Events

John Burroughs Slabsides Geology Ramble

Location

John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary at Slabsides
500 Burroughs Drive
West Park, NY 12493

County: Ulster
Region: Mid Hudson

Date(s)

• August 29, 2026, 9:00AM (rain or shine)

Detailed Times/Hours Following the Ramble, from approx. Noon until 4:00 pm, you are invited to tour John Burroughs' rustic 1895 cabin retreat "Slabsides," a National Historic Landmark and a Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area of Special interest. Through works written there about nature, John Burroughs had a profound impact on the emerging conservation movement of the late 1800s and early 1900s. He inspired generations of readers to head outdoors and national leaders to preserve land and its wildlife.

Details

Event Type Walk/Hike Description Former Vassar College professor of earth sciences Jeff Walker will lead this easy-paced short hike to read the many stories in the rocks of the John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary. With handouts, and beginning with an overview of the ancient forces that shaped the region over and over, each leaving its mark, participants will learn that the rocks of the Nature Sanctuary represent sediments that eroded from a Himalayan-scale mountain range nearly 400 million years ago and were deposited in a shallow sea. Caught in continental collisions, they were bent, folded, and stood on end. Then, most recently, they were scraped by a mile-thick sheet of glacial ice, which melted 14,000 years ago. Jeff will point out the impact of those forces on rock structures that participants will see on the walk. Participants will investigate clues in the rocks to decipher the evolving structure of the land. The rocks were one of naturalist John Burroughs' favorite aspects of the Slabsides location and moved him to write essays such as “Primal Energies,” “The Divine Abyss,” and “The Grist of the Gods,” among others. Organization Hosting the Event John Burroughs Association Phone Number (845) 384-6556 Contact Email info@johnburroughsassociation.org

Registration

Advance registration required.
August 26, 2026, infor@johnburroughsassociation.org. Register early as space is limited.

Additional Information

Easy to moderately rough terrain on well-developed trails, many with stone pathways and steps. The trails are part of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail System.
Additional Equipment Required: Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes. Consider bringing water and bug repellent.

Trip Duration (hours): 2
Difficulty: Moderate
This event is NOT Suitable for children under: 12
Length (miles): 1.5
Boots Needed: No

Family Friendly: Yes
Barrier Free or Wheelchar accessible? No