Thanks for the information on the snowmobile tracks on the Great Trail. Obviously, they were trespassing, and we would appreciate hearing from anyone who witnesses snowmobile or ATV traffic on any BREIA trails. If you're on a trail and encounter any motorized traffic, feel free to call BREIA directly at 942-2299.
BREIA
snowmobiles
I use your trails 1 or 2 times a week. I want to thank you for these trails. I also wanted to inform you that while skiing Sunday on the Great Trail, there were deep ruts from snowmobiles on the trail near Echo Lake Road. I don't know if there is anything that can be done, but I think this could be a dangerous situation..
Thank you!
Thank you!
The canal trail was great - until
Thanks to the previous poster for expressing his concerns about dogs on the BREIA trail system. First, it's hard to disagree with the fact that dogs degrade the trails that BREIA spends a great deal of money to groom. Given the availability of open fields, woods, parks, snowmobile trails, etc., why do some skiers elect to bring their dogs on BREIA trails, knowing, that by having their dogs accompany them, they are wrecking the very trails that they're skiing on?
For clarification, because the Canal Trail is part of a New York State right-of-way, BREIA cannot restrict usage on that trail. Hence the BREIA signs at the access points of all our trails do indicate that dogs are not allowed in Winter on either the Egypt Road or Jackson Hill trail systems, but that they are allowed on the Canal Trail. That doesn't mean that we encourage people to bring their dogs on the Canal Trail. We would prefer that they didn't for the reasons stated above; it doesn't take much dog traffic to severely degrade the groomed tracks on the trail. When that happens, all the skiers that use our trail system suffer because of the actions of just a few.
BREIA
For clarification, because the Canal Trail is part of a New York State right-of-way, BREIA cannot restrict usage on that trail. Hence the BREIA signs at the access points of all our trails do indicate that dogs are not allowed in Winter on either the Egypt Road or Jackson Hill trail systems, but that they are allowed on the Canal Trail. That doesn't mean that we encourage people to bring their dogs on the Canal Trail. We would prefer that they didn't for the reasons stated above; it doesn't take much dog traffic to severely degrade the groomed tracks on the trail. When that happens, all the skiers that use our trail system suffer because of the actions of just a few.
BREIA
The canal trail was great - until
I had the opportunity to ski the canal trail from the rescue station to route 46 yesterday. The trail was pristine and I was especially lucky to be the first one on the trail after it was groomed. Perfect conditions, a beautiful day...this is what I wanted to start doing when I retired and now I have done it. Well you can imagine my surprise, that after reading the very visible new rules that you have posted about dogs on the trail, to have a pleasant gentleman with a large dog with huge feet obliterate the pristine trail. It was too bad and it probably happens all the time, but yesterday it happened to me.
You are a great organization and and many thanks to the family and their foundation that has made this treasure possible!
You are a great organization and and many thanks to the family and their foundation that has made this treasure possible!
BREIA trail system
I am new to the sport and have been more than pleasantly surprised by
the BREIA trail system and what it offers to winter recreation. The
trails, groomed or not, are terrific. The trail system offers an
experience for every level of skiing proficiency. The fact that trail
cutting, maintenance, grooming, warming huts etc are provided without
cost to users is unparalleled in today's economies. My family
appreciates all that this offers and we send our thanks for such a
gift to the central New York communities. I hope all users will
continue to be thankful for this facility and thankful to the persons
who have made it possible through their selfless generosity.
Thanks again; looking forward to many more outings.
Andy--Utica
the BREIA trail system and what it offers to winter recreation. The
trails, groomed or not, are terrific. The trail system offers an
experience for every level of skiing proficiency. The fact that trail
cutting, maintenance, grooming, warming huts etc are provided without
cost to users is unparalleled in today's economies. My family
appreciates all that this offers and we send our thanks for such a
gift to the central New York communities. I hope all users will
continue to be thankful for this facility and thankful to the persons
who have made it possible through their selfless generosity.
Thanks again; looking forward to many more outings.
Andy--Utica
Unplowed parking lot
Debbie,
BREIA continues to plow the Trail's End parking lot. However, due to lack of funding, the Pixley Park lot won't be plowed.
BREIA
BREIA continues to plow the Trail's End parking lot. However, due to lack of funding, the Pixley Park lot won't be plowed.
BREIA
unplowed parking lots
Hi,
We went skiing at Pixley Falls on Monday Jan. 19, 2009. The trails were not groomed, but there were people out who went ahead of us. Any idea why none of the parking lots are being plowed at Pixley Park, there is limited parking, none on the other of the bridge, and you couldn't get in this time. We absolutely love the trails, they are our favorite spot, and we are lucky to have 4WD so we can get in and out, but many others can't use the Pixley Falls trails because of not being able to get in.
