provided. Meet at the park's large shelter. Pre-registration suggested, but not required. The park is located at 6105 E. Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville. For more, call 492-1590.

- Taughannock Falls: Join the park's naturalist on this outing that starts at 1 p.m. in the parking lot at the start of the gorge trail by Route 89. The walk will go through the gorge, then up the South Rim trail to the overlook, across the street to the multi-use trail and back to the start of the Gorge Trail. The full hike will be a little more than five miles. Plan on being outside for at least three hours, so dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. Participants can also do just the first mile and half on the gorge trail. The hike will be followed by hot drinks and light snacks. Pre-registration suggested, but not required. For more, call 607-387-7041.

- Chenango Valley: Hike starts at 1 p.m. in the beach parking lot. All ages are welcome for a moderate, 4-5 mile (with occasional breaks) hike. The outing is expected to last about two hours. Bring your own water and snacks. Pre-registration is not required, but suggested. The park is located at 153 Chenango Valley State Park in Chenango Forks (Broome County). For more, call 607-648-5251.

For more on these and other "First Day Hikes" across the state, see parks.ny.gov.

ON YOUR OWN

- Highland Forest: This "Adirondack-like" county park in Fabius offers a variety of mostly groomed ski trails and separate snowshoe trails for all abilities. There's also a big lodge with a fireplace. Parks hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Park fees are $5 for a cross country ski day pass, or $1 to hike to snowshoe (with your own snowshoes). Ski and snowshoe rentals are available. For more, see onondagacountyparks.com or call 683-5550.

- Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. More than seven miles of cross country ski trails, in addition to more than three miles for snowshoeing. Warming hut. Snowshoe rentals available. Trails open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is $4 per car. For more, seeonondagacountyparks.com or call 638-2519.

- Oneida Shores Park: 9248 McKinley Ridge Road, Brewerton. Free. Lots of wide open space to hike, cross country ski or snowshoe. For more, see onondagacountyparks.com or call 676-7366.

- Bear Swamp, off Route 41A, Sempronius (the western side of Skaneateles Lake). Miles and miles of state reforestation land. A host of trails used by cross country skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers. For snow conditions call the Colonial Lodge, a restaurant/bar on its edge, 496-9401 or 497-1316.

- Baltimore Woods Nature Center, Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. Free. Six miles of hiking trails are open every day from dawn to dusk. No skiing, snowmobiles or dogs allowed, though. Snowshoes encouraged. The center's building will not be open New Year's Day. For more, see baltimorewoods.org, or call 673-1350.

- Other local State parks popular with hikers, snowshoers and cross country skiers include Green Lakes in Fayetteville, Verona Beach, Fair Haven Beach and Selkirk Shores in Pulaski. Free.

- Syracuse's Sunnycrest Park, in the Eastwood neighborhood, offers 2 1/5 miles of groomed trails. The park is located on Caleb Avenue, off of Hicock Avenue. For more information, see.syracuse.ny.us/parks/ or call 473-4330.

- Montezuma Audubon Center, 2295 State Route 89, Savannah. Free. Open for cross country skiing and snowshoeing dawn to dusk. The center's offices will be closed New Year's Day. For more, see ny.audubon.org or call 365-3588.

- The Osceola Tug Hill Cross County Ski Center, 1486 Osceola Road, in Camden, is a resort for all skill levels. On weekends and holidays, adults pay $17; seniors, $12; juniors 6 to age 15, $9 to use the 25 miles of groomed trails. Lower rates on regular weekdays. Rentals are also available. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more, see uxcski.com or call 599-7377.

- Winona Forest Recreation Area, state-owned land in northern Oswego and southern Jefferson counties in the towns of Boylston and Mannsville. Free. Features 70 miles of trails, many of which are groomed. For more, see winonaforest.com or call 286-0375.

A gathering of 60 people, braved waters of Cayuga Lake in village of Aurora in the annual Polar Bear swim in 2010. Kathy Dec of Skaneateles (center) runs out of the cold Cayuga Lake waters as quickly as she can.Dennis Nett | [email protected] 

And for the truly adventurous...

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

Welcome 2014 with an invigorating plunge into Cayuga Lake. The annual Aurora Polar Bear Plunge is scheduled for 11 a.m. on New Year's Day on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, behind St. Patrick's Church in Aurora. Donations will be accepted at the event for the Philip A. Murphy Memorial Fund for use by the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department.

For more, call Nancie Tengi at 730-0086.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog