Write-up: Meg Higgerson
Leader: Walt Pillar
Co-Leader: Meg Higgerson
Photos: Jim Wasielewski

COOPERSTOWN HO!! A HIKE FROM THE 1930’s

#777 June 17, 1930 COOPERSTOWN HO! Harold Hoes Leader
Meet at Oneida Square at 10. Hike along the ridge of Sleeping Lion Mountain near Otsego Lake. Probably steak roast cooked by Cap Smith. … May have Cooperstown Hiking Club gang along with us. Mileage $1, Meal 50 cents

#7122. June 26, 2021. COOPERSTOWN HO #2 !! Walt Pillar Leader, Meg Higgerson Coleader. 25 participants
It was a day similar to the 17th day in June,1930: Overcast, with a chance of rain. However, today’s hike where we replicated the hike led by Harold Hoes, turned out to be perfect weather in spite of the initially cold and windy weather off Otsego Lake. Led by Glimmerglass State Park expert, Walt Pillar, we climbed Mount Wellington on the Sleeping Lion trail.

In the 1930’s Captain Smith grilled steaks for the group (was he the Captain Smith from the Boatyard??) Today, Bill Higgerson and Rick Manier were grill masters with “tube steaks” (hot dogs). We had a delightful picnic, enjoying the breeze off the lake, food provided by all, and 1930’s music.
Several questions were asked: Did the 1930’sTramps come to Glimmerglass State Park? No, it was established much later in 1963.How did the tramps get to the trailhead in the 1930s? If not by personal transportation, there were over 100 bus companies in upstate NY in the 1930’s, several going between Utica and Cooperstown.