Updates: Read The Daily Star story “Worcester resident Tom Walsh took life’s trials to the trails.”

6/21/23: Hike complete! After 218 miles walking around Otsego County and an 19,800 elevation gain, Tom completed his continuous through hike to 20 state forests, 5 Otsego Land Trust sites and all 24 Otsego County towns. What a journey! Thank you Tom for epic determination and generosity

You can support Tom’s Charity Hike by donating to the Hannah-Lee House and Otsego Outdoors.

6/21/23: Tom is walking home to Worcester!

6/20/23: Reached 20 of 20 state forests, and camped at South Hill State Forest. He already hiked to 5 Otsego Land Trust sites and every town in Otsego County.

6/19/23: Longest day yet Hiked 17.71 miles, with an 1716 feet elevation gain.

6/15/23 Tom has reached 20 of the 25 state forests and Land Trust sites so far. He is concerned he will not reach his fundraising goal of $5,000, can you help him reach his goal with a donation today?

6/11/23 Last night Tom camped in the lean-to at Basswood Pond State Forest. He reports the state forest was full of people fishing, canoeing and hiking. He hiked to Hartwick State Forest and is on his way to Texas School House State Forest, where he will reach the half-way point of his route. If you happen to see him, give him a wave and maybe ask if he needs some water.

6/10/23 On the road again! With the air quality much better, Tom is on the way to Exeter State Forest and Plainfield State Forest, updated itinerary below.

6/7/23 Tom is pausing his hike until the smoke clears and the air quality is healthy.

6/6/23 Started the day off with a breakfast sandwich from the Fly Creek General Store, then headed to Fetterley Forest and Richfield. The smoke and poor air quality from the Canadian wildfires are making the hike difficult today.

6/5/23, 9:30am: Tom weathered the thunderstorms in his tent, and is doing great. Today (Monday) he is headed to Otsego Land Trust conservation areas: Compton Bridge Conservation Area, Greenough Road Conservation Area and Parslow Road Conservation Area. By the end of the day, he will hiked 62 miles, and reached 11 of the 25 conservation areas and state forests on his route. Go Tom go!

6/1/23: Today’s the day! Tom Walsh will set off on a continuous thru-hike that will cover more than 200 miles. Be on the look out for Tom, who will be carrying a green Otsego Outdoors flag, as he makes his way through all 24 Otsego County towns, all 20 of its state forests, and 5 of the Otsego Land Trust conservation areas. He created the route scouting out roadways and places to camp, and using an Otsego County map and a long string of yarn to judge mileage.

He is using the hike to raise funds for and awareness about Otsego Outdoors and the Hannah-Lee House. The Hannah-Lee House in Cooperstown serves as a home away from home for patients or family members with a loved one receiving care at Bassett Medical Center, the Bassett Clinic, and the Louis Busch Hager Cancer Center, which houses the Bassett Cancer Institute. Otsego Outdoors connects people with year-round recreational opportunities and offers seasonal Otsego Octet challenges. It is a joint program of Otsego 2000, the Otsego Land Trust, Otsego Country Conservation Association, and Butternut Valley Alliance.

“Kudos to Tom Walsh for this remarkable venture. We are extremely grateful to Tom for supporting the Hannah-Lee House and the comfort it provides to our patients and their families,” said Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. “We are proud to call beautiful Otsego County our home base, and salute Tom for supporting Otsego Outdoors.”

“This is Walsh’s fourth charity hike,” says Jeff O’Handley, program director for the Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA). “Last year he hiked to all state parks and state forests in Otsego County and raised funds for the Bassett Cancer Institute and Otsego Outdoors. In addition to his charity work, Walsh volunteers as a trail steward for OCCA, helping to maintain some of the same trails he will be hiking on.”

You can support Tom in his quest by pledging a certain amount per forest/conservation area he reaches. There are a total of 25, so if Tom is successful in his goal, a $1 pledge will be a $25 donation, a $5 pledge will be a $125 donation. You can also make a one-time donation.  All funds will be split evenly between the Hannah-Lee House and Otsego Outdoors.

Tom’s Planned Route (may change a bit, we will update it as needed)
June 1: Worcester to to Decatur State Forest, Maple Valley State Forest to Milton Hicks State Forest
June 2: Milton Hick State Forest to Bear Swamp State Forest to Honey Hill State Forest
June 3: Honey Hill State Forest to Cherry Valley State Forest to Lordsland Preserve (Otsego Land Trust conservation area) to Roseboom State Forest
June 4: Roseboom State Forest to the Hannah Lee House
June 5: Hannah Lee House to Compton Bridge Conservation Area to Greenough Road Conservation Area to Parslow Road Conservation Area
June 6: Parslow Road Conservation Area to Fetterley Forest Conservation Area to Richfield Springs
June 7-9: pause because of adverse air quality due to Canadian wildfires
June 10: Richfield Springs to Exeter State Forest to Plainfield State Forest
June11: Plainfield State Forest to Basswood State Forest
June12: Basswood State Forest to Hartwick State Forest to Texas School House State Forest
June 13: Texas School House State Forest to Calhoun Creek State Forest
June 14: Calhoun Creek State Forest to Wagner Farm State Forest to General Jacob Morris State Forest
June 15: General Jacob Morris State Forest to Wells Bridge
June 16: rest day
June 17: Wells Bridge to Oneonta
June 18: Oneonta to Milford State Forest
June 19: Milford State Forest to Arnold Lake State Forest to Susquehanna State Forest
June 20: Susquehanna State Forest to Hooker Mountain State Forest
June 21: Hooker Mountain State Forest to South Hill State Forest
June 22: South Hill State Forest to Worcester

Have a question about Tom’s Hike? Contact Peg Odell at Otsego 2000, 607/547-8881.