Saddleback T
SurpriSe By SPENCER MORRISSEY
his Saddleback might not be as popular as the one that hundreds climb in the High Peaks Wilderness, but it should be. Its position in the Jay Range located between the High Peaks of New York and Vermont, provides a view of a lifetime. Sure, there may not be a trail to its summit, but its ease of access from the Jay Mountain Road leaves it achievable for so many. This hike up Saddleback was my fourth visit, but since it was Corenne’s first time, it was hard for me not to give away the secret of its offerings. As one of the Adirondacks’ 100-highest peaks it rests at a modest 3,615 feet in elevation (not all that far off the 4,000-foot mark). Saddleback gets its name from the profile it provides from certain locations, which is clearly that of a saddle. It was Election Day, and thankfully for our recreational endeavor the polls opened at 6 a.m. We were the first to be at the door —
no lines and no waiting. Once we finished casting our votes, we were on our way to Jay. The drive took a bit longer than I remembered it, or maybe it was just the gunk in my eyes telling me it was very early. Either way, I couldn’t get there fast enough. As we drove up Jay Mountain Road, the profile of Saddleback drew my eyes fondly to its steep slopes. Arriving atop the hill near the state land boundary we parked in the location almost purposely made for this peak and big enough for two vehicles. I remember this peak having open slopes and in some cases dense new growth brush, but others had given accounts of fighting off dense evergreen growth. We would see whose story tells the tale. From the road, the route had the appearance of a dense balsam thicket with sections of cordwood logs laid out in a fashion close to that of a game of pickup sticks. We jumped in head first and swam through the trees with a breast stroke trying Continued on page 2
PHOTOS BY SPENCER MORRISSEY
e k i B n i a Mount , d i c a l P e k La & n o t g n i Wilm e k a L c a n Sara Corenne Black makes her way through a grassy field toward the top of Saddleback Mountain, where the view extends into the Green Mountains of Vermont.
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Saddleback surprise to find the end to it all. It wasn’t all that far from the roadside that it opened up before us in a mostly hardwood grove. Advancing on we came to the base of a small cliff that we skirted to the left and then climbed even steeper to the shoulder of Frenyea Mountain, just west of the smaller summit knob. The cliffs here are fun to climb. With a narrow cleft in the chin we scrambled up the steep slopes, slipping a couple inches with every step and using the trees as a support group to clamber up. I cannot speak highly enough about the views; they were fantastic, but only a small taste of what was yet to come. With Corenne in the lead, we descended through the now impressively open forest, side-hilling a bit as we made our way to the land bridge between the two peaks. It was a bit soggy in the col, but nothing extraordinary so we wallowed through. The climb then steadied itself to more of consistent grade but still aggressive. We avoided the dense evergreen growth on the top of the ridge but stayed west slightly in the white birch stand. As we passed over a smaller summit of the ridge, we got our first views of the peak. As suspected, Corenne was impressed and surprised that I didn’t tell her about its beauty, but rather saved it for a surprise gift. We shrank within ourselves beneath its mass and continued the pursuit of the summit. The slopes became even more open, and the closer we got to the upper ridge the more open it became before eventually turning into a grassy field. Within the grasses were small shrubs, meadow rue, goldenrod and numerous rocky outcroppings. The views continued to get better and better with every step until we reached the top of the lower knob on the saddle.
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The final push toward to the top of Sadleback Mountain.
The true summit lied only few hundred feet away, but first we had to push ourselves through the dense and strong jointed firs along the ridge. We dropped a bit to gain another view to the east before crossing a small draw and climbing the remaining 30 feet of elevation to the true summit. The small summit was wooded with a small cairn, but we knew heading back down we could stop for lunch atop one of the rock outcroppings for a seat like no other. An extended and relaxing lunch reenergized us for the descent which we knew would be fast. We knew where to go and what to avoid, so it was only a matter of going through the motions. The 1.5-hour climb was reduced to a 1-hour descent back to the car. This was, by far, the best route I have found to date for Saddleback, and the one I will use in the future, hands down. If you are comfortable between the contour lines on lands with no trails and proficient with a GPS or map and compass, I highly recommend this trip. Or if you want to be guided onto this beauty, contact a local guide service; I am sure they would be happy to help.
