Otsego Outdoors

Harvest Festival
2019-09-22 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | NY
The Farmers’ Museum Harvest Festival is a two-day community event highlighting the music, crafts, and harvest of our Otsego region.
The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market will be in the Ag tent showcasing many items from our vendors. Come by and sample a few of the porducts available year-round at the Market.
Learn about bee keeping from the Leatherstocking Beekeepers; you can purchase maple syrup from the Otsego County Maple Producers and beautifiul dried lavender arrangements from Kingfisher Lavender.
Harvest goers can also enjoy delicious roasted corn, pulled pork, chili and more at the food tent.
The Harvest Festival is Saturday – Sunday, September 21-22, 2019 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Cost is $12 for adults, $10.50 for seniors (65+), $6 for children (7-12). Children 6 or younger are free. Admission is also free for Museum members.

Naked Eye Astronomy--The Autumn Sky
2019-09-27 19:30 - 21:00 | Mohican Farm/OCCA offices, 7207 St. Hwy. 80, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Can you find the North Star? How about Arcturus? Can you find constellations, like Cygnus the swan, Ursa Major, Draco, Pegasus or Andromeda? What about Jupiter and Saturn? All these celestial objects will be in the evening sky this autumn, and you can learn how to find them! Join OCCA Vice President Jim Hill for a beginner’s guide to the autumn sky. Bring blankets or a chair and dress warmly, as we will spend time outside, and the best viewing is often while lying on your back or sitting in a lawn chair. No telescopes; binoculars are optional but not necessary, this is naked eye astronomy, after all!
Meet at the Mohican Farm workshop, 7207 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. Program is free, but pre-registration is appreciated. Visit https://occainfo.org/signup/ to register.
Jim Hill taught high school science at Richfield Springs for 30 years. His courses included AP Biology, Human Genetics, and Astronomy.
NOTE: In the event of poor weather or cloudy skies, the program will take place on September 28, same time.

Drops to Hops Bike Race
2019-09-28 10:00 - 15:00 | NY
Join us for the 8th Annual Drops to Hops Bike Race! Races begin at 10:00am, starting and ending at Ommegang (656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown, NY 13326). Ommegang will host a party at the finish line for racers and families! Must be 21 to drink.
RACE DISTANCE
“A” Race – 43 miles
“B” Race – 23 miles
View race courses: http://www.clarksportscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/A-and-B-maps.pdf
RACE COST
Individual registration received on or before Thursday, September 26: $40
Individual registration after Thursday, September 26: $55
We will have a 5 person “TEAM” race for “A” riders. Each person must register individually and specify on their registration sheet if they are with a team. The 5 person team will have each racer’s time added. An overall award will be presented to the team with the lowest total time. It will be a non-gender specific race and 5 people must race in the A group to count. Note: Athletes must be 16 years old or older to participate.
REGISTRATION
Racers may pre-register online, at the Clark Sports Center’s Fitness Center Desk or by mail. Day of race check-in and day of race registration is available at Ommegang (656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown, NY 13326) from 8:30-9:30am.
AWARDS
Awards will be distributed to the overall best male and female, as well as second and third place male and female in each division. Overall awards will also be presented to the senior division and team division. Winners will be announced within 30 minutes of the last finisher.
IMPORTANT RACE INFO
• The “A” ride (43 miles) is for experienced racers only. Men and women will race together.
• The “B” ride (23 miles) is a Citizen’s fun race. Despite being labeled as a race, we encourage riders of various levels to participate in the “B” field as long as they are comfortable with the distance and terrain. No experienced “licensed” racers will be allowed to ride in the “B” race. The “B” race will also be a shortened, less difficult route than the “A” course.
• We reserve the right to place riders in the field appropriate for their level of experience. If you hold a USA cycling license, you should register for the “A” race.
• All riders must wear approved helmets.
• The course will be open to traffic.
• Must be at least 16 years of age on race day.
• Ommegang will host a party at the finish line for racers and families. You must be 21 to drink.
• You may register at The Clark Sports Center or online.
FAQ
• Is the race open to beginners? Yes! Beginner riders/racers are encouraged to register for the Citizens Race (“B” Ride).
• Can I ride a mountain bike? You may ride a mountain bike or a single speed bike. Tri-bikes are not allowed. Due to insurance purposes, we cannot allow recumbent bicycles.
• Are you affiliated with USA Triathlon? No, we are not.
• What is the severe weather policy? We will make every effort to race, but safety is our #1 concern. If the forecasted weather is questionable, we will post updates to this event page about the race status, or you may call us at 547-2800 for information. Lightning and torrential flooding.
Questions? Visit: http://www.clarksportscenter.com/events/2019-drops-to-hops/ OR contact Event Director, Doug McCoy, at (607) 547-2800, ext. 111, or via email at mccoyd@clarksportscenter.com.

