It's official. The first hike of the year, under the auspices of The Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Hiking Club, finally happened Saturday, Jan. 5. The Three Hills Peak Walk, which included the areas of College Hill, Peach Hill, and Dutchess Community College, was originally scheduled for New Year's Day but furious flurries on that day forced hike leader Sue Mackson to cancel. Mackson is the outings chairperson who coordinates hikes and paddles for the Mid-Hudson Chapter.

Mackson selected the hike title of "Three Hills Peak Hike" somewhat tongue-in-cheek. She explained, "High peaks in the Catskills are ranges reaching above 3,500 feet, while for the Adirondacks the range is over 4,500 feet. College Hill is the highest peak in the City of Poughkeepsie and Peach Hill is the highest peak in the Town of Poughkeepsie, both reaching approximately 500 feet. Dutchess Community College sits at 350 feet. "The good news is that these local peaks are accessible to nearly everyone. They are not exhaustive to climb, nor impossible to reach, and the views are certainly worth the effort."

The weather was perfect with an average of 40 degrees and sun breaking through clouds most of the afternoon. The group met at the parking lot of Dutchess Community College and carpooled to College Hill located off of North Clinton Street in the City of Poughkeepsie. Some hikers used poles and walking sticks to help keep balance on layers of snow and to detect hidden patches of ice.

According to James H. Smith, in 1832 a group of enterprising men formed the "Improvement Party" and "cleared the forest from College Hill, gave the eminence that name, and erected upon its summit an imposing edifice for educational purposes, seventy-seven by one hundred and thirty-seven feet." The edifice looks like a portico without a home or an abandoned pavilion. Today College Hill is a golf course and children could be seen sledding down the east side of the hill.

As you enter the trails of Peach Hill Park the aroma of rotting sweet apples wafts through the crisp air. Once a peach orchard and then converted to an apple orchard, some stubborn apples were still clinging to their branch of summer blooming. Hikers reminisced about their times hiking at Peach Hill in the summer. "The place was crawling with poison ivy. It was everywhere so I didn't dare go off the trail," said Edwin Miles, a 73-year resident of the town of Poughkeepsie. Jane Geisler said, "Yes, the poison ivy was thick but the raspberries in July were terrific." If you plan to go for the raspberries go in early July, and you have to get there early to beat the birds. Geisler added, "But now that the leaves are all gone the views are much better." The Hudson River sky paraded a mercurial display of rolling clouds and diffusing lights.

The Three Hills Peak hike leader was gracious and invited the entire group of 20 back to her house for hot soup and cookies.

The hike was exhilarating and invigorating and perfect for a novice. Hikes are rated according to difficulty: Class A, difficult more than 1,500 feet or 8 miles; Class B, moderate less than 1,500 feet or 6-8 miles; Class C, easy well graded trails, less than 6 miles; and Walk, comfortable less than 4 miles. It is not only great exercise, but a great way to make new friends and connect with people from all over Dutchess and Ulster counties.

Many hikes, walks, and events are open to the public and membership is not required. However, membership is only $50 a year, which includes a subscription to the bi-monthly magazine Adirondac and Mid-Hudson Trail Newsletter. Dues also help support educational and conservation programs such as "Breakfree" that encourages outdoor activities with Poughkeepsie High School Students and the restoration of Walkway over the Hudson.

If you are looking for a way to exercise and group camaraderie, try the Mid-Hudson Chapter of ADK. There is also a group that hikes regularly the first and third Thursday of the month with locations varying for each outing. For more information call Sue Mackson at 845-471-9892 or susiem6@juno.com, or visit www.midhudsonadk.org.