2013 Hike-a-Thon to Explore New Trail
Larry Smith Leads Woodlands Hike
“Impacting Lives through Healthy Hiking” is the theme of the Jacksonville Woodlands Association 20th Annual Hike-a-Thon. The event is on Saturday, April 20. The public is invited to join the JWA for an informative half-day program that starts with registration at 9:30 am, followed by a short presentation by JWA Executive Director Larry Smith at 10 am. At 10:45 am, those wishing to take the narrated hike will depart from the Courthouse grounds and return at noon for lunch.
The JWA has shifted venues this year and is holding the Hike-a-Thon on the historic Courthouse lawn near the intersection of 5th Street and California Street. Attendees will be treated to brief stories told by everyday trail users about how the trail system impacts their daily life.
Not only will Hike-A-Thon attendees be treated to an informative program and a narrated hike, a picnic lunch will be offered to those who pay the suggested $15 Hike-A-Thon registration fee.
The 2013 narrated hike features an introduction to an 11- acre parcel of land purchased by the city in 2010, unofficially called the “Galpin Cemetery Addition.” The hike will traverse portions of a longstanding circular-looped trail to the west of the cemetery grounds. After hikers leave the Courthouse grounds and make their way to the entrance of the Cemetery on North Oregon Street, they will proceed west and pick-up the Old Catholic Wagon Trail which connects to the Galpin loop trail. Although not officially a JWA trail yet, the Galpin trail is as scenic as other woodlands trails, offering great views set amidst Madrone and pine trees, with abundant wildflowers including Jacksonville’s famous Fritilaria Gentneri. The nicely contoured and well maintained loop trail offers easy walking and connectivity to the Pair-a-Dice Ranch and Mary Ann Drive section of town and is a must see for active hikers.
Hikers will be back to the Courthouse square in plenty of time for a picnic lunch provided by Dr. Jason and Jacqueline Williams of the Jacksonville Chiropractic Clinic.
By spending the day in the Woodlands and enjoying the scenic beauty of Historic Jacksonville, you will be helping the JWA preserve the natural and cultural history of Jacksonville. 100% of all money raised at the event will be used to continue preserving Jacksonville’s rich history and heritage.
At the Courthouse, ever-popular custom coffee mugs crafted by Jacksonville artists Ray Foster and Warren Straus will be offered for sale. Following the event, Anne Brooke and her group, Art Presence, will hold open the Art Presence Gallery where attendees may view paintings of wild flowers and woodland-themed art. And, artists will have handmade walking sticks available for purchase during and after the Hike-A-Thon.
Those wishing to register in advance are encouraged to send their $15 check payable to the Jacksonville Woodlands Association, P.O. Box 1210. Jacksonville, Oregon 97530. For more information on the event, please contact Larry Smith at 541-899-7402 or email info@jvwoodlands.org and jvwoodlands.org.
Since 1989, the Jacksonville Woodlands has preserved 290 acres of historic woodlands formed from 22 land parcels and has developed 16 miles of hiking trails, all within the Jacksonville Woodlands Historic Natural Park and Trail System. Our thanks go to our supporters and members for helping to preserve Jacksonville’s historic woodlands. If you cannot attend this year’s Hike-A-Thon please consider sending a tax-deductible contribution to the address above.
Sounds like a nice place for a hike. Is this trail going to be open to the public? And is there a charge? After the April 20th event that is.