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

Current Adirondack Outdoor Conditions (Jan 30)

adirondack conditions 1-30This weekly report of outdoor recreation conditions in the Adirondacks is compiled each Thursday afternoon and updated on Friday.

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

BE PREPARED! Start slow, gain experience. Carry proper safety equipment and weather protection and bring plenty of water and lights, and a map. When on the trail, stay together, monitor the time, and be prepared to turn back. Be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods in cold temperatures. Accidents happen to the most experienced people. Always carry food, a space blanket, emergency whistle, first aid kit, fire making tools, extra clothing layers and socks, a map and compass, and the knowledge to use them. Inform someone of your itinerary and 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.

January 30th, 2020 – SPECIAL NOTICES » Continue Reading.


Thursday, January 30, 2020

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival – Ten Days of Winter Fun

There is no time for the winter doldrums with the Saranac Lake’s Winter Carnival just around the corner. This festival of fun, January 31-February 9, is a must for Adirondack residents and visitors alike.  First started in 1897, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival history is as vast and varied as the community that has shaped it. Originally a one-day event, this celebration of winter has evolved to include an expansive ice palace and over 100 events and activities.

According to Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee Public Relations Chair Colleen O’Neill, the festival is a special time for everyone. The Carnival provides entertainment for visitors and locals alike and pulls the surrounding communities together. » Continue Reading.


Thursday, January 30, 2020

Esports Tournaments Start Friday at Paul Smith’s

eswg logoAn Invitational Collegiate Overwatch tournament and two additional open esports tournaments are set to be held at the 40th Annual Empire State Winter Games (EWSG), January 30-February 2.

All three of the tournaments will be held at Paul Smith’s College. » 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.


Wednesday, January 29, 2020

FUND for Lake George Adds Staff

The FUND for Lake George, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of Lake George and its watershed, has announced the appointment of two new staff members, Hilary Kellogg Hurley and Brea Arvidson. » Continue Reading.


Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Upper Saranac Shoreline Protected Along Canoe Route

newly conserved land on Upper Saranac Lake courtesy Adirondack Land Trust The Adirondack Land Trust purchased five acres of forest along the shore of Upper Saranac Lake to ensure that a mile-long stretch of shoreline between Indian Carry and Indian Point remains forever wild.

The tract features 570 feet of rugged lakeshore edged by boulders and northern white cedars. The Adirondack Land Trust is expected to work with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to transfer the land to the state to close a gap in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest, which is protected under the “forever wild” clause of New York’s constitution as part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Early Results On Overuse, Visitors Still Surging

high peaks overuse mapWhile the total number of visitors is still rising, the state’s initial actions to curb overuse of the Adirondack Park’s High Peaks Wilderness Area have started to show results, according to data collected by the Adirondack Council in 2017 and 2019.

The highest weekend peak visitor traffic numbers decreased across the top three destinations in the High Peaks by 3.5 percent. That is progress. We can celebrate that while recognizing that there is still much to do to ensure Wilderness and access are preserved. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Climber Rescued After Fall at Chapel Pond

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, January 28, 2020

Public Input Sought On High Peaks Overuse Issues

Crowd at Cascade provided by Adirondack CouncilThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the members of the newly launched High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group are encouraging New Yorkers to share their input on the State’s efforts to help promote sustainable use in the High Peaks.

In addition, Advisory Group meeting summaries will be posted online for public review. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, January 28, 2020

DEC Summer Camps Nearly Fill in 24 Hrs

DEC logoOnline registration opened Sunday, January 26th, for the State’s 2020 Summer Camp season and in less than 24 hours, 90 percent of spaces were filled with 22 weeks for boys and 13 for girls already booked.

DEC’s Summer Camp program began in 1947 and today operates four residential camps for children ages 11 to 17: Camp Colby in Saranac Lake; Camp DeBruce in Livingston Manor (Sullivan County); Camp Rushford in Caneadea (Allegany County), and Pack Forest in Warrensburg.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, January 27, 2020

Beavers: Nature’s Architects and Engineers

Beaver in Algonquin Park by Steve HallBeavers are the great architects of American ponds and streams. The North American beaver competes with the Eurasian beaver to be the 2nd largest rodent in the world, after another semi-aquatic mammal, the South American Capybara. The average weight of a beaver in New York State is 42 lbs, though 60 pounders are not that unusual. Beavers have an average body length of 2 and ½ feet to 3 feet, and a flat swimming rudder tail of 8 to 14 inches. The tail doubles as a warning device, used to loudly slap the water when predators, dogs or people are sighted.

Beavers can stay under water for about 15 minutes, with their ears and nostrils sealed, and can live to be twenty years plus. » Continue Reading.


Monday, January 27, 2020

Empire State Games’ Adirondack Torch Relay Stops

eswg logoA torch relay route from Manhattan to Lake Placid to kick off the 40th Annual Empire State Winter Games (ESWG) began Sunday and will arrive in the Adirondack region on Thursday. The 2020 Games will be held January 30-February 2.

The relay will end with the lighting of the cauldron in Lake Placid. There is another torch relay route from Western New York to Lake Placid, running simultaneously.

The following is the schedule for the torch relay on Thursday: » Continue Reading.


Monday, January 27, 2020

Winter Carnival Gift Shop and Headquarters

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Gift Shop and Headquarters opens for the season on January 31 at the ROOST office at 193 River Street.

It offers a gift shop, maps and information about the various events of the 10-day festival and serves as a central planning resource for visitors and residents. » Continue Reading.



Conditions
Adirondacks Events
Conditions
Adirondacks Events

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.
General inquiries about the Adirondack Almanack should be directed to Almanack founder and editor John Warren. To advertise on the Adirondack Almanack, or to receive information on rates and design, please click here.
Web Services & Search Engine Optimization By: Suloff Designs