*** Hikers -- Be Sure to Check the TCHC Hike Calendar ***
Notes:
Hikes must be completed AFTER the program kick-off date of April 28, 2019 (there is no 'end date' to the challenge)
Please send questions concerning the Hiking Challenge program to "contact@triplecitieshikingclub.org"
"Great selection of trails. Got to explore Broome County better than I ever thought I would !" -- Broome County Hike Challenge finisher
Trail marker used at Broome County Parks like Hawkins Pond and Aqua-Terra.
Use links below to view maps for each of the Hiking Challenge Destinations:
NY State Parks:
Challenge -- From the swimming beach at Chenango Valley State Park hike to the bench found at the Chenango River / Tioughnioga River overlook at the far north end of the park. Choose your own routes. This is the longest of all the hike challenges.
About 6 miles roundtrip
Challenge -- From the swimming beach at Oquaga Creek State Park hike completely around Arctic Lake.
About 3.5 miles around the lake
Broome County Parks:
Aqua Terra (*)
Challenge -- This is a two-part challenge. On the 'Terra' side of Aqua Terra Park hike to the end of the old ski lift atop Lucky Hill. This involves a very steep climb as you approach the summit. On the 'Aqua' side hike completely around the lake.
About 5 miles total between the two sides of the park
Dorchester County Park Brochure
Challenge -- From the swimming beach parking lot at Dorchester Park follow the paved pathway to the south. Cross along the base of the reservoir dam and proceed on to Keibel Rd. Retrace your steps to return back to Dorchester Park..
About 4 miles
Greenwood (*)
Greenwood County Park Brochure
Challenge -- From the swimming beach at Greenwood Park hike the outer perimeter trails completely around the park.
About 3 miles
Hawkins Pond (*)
Hawkins Pond combined with Hawkins Pond State Forest
Hawkins Pond County Park brochure
Challenge -- From the stone picnic shelter at the south end of Hawkins Pond hike to the north end of the park at McAllister Rd and back. Choose your own routes.
About 4 miles
Nathaniel Cole (*)
Nathaniel Cole County Park brochure
Challenge -- From the parking lot at Cole Park hike around the lake. This is the easiest of the 12 challenges !
About 1 and 1/4 miles
Town Parks:
Challenge -- From the parking lot on State Line Rd hike to the gas pipeline on the far eastern border of the park. Choos your own routes.
About 4 miles
Challenge -- From the parking lot on Dorman Rd hike down to the Bluebird Trail and then hike the full Bluebird Trail loop. Return via the red-blazed Hill Trail.
About 3 miles
Nature Preserves:
From the Binghamton University website:
Brochure with additional information about the Preserve
Challenge -- From the Campus Parking Lot M hike to the two highpoints in the Preserve which include the water towers and the viewpoint at the upper junction of the Field and Saddle Trails. Choose your own routes.
About 4 miles
Challenge -- From the Robinson Hill parking lot, hike down to the Gray's Creek stone arch bridge and return back to the start. Choose your own routes.
About 2 miles
Challenge -- From the SUNY-Broome campus, hike the blue-blazed perimeter trail.
About 2 miles
(*) These same geo-referenced maps can also be found in the free Avenza App (note - this app is for mobile devices only):
Download the Avenza App to your mobile device
Search their 'Store' for the specific map
Download and Open up the map
Follow your route in "real time" !
The following two links take you to the "GO ALL OUT BROOME" website, where you will find full details describing each "challenge" for the 12 hiking destinations which make up the Hiking Challenge, along with a printable, two page brochure to record your progress as you complete each hike:
Broome County Hiking Challenge
Broome County Hiking Challenge with Julia Laude
Click above to view Julia's stories as she completes each of the 12 destinations for the Hiking Challenge during the Fall of 2022. These segments were broadcast on the WBNG-TV News program “Around the Tiers".
Step 1 -- Complete each of your 12 hikes...note -- each hike must have been completed AFTER the program kick-off date, April 28, 2019.
Step 2 -- Apply by submitting your information and hike dates to Hiking Challenge Application Form
Step 3 -- Click "Add to Cart", below, to purchase patches ($5 each), they will be mailed to you by the Triple Cities Hiking Club. Adjust patch quantity in your 'cart'.
A PayPal account is NOT needed to use the online TCHC Store !
You may pay via credit card (or via a PayPal account, if you have one)
IF you do have a PayPal account, please click here for easy instructions
on how to save the TCHC a significant portion of PayPal's transaction fees.
Harrison Howell, age 3 1/2 and finisher #34, enjoys a quick snack enroute to completing the hike challenge with his Dad, Adam !
(photo by Adam Howell)
Hiker Sharon Blabac, finisher #37, completes her Broome County Dozen at Jones Park during the TCHC's annual Halloween hike, October 27, 2019
(photo by Walt Bogumil)
Memberships are $5 / year / household (Jan 1 - Dec 31)