Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

  Winter Trek is a celebration of the beautiful trails of the Marilla Watershed. Come join us for a day of outdoor recreation and camaraderie in the winter wonderland of Marilla.  Guided hike, xc ski, and fat bike trips for experienced outdoor enthusiasts or an easy hike around the reservoir for casual enjoyment. Bonfire and refreshments provided free to the public. Shuttles to the top of Marilla Springs via Stickney Road will give adventurers a thrilling four-mile descent back to the bonfire, hotdogs, s'mores, and hot drinks at the Gazebo.   Send in your donation via PayPal and chose Winter Trek to enter the raffle for a new set of XC skis.  $5/1 chance $20/5 chances $50/15 chances   Chances will also be available for purchase the day of event at the gazebo cash only.   A new cross-country ski package will be raffled off at 3pm at the Gazebo. Those that donate online need not be present to win

Come rain or snow or shine – the Marilla Winter Trek will take place on Saturday. The annual event, now in its third year, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the Marilla Reservoir, located five miles west of the City of Bradford on Route 346. Sponsored by the Tuna Valley Trail Association, the winter trek generally includes cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the agenda. However, in the event Mother Natures does not come through with some snow, the event will still be held and would focus on hiking the Marilla Trail System. The event, free and open to all ages, provides an outlet for people to escape cabin fever and hit the trails. A free shuttle service will be held to the top of Marilla Springs Trail for a four-mile return hike and Hidden Valley Trail for a one-mile return hike. A new geocaching component will take place from noon until 2 p.m. Temporary event caches – artic animals that turn white for winter - were placed along the Marilla Bridges and the Marilla Springs trails....

More than 300 people turned out for Sunday’s second annual Marilla Winter Trek. Rick Lutz of the Tuna Valley Trails Association says, “Everything went great, including the weather. I am especially happy for Gene (Cornelius), who created the monster.” He said the hundreds of people were all over the Marilla area snowshoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and geocaching. He said the geocache crew planted the caches a few weeks ago, and the snow covered up all traces of them. Lutz also said families were building snowmen out on the ice and the county rescue dive team did a demonstration. He said paramedics wee on hand as well, and local police helped with parking. He added that they went through “every bit of food” they had, along with 5 gallons of cider and 5 gallons of hot chocolate. Planning has already started for the third annual Marilla Winter Trek, hosted by the TVTA. “It is a lot of work,” Lutz said, “but worth it when it turns out so well.”

There’s no better way to beat the winter doldrums than to tackle the great outdoors. That’s exactly what the Tuna Valley Trail Association members had in mind when they created the Marilla Winter Trek. In its second year, the Marilla Winter Trek provides an outlet for those who want to hit the trails. This year’s event will be held Feb. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. on the trails surrounding the Marilla Reservoir. That’s when people can explore any of the five trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or hiking. This year, there will also be three new activities - ice skating on the reservoir, ice fishing and a geocache contest. There’s also plenty to do off the ice. For the novices out there, the association will provide cross-country skiing and snowshoeing equipment plus instruction to get you started. Event organizers wanted to provide people with an outlet to enjoy the outdoors as well as utilize the trail system. Free refreshments and a bon fire will be provided by the trail associati...