
What we’re about
Welcome to HikingMates, the most popular Meetup.com group in the Capital Region!
We're a low-key, high spirited group whose core members strive to schedule enjoyable outdoor events where people can enjoy the great outdoors. Our destinations and schedules are varied to meet peoples' goals and concerns -- and the fun out on the trail is just plain phenomenal.
Membership in HikingMates is cheap at just $5 donation per year. This covers the cost of the Meetup.com website fees as well as partial funding for special social events (like our awesome annual holiday party), and occasional charitable donations (to support trail work in the Catskills and Adirondacks).
HikingMates is not a service. Hiking, as well as biking, kayaking and similar activities that HikingMates posts are inherently dangerous. By attending, you understand and agree that you are fully responsible for yourself and are participating at your own risk.
The essential way to get the value of this group is to come out and share the trail with others -- all you need is an upbeat approach and a sense of camaraderie -- and leave your worries and cares behind. HikingMates is a very inclusive and welcoming group -- you'll have a lot of fun out on the trail with us.
Visit our Meetup.com website often and join us on our hiking and social events. If you are interested in being an organizer of an event, a hike leader, or just have an idea; please let me know.
Thanks for your interest and involvement in HikingMates of the Capital Region!
See you on the trail!
Rich Kappes
HikingMates Organizer
Use the following adventure scale rating to see what adventures are right for you:
HikingMates Difficulty Rating System:
(Length-Pace-Difficulty)
Length: A+=13 Miles or More; 1=Fast, A=8 to 12 Miles, B=5 to 8 Miles, C=Under 5 Miles
Pace: 1=Fast, 2=Moderate, 3=Slow
Difficulty: A=Very Difficult, B=Strenuous, C=Average, D=Easy
SOCIAL: Social event only... not a hiking activity.
Example Ratings:
A+1A (13+ Miles, Fast Pace, Very Difficult Terrain)
B2C (5-8 Miles, Moderate Pace, Average Terrain)
Upcoming events
23

First Day Hikes: Five Rivers and Thacher Park
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center Five, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY, USPLEASE NOTE: THESE ARE NOT HIKINGMATES ORGANIZED HIKES.
This posting is just informational. Details in the article posted in the photos.
1. Five RIvers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY. 9:00AM. Registration is NOT required.
Join local birding experts from the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club for its 45th annual New Year's Day Bird Count. The goal is to count all of the birds present on January 1 at Five Rivers. Bring binoculars.
10:30am: Easy .75 mile hike on flat terrain
1:30pm: "Moderate" 1.5 mile hike on rolling terrain.
2. Thacher Park (New Scotland). 10:00AM. Registeration required: https://forms.office.com/g/yHUP0HWqRQ or call 518-872-0800.
10:00AM: 1 mile hike along Helderberg Escarpment (Start at Visitor's Center)
1:00PM: 1.6 mile hike past waterfall and in forest (start at Hop Field Warming Hut)1 attendee
Past events
4273



