Tag Archive for "hiking" - The Adirondack Almanack

Posts Tagged ‘hiking’

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Stillwater Fire Tower History Book Published

A new book about Stillwater Fire Tower will soon be available in local stores. Stillwater Fire Tower, A Centennial History … and Earlier (2019, Self-Published) by James Fox, recounts how it came to life as a shiny steel tower in 1919 when fire observers and forest rangers helped protect our forests from the summit. The tower closed and was partially dismantled in 1988.

Rehab of the tower began in 2009. Friends of Stillwater Fire Tower completed an authentic restoration in 2016. The location offers views of the Adirondack High Peaks and the wind turbines on Tug Hill. » Continue Reading.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Rangers Respond To Snowmobile Accidents, Unprepared Hiker

by Editorial Staff

No Comments

New 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.

Monday, February 10, 2020

History Shows Adirondack Avalanche Risks Are Real

by Editorial Staff

5 Comments

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.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Rangers Respond To Snowmobile Accident, Injured Hiker

by Editorial Staff

1 Comment

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

Thursday, January 30, 2020

DEC Issues Final Plans for Sentinel Range Wilderness

by Editorial Staff

1 Comment

The 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.

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Early Results On Overuse, Visitors Still Surging

by Willie Janeway

21 Comments

While 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

Public Input Sought On High Peaks Overuse Issues

by Editorial Staff

4 Comments

The 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.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Back-to-Back Adirondack Rescues in the High Peaks

by Editorial Staff

1 Comment

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

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Newcomb Trails Expanding, Trail Crew Sought

by Editorial Staff

No Comments

SUNY-ESF is seeking trail crew as they expand their existing trail network at the Newcomb Campus, including plans to add more than two miles of new trails at the Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC), as well as rehabilitating the popular Goodnow Mountain trail.

This expansion is the first since the AIC was opened in 1990. » Continue Reading.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Conservancy Protects Twin Pines Property in Bolton

by Editorial Staff

1 Comment

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) closed on the purchase of 212 acres in the Town of Bolton on December 20, 2019. The property was part the Twin Pines Resort owned by the McGurl family. The resort is expected to be unaffected by the sale. The LGLC will hold the property until the Town of Bolton is able to purchase it from LGLC encumbered with a conservation easement. This transfer is expected to take place in early 2020.

The property includes about 20 acres of wetlands and 3,000 feet of stream corridor, and is adjacent to the popular Cat and Thomas Mountains Preserve owned by the New York State Department of Conservation (NYSDEC). » Continue Reading.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Mother, Daughter Rescued on Spruce Mountain

by Editorial Staff

1 Comment

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

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Doghiker: Great Hikes With Dogs

by Editorial Staff

5 Comments

Alan Via’s new book Doghiker: Great Hikes With Dogs from the Adirondacks Through the Catskills (Excelsior Editions, 2020) is a comprehensive guidebook for dog owners that includes plenty of great hikes from the Adirondacks through the Catskills.

» Continue Reading.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Viewpoint: Convert Hudson River Rails to Multi-Use Trail

by Peter Bauer

46 Comments

Yes, build the Hudson River bike trail from North Creek to Saratoga Springs. Build it, and they will come. They did not come for the ill-fated commuter trains, snow train, tourist trains or rail service that was going to haul millions of tons of aggregate from the Tahawus Mine in Newcomb. A groundswell of support is emerging for the transition of the dormant 55-mile-long Saratoga and North Creek Railway to the new Hudson River bike trail.

A new public trail from Saratoga Springs to North Creek would connect dozens of small communities such as Corinth, Lake Luzerne, Hadley, Stony Creek, Thurman, Athol, The Glen, Warrensburg, and Riparius among other hamlets and businesses along the rail line. Such a trail would be very popular and heavily used. As we’ve seen with the Warren County Bike Trail between Lake George and Glens Falls, businesses would gravitate to the trail. » Continue Reading.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Viewpoint: Tearing Out Railroads Is Not Progress

by Guest Contributor

66 Comments

I’ve ridden on the rail corridor between Saratoga Springs and North Creek several times over the years, including the last run to North Creek with a dome car. The scenery is beautiful, especially from the high bridge at Hadley. The views along the river are splendid. Those who have never done it by train will never know what they’re missing. I wish I could have ridden it to Tahawus.

Some argue the railroad must go because it can’t pay for itself. The reason for that is that we spent the 20th century building highways at taxpayer expense; we subsidize everything that competes with rail while still expecting it to make money. » Continue Reading.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020