Hit the Links--Leatherstocking Golf Course Walk
2019-10-02 08:00 - 10:00 | NY
Enjoy the Leatherstocking Golf Course without the frustration of trying to hit out of the rough! Golf Course Superintendent Mike O’Neill will lead a tour of the grounds showcasing its beauty and will share projects and management practices designed to keep the links “green” as well as green. In addition to the lush scenery and spectacular views of Otsego Lake, we’ll see sediment retention ponds, lake bank stabilization efforts, and more. Meet at 8 am at the golf course maintenance shop. Program is free, though

Enjoy the Leatherstocking Golf Course without the frustration of trying to hit out of the rough! Golf Course Superintendent Mike O’Neill will lead a tour of the grounds showcasing its beauty and will share projects and management practices designed to keep the links “green” as well as green. In addition to the lush scenery and spectacular views of Otsego Lake, we’ll see sediment retention ponds, lake bank stabilization efforts, and more. Meet at 8 am at the golf course maintenance shop.
DIRECTIONS: Turn off NY Route 80 at the sign for the Cooperstown Country Club (across from the Farmers’ Museum). Proceed carefully, you are on the golf course! Bear left at the tennis courts and follow the drive to the parking area by the workshop. GPS coordinates 42.711815, -74.924378.pre-registration is appreciated.

DIRECTIONS: Turn off NY Route 80 at the sign for the Cooperstown Country Club (across from the Farmers’ Museum). Proceed carefully, you are on the golf course! Bear left at the tennis courts and follow the drive to the parking area by the workshop. GPS coordinates 42.711815, -74.924378.

Hawkwatch Open House
2019-10-05 10:00 - 14:00 | NY
Join us, Saturday, October 5 from 10 am to 2 pm, when the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society will host an open house at the DOAS Sanctuary and Hawkwatch on Grange Hall Spur Road, Oneonta.
The day will include live birds of prey, a hawk ID workshop, bird mask making and a trail walk. The event is free and open to the public.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day. Visit www.doas.us for details.

Get the Kids Out--Trees!
2019-10-14 10:00 - 11:30 | Mohican Farm/OCCA offices, 7207 St. Hwy. 80, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Need something to do on Columbus Day? Come to Mohican Farm and explore the world of trees. We’ll search the property and learn how to tell different kinds from each other using science and our senses, will understand the role trees play in our world, and we’ll have fun! Meet at OCCA’s office at Mohican Farm, 7207 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. Free. Pre-registration appreciated.

Up and Over -- Mud Lake
2019-10-27 13:00 - 16:30 | Riddell State Park, NY 28 off I-88, Davenport, NY, 13750, United States
Climb up and over South Hill in Robert V. Riddell State Park with Steve Kent. This 3.5-hour, 4.5-mile hike traverses woods rich in beauty and history, makes a stop at a spectacular, 30-foot waterfall, swings by Mud Lake, a bog at the top of the hill, and continues down to the Pine Lake Campus of Hartwick College. Along the way, Steve, who donated the land for the state park with his wife, Trish Riddell Kent, will share stories of the property when it was part of the Riddell family farm. Meet at the Pine Lake Environmental Campus of Hartwick College, 1894 Charlotte Creek Road, Oneonta, and carpool to the Robert V. Riddell State Park entrance, hike up and over the hill, and end up back at Pine Lake. Bring sufficient water and a snack or light lunch.
Free, but pre-registration is appreciated.

Candlelight Hike
2019-12-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Join us for the first candlelight hike at Glimmerglass State Park. Follow the luminaries and see the forest by candlelight. The trail starts at the Lakeview Room by the beach and makes its way to the accessible Beaver Pond Trail. Approximately 1 mil long along flat even terrain.
Admission to the park and the hike are free. Afterward, dinner is available for $5 in the Lakeview Room

First Day Hike at Glimmerglass State Park
2020-01-01 10:00 - 11:30 | NY
Celebrate the New Year with an easy 1 – 1.5 mile hike at Glimmerglass State Park. The park will supply warm beverages and snacks following the hike. Registration is not required but preferred. (607) 547-8662
Call ahead if heavy snow fall is forecasted.

