UPDATE (Wednesday, January 16, 2019): This story has been updated to reflect changes to the hikes planned for January 19, January 26, and February 9.

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Newtown Hikers is an open group welcoming anyone interested in hiking and the outdoors. There is no membership fee.

Hikes are Saturday mornings, with the group leaving from the lower rear parking lot of Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, at 10 am. Departure to each week’s location is by 10:10 am.

Hikers participate at their own risk and must sign a release for the Parks and Recreation Department. For additional information about each hike, call the listed leader. To meet the group at a different point or if weather is doubtful the morning of a planned event, call the listed leader. Extreme snow or ice conditions will cancel a hike. Watch for e-mail or call listed leader.

All hikes are moderate and last three to five hours plus driving time unless otherwise stated; winter hikes are usually shorter and earlier than fall and spring, however, according to coordinator Sally Cox.

Children are welcome accompanied by adults. Participants should bring a lunch and beverages. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended, as is a traction device for boots (crampons, stabilizers, microspikes, etc); dress for the weather.

For further information contact Ms Cox, 203-426-9903 or 203-830-9032 or newtownhikers@gmail.com, or Parks & Rec, 203-270-4340.

The 2019 winter season begins this weekend, with a hike at Old Mine Park in Trumbull. Hike leader Irene Jutnas can be reached at 203-556-2933.

The season will continue, with hike leaders in parentheses, as follows:

January 12, Fairfield Hills trails — through the woods, across Wasserman Way, and behind the Horse Guard property; with additional trails as desired (Sally Cox, 203-426-9903, 203-830-9032);

January 19, Phillips-Louvdal Trail, Southbury (Christa Troiani, 203-751-0297);

January 26, Monroe bike trail (Lorraine Branecky, 203-426-2372);  

February 2, Ridgefield Rail Trail (Irene Jutnas, 203-556-2933);

February 9,  Waldo State Park, Southbury (Linda Dunn, 203-207-1765);

February 16, location TBD (Lorna Jones, 203-438-7963);

February 23, Flanders Nature Center/Van Vleck Farm, Woodbury (Nancy Ziegler, 203-732-2618);

March 2, Richter Park Trail, Danbury (Sally Cox, 203-830-9032);

March 9, hike location and leader TBD (contact Sally Cox, 203-830-9032, closer to date of this hike);

March 16, Janie Pierce Park Trail, Southbury (Christa Troiani, 203-751-0297);

March 23, Tarrywile Park, Danbury, to Mootry Peak (Jim Steck, 845-621-5559 or 914-806-4107); and

March 30, hike location and leader TBD (contact Sally Cox, 203-830-9032, closer to date of this hike).