Come on out and enjoy the beauty of the Great Swamp!
Plein Air painting opportunities are listed in a separate post here.
The water levels have been high this summer, which is great for paddling, but unfortunately the stormy weather also brought down quite a few trees that blocked navigation on the Swamp River and out of Green Chimneys. Our diligent work on the North Flow has finally cleared the river and allowed us to schedule two paddles on Saturday August 22 from Wingdale: a wake-up paddle at 6:00 a.m. and another at 9:00 a.m. We are also planning a hike in the Gordon Douglas Reserve West on August 29 at 8:30 a.m. Please see details below.
Registration: Please email Ken Luhman at frogspaddle22@gmail.com if you plan to attend paddles or hikes. Online registration and payment for paddle fees here.
If you would like to be added to our email distribution list, or if you have any questions, please contact us at info@frogs-ny.org.
North Flow Wake-Up Paddles – Saturday August 22, 6:00 AM and 9:00AM
DEC launch area Wheeler Road, Wingdale NY
Skill level: “Quiet Waters” rating. Some canoe experience is helpful but not essential as there is only a slight current and a few narrow turns to deal with. Canoes can capsize in inexperienced hands, but the water is shallow and you can stand on the bottom. There will be no lifeguard on this trip.
Highlights: Sunrise is a perfect time to see wildlife in The Great Swamp. Approximately 2 hours on the water. We will paddle south and then back down river to the Great Blue Heron rookery. Please be aware that there may be a need to haul canoes over downed trees. No children under 16 allowed. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in. Dress for the weather and remember it’s cooler on the water. Bring your own drinks and snacks.
Fees (includes Canoes, Paddles and Life vests, Insurance & FrOGS Donation):
• Adult Member: $15
• Adult Non-Member: $25
To register, please click Square Payment
For any questions, please contact Ken Luhman by e-mail at: frogspaddle22@gmail.com
16 paddlers maximum (unless you bring your own canoe or kayak, and paddles and life vests), so please register in advance.
Directions: Head north on Route 22. At the Wingdale train station, turn left on Wheeler Road. Look for a sign marking the parking lot on the right just past the railroad tracks, and before the bridge over the river. The closest street address is 109 Wheeler Road on the other side of the river from the canoe launch site.
Hike at Gordon Douglas Reserve West – Saturday, August 29, 8:30 AM
Metro-North Appalachian Trail station
Skill level: Challenging, 4.5 miles
Highlights: Hike will last approximately 3 hours. Most of the hike will be off trail and includes steep terrain. Dress for the weather and wear good hiking shoes/boots. We will cross the AT boardwalk and then depart the Appalachian Trail to hike along the west side of the Swamp River. Bring your own lunch (recommended) or snacks, and plenty of fluids. No dogs allowed. Practice good tick-bite prevention (repellents, light colored clothing, long sleeves, pant legs tucked into socks).
Highlights: We will explore rocky cliffs and pass a large glacial erratic while hiking many types of terrain including a 30% incline to the top of the mountain for a spectacular view of the Gordon Douglas Reserve.
Registration: Please email Ken Luhman at frogspaddle22@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Directions: Park in the lot at the Metro-North Appalachian Trail station, just south of Native Landscaping on Route 22. Please arrive before the 8:30 am start to allow time for registration.
Suggested Donation: $5/person, please click Square Hike Donation
Goat Week at Cricket Hill: Saturday August 8 – Sunday August 16
You are invited to visit our FrOGS preserve at Cricket Hill to see a herd of goats grazing invasive plants and talk to our interns and volunteers about our research and conservation activities.
A downloadable and printable flyer can be found here. Contact Maryanne Brown (marlbro@comcast.net) or Astri Teal (astri1875@comcast.net) for more details.
Annual Fall Art Show and Celebration: Saturday and Sunday October 17-18
More details about the art show, including the prospectus for submissions, can be found here.
PAST EVENTS
Sunday February 15 – Snowshoe hike at Gordon Douglas Reserve – East
Sunday March 15, 10 AM – Hike at Gordon Douglas Reserve – West
Saturday, April 4, 11AM – 1PM: FrOGS Annual Meeting at Patterson Library.
Saturday, April 11, 9AM – 1PM: Route 22 and Havilland Hollow Road Clean up. Meet at Putnam Diner.
Sunday April 19th, 9:30 AM Pawling Nature Preserve Hike (cancelled due to rain)
Sunday April 26th, 9:30 AM: Wingdale Paddle
Sunday May 10th (Mother’s Day), 9am: Wingdale Paddle – checking on the Rookery
Saturday May 16th, 9:30am: Green Chimneys Paddle
Thursday June 11th, 10am – 2pm: Invasives Removal at Gordon Douglas Reserve, Pawling NY
as part of New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYSISAW) is June 8 – 14.
Sunday June 14th, 9:30am: Wingdale Paddle – *** WILL BE RESCHEDULED, PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES ***