ADK hike
2020-01-07 10:00 - 12:00 | NY
The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club leads a hike every Tuesday, usually starting at 10 am. See http://www.susqadk.org/ for details. All welcome.
Jan. 7 Robert V. Riddell State Park

Jan 21 – Crumhorn Mt.
Jan 28 – S. Kortright-Hobart RailTrail
Feb 4 – Gilbert Lake St. Park
Feb 11 – Stamford-Hobart Rail Trail
Feb 18 – Bloomville Rail Trail
Feb 25 – Franklin Mt.
Mar 3 – Lower Riddell St. Park
Mar 10 – Fortin Park
Mar 17 – Arnold Lake
Mar 24 – Greenway, Oneonta
Mar 31 – Wilber Park, Oneonta

Tubing
2020-01-18 11:00 - 16:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
The tubing hill at Glimmerglass State Park will be open weekends from January 4 – February 23. Hours are 11:00am- 4:00pm. Admission is $5 per person. Tubes are provided. The warming hut will be open and hot cocoa and snacks will be available for sale.

Adirondack Mountain Club Hike
2020-01-21 | Crumhorn Mountain, Portlandville, NY
Join the club on Tuesday January 21, 2020 for a hike at Crumhorn Mountain.
Call Lucille Wiggin at 607.432.1022 for more information.

The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club leads a hike every Tuesday, usually starting at 10 am. See http://www.susqadk.org/ for details. All welcome.
Jan 21 – Crumhorn Mt.
Jan 28 – S. Kortright-Hobart Rail Trail
Feb 4 – Gilbert Lake St. Park
Feb 11 – Stamford-Hobart Rail Trail
Feb 18 – Bloomville Rail Trail
Feb 25 – Franklin Mt.
Mar 3 – Lower Riddell St. Park
Mar 10 – Fortin Park
Mar 17 – Arnold Lake
Mar 24 – Greenway, Oneonta
Mar 31 – Wilber Park, Oneonta

Tubing at Glimmerglass
2020-01-25 11:00 - 16:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States

Tubing at Glimmerglass
2020-02-01 11:00 - 16:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
The tubing hill at Glimmerglass State Park will be open weekends from January 4 – February 23. Hours are 11:00am- 4:00pm. Admission is $5 per person. Tubes are provided. The warming hut will be open and hot cocoa and snacks will be available for sale.
Check in for snow conditions. Need to have a nice base of snow for tubing.

Hike at Gilbert Lake State Park
2020-02-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Rd, Laurens, NY, 13796, United States
The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club will offer a guided hike at 10 am at Gilbert Lake State Park. See http://www.susqadk.org/ for details. All welcome.

The Club leads hikes in and around Otsego County every Tuesday at 10 am.

Tubing at Glimmerglass
2020-02-08 11:00 - 16:00, 2020-02-22 11:00 - 16:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
The tubing hill at Glimmerglass State Park will be open weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) from January 4 – February 23. Hours are 11:00am- 4:00pm. Admission is $5 per person. Tubes are provided. The warming hut will be open and hot cocoa and snacks will be available for sale.
Check in for snow conditions. Need to have a nice base of snow for tubing.

Bob Smullens 5k/10k Run
2020-02-08 11:30 - 13:00 | Cooper Park/National Baseball Hall of Fame, 25 Main Street, Cooperstown,, NY, 13326, United States
The Bob Smullens 5k/10k is part of The Cooperstown Winter Carnival. The race is an out and back 5k and 10k that will start on Main Street and finish in Cooper Park. What better way to spend a Saturday morning then to run in a 5k or 10k race and then stay around for all the carnival events. The awards will be give to overall male/female in each race and to the top five male/female in each race. Day of registration will be in Cooper Park beginning at 10:30 so. Come out and race the oldest, continuously held race in Otsego County.
Sign up for this event online or by stopping by the Baseball Hall of Fame Library foyer from 10:30-11:15am for day of registration and race bag pick-up.$20/person $50 Family (max 5). Contact Doug McCoy for more information.

Geocaching
2020-02-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Pioneer Park, Cooperstown, 80 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Part of Cooperstown’s Winter Carnival. Meet at Pioneer Park (corner of Main Street and Pioneer Street in Cooperstown) Adults & Children (Group of children must have an adult w/them). Free. Learn how to use a GPS device in this high tech global treasure hunt. Be prepared to travel by foot to various locations in all weather conditions. The Clark Sports Center will have GPS Units to share for this program.

