You are invited to participate in the Annual Cross-Island Hike
The Cross-Island Hike is a day-long guided hike traversing some of the Vineyard's most beautiful trails and conservation lands. Each year's route is different. The entire walk is typically around 20 miles in length. Previous hikes have also included stretches across private properties with the generous permission of their owners. Due to the length of the hike, the pace is briskly led. Hikers are expected to walk at their individual comfort levels and can choose to walk only a portion of the route. Comfortable walking shoes, suncreen and water are strongly recommended. Transportation to and from the hike, whatever the segment, is the responsibility of the participants. Everyone is encouraged to bring a friend--leave the friend's car at the point where you will end your hike and drive together in your car to the point where you will begin. Better yet, check out the Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) bus schedules. Hikers bring or arrange for their own lunch. The Land Bank provides fruit and water at a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break.
Check back later for details of the 2010 Cross-Island Hike.
Details and Logistics
Please check VTA bus schedules. You may find it more convenient and it saves gas (i.e., your $$ and our air quality). Sometimes people are able to get rides from the finish point from other hikers, but you should not rely upon such a possibility and should have a contingency plan.
Hikes always have to cross roadways and frequently walk alongside some roads. Be cautious and alert! Remember to walk on the left hand side of the road, against traffic. When on a road with little traffic where hikers can safely spill out across the road, move to the left when cars do approach.
About every hour, the hike’s leader will pause a few minutes for slower hikers to catch-up. This is usually coordinated with posted checkpoints or road crossings. There will be two fifteen-minute breaks at which the land bank provides fruit and water. A half-hour is allowed for lunch, which is the responsibility of the individual hikers. |
National Trails Day is Saturday, June 5, 2010. The Martha's Vineyard land bank commission will observe this day by sponsoring its seventeenth annual hike across the island.