Climbers’ route

A Treasure Hunt is part of this hike. Come look for four GOLD, four SILVER, and four BRONZE tickets hidden in the trees all over the farm. The only rule is that if you find a ticket, then you need to help someone else find the next one. The 12 tickets are redeemable for treasures at the social afterwards at the house at 6840 Liberty Pole Road.

People had lots of fun looking for the Chamber of Commerce Golden tickets in the trees the last two Christmases as part of Shop Small in LivINgston County, so this is what gave me the idea. People like hunting for mushrooms, so why not hunt for other “treasure”?

We will have three hikes. All hikers will take the farm road to the fields at the top of the hill and explore the woods and fields of Christmas Trees planted over the last 50 or more years. The Climbers will follow a 4 mile route around the pond in the south field, then bushwhack through the Spruce woods near Swartz Rd. Then a  walk through the Cathedral Pines will bring us out on Story Rd. From there we will pass through several Christmas tree plantations ranging from 40 year old trees to trees planted just last spring.

Tourists’ route

The Tourists will travel 3 miles around the upper fields in a counter clockwise direction. They will take a side trip down to Liberty Pole Rd through hardwoods and a second branch through the Cathedral Pines, with the remainder of the hike checking out the various Christmas trees.

Meanwhile, the Naturalists will start with a tour of the unusual trees near the house including Dawn Red Wood, giant Concolor fir, Colorado Spruce, Englemann Spruce and Alaska Yellow Cedar. After climbing to the upper fields, with a short stop at the half-way bench, the naturalists will  walk through the Fraser and Korean Fir trees, and under the beautiful Cathedral Red Pines before returned to the Sequoia, Western Red Cedar and Black Walnut trees near the house.

Naturalists’ route

Following the hike, Katherine will host a social at the farm house. Bring a dish to pass or make a contribution to the social fund. Membership forms for Springwater Trails will also be available. Bring your own beverage and redeem your treasure hunt ticket.

Directions to the hike are available here.