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PHOTOS BY SPENCER MORRISSEY
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October-November 2017
Mor ia h C ha ll en ge
Take the View from the Belfry Mountain fire tower
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By JUSTIN A. LEVINE
grams. The challenge requires hikers to take on four different Champlain Area Trails hikes around Moriah. There are a few mountains and a scenic pond in the mix, and these hikes are easy and can be done in a day. Unfortunately, because of the location of the hikes, some backtracking while driving is pretty much unavoidable. I decided to start the day off with the longest hike, which I — correctly, as it turned out — anticipated would be the most boring of the hikes. Crowfoot Pond is certainly beautiful, and at just over a 5-mile roundtrip makes for a nice walk in the woods. The trail follows an old woods road which generally parallels Crowfoot Brook, the outlet of the pond. The woods are a nice mix of deep hemlock and open hardwoods, and the trail generally goes up to the pond, but at a very gentle grade. Following yellow state Department of Environmental Conservation trail markers, the trail crosses the brook several times. At each of the big crossings there is a bridge, but a couple of other feeder streams have to be jumped. About halfway up the trail, which is easy to follow, one enters private land, There are posted signs on each side of the trail, but there is apparently an easement that allows hikers through. At 2.6 miles, you will literally reach the trail’s end at the edge of the pond. It might be a nice place for your dog to take a swim, but other than a nice view of the pond there’s not much to see. This might be better enjoyed with a dog or as a trail run. Or just take it for what it is: a leisurely walk in the woods. After getting back to the trailhead, I then headed south to Coot Hill/Big Hollow, which, to be honest, had me hooked just by the name. The trailhead is located 1.4 miles down Lang Road — a dirt road with just a few houses along it. The Chamber of Commerce says that one can park at the end of the road to make this a longer hike, but the truth of the matter is that it’s obvious people in four-wheel drive vehicles drive up to the top of the hill regularly. Another option is to drive down Lang Rd. to the ancient Lang Cemetery, where the most recent headstone I found was for someone who died in 1918. Most of the markers were from the early to mid 1800s though, and it was a treat not often found on hikes. From the cemetery, the trail goes left and follows a wide dirt road. Hikers have to bear right at 0.81 miles, then hang a left after walking up the steep rocks. The road continues right out to the point of Coot Hill, and the views are stunning. Someone had set up a big American flag at the top, and no joke, just as I walked out of the woods a bald eagle flew by. This is a popular spot to watch raptors, and the sheer drop of hundreds of feet into the Big Hollow is also amazing. Looking out from Coot Hill, Lake Champlain and Green Mountains of Vermont stretch out in front, while seemingly at your feet the farms of the Champlain Valley seem to roll on forever. While the trail itself, which is really just a series of roads with Champlain Area Trails marking the way, is nothing special but the views, including all the man-made and natural features that just fall away in front of you. From there, it was a relatively short drive to Cheney Mountain. Cheney Mountain is another gem that is really an easy hike to
October-November 2017
No. 7 mine, as seen from the Cheney Mountain Trail
some interesting views. You start off walking through a field, which appears to be a covered landfill, but soon reach the edge of the woods and a trail register. Wooden stakes with CATS signs mark the way through the field. At the 0.55-mile mark, hikers can take a left and go just a short distance to see a glimpse of the northern end of Lake Champlain, or continue to the right for the other two lookouts. Just shy of a mile (0.88 miles), the trail again splits and off to the right there is a nice bench and views of the historic No. 7 iron ore mine and the High Peaks. If you walk down the open slope from the bench, off to the left there are glimpses of Lake Champlain and the Champlain Valley. From the second junction, hikers can also go straight to Champlain Bridge overlook at 1.13 miles. The arched bridge which connects New York and Vermont can be seen through the foliage, making for a nice framed view of the lake and both states. I decided to save what I thought would be the best hike of the day for last. Belfry Mountain is almost too short to be considered a hike, as it follows a well-maintained gravel road for less than a half mile to the top. But man, what a cap to the day Belfry offers. It took me 13 minutes to get to the top, and that included time stopped to take photos and write notes. The mountain is still in use as a communications hub, and there are several buildings and towers near the summit. But at the top of the mountain stands a rare Adirondack gem: a fire tower that hikers can still climb. The Belfry tower stretches into the sky, and even the cabin at the top of the tower is still open. The views from the summit are limited by small trees, but just going up a
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PHOTOS BY JUSTIN A. LEVINE
he Moriah Chamber of Commerce began a new hiking challenge this summer, along the same lines as the 46er and Saranac Lake 6er pro-
Moriah Challenge Belfry Mountain Trail The trail is an easy, quick hike that rewards hikers with views of the high peaks of the adirondacks, the Green Mountains of Vermont, plus the champlain Valley, then belfry Mountain. The trail also features a fire tower. belfry Mountain Trail is a short 0.35 mile hike along a gravel road with spectacular views.
