Take a hike: Lark in the Park kicks off this weekend

Above: On the path up Slide Mountain. Photo by Flickr user LULZ_ in the Watershed Post Flickr pool.

Lark in the Park, the annual hiking-biking-boating-fishing-and-more Catskills festival, kicks off this weekend with a spate of events planned for around the region.

According to organizers: "Since its [2004] inception, the Lark has brought together hundreds of people and dozens of organizations that have participated in hundreds of events, all aimed at heightening awareness of the Catskill Mountain region of New York State."

This weekend kicks off with a hike up to the Mount Tremper Fire Tower, a somewhat challenging three-mile hike to the tower that yields 360-degree views.  The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, a partner to the Lark in the Park series, is conducting some trail maintenance that same day at Frick Pond (click the link to volunteer!). Perhaps paddling is more your speed? Join educators from the Catskill Center for Conservation & Development for a scenic paddle around the Pepacton with an educational component. The first day concludes with a night hike with the Catskill Mountain Club through Kelly Hollow  to a beaver pond Saturday evening.

The festival runs from September 29 through October 8 -- group outing size may be limited, so be sure to check the listing for enrollment instructions. For a complete list of events, click here.