Thank-you,
Debbie
We went skiing at Pixley Falls on Monday Jan. 19, 2009. The trails were not groomed, but there were people out who went ahead of us. Any idea why none of the parking lots are being plowed at Pixley Park, there is limited parking, none on the other of the bridge, and you couldn't get in this time. We absolutely love the trails, they are our favorite spot, and we are lucky to have 4WD so we can get in and out, but many others can't use the Pixley Falls trails because of not being able to get in.
Thank-you,
Debbie
Jackson Hill
A group of nine skied Jackson Hill on Sunday Jan 18th. There were three other groups and one single gentleman.
We appreciated who ever cut the trail for us to enjoy! It made our trip very enjoyable. The trees were just laden with fresh snow and just beautiful.
Of course we were disappointed that the trails were not groomed and the warming hut was not open. Unfortunately we did not check your site before heading out. We still enjoyed a tailgate snack in the parking lot.
Looking forward to your grooming effort and use of the warming hut!
mickie
We appreciated who ever cut the trail for us to enjoy! It made our trip very enjoyable. The trees were just laden with fresh snow and just beautiful.
Of course we were disappointed that the trails were not groomed and the warming hut was not open. Unfortunately we did not check your site before heading out. We still enjoyed a tailgate snack in the parking lot.
Looking forward to your grooming effort and use of the warming hut!
mickie
BREIA outing 1/10/09
A group of 10 of us from the Onondaga Ski Club had an outing yesterday on the Egypt Road trails. The conditions were wonderful and the trails were nicely groomed, so we all enjoyed the privilege of using the BREIA trails. We consider ourselves lucky to be able to visit and experience this beautiful area.
The concept of BREIA is all the more amazing at a time when many people have a desire to buy up large plots of wilderness to specifically exclude everyone else, that someone would be so kind and generous as to make their property available to the public. And providing groomed trails and warming huts with fuel readily available (and comfort stations) is the icing on the cake!
Thank you so much!
Donna
The concept of BREIA is all the more amazing at a time when many people have a desire to buy up large plots of wilderness to specifically exclude everyone else, that someone would be so kind and generous as to make their property available to the public. And providing groomed trails and warming huts with fuel readily available (and comfort stations) is the icing on the cake!
Thank you so much!
Donna
Jackson Hill trail grooming
Janis,
Like many individuals and organizations, BREIA has had to tighten it's belt. We only have so many resources, so the decision was made not to groom Jackson Hill until after the first of the year. We are in fact clearing trails, and hope to have many trails at Jackson Hill groomed for the upcoming weekend.
Best Regards,
BREIA
Like many individuals and organizations, BREIA has had to tighten it's belt. We only have so many resources, so the decision was made not to groom Jackson Hill until after the first of the year. We are in fact clearing trails, and hope to have many trails at Jackson Hill groomed for the upcoming weekend.
Best Regards,
BREIA
Jackson Hill trails Not Groomed Jan 4
My friend and I took advantage of the beautiful day Sunday Jan 4 to go to Jackson Hill to ski. We were very disappointed that the trails weren't groomed. The time we can enjoy this sport is limited to available time off, weather,and daylight. I know there are a lot of trails to groom but I thought Jackson Hill was very popular. Does anyone know why all the other trails were groomed and not Jackson Hill?
Janis
New Hartford
Janis
New Hartford
A great day on the Great Trail
Weather and trail conditions sounded perfect, so I headed to the Egypt Road trails. I arrived at 9am; 2 degrees, sunny, calm. A gorgeous day to be out in the woods! I started at the trailhead at the railroad parking lot.I skied Creekside Loop, Cherry Tree Trail, which offered a little off-track, backwoods skiing, and the Great Trail, with its dozen or so fun hills along the western half of this trail. However, the front half of the Great Trail was fairly flat and wound its way through a couple of stands of hemlock trees, as in the photo to the left.
I saw/heard black-capped chickadees, ravens, downy woodpeckers, goldfinches, a bluejay, a white-breasted nuthatch, a tufted titmouse, and a hairy woodpecker plus tracks from deer, fox, coyote, cottontail rabbit, and mice.
Thanks, BREIA, for another great outing!
Dave Behm
Clifton Park, NY
ski race, Jan. 3, 2009
BREIA was pleased to host a cross-country ski race between Camden, Holland Patent and Whitesboro high schools. Both weather and course conditions were ideal.
BREIA
BREIA
high school x-country ski race
Thanks to BREIA and all the volunteers for hosting the High School race today. The course was great and the kids really enjoyed the new venue. Hope we can do it again next year.
Steve and Stacey Smith
Steve and Stacey Smith