Big Hollow/Coot Hill Trail Hikers can walk along an unmaintained portion of lang road or drive the rough road to an old cemetery. From the cemetery, the hike is about a quarter-mile to an amazing overlook. This 0.5-mile round trip will rewards hikers with stunning views of big Hollow and a panoramic vista of the champlain Valley.
Cheney Mountain Trail
couple of flights on the tower offers a much better look at the surrounding area. Once in the cabin of the tower, the world stretches out before you. The unmistakable shape of Camel’s Hump in Vermont is seen over the north end of Lake Champlain. To the east, the High Peaks are easily visible. A red water tower is to the north, while the sharp white steeple of an old church can be seen to the northeast. The flat lands are broken up into square fields of various greens and browns, while a couple of little old-timey New England towns hold tight to the hillsides. Honestly, starting off the day with a whimper was a good decision, as each hike after that offered more than the last.
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The trail is located on property owned by the town of Moriah. Views from lookouts along side trails near the 1347 foot summit include the Green Mountains of Vermont to the east and some of the adirondack High peaks to the west. The total round trip of this hike is 2 miles.
Crowfoot Pond Trail The 6-mile trail is relatively flat with only a slight gain in elevation. This old forest road turned foot trail starts to climb through an evergreen forest as it passes over the low shoulder of Stiles Hill on the left. The trail reaches the pond and passes beyond it. The trail eventually ends at private property on the north shore of crowfoot pond, marking the point for the return hike. — Information provided by Moriah Chamber of Commerce
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SKIP BAKER REMEMBERED FONDLY By ANTONIO OLIVERO
kip Baker assured David Gomlak and Terri Maxymillian that he could give “the nickel tour.” After all, Skip had heard Gomlak’s customary dialogue delivered dozens of times while seated in his token spot at the couple’s Route 73 hostel, TMax-n-Topo’s. While Gomlak would recite the hostel rundown to each new guest, Skip would listen in from a rear corner table of the common area. “But I’d tell him, ‘You can’t do better than a four-and-a-half cent tour,’” Gomlak recalled with a smile. That fun-loving friendship with the hostel owners over the last four years is the same kind he fostered with many different people he met on his life’s journey, which ended this summer in his beloved Adirondack mountains. From that corner vantage point in the hostel, Skip would set up his laptop before and after his excursions into the High Peaks and hang out, perhaps piecing together a topographic puzzle to pass the time. From this position, he was ready to embrace anything and everyone that walked into the communal confines of this High Peaks-themed hostel, popular among visiting hikers whose eyes are wide to the idea of becoming an Adirondack 46er. Skip wanted to be a 46er, too, despite his newfound role later in life as granddad to his beloved Bella. Prior to that, he had been a 26-year veteran and loadmaster for the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, the “workhorse of the military.” “My dad had post-traumatic stress disorder, and he struggled with it for a few years prior to finding the mountains,” said Justin Baker, Skip’s son and Bella’s father. “It gave him somewhere he could go,” Justin added. “A lot of times he was by himself anyway, so it gave him something he could do.” But Skip wasn’t a loner. Hiking the High Peaks and encountering new characters along the way empowered him over the final four years of his life before he died during a hiking trip July 30. He was found a few days later in a ravine on the East Branch of the AuSable River. A county coroner attributed his death to an accidental drowning likely caused by disorientation due to a medical event. He was 50 years old. The news of Skip’s death saddened the Adirondack hiking community. In the aftermath, more than $6,000 was raised to help his family pay for his final arrangements. Despite the grief, Gomlak, Maxymillian and the Baker family reflect on Skip’s life as one where a man they loved weathered tough times to find personal redemption and purpose in unexpected places. For Skip, that unexpected place was the Adirondacks. And more specifically, when he wasn’t on the mountain trails, that place was Gomlak and Maxymillian’s hostel. Like many father-and-son situations, Justin said he and his father went through some trying times. But, he reflects, that’s just the nature of being born into a military family where Dad often was not at home. Things weren’t easy for Skip as he aged, his son and friends said, but he found the first new rush of wind for his life’s sail in 2012, thanks to the EquiCenter in Honeoye Falls. It’s a therapeutic facility near his home in Webster that operated “Heroes for Horses,” a program that uses a variety of
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY JUSTIN BAKER
piqued by the equine-related stories she therapies to shared of these help war veteradventurous ans and their weekend vacafamilies. tions, Skip When Skip eventually defirst showed up cided he, too, to the ranch in wanted to hike November the state’s 2012, Sarah highest point, Czapranski was Mount Marcy. just an intern Before they working at the went, Czaprancenter through ski remembers the Americorps Skip joking Vista program. with her that She soon nohe’d hike in his ticed Skip cowboy boots. quickly became And once they PHOTO BY ANTONIO OLIVERO a fixture reached the David Gomlak adds a piece to a puzzle that he and others around the summit, she rebarns, eager to are completing, one started by his late friend Skip Baker. members him learn anything demanding a about the horses and facilities. picture with the both of them proudly show“He really wanted to give back,” Czapran- casing their EquiCenter logos. ski said. Before they set off for Marcy, Skip was For Skip, the opportunity provided a suddead-set on backpacking and camping in the den surge of meaning to his life, decades backcountry. Unable to get the proper equipafter he was fascinated as a child with these ment cobbled together, he relented to Czagraceful creatures. pranski’s desires to stay at TMax-n-Topo’s “At one point my dad didn’t have that Hostel — the place owned by two strangers much direction,” Justin said. “And well bewho would eventually become some of his fore he ever got to that point in his life, he best friends. had told me that one of his dreams was to “It was a chance thing,” Czapranski said. have a horse ranch when he retired. “If we had gone backpacking, I don’t think “It just stuck with him forever.” we would have met David and Terri.” So at the ranch, Skip went above and beOver four years, Baker returned in his yond the duties asked of him, making projrusted, powder-blue Ford truck time and ects his own while also growing close to his again to the Adirondacks and his buddies’ favorite horse to ride, one he named Harley. “He’d say they were both Irish,” Czapran- hostel. Their friendship grew to the point where Skip would help Gomlak with the ski recalled with a laugh. “You know, if he hostel’s chores and stay out back in the couhad to clean one pasture, he would clean ple’s camper, sometimes for no charge. This them all.” As their friendship grew, Czapranski, who sense of purpose and place for Skip was one was in her mid-20s at the time, began telling of the reasons he became one of the hostel’s most loyal dwellers and most interesting Skip about her trips to the Adirondacks to characters. Skip was, in a way, a fly on the hike the 46 highest mountains. His interest
dec lOOkS TO HuNTerS TO Help GaTHer iNFOrMaTiON By JUSTIN A. LEVINE
he state Department of Environmental Conservation is asking hunters to gather information they see on a variety of game species. The DEC is calling for bow hunters to participate in its annual Bow Hunter Sighting Log, which has been ongoing in certain areas for more than 20 years and statewide since 1998. Using the data that hunters turn in, the DEC has been able to keep track of various wildlife populations over the years. The data helps determine population levels in each of the various Wildlife Management Units. Last year, almost 4,000 bow hunters participated, logging about 186,000 hours in the field. During that time, the hunters reported seeing more than 120,000 deer, almost 48,000 turkeys and thousands of ruffed grouse, coyote, fox and raccoons.
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Skip Baker
wall to many a spry and talkative young hiker, some half his age, like Czapranski. He and whomever he met on a particular day would delve into conversations about politics, belief systems and, of course, hiking and horses. “No falseness. No bravado. No veneer — you just immediately touched a real person when you interacted with him,” Maxymillian said. “He was just,” she continued, “there. You didn’t have to work through whatever to get to a depth in the relationship with him. It was more a feeling.” During Skip’s final evening seated in his spot, on July 29, he took to working on a puzzle that was left behind by another hostel-goer. It was of a topographic map of the Saranac Lake region. He was eager to complete it and spent the better portion of a dayand-a-half filling in its frame. Like hiking and his time with horses, piecing together a puzzle was cathartic for Skip. It was a hobby he and his mother Diane had shared. A little over a month after he added his final piece to the puzzle, Diane sat in that same spot, adding her first piece to that same puzzle. She was there with her granddaughter-in-law Christie. At the same time, Christie’s husband, Justin, disembarked with Gomlak for the 4,185-foot summit of Upper Wolfjaw Mountain — the last of 26 High Peaks it’s believed his father reached. With him, Justin brought the brand-new Leki trekking poles his father used for the first time on his July 30 hike of Gothics, Armstrong and Upper Wolfjaw mountains. Despite his aversion to the socked-in cloudy and wet conditions of that September Tuesday, Justin said he had his own purpose to attain: “to get to the top of the the mountain I thought my father completed on his last journey.” Justin brought with him to the summit a vial of his father’s ashes. In the future, he plans to also bring it to the rest of the 46 peaks he plans to hike so both he and his father can become 46ers together. Gomlak and Maxymillian also have a vial they will carry with them, as they would like to organize some kind of annual hike memorializing their friend, one that will raise money for the EquiCenter. Skip shared story after story with them about what the center meant to him, but they saw it for themselves last year, when he invited them as his guests to an EquiCenter gala. They also saw it at Skip’s funeral, when EquiCenter brought Harley to say his final goodbye. Justin says his next hike will likely be of Gothics and Armstrong, the two neighboring peaks it’s believed his father summited on his final day alive before reaching Upper Wolfjaw. It’s a beautiful, wild and humbling stretch of the Great Range, a place Gomlak told Skip about time and time again, as it’s Gomlak’s favorite High Peak. “And Skip would be like, ‘Yep, it’s gonna be a good day when I climb that mountain.’” That day was his final day. It was filled with bluebird skies and little wind. Despite its tragic event, Gomlak, Maxymillian, Czapranski and the Baker family are glad their friend and family member reached such heights after a taxing life’s journey. “He was kind and gracious, and the world will be a little cloudier without him,” Gomlak said. “I am grateful that he knew the view from the top of Gothics before he left us.”
Those who use a vertical bow or crossbow to hunt can participate in the bow hunter sighting log survey by emailing name, address, back tag number and hunting county. Bow hunters aren’t the only ones who can help determine the amount of wildlife that is present in the Adirondacks. Due to the aging of Adirondack forests, woodcock and grouse populations have been declining. These game bird species prefer younger forests with more cover, and the DEC has found that the number of grouse and woodcocks has been going down steadily since the 1960s. Last year, 239 hunters reported their sightings from more than 2,000 hunting trips. The trip reports provide more information than just the fact that someone saw a grouse at a particular spot. Much like spots analytics, the DEC has taken the information provided by these hunter-scientists and turned
it into statistics that give a much deeper look into how the hunting season goes for the average hunter. According to the DEC, in the 2016-2017 hunting season, it took the average grouse hunter just shy of an hour and a half to flush a single bird. Hunters typically took nine hunting trips averaging three hours each to flush a total of 18 grouse during the season. Despite the time dedicated to hunting ruffed grouse, the average hunter only successfully shot one grouse last year and had to spend about 20 hours in the field to get that bird. DEC determined that hunters had less than a seven percent success rate, killing just one out of every 15 birds flushed. Hunters in the North Country were a little better off than average, although northern New York only accounted for 22 percent of hunting statewide. DEC, based on the hunter logs, determined that the Champlain
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Valley eco-zone had the highest flush rate for grouse, producing 0.96 grouse per hour hunted. The second highest flush rate in the state was the Adirondacks and Tug Hill Plateau region, with hunter flushing 0.91 grouse per hour. For woodcock, 213 hunters took a total of more than 1,400 trips. Although fewer people hunted woodcock last year, they had far better success than their fellow grouse hunters (although, presumably many of these hunters are going for both grouse and woodcock). Woodcock hunters managed to have a 20 percent success rate while hunting, and had to put in fewer hours to flush the small, long-beaked bird out of hiding. On average, woodcock hunters made seven hunting trips, and had to invest just about 10 hours to bag one bird. This is about half the amount of time put into getting a grouse.
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Most woodcock were flushed during the last week of October last year, which is on par with previous years’ data, although there were two outlier years where the highest flush rate occurred the second-to-last week of October. One similarity between hunting the different species is that most hunters use dogs to flush the birds. When hunting grouse, the hunters who used dogs flushed 0.95 birds per hour while non-dog users flushed just over 0.5 grouse each hour. Dog-using woodcock hunters fared far better than their non-canine counterparts, flushing 0.84 birds per hour, while non-dog hunters flushed a measly 0.09 woodcock per hour. The forms to participate in the ruffed grouse and woodcock hunter survey can be printed from the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9351.ht ml.
October-November 2017
PHOTO — SAM PERKINS
A young male moose chews on leaves in the Dix Mountain Wilderness Area in August.
MOOSE A
ENCOUNTER
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growing trend of declining moose populaBy JUSTIN A. LEVINE tions. In fact, the estimate provided by the Lake Placid native had a once-in-aDEC for this article was lower than previous lifetime encounter with a moose in estimates the agency has provided. the Adirondacks this summer, but New Hampshire’s moose population has research suggests the moose popudropped nearly 50 percent in the last 15 lation may be on the decline. Sam Perkins was bushwhacking in the Dix years, from about 7,000 to only 4,000. In 2015, New Hampshire’s moose hunting lotMountain area, walking up a semi-dry tery only had 71 permits awarded as opstreambed when he looked up to the surprise posed to 675 in 2007. Minnesota ended its of a lifetime. moose hunt entirely, and Vermont, Maine “I was in a drainage and the woods were and Wisconsin have also cut back on moose really thick and scratchy,” Perkins said. “I tags. came upon some moose scat … and it still The main factor in these other states is not had a shine to it. hunting but rather deaths from diseases, in“I came upon some more tracks, some fections and most significantly ticks. more scat. It was getting pretty steep, I defiWinter ticks have nitely had to watch my footwreaked havoc on moose ing. I hadn’t seen tracks in populations but don’t seem quite some time and figured to have hit New York moose he probably got out, climbed as hard as those in other up one of the banks. states. But that doesn’t mean “I wasn’t looking for moose moose here are out of the by any means, (but) there was woods. this one kind of rock section Two graduate students at and I started up the rock and I Cornell found that moose heard this nasally sound, and I here may also be suffering looked up and there he was, the effects of a parasite that like literally five feet in front is spread by snails, slugs and of me.” other gastropods. The rePerkins, who grew up in search was presented at the Lake Placid and now lives in Sam Perkins Ecological Society of AmerPlattsburgh, backed off from ica meeting in early August. the moose and made sure to This research, conducted keep a tree or boulder in beby Jailene Hidalgo and Cartween him and the male los Fernandez, found that moose could get moose as he pulled out his camera. parasitic deer brain worm if they ingest slugs The video he posted of the moose garand snails that host the parasite. Deer also nered more than 100,000 views on Facehost the parasite but are unaffected by it. book, and Perkins said the moose didn’t The students found that higher soil moisseem bothered by his presence at all. ture led to higher densities of the gastropods “He did not care at all that I was there,” and pointed to the fact that moose often feed Perkins said. “I watched him for about 10 in wetter areas as one reason they could be minutes eating, which was just amazing. suffering greater rates of infection. And then after that 10 minutes he turned The Wildlife Health Lab at Cornell’s Colaround and started walking up the drainage. lege of Veterinary Medicine conducted 22 “And he stopped and he laid down. And necropsies on dead moose last year and he stayed there for about five minutes and found that parasites are a major threat to the slowly walked away. It’s unbelievable how New York moose population. effortlessly he walked up that drainage … DEC spokesman David Winchell wrote in and he went up the bank to the right and he an email that the state is actively trying to was gone.” garner an accurate count of the animals. Perkins said he was stunned by the en“The goal of the Adirondack moose study counter and had to sit down to process what is to gather data that will be used to create a had happened. moose management plan for New York “It didn’t seem real. Like, ‘Did that just happen?’” he said. “It was amazing. Luckily, state,” Winchell wrote. “As part of the study, 12 moose were captured in the Adirondacks he was completely OK with me there. The in January 2015 and another nine moose plan was never to be that close to a moose.” were captured in January 2016, fitted with GPS radio collars, and released. The moveResearch ment of the moose are being remotely While Perkins’ photo and videos provided tracked, and these animals will be monitored plenty of wonder, recent research suggests for calf production and survival. During the that moose populations in the Adirondacks winter, researchers used helicopters to fly may be on the decline. transects across the Adirondacks to survey The state Department of Environmental for moose. Conservation estimates the moose popula“Beginning in the summer of 2016, retion at between 500 and 800 across the searchers will use trained detection dogs to state. The DEC is currently partnering with locate and collect moose scat, which can be several other agencies and non-governmental used to generate a population estimate as organizations to study the moose population well as provide data about moose diet and using aerial surveys, remote tracking and health. Also beginning in 2016, researchers hunter questionaires. will start to explore how suitable the AdironA recent study conducted by Cornell Unidack habitat is for moose by looking at the versity researchers and published in the Jour- quantity and quality of food sources.” nal of Wildlife Medicine, which looked at Winchell added that, due to the high cost several years of the hunter surveys, found of the aerial surveys and moose collaring, the moose population may be declining. This the study was unlikely to spread to areas outis not definitive as the surveys — provided side of the northern Adirondacks, noting that by citizen scientists — may provide inaccuDEC would rely on other survey methods. rate information, but it would fit in with a
‘It was amazing. Luckily, he was completely OK with me there. The plan was never to be that close to a moose.’
October-November 2017
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LOON LAKE MOUNTAIN THROUGH THE YEARS Loon Lake Mountain ACTIVITY: Hiking, skiing, snowshoeing DISTANCE: 6.04 miles round trip ELEVATION: 3,279 feet DIFFICULTY: Moderate, due to steady climb and distance DIRECTIONS: From state route 3, turn onto Franklin county road 26 (loon lake road) and go 7.6 miles to the trailhead parking area on the left.
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The trail to the fire tower on Loon Lake Mountain (top) includes a view of the fire tower on nearby Lyon Mountain and this item (below left) with the words “A.I. Vosburgh Loon Lake N.Y. Loon Lake Mt Sta.”
generally open hard woods that, during the height of fall, make the woods and forest floor appear to shine with colors. The trail basically goes uphill the whole way, from start to finish. There are some steeper sections near the end, but for the most part the uphill grade is pretty gentle. After a while, hikers will start to notice the old telephone poles along the trail, remnants of when the fire tower was still in use. Even though the trail climbs steadily, it’s not a bad hike. The final steep push is short, and once atop it, the trail follows the flat ridge of the mountain to the site of the tower. The fire tower is no longer in use, but was installed a century ago in 1917. According to the DEC, the tower is a 35-foot Aeromotor tower that was rebuilt after hurricane-force winds damaged it in 1928. The bottom steps of the tower have been removed and are now padlocked to the base of the tower to prevent anyone from climbing it. One look at the desiccated wood that makes up the steps and floor of the cabin should be enough to convince any reason-
able person that it’s not a safe structure to climb. But laying on the ground at the base of the tower is a unique piece of metal. It’s obviously part of the tower structure, but unlike the rest of the metal cross pieces, this one contains painted stencils on it that read “A.I. Vosburgh Loon Lake N.Y. Loon Lake Mt Sta.” According to Laurie Rankin, New York State director of the Forest Fire Lookout Association, the stenciling was the shipping address for the tower, and several other towers around the state also sport similar shipping information. A. I. Vosburgh was a North Country and Tri-Lakes area stalwart. Born in 1870 in Franklin Falls, Vosburgh had a larger impact on the local area than most would know. Vosburgh was a stage coach driver and owned a general store in Lake Clear, but he also owned and was publisher of the Adirondack Enterprise (1898—1906), the Lake Placid Mountain Mirror and the Tupper Lake Herald. Having moved to Saranac Lake in 1876, Vosburgh graduated from Harrietstown schools before attending Eastman’s business
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school, according to an obituary from the AuSable Forks RecordPost. In the late 1890s, Vosburgh opened his store and was also elected to numerous local positions. He was the Harrietstown Supervisor for years and oversaw the construction of both the town hall and the first concrete roadway from Saranac Lake to Lake Clear. Then, in the early 1900s, Vosburgh was hired by the state of New York to be a game protector, a job he held for 11 years, including six years as district warden. This is likely when the tower was shipped to him at the Loon Lake train station. According to Franklin County, NY Biographies, Vosburgh was hired by the Fish and Game Commission in 1908 and worked as a patrolman for three years. In 1911, he was promoted to “confidential agent for the New York Fish and Game Department.” And then from 1913 to 1919, he served as the district forest ranger. It’s hard to imagine a man who had a larger impact on the TriLakes area, but Vosburgh tends to be a forgotten figure. Once you’re at the top of Loon
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PHOTOS BY JUSTIN A. LEVINE
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By JUSTIN A. LEVINE
ust four years ago, the state Department of Environmental Conservation opened a new trail up Loon Lake Mountain, which had been off limits to the public for years, except for those willing to bushwhack the entire way up the mountain on unimproved state land. However, after striking a deal with the Lyme Timber Company, the DEC established an easement across private land that allows the public to climb to the base of a fire tower originally installed 100 years ago. The trail starts out from the parking area and goes just a few hundred feet through the woods to a well-built dirt road. Since this land belongs to a timber company, keep an eye out for vehicles and be sure not to litter. The public is only allowed through their good will, so let’s all work to keep it that way. Once on the road, you can catch a glimpse of Loon Lake Mountain and the fire tower to your left, and after taking the road through a small wetland, the trail hangs a left and re-enters the woods. You’ll only go about a quarter of a mile through this particular stand of woods, but it’s a nice, rolling walk. There are no shortage of raspberry bushes, so if your hike is timed right, a snack might be waiting for you. There was also no shortage of bear scat in this area, so be sure to make a bunch of noise as you move through the shoulder-height undergrowth. At this point, hikers will hit another road. This is not the same as the first, and on your way down from the top, be sure to keep a keen eye for this turn. The second road is bigger than the first, and the company clearly still uses it regularly. Settle in for a bit of a walk, as you will follow this road for just shy of a mile (0.8) before turning left back into the woods (again). Once you make this final turn into the woods, the trail gradually gets more narrow, but is easy to follow. Due to the lack of sizable trees along the road sections, the yellow DEC trail markers are few and far between. But the turns are all marked with trail markers and DEC arrow signs pointing the way. This last section of trail, which goes 1.68 miles to the summit, is very pleasant to hike along. There are bridges for the bigger stream crossings and bog bridges, or planks, along the muddy sections. Although young, the forest here is
Lake Mountain, the northern and eastern Adirondacks stretch out for miles. Lyon Mountain, Whiteface and Esther mountains, and the High Peaks can all be seen from the partially-treed summit. It’s a nice, relaxing place to sit and have a snack, as well as ponder what came before us.
October-November 2017
Autumn images Photos by Morgan Ryan
Jay Range descent
Lows Lake Dam
Snow Mountain
October-November 2017
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Backcountry safety
PREPARE IN ADVANCE FOR SAFE TRAVEL T
By JUSTIN A. LEVINE
he summer season ended with a spate of high profile searches for missing hikers in the Adirondacks, most of which have ended with positive outcomes. And while the state Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers are often quick to rescue those who get injured, once a person is lost there is almost always a common thread: those hikers are unprepared. Richard Guinan, a hiker who was missing for two days near St. Regis Mountain in Paul Smiths, managed to survive his ordeal. Rangers later stated he was unprepared. In another incident a week later, the body of Alex Stevens was found after he was missing for two weeks in mid-September. The last people to see Stevens said he had shorts and sandals on, hardly appropriate attire for fall weather in the Adirondacks. But what does it mