Chester Challenge offers hikers another test
Another hiking challenge has popped up in the Adirondacks, and this one offers a choice in which trails to take.
The Chester Challenge, which was announced last year, offers hikers the chance to choose from a number of destinations and trails. While based on eight hikes that all reside in the town of Chester, participants can choose to do just six of the trails in order to earn the Chester Challenge pin. There are six total destinations, but more than one trail to several of the destinations.
Most of the hikes are in the one-hour range, with a couple that are longer. The longest hike is the 6.4-mile hike up and over Green Hill and Catamount Mountain.
However, hikers can also do just the 1.8-mile hike to Green Hill to qualify for the pin.
The Chester Challenge brochure says the longest hike can be a guided trip from the Stone Bridge and Caves attraction, or be done as a snowshoe hike unguided in the winter. The Stone Bridge and Caves is a privately-owned business.
“Choose between a moderately steep hike to a picturesque view of the surrounding hills, and a more challenging hike to more panoramic views of the entire region, including a breathtaking view of the High Peaks,” the brochure says.
The challenge includes a few mountains, including Meade, Beckman and Kipp mountains, along with Green Hill and Catamount. But there are also a few more meandering trails, like Chester Creek trails and the Palmer Pond trail.
The Palmer Pond trail offers the chance for a nice hike, as well as fishing. The brochure says that handicap access is available to the pond if you provide notice ahead of time.
“There are a number of scenic vistas throughout the site, especially along some of the trail spurs on either side of Palmer Pond,” the brochure says. “The 31-acre pond is managed as a cold-water fishery with native and introduced trout species.”
The Palmer Pond trail clocks in at 1.5 miles.
Chester Creek trails starts right from the middle of Chestertown at the municipal center. From there, you can hike from 1.2 to 1.9 miles.
Rebecca Nichols, also known as the Hiking Chick, completed the Chester Challeng in one day in September.
“It had been a few days since anyone signed in here (at Chester Creek),” Nichols said. “Not sure if (there was) some recent rains but some of the trail was in the water. From the marsh area you can see Panther Mountain.”
The brochures says that hikers can “enjoy the varied views of meandering Chester Creek and its surrounding wetlands, fields and woods that contain an abundant variety of flora and fauna. Hike this trail in the early morning and you are likely to be rewarded with all sorts of wildlife sightings!”
One of the more interesting hikes of the bunch is at Dynamite Hill, which connects to the Caroline M. Fish Memorial Trails. Dynamite Hill offers recreation opportunities throughout the year, and when there’s no snow the area offers hiking, picnicking and singletrack biking.
“The trail system is very easy to follow, (with) a few neat structures to see (but do not enter),” Nichols said.
The Town of Chester says that several of the trails are closed for hunting season, including the trails up Green, Kipp, Meade and Catamount mountains.
The challenge seems to have been well received, with more than 50 people registering their hikes through the end of last year.
For more information on the Chester Challenge, visit www.townofchesterny.org/chester-challenge.html.