HURLEYVILLE – Community members gathered at the O&W Rail Trail Head in Hurleyville to participate in the 4th Annual SnO&W, hosted by Sullivan 180 on February 24.

As the public walked along the trail previously travelled by the railroad, they were treated to scenic views of the marshlands next to Hurleyville. They were also able to read many information boards alongside the trail for historical tidbits about the path on which they were walking.

The trail was a mixture of pavement and ice patches but walkers found that the ice and snow became denser the further on the trail went.

Participants were welcomed with fresh beverages, lively music and snowshoe and microspike rentals. The first twenty people who arrived at the event and needed equipment received their choice of either a free snowshoe or microspike rental, which was dependent on the trail conditions that day. 

These rentals were available through Fortress Bikes. Morgan Outdoors also offered a “SnO&W Special” microspike rental.

Also participating in the walk were multiple fire departments from across Sullivan County. Those who participated in the Sullivan 180 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge received three Turtle Points for attending while accompanied by five or more active members.

“We’re so thrilled that the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance chose Hurleyville this year,” Denise Sullivan,  a volunteer for Hurleyville - Sullivan First, told the attendees before the walk.“June 1st is also National Rail Trail Day so we’re hoping to put something together for that day as well... Thank you to all the volunteers and every who has come out here.”

“I want to let you know that this is a piece of our overall trail which will one day be fifty miles long,” Heather Jacksy from Sullivan County Planning told the attendees. “We hope that you’ll explore all of it and support our work. You can support us by buying an ear warmer headband, or by contributing to us.”

Starting in 2020 as a snowshoe fun run walk, the event rotates locations each year to feature a different segment of the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail.