But in case you missed it, we had two stories published online last week on Adirondack Park Agency happenings. One included a look at what the state Department of Environmental Conservation is hoping to do to its largest campground, Fish Creek Pond. The DEC’s proposal is out for public comment, this time looking for feedback on how the proposal meshes (or does not) with the Adirondack Park Agency’s rules and regulations. Here’s the story.

We also had a look at the APA and DEC’s presentation on managing visitors to the Adirondack Park and monitoring wildlands. It was interesting to hear from staff that the scientific method has been missing, at least in a consistent way, from state management of the forest preserve. While there’s no formal public comment period for these guidelines released last week, the APA and DEC still want to hear your thoughts. Click here to read more and to learn how to comment.

This weekend Dave and I hiked up Crane Mountain in Johnsburg. Like Chimney Mountain, this was one we had only done in the winter. We didn’t hike the full loop with pond views in the winter, but were able to give it a go on Saturday. It was a little under 4 miles round-trip, and boy is it a steep ascent. There are two ladders to climb. The second and longest one is my favorite.

Once you get to the top of the mountain, it is easy to want to park yourself down and take in the view, but if you keep walking the loop toward Crane Mountain Pond, there are plenty of other lookouts and ledges to sit on. We picked one far away from the one group of other hikers on the mountain and enjoyed our PB&J’s with views of the High Peaks to the east and the pond just below. It is one of my favorite hikes in the Adirondacks. The black flies were not as bad as they were on Chimney. Where are you all hiking lately?

Ladder up Crane Mountain. Photo by Gwendolyn Craig

Editor’s note: This first appeared in Gwen’s weekly “Adirondack Report” newsletter. Click here to sign up.