Get Out and Walk!
2020-02-09 12:00 - 14:00 | Clark Sports Center, 124 Co Rd 52, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Take a brisk trail walk with OCCA and the staff of the Clark Sports Center at the Clark Sports Center! We’ll wind our way through hemlocks and hardwoods, along the river, and onto a floodplain. The exact route depends on trail and weather conditions. Please note that snowshoes may be helpful, but you must provide your own. Meet at noon in the main lobby at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Road 52, Cooperstown. Program is free, but registration is appreciated. Visit OCCA’s website to sign up.
This program is offered as part of the Cooperstown Winter Carnival. Visit the Cooperstown Winter Carnival web page for a full schedule of events.

Free Ice Fishing Clinic at Canadarago Lake
2020-02-19 09:00 - 15:00 | Canadarago Lake Boat Launch, 135 Dennison Road, Richfield Springs, NY, 13439, United States
Free ice fishing clinic for people of all ages!
Location change, instead of Glimmerglass State Park, this event will be held at
Canadarago Boat Launch
135 Dennison Road
Richfield Springs, NY 13439
DEC will supply most of the bait and tackle, but experienced anglers are encouraged to bring their own fishing gear. After a short lesson on the basics of ice fishing and filleting your catch, DEC and Parks staff will be on hand throughout the day to assist participants on the ice. Anglers can expect to catch yellow perch and chain pickerel.
Clinic will be lead by Tom Hughes, NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation in partnership with the DEC. For more information contact the Glimmerglass State Park office at 607-547-8662.

Naked Eye Astronomy, Winter Edition: Are You Sirius?**Date changed**
2020-02-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Mohican Farm/OCCA offices, 7207 St. Hwy. 80, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
***DUE TO EXPECTED CLOUDY WEATHER, THIS PROGRAM WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21***
Join OCCA Vice President, Jim Hill for an evening of naked eye astronomy as we tour the spectacular night sky of February. The winter sky provides a wonderful array of zero and first magnitude stars (the lower the magnitude, the brighter the star!). We will explore constellations including Orion, Gemini and Taurus; the magnificent asterism known as the winter circle; and the open star cluster, the Pleiades. If we’re lucky, we might get a glimpse of the most distant object you can see with the naked eye, Andromeda.
Meet at 7pm at Mohican Farm. Most of this program will take place outside, so dress for the weather and bring a chair so that you don’t have to sit on frozen or snowy ground. Binoculars are optional. Hot chocolate and a snack will be served.
In the event of cloudy/bad weather, program will take place on Friday, February 21. Program is free, but preregistration is appreciated. To sign up, visit https://occainfo.org/signup/.

Candlelight Hike at Glimmerglass
2020-02-29 17:00 - 20:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Take advantage of the extra day and join us for a candlelight hike! Approximately 1-2 mile, gently graded loop along the lakeshore and into the woods that will be lit by candlelight. Participants can hike or snowshoe. The Lakeview Room will be open with hot drinks and snacks. There will also be a roaring bonfire by the beach to warm you up!
Admission is free. However, we will be accepting donations to the Susquehanna SPCA. If you bring a donation, you will receive a raffle ticket to enter in one of our giveaways! The SPCA will be on site with more information about their organization and animals you can visit with or adopt.

Race the Lake Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K
2020-09-19 08:00 - 16:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
Join us for the 7th Annual Race the Lake Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K!
Register here: https://www.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=1781
The race will circle clockwise around the picturesque Otsego Lake. Runners will travel through historic Cooperstown on their way to Glimmerglass State Park with views of the Lake almost all the way.
Rescheduled from June 6.
Awards:
Distributed to the overall best male and female times, as well as the top three male and female finishers in each age group. Awards will be presented for the following categories:
Teen: 19 years old & under
20–29 years old;
30–39 years old;
40–49 years old;
50–59 years old;
60–69 years old;
70 and above.

For all event information, please visit: http://www.clarksportscenter.com/events/2020-race-the-lake-marathon-half-marathon/

First Day Hike at Gilbert Lake State Park
2021-01-01 09:00 - 14:00 | NY
Mark the new year with a self-guided First Day Hike. Hike the Lake Trail any time between 9 am and 2 pm. The Briggs Fireplaces will be lit!

First Day Hike at Glimmerglass State Park
2021-01-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, United States
The hike will be a self guided hike along the Overlook Trail. Please check in at the park office between 10:00am and 11:00am. The first 50 people to check in will received a KIND bar and a commemorative button marking the 10th Annual First Day Hike! Please be prepared to wear a face covering during check in and when unable to maintain 6′ distance from other hikers.

The hike should take about an hour.

Recovering Susan Fenimore Cooper's Environmentalism
2021-03-13 14:00 - 15:00 | NY
Join scholar Rochelle L. Johnson on a discussion of Susan Fenimore Cooper’s important contributions to environmental thought in this live Zoom lecture.

