EVENTS

January 1st 

The BHC will be participating in 2 locations for first day hikes.

Mark your calendars and plan on attending.

Hike details:

Bowman Lake State Park and McDonough State Forest: Kopac Trail – Hike with the Bullthistle Hiking Club, DEC, and State Parks!

Date: January 1st, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Multiple hike options at this location.

Meet Up Location: 745 Bliven Sherman Road, Oxford, NY 13830. We will meet at the Nature Center cabin at Bowman Lake State Park, where we will organize the hikes. (GPS Coordinates: 42.516937, -75.678408) Google Maps

Description: Please join DEC, NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Bullthistle Hiking Club on New Year's Day for a First Day Hike! This 5-mile out-and-back hike from Bowman Lake, Kopac Pond, and Whaley Pond is located on relatively level ground in the forested public lands of Bowman Lake State Park and McDonough State Forest. The Kopac Trail traverses through mature timberlands with towering white pines, nearby wetlands with active beaver sites, along streams, lakes and ponds including Kopac Pond, past cultural sites such as century old stone walls, and across other recreational trails, such as the Finger Lakes Trail. Options are available for shorter hikes.

Staff from State Parks and DEC, as well as members of the Bullthistle Hiking Club, will be available to lead the hikes, navigate the woods, and discuss points of interest. Registration is not required.

Difficulty Level: The terrain is gentle to moderate with some stream crossings. There are routes available for the beginning hiker and longer ones for more advanced enthusiasts. Hike distances range between 2-7 miles, depending on the selected route.

Special Instructions: Please dress appropriately for the weather. Snowshoes or microspikes may be needed for frozen conditions. Hikes may be shortened in the event of severe or inclement weather. All ages welcome. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash.

Point of Contact for Inquiries: Nathan Funk (DEC), E: nathan.funk@dec.ny.gov, P: (607) 251-3477 or Rita Dunlap (State Parks), E: rita.dunlap@parks.ny.gov, P: (607) 334-2718

Rogers Environmental Education Center – Hike with the Friends of Rogers and the Bullthistle Hiking Club!

Date: January 1st, 2026

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. 2 hikes will be offered at this location.

Meet Up Location: Rogers Visitor Center, 2721 State Hwy 80, Sherburne, NY 13460 (GPS Coordinates: 42.682731, -75.513782) Google Maps. We will meet in the main parking lot at the Rogers Center, adjacent to State Route 80.

Description: Celebrate the 15th year of First Day Hikes with a guided walk at Rogers Environmental Education Center, led by the Friends of Rogers and the Bullthistle Hiking Club. Choose between a gentle 1.4-mile loop beside Channels Marsh and the Chenango River, or a more challenging 1.1-mile route to the Farm Tower for scenic views of the valley in winter. Registration is not required.

Difficulty Level: Hike 1: Easy - 1.4-mile loop of flat terrain bordering Channels marsh and the edge of the Chenango River. Some tree roots and one mild incline.

Hike 2: Moderate - 1.1-mile loop, including a moderately steep uphill to the Farm Tower with views of the surrounding valley.

There are Leopold benches where hikers can sit and rest along both trails.

Special Instructions: Please wear layers and dress for the weather. All ages welcome. No pets are allowed on this hike.

Point of Contact for Inquiries: Ariah Mitchell, E: ariah@friendsofrogers.org, P: (607) 674-4733

PHOTOS FROM PAST EVENTS