Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Snowmobilers Should Ride Smart

New York State Park Police and State Police are reminding all snowmobile riders to make safety their priority in an effort to reduce the number of personal injury and fatal accidents throughout the State of New York.

Everyone operating a snowmobile should be familiar with safe riding practices and all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The best way to learn is by taking a snowmobile safety course, which can be found online. A safety certificate is required for youth between ages 10 and 18.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, February 10, 2020

History Shows Adirondack Avalanche Risks Are Real

Avalanche anatomy illustration

The storm on Thursday and Friday left power out for thousands of Adirondackers and left snow depths and conditions ideal for snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling, and other winter activities. But it also left a potentially deadly threat on steep open terrain – the threat of avalanche.

The majority of avalanches in the U.S. occur out west, but avalanches do occur in the northeast. Much of the steep open terrain is found in the High Peaks, but avalanche-prone terrain is found on mountains throughout the Adirondacks, including Snowy Mountain in Hamilton County. DEC warned the public Friday about the increased potential for avalanches. It’s a warning that history tells us we should take seriously.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, February 10, 2020

APA Board To Consider Development Projects

APA Building in Ray Brook NYThe Adirondack Park Agency will hold its monthly meeting at its headquarters in Ray Brook on Thursday and Friday, February 13-14, 2020. Thursday’s meeting will begin at 1 pm and Friday’s session will commence at 9:30 am.

The meeting will feature consideration of the installation of two self-supporting monopole towers in Long Lake, discussion of the alleged establishment of a tourist accommodation in the Hudson River Recreational River Area, and more. What follows is the agenda issued by the APA: » Continue Reading.


Friday, February 7, 2020

Raquette Lake Winter Carnival Next Weekend

Ice Golf at 2019 Raquette Lake Winter CarnivalThe Raquette Lake Winter Carnival is set for Saturday, February 15th, and Sunday, February 16th. It looks as though there will be plenty of snow on the ground and the snowmobiles trails are open.

Activities will begin at 11 am on Saturday with games, including a sack race, sledding, tire obstacle, balloon chase, and tug-of-war. A Ladies Frying Pan Toss will be held at noon, with cash prizes of $75, $50, $25. The Team Ice Golf Competition will be held throughout the day for teams with cash prizes of $75, $50, $25. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, February 6, 2020

Cauldron Lighting to Mark 1980 Olympics

Miracle on Ice provided by ORDAForty years ago, Lake Placid lit the Cauldron, signifying the beginning of the XIII Olympic Winter Games. The 1980 Winter Games have long been remembered for the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team’s improbable win over the Russians, known as the “Miracle on Ice,” speed skater Eric Heiden’s five gold medals, in World or Olympic record time; and the United States figure skating team, dubbed the “Dream Team.” » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Rangers Respond To Snowmobile Accident, Injured Hiker

forest ranger logoNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people from the Adirondack backcountry.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers in the Adirondacks. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Adirondack Wild: More Trail Crews, Rangers, Test Permit System

adirondack wildWhile applauding large portions of Governor Cuomo’s proposed environmental budget, including support for the Governor’s Restore Mother Nature Bond Act, the nonprofit Adirondack Forest Preserve advocates Adirondack Wild submitted testimony to the State Legislature which calls for additional DEC Forest Rangers and trail crews and the testing of a pilot reservation system to reduce congestion and damage to the High Peaks Wilderness. » Continue Reading.


Monday, February 3, 2020

Plans Afloat For New Ownership of 90-Miler, Other Races

90 miler Adirondack Canoe ClassicThe Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) and the Adirondack Watershed Alliance (AWA) are working towards a transfer of AWA events and activities, including the Adirondack Canoe Classic, to NFCT’s care before the launch of the 2021 paddling season.