What does the work of a mid-nineteenth-century nature writer say to us today, in our era of climate change? This presentation by Rochelle L. Johnson discusses naturalist, author, and artist Susan Fenimore Cooper, daughter of James Fenimore Cooper, whose 1850 book Rural Hours was the first major work of environmental nonfiction written by a woman. Dr. Rochelle will discuss Susan Cooper’s early contributions to environmental thought, her devotion to Cooperstown, and her sensitive warnings about a nation that was damaging its very foundation: its landscapes.
Rochelle L. Johnson is a leading scholar of Susan Fenimore Cooper and, with her co-editor, has made Cooper’s environmental writings available to today’s readers. The current president of the Thoreau Society and a past president of the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment, her work has been supported by grants from several organizations, including the National Endowment for the Humanities. She is professor of American literature and environmental humanities, and director of the honors program, at the College of Idaho. Her lecture is from a book in progress. Learn more at: https://www.rochelleljohnson.com.
This Zoom lecture is co-sponsored by Otsego Outdoors, a collaborative project by Otsego 2000, Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA), and Otsego Land Trust. More info can be found at www.otsegooutdoors.org.
This is a live Zoom lecture. A question and answer session will follow. Zoom is required to view the lecture. A link will be provided to all registrants via the email used to sign up for the program, a day before the lecture. Registration is free of charge with a recommended donation of $10.00.

Earth Festival Hike: George Bouckles County Forest
2021-04-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Milford Central School, 42 W Main Street, Milford, NY, 13807, United States
George Bouckles County Forest, Hartwick, 2.5 miles.
The Otsego County Conservation Association and the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club will co-host three Earth Festival hikes to familiarize people with trails in the local community. These hikes are easy-to-moderate in difficulty and are suitable for multiple ages. It is our goal to accommodate those who are in school or working by providing late day and weekend hikes for this event.
Please note: We will meet in the Milford Central School parking lot 30 minutes prior to the posted time of each walk to provide driving directions to the trailhead for each event. Please bring a cloth mask/facial covering for use, regardless of vaccination status. To sign up for hikes, please contact Liza Mundy by text at (607) 287-4395 or email lizaegloff (at) gmail (dot) com. Space is limited to 20, so sign up early!
Trails can be wet this time of year! Please wear proper footgear and dress for the conditions! In the event of inclement weather, hike will be cancelled.

Earth Festival Hike: Star Field sunset hike and BYO picnic dinner
2021-04-23 17:00 - 20:00 | Milford Central School, 42 W Main Street, Milford, NY, 13807, United States
Star Field, Cooperstown, Sunset hike and BYO picnic dinner, 3.7 miles.
The Otsego County Conservation Association and the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club will co-host three Earth Festival hikes to familiarize persons with trails in the local community. These hikes are easy-to-moderate in difficulty and are suitable for multiple ages. It is our goal to accommodate those who are in school or working by providing late day and weekend hikes for this event. Please note: We will meet in the Milford Central School parking lot 30 minutes prior to the posted time of each walk to provide driving directions to the trailhead for each event. Please bring a cloth mask/facial covering for use, regardless of vaccination status. To sign up for hikes, please contact Liza Mundy by text at (607) 287-4395 or email lizaegloff (at) gmail (dot) com. Space is limited to 20, so sign up early!
Trails can be wet this time of year! Please wear proper footgear and dress for the conditions! In the event of inclement weather, hike will be cancelled.

Earth Festival Hike: Arnold Lake State Forest/Bilderbeck County Forest
2021-04-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Milford Central School, 42 W Main Street, Milford, NY, 13807, United States
Arnold Lake State Forest/Bilderbeck County Forest, Hartwick, 3.4 miles.
OCCA and the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club will co-host three Earth Festival hikes to familiarize persons with trails in the local community. These hikes are easy-to-moderate in difficulty and are suitable for multiple ages. It is our goal to accommodate those who are in school or working by providing late day and weekend hikes for this event. Please note: We will meet in the Milford Central School parking lot 30 minutes prior to the posted time of each walk to provide driving directions to the trailhead for each event. Please bring a cloth mask/facial covering for use, regardless of vaccination status. To sign up for hikes, please contact Liza Mundy by text at (607) 287-4395 or email lizaegloff (at) gmail (dot) com. Space is limited to 20, so sign up early!

Trails can be wet this time of year! Please wear proper footgear and dress for the conditions! In the event of inclement weather, hike will be cancelled.
