Saturday, October 6, 2018

Prepare New Garden Beds Now – Without Digging

garden sheet mulchingIf you’re thinking about a new garden bed for next spring, you need to start preparing now. You need to select an appropriate site, keeping in mind that adequate sunlight is essential, as is good air circulation and, in most cases, relatively level ground.

Good soil is essential, too. In fact, the quality of your garden soil can be the difference between thriving, healthy plants and sickly, struggling, unproductive ones. Loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam or silt loam soil is best. Good soil is greatly sought after, but rarely found. Areas of heavy clay and waterlogged sites should be avoided. Clay soils can be particularly poor, heavy, or noticeably compacted. Oxygen content will probably be inadequate. Water, soil fauna (earthworms, centipedes, ground beetles, spiders) and roots will have a hard time moving through it. » Continue Reading.


Saturday, October 6, 2018

DEC Advises Public To Watch for Adirondack Moose

Adirondack moose 3 (DEC Photo)Motorists should be alert for moose on roadways in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas at this time of year during peak moose activity, advises the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Early fall is the breeding season for moose in northern New York. During this time moose are wandering looking for mates, leading them to areas where they are not typically seen. While this improves the opportunities for people to enjoy sighting of a moose, it also increases the danger of colliding with one on the roadway. » Continue Reading.


Saturday, October 6, 2018

Poetry: Mountain Sun

Lewey Lake in Indian Lake

Mountain Sun

Poisons from air and
Hormones from cows
Carbon from oceans
And algae from lakes
Sin from the priesthood
And racism from schools
Glitches from computers
And infections from cells

Still the mountain sun rises

No need to be detoxified
A fragrance rinsing the vapor
Of our moral stains once more

Photo of Lewey Lake in Indian Lake.


Friday, October 5, 2018

Featured Trail: Lewis Clearing Bay Trail, Westport

Lewis Clearing Bay TrailLewis Clearing Bay Trail, part of the Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest, is a 1.7-mile trail from the Lewis Clearing Bay Trailhead on Lake Shore Road to its namesake bay on Lake Champlain. A 0.2-mile spur trail at the 1.4-mile mark leads to the Snake Den Harbor Overlook. The trail climbs 200 feet in the first 0.7 mile before dropping 450 feet down to the lake. » Continue Reading.


Friday, October 5, 2018

The Adirondacks Around The Web This Week


Friday, October 5, 2018

Adirondack Loon Celebration, Art Show At Paul Smith’s VIC

The loon is such an iconic symbol of wilderness with its haunting call, red eyes, and distinctive markings. With all wildlife, we need to understand how to respect its boundaries while admiring it in its natural habitat. Thanks to the Adirondack Loon Center for Loon Conservation, there is a place to learn more about this aquatic bird.

The annual Adirondack Loon Celebration takes place at the Paul Smith’s VIC, October 7 from 1 to 5 pm, with a schedule of activities emphasizing the importance of loons to the Adirondack ecosystem. Live music with Celia Evans, Green Goddess food, silent auction, children’s activities, and other loon related activities are just part of the fun-filled day. » Continue Reading.


Friday, October 5, 2018

This Week’s Big Adirondack News Stories


Thursday, October 4, 2018

Bear Poaching Case In Clinton County

According to a press release issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation, on September 24, DEC’s Dispatch Center received a tip from a concerned citizen regarding an individual that had shot multiple bears during the early bear hunting season.

The caller reported that a sow and her two cubs were killed on September 22nd. The case was assigned to ECO Chris Lagree, who reported that the bears were taken illegally less than a mile from his own residence. ECO Lagree interviewed the suspect at his home in Plattsburgh, at which time Lagree says the suspect admitted to taking the sow and cubs in addition to another bear, and to having shot the bears over a bait pile. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, October 4, 2018

Adirondack Outdoor Conditions for Columbus Day Weekend

CompassThis weekly report of outdoor recreation conditions in the Adirondacks is compiled each Thursday afternoon and fully updated by Friday afternoon.

Contribute Your Knowledge: Add a comment below, or send your observations, corrections, updates, and suggestions to adkalmanack@gmail.com.

Learn and practice the seven Leave No Trace principles. Carry out what you have carried in. Do not leave gear, food, or other items at lean-tos and campsites. Do not litter. Take the free online Leave No Trace course here.

BE PREPARED! Start slow, gain experience. Always carry proper safety equipment – including plenty of food, water, flashlights, space blanket, emergency whistle, first aid kit, fire making tools, extra clothing layers and socks, and a map and compass – inform someone of your itinerary, and be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods in cold temperatures. Just before entering the backcountry or launching a boat check the National Weather Service watches, warnings, and advisories here. Follow Adirondack weather forecasts at Burlington and Albany and consult the High Elevation, Recreation, or Lake Champlain forecasts.

OCTOBER 4, 2018 – SPECIAL NOTICES » Continue Reading.


Thursday, October 4, 2018

Cascade Trailhead Closed; Shuttle Information

Cascade Parking closures mapImportant shuttle information for access to Cascade Mountain for Columbus Day Weekend

1. All parking for the Cascade Mountain trailhead along Route 73 will be closed October 4th – October 8th.
2. Parking will be located at the Olympic Sports Complex.
3. Shuttles will pick up hikers at the Olympic Sports Complex.
4. Shuttles will run to and from the Cascade Mountain Trailhead on the half hour beginning at 7am each day.
5. The last shuttle to Cascade trailhead will leave the Olympic Sports Complex at 3pm.
6. The last shuttle to the Olympic Sports Complex will leave Cascade trailhead at 7pm each day.
7. Only the shuttles will be allowed to drop off and pick up people at the Cascade Mountain trailhead. Other vehicles are not allowed to enter the trailhead area.
8. No dogs will be allowed on the shuttle.
9. There is no overnight parking at the Olympic Sports Complex.

The Porter and Little Porter Trail from the Garden in Keene are closed this 2018 hiking season by decision of the private landowner. A reroute is being planned, but will not be completed this hiking season. As this will limit access to Cascade via Porter – further crowding the Route 73 Cascade trailhead – approach Porter Mountain via the trail from Marcy Field until the reroute is complete.

Be Prepared: Properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hiking Safety webpage and Adirondack Trail Information webpage for more information about where you intend to travel. The Adirondack Almanack reports weekly Outdoor Conditions each Thursday afternoon with closures around the Adirondack Park and other important backcountry information.

Map provided by Adirondack Atlas.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, October 4, 2018

Stillwater Fire Tower, Big Moose Tract, Closed to Visitors

stillwater fire towerThe Stillwater Mountain Fire Tower and the trail to it will be closed to public use beginning from October 8 through December 20th.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has asked the public to respect trail closure dates and do not trespass on the Big Moose Tract Conservation Easement that leads to Stillwater Fire Tower. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, October 4, 2018

Willsboro, Peru Boat Launch Work Planned

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that needed repairs on two boat launches on Lake Champlain – the Peru Dock Boat Launch and the Willsboro Bay Boat Launch – are set to be undertaken during the month of October.

DEC is replacing a culvert under the exit lane of the Peru Dock Boat Launch which is causing problems for boat motors and trailers exiting the boat launch and addressing other water drainage issues at the site. The repairs will begin October 9 and are expected to be completed on October 17. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Paul Hetzler: Plant A Tree, or Rent It?

Planting a tree isn’t rocket science, which is good thing. If it were that complex, I’d wager we’d have a lot fewer trees lining our streets. It may not take a scientist to plant a tree correctly, but a lot of money is spent each year to buy and plant trees which may as well be leased, because they will only live a fraction of their expected lifespan.

When trees decline and die after 15, 20, or even 30 years, the last thing we probably suspect is shoddy planting. Although landscape trees like mountain-ash and birch have naturally short lives, a sugar maple or red oak should easily last a hundred or more years. Yet all too often, a long-lived species will expire at twenty because it was planted “fast and dirty.” You can find examples of trees declining as an age-class in housing developments, and especially along NYS routes where DOT low-bid contractors replaced trees cut down for road improvements. One may as well consider such trees rentals, not purchases. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Tupper Lake Wild Edibles Program Planned

Garrett Kopp of Birch Boys Chaga in Tupper Lake poses with local reishi mushroomsAn encore workshop identifying and sampling the most prominent and tasty edible plants, roots, berries and fungi in the Adirondack Region has been set for Saturday, October 6th, and will be presented by Garrett Kopp of Birch Boys Chaga Tea and the Local Living Venture.

The Wild Edible Adirondack Salad workshop will be held from 11 am to 1 pm at the Birch Boys storefront at 123 Park Street in Tupper Lake. The event is indoors, with the option of a foraging hike afterwards if weather permits. Reservations are appreciated in order to plan the “menu” and coordinate carpooling for those interested. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Pieces of Eight: Curiosities From Fort Ti’s Collections

Gold mourning pendant featuring hair from George Augustus Lord Viscount HoweFort Ticonderoga has announced a new museum exhibit, ‘Pieces of Eight: Curiosities from the Collection,’ featuring objects from the bodies of famous or interesting characters from early American history.

The exhibit was conceived following the overwhelmingly positive response to Fort Ticonderoga’s display of extremely rare locks of Benedict Arnold’s hair in May. Curatorial staff began extensive research and identified eight intimate artifacts that compromise the new exhibit. Many involve human hair, which was trimmed, saved, mailed, and even made into jewelry where it was carried across the world. » Continue Reading.



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The Adirondack Almanack

The Adirondack Almanack's contributors include veteran local writers, historians, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the Adirondack region. The Almanack is the online news journal of Adirondack Explorer. Both are nonprofits supported by contributors, readers, and advertisers, and devoted to exploring, protecting, and unifying the Adirondack Park.
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