Building a 32 mile trail throughout Springwater has been seen by the community as a somewhat ambitious project. Consultants have advised us not to get discouraged by road blocks that may occur along the way, focusing on one section at a time and continuing to plug away at completing our vision, even if it takes 10 years.
It has taken approximately 6 months to build the first section of our Springwater Trail which primarily skirts the 220 farm of Sugarbush Hollow and travels from Coates Road to Tabors Corners Road in East Springwater. The trail passes through active farm fields, 200 ft elevation changes from the valleys to the tops of the hills (mountains), continues to travel through an active maple syrup farm, hardwood forests, a wild apple orchard, maple and cherry plantation, and seasonal dirt and logging roads. 
Twenty hikers, going in different directions by skill level, hiked the entire 3.5 mile moderately difficult trail in approximately 2 hours this past Sunday, enjoying a Christmas feast in the Sugarhouse at the completion of the hike.
Wil and Wade Oliver joined us again, bringing up memories of the Coyote Tree first identified by Wade’s camera last winter. Tiny cup mushrooms, princess pines, and evidence of possibly black bear scrappings were seen along the trail. Trail locations, including blue and orange colored trail markers, entrance and exits points, a new winter access location, and loop trails were identified by Mark, Pati and Pam. 
This hike was a rigorous workout, climbing 2 mountainous hills at least 3 times for most hikers.
Our Christmas Party/Social convinced Pam not to complain anymore about the donations of food. What a feast and calories for 20 hungry hikers. Our President, Mark Hopkins prepared a slide show of Charlotte Buck’s photos of all our hikes for the last year and membership cards to all hikers and trail workers who have contributed so much to Springwater Trails. The card was accompanied by little homemade gifts of jams, golden teasel, and tacky reindeer ornaments presented by Pam. Christmas Carols led by Herb Tinney, music director for the Springwater Fiddlers Fair, and back up choir singers Chuck Winship and Linda Hopkins, put a final cap on our day’s event. [slideshow id=3] This was truly a celebration of Springwater Trail’s activities for the past year and was enjoyed by all. See you next year for an exciting Winter Hiking Schedule organized by Melissa Cohen, our seasonal hike coordinator.