National Trail Mix Day! Hit the Trails @ Schoharie Crossing w/ this great Snack!

August 31^st is National Trail Mix Day – a celebration of unknown origin but widely found on National Days Calendars or other online sources.  The wonderful trails at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site lend themselves to delightful treks, and what better way to keep fueled up than with some trail mix?  Whether visiting for events or programs, or maybe just hiking the trails or kayaking the creek & river, if you come to Schoharie Crossing, be sure to stay hydrated and bring a snack!

Trail Mix – by loose definition is a mix of high energy foods with nutritious fats and carbs for sustainable activity.  Another key ingredient is that the mix HAS to be tasty!  And sensical (wait, is that even a word?) that it should also be lightweight, easy to eat and not really messy. 

You can find a myriad of Trail Mixes at the store that fit nearly every palate, or you can make your own – heck … Create Your Own!

This great 2014 article by Sophia Breene titled 21 Healthier Recipes for Trail Mix is a good place for inspiration.

Trail mix is great for more than just walking the trails; it’s great for trips, camping, snacks between meetings! Just about any time as a snack!

Here at Schoharie Crossing though, we like the old standards.  While common ingredients may include:

Nuts,baked soybeans, dried fruits such as cranberries, raisins, apricots, apples, or candied orange peel, sweets like chocolate chips, chunks, Smarties or M&M's, as well as cereals, such as Granola or snacks like pretzels, mixed with seeds (such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds), banana chips, shredded coconut or countless other things….

A traditional GORP is just fine too…made from peanuts, raisins and a few M&M’s.  Regardless of your preferences, we have some suggestions, tips and even a SXSHS recipe!

We say, go RAW when you can with the nuts, stick to simple dried fruits without added sugar (hey, you’re sweet enough already!), and avoid anything that is messy, sticky, melty or overly salty!  If you are adding grains, be sure they are whole grains – maybe try some bran flakes, puffed rice, or popcorn in there.  Instead of candied chocolates, try yogurt covered raisins or dark chocolate covered coffee beans for an added boost!

Early mentions of “Trail Mix” in various forms or names, goes back generations, but a 1910 Camping Guide by Horace Kephart may be one of the earliest forms of what Americans recognize as this sweet & salty snack.  Another terrific mention is in the 1958 Jack Kerouac work, The Dharma Bums.

So remember to pack a snack and come visit Schoharie Crossing to explore the trails, paddle the water and discover your own path through history!

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