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Safety on hiking trails shouldn't be an issue
By JEFF MEYERS
Satff Writer
I recently spent the weekend visiting my son, Matt, who now lives in Danbury, Ct. As a Christmas present, he had bought a couple of tickets to the New York Islanders-Buffalo Sabres game. Despite the Isles’ season, I decided to go anyway.
Whenever I visit Matt, he always treats me to a hike in the woods. He is always proud to share with me a new trail system he has discovered since my last visit.
This trip was no different: We spent two hours Sunday morning walking along a wooded trail that dropped down to a pretty pond and then back up a fairly steep ridge before cutting back to the trail head.
IAs I walked along this pleasant trail, I thought about how lucky Matt was to have such a gem so close to his house. If you have ever been to that area, you know how congested it can be. Typical highway traffic is bumper to bumper, even as everyone travels 70 plus miles an hour.
The trail we were on was part of a series of wooded routes within walking distance of Matt’s house. In fact, the path skirts several subdivisions that lie just out of sight.
We, in the North Country, are blessed to have some outstanding hiking opportunities in the nearby Adirondack Mountains. But most of those trails are at least an hour away.
Even the ever-popular Point au Roche and Wickham Marsh trail systems are several minutes away.
There is an informal hiking system in Rugar Woods behind the Plattsburgh State Field House, and, of course we have the bike paths near the City Beach and on the former Air Base. Beyond that, there is not much else available in the Plattsburgh area in the way of nature trails.
We do have a couple of proposed projects, however, one in Peru and another along the Saranac River in Plattsburgh. To me, these ideas are a must — what wonderful opportunities both have in helping people enjoy the wonders of a wooded trek close to home.
Some people have voiced concern over the safety of such proposed ideas. To be honest, I think that’s a lame argument.
The trails near Matt’s home cut through heavily populated areas, but groups, families, individual men and women all share the trails without the need of armed security guards.
I have never heard of any such concerns at Point au Roche or Wickham Marsh; people hike there regularly without being attacked.
If anything, such wooded trails will promote safety. I don’t know about you, but I always feel a little kinder, a little more sociable when passing a fellow hiker. There’s a sense of camaraderie that walkers share that promotes safety.
Bravo for those organizations moving forward with such hiking trails. If anything, we could use even more. We’d all benefit from the opportunity to take a hike.
Comments
I couldn't agree with you more. With the way the economy is struggling to expand in Plattsburgh and new industries on the rise, it's refreshing to learn of new hiking areas becoming availble. There is nothing more refreshing and rejuvenating than being outdoors doing things you enjoy most- biking, hiking, etc. Hiking is a wonderful way to refresh one's mind and spirit, and rekindle one's bond with nature and God.
If a person is that concerned about safety when hiking, then hike prepared. Don't prevent yourself from a most enjoyable experience you can have because fear tells you it's not safe. If that be the case, you'd lock yourself in the house and never go anywhere because fear would win over everything you want to do. Allow yourself to indulge in the sport of hiking and do so wisely. Then you won't have to feel unsafe and insecure. Hike with a partner, bring a few things along in case you get lost from wandering off the trail, make sure enough people know where you are and about when you should be expected back. Hike wisely and your experience will be remarkable.
Before you know it, you'll find there is nothing to fear and you'll enjoy it even more. Again, there's nothing like being out amidst the beauty of nature.
Posted by: Sherri Gonyea | March 22, 2009 3:22 PM