Join us for a paddle, hike, or driving River Tour this summer!
The Ausable River Association is proud to host River Tours for summer 2019!
Join our staff for outdoor education programming featuring themes of river ecology and stewardship in the Ausable River Watershed. Hiking and paddling trips are designed to engage local citizens of all ages in outdoor recreational activities, while also inspiring participants to be active stewards of their local environment. Learn new paddling and hiking techniques, stewardship practices, and methods for river and riparian restoration. AsRA staff will also demonstrate environmental DNA and water quality monitoring field data collection procedures and share findings from AsRA’s data collection to date. Start your trip with an appreciation for the natural beauty in the Ausable Valley, and leave with a better understanding of what threatens our local environment - and what you can do to inspire responsible stewardship in your community. Engage in low-impact, Leave No Trace recreation designed to foster understanding, enjoyment, and conservation of our local water resources!
In 2019, we will be offering two guided hikes, three guided paddling tours of the Ausable Paddling Nature Trail on Lake Everest, and one guided watershed tour of our restoration project sites. All Trips will begin at 10 am and will last 1 to 3 hours. Tours are FREE and open to the public, all ages and families** are welcome. The schedule is listed below.
What To Expect
Paddling Tours: Join AsRA staff on a paddling tour of the Ausable Paddling Nature Trail at Lake Everest. Participants will learn basic paddling skills and canoe safety as well as information on the natural history of the Ausable River and Lake Everest. The tour will loosely follow the self-guided paddling trail, but there will be plenty of opportunities to discuss and learn about the river and watershed. The tour will be approximately 2.5 miles of paddling on Lake Everest. The lake is an impoundment on the Ausable River and therefore has a mild to moderate current. The tour will paddle upstream to the head of the lake stopping at several locations to discuss the natural history of the area. Depending on interest, participants may choose to stop at the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge on the return trip. A strong paddler can complete this tour in about one hour without stops, the guided tour should take about two hours to complete.
Hikes: We are offering one easy to moderate hike (Owen and Copperas Pond) and one strenuous hike (Flume Knob). Hikes will depart from trailheads at 10 am. AsRA staff will demonstrate field research techniques, provide naturalist interpretation of the hike, and describe our work along the way.
This are FREE programs, donations are accepted. If you have questions regarding these programs please email Carrie Pershyn at cpershyn@ausableriver.org or call (518) 637-6859.
What To Bring
Paddling Tours: It is strongly suggested that you bring the following items along with you. You do not need to own a boat to participate in this program. The Town of Wilmington will provide free canoe and kayak rentals to participants. Rentals include life jackets and paddles. You are welcome to email us to reserve a spot.
- Canoe or Kayak (free rentals available, includes paddle and life jacket)
- Paddle
- Life Jacket
- Food/snacks
- Water
- Sunglasses/sunscreen
- Water shoes/sandals
- Rain jacket
- Light insulating layer
Hikes and Driving Tour: It is strongly suggested that you bring the following items along with you. You are welcome to email us to reserve a spot.
- Food/snacks
- Water
- Sunglasses/sunscreen
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Rain jacket
- Light insulating layer
The program instructor will carry these group items. If you have these items we recommend you bring them. It is good practice to always carry the 10-essentials on every outing.
- First-aid kit
- Map and compass
- GPS
- Headlamp/flashlight
- Fire starter
- Knife
- Repair kit/tools
**Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Schedule & Sign-Up
All Trips will begin at 10 am and will last 1 to 3 hours. Tours are FREE and open to the public, all ages and families** are welcome.
- Wednesday, July 3: Hike to Owen and Copperas Pond (moderate - 2.5 Miles), 10 am - 1 pm
Theme: Environmental DNA Demonstration
Meet at Owen Pond trailhead on Route 86 (the southern trailhead on the map below). Bring lots of water and sturdy hiking boots! This hike is one mile round trip leading to two beautiful and secluded ponds. Read more about the hike here https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/trailmapowencopperas.pdf
- Saturday, July 13: Paddling Lake Everest, 10 am - 1 pm
Theme: Intro to Paddling and River Ecology
Meet at Lake Everest Beach. Beginners and advanced paddlers are welcome to this introductory trip up the Ausable River. Follow the Ausable Paddling Nature Trail and learn new paddling strokes and boat safety while familiarizing yourself with Lake Everest’s Paddling Nature Trail. The Wilmington Town Beach is located at the end of Bowman Lane (Beach Rd on Google Maps) off Route 86 in Wilmington. The turn off Route 86 is directly adjacent to the Owaissa Club and there is a sign for the beach on the opposite side of the road.
- Wednesday, July 17: Ausable Watershed Driving Tour, 10 am - 2 pm
Theme: River and Riparian Restoration
Meet at Lake Everest Beach for a driving tour of AsRA’s Restoration Projects led by AsRA Executive Director, Kelley Tucker. Learn the importance of riparian and flood zones, the purpose behind AsRA restoration projects, as well as the natural channel design that allows for soil building and self-maintained natural river morphology.
- Saturday, July 20: Paddling Lake Everest, 10 am - 1 pm
Theme: Aquatic Native and Invasive Plants
Meet at Lake Everest Beach. Follow the Ausable Paddling Nature Trail and learn the eight key anatomical features used to identify aquatic plants. Put these new skills to work by helping to identify native and invasive aquatic plants present on the Lake Everest Paddling Nature Trail. The Wilmington Town Beach is located at the end of Bowman Lane (Beach Rd on Google Maps) off Route 86 in Wilmington. The turn off Route 86 is directly adjacent to the Owaissa Club and there is a sign for the beach on the opposite side of the road.
- Wednesday, July 24: Hiking Flume Knob (difficult - 2.5 Miles), 10 am - 1 pm
Theme: Water Quality Monitoring Demonstration
Meet at Flume Parking lot on Route 86. Bring lots of water and sturdy hiking boots! This popular hike is 2.5 miles round trip to a rewarding view from the Flume Knob. Read more about the hike here https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/flume-knob
- Wednesday, July 31: Paddling Lake Everest, 10 am - 1 pm
Theme: Fauna of Lake Everest
Meet at Lake Everest Beach. Follow the Ausable Paddling Nature Trail and use your eyes and ears to locate and identify birds, insects, fish, and mammals that call Lake Everest their home! We recommend bringing binoculars and polarized lenses for better wildlife viewing. The Wilmington Town Beach is located at the end of Bowman Lane (Beach Rd on Google Maps) off Route 86 in Wilmington. The turn off Route 86 is directly adjacent to the Owaissa Club and there is a sign for the beach on the opposite side of the road.
Canoes and life jackets will be provided for paddling trips. Bring your own canoe or kayak if you wish, but don’t forget your personal floatation device! Please remember to bring water, snacks, sun protection, hiking boots, and bug repellent for all trips!
This FREE program has been made possible by an Education Grant awarded to AsRA by the Lake Champlain Basin Program, with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency through the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, with matching funds from the Town of Wilmington.