AWA, managed by Brian and Grace McDonnell for over two decades, currently coordinates the ‘Round the Mountain Canoe and Kayak Race and the Celebrate Paddling Invitational in Saranac Lake, the Long Lake Long Boat Regatta, and the Adirondack Canoe Classic, known more commonly as the 90-Miler. » Continue Reading.


Monday, February 3, 2020

DEC Ends Lottery For Rogers Rock Campground Group Sites

Rogers Rock Campground provided by DECThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that campers and day-users will now make online reservations for group camp sites at the Rogers Rock Campground and Day Use Area, located in Warren County in the Adirondacks.

Groups sites had previously been reserved by a lottery system.  » Continue Reading.


Sunday, February 2, 2020

Major Snowboardcross and Skicross Event At Gore

NORAM Holeshot TourGore Mountain is one of two US stops and the only East Coast venue to host the US Ski & Snowboard NorAm 2020 Hole Shot and Revolution Tour Monday-Friday, February 3-7.

The Hole Shot Tour is an FIS NorAm competition designed to bridge the gap between grassroots and World Cup level athletes of Snowboardcross (ages 15+) and Skicross (ages 16+). Hundreds of top athletes from across the country and around the world are expected to compete. » Continue Reading.


Friday, January 31, 2020

Floating Docks Now A Frozen Snowmobile Hazard

ECOs and Forest Rangers mark potentially hazardous obstacles to snowmobile traffic on Great Sacandaga LakeNYS Environmental Conservation Officers reported that ECO Paul Pasciak and Wes Leubner, along with Forest Rangers Michael Thompson and Ian Kerr, conducted a patrol on Great Sacandaga Lake to assess docks that broke free from shore and became frozen in ice south of the Batchellerville Bridge on January 17th.

The docks likely broke free during heavy rains in early winter and became frozen in the main portion of the lake when temperatures dropped. » Continue Reading.


Friday, January 31, 2020

Para-Bobsleigh World Cup Returning to Lake Placid

IBSF World Cup Bobsled & Skeleton 2016The 10-race para-bobsleigh World Cup series is set to kick off its North American swing when Lake Placid plays host to more than 24 athletes from 14 nations, on Thursday and Friday, February 6-7.

The 2019-2020 series began, in early-December, in Lillehammer, Norway and has traveled through Oberhof, Germany and St. Moritz, Switzerland before returning to the famed Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex Track. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, January 30, 2020

DEC Issues Final Plans for Sentinel Range Wilderness

sentinel range wilderness courtesy adirondack atlasThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has finalized the Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the Sentinel Range Wilderness.

The Sentinel Range Wilderness is comprised of 23,874 acres of Forest Preserve lands in the towns of Keene, Jay, Wilmington, and North Elba, Essex County. The lands consist primarily of rugged, mountainous forest land with relatively few ponds and wetlands. Mountain views are one of the Wilderness Area’s main attractions, although a portion of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail also runs through the wilderness. The area borders the north side of Route 73 through Cascade Pass and includes a number of popular climbing areas. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, January 30, 2020

Long Lake – Lake Eaton Ice Fishing Derby Feb 8th

Justin Stephenson pictured with his prize winning fish from 2019The Long Lake Fish and Game Club with the support of the Long Lake Parks and Recreation Department has announced their annual Ice Fishing Derby has been set for Saturday, February 8th, 2020.

Anglers are invited to fish the waters of Lake Eaton and Long Lake. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Big Increases in Saranac River, Lake Champlain Anglers

Brook Trout by Greg DowerDEC has surveyed New York’s licensed freshwater anglers once every decade since 1973. The latest data is from a survey conducted in 2018 and summarizes the input provided by approximately 11,000 anglers that fished the freshwaters of New York State during the 2017 calendar year.

Results of the survey revealed significant increases in angler effort for a number of waters when compared to a 2007 survey. The Saranac River experienced the greatest increase, 150 percent, as more visited to fish primarily for smallmouth bass and brown trout. Lake Champlain saw a 72% increase. » Continue Reading.



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The Adirondack Almanack

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