When: Sunday May 4th, 9am-11:30am

Where: Ted Stiles Preserve at Baldpate Mountain

About: FoHVOS and Mercer County are hosting the Ted Stiles Memorial Hike at Baldpate Mountain. This community event was held annually in honor of former FoHVOS president Ted Stiles, whose vision and dedication helped direct the preservation of thousands of acres in Hopewell Valley, including Baldpate. We are bringing this hike back in 2025, and beginning this year, we’ll also be celebrating the longstanding partnership between our organizations that has led to impactful (and many) restoration projects to protect and preserve the Mountain’s many ecological features.

This year, we are offering not one but three themed hikes led by FoHVOS staff. All hikes will begin at 9 am and will focus on a different topic and will last about 90 min. After the hikes, all groups will meet at the historic lodge near the Baldpate mansion for coffee and donuts and meaningful community discussion.

Hike descriptions are below. Please only register for the hike you plan to attend. All hikes will begin at 9am.

Hike Option #1: Stewardship Hike

Baldpate Mountain was a huge preservation success for Hopewell Valley and Mercer County – for its size, but also conservation values.  Rare species, both plant and animal find refuge at the preserve.  To best care for these species and their communities, the co-owners and managers of Baldpate collaborate on restoration planning initiatives, implementation, and their maintenance. Join the stewardship directors of FoHVOS and Mercer County on this hike to learn more about the two decades of collaborate conservation efforts on the mountain.

Hike Option #2: Guided Botanical Walk

Did you know there are 24 rare plant species documented at Baldpate Mountain? FoHVOS routinely monitor these rare plants to track population status and better inform our stewardship efforts. Join FoHVOS Land Stewards Dana and Kaitlin on a trail walk where we will focus on identifying some of the many plants found at Baldpate and discuss some of the work FoHVOS does to protect them.

Hike Option #3: Birding the Baldpate Driveway

For nearly 20 years, birding the driveway of Baldpate has almost been its own rite of spring for our local nature enthusiasts.  Join FoHVOS Executive Director Jenn and local community scientist Jack, for a picturesque stroll and search for our colorful harbingers of spring, all the way to the summit of the mountain.  In addition to filling our forests and souls with song, these neotropical migrants played an important role in the preservation of Baldpate. BYOB: Please bring your own binoculars. 

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Directions: Enter at 28 Fiddlers Creek Road and follow the driveway all the way up to the parking lot at the summit, near the Baldpate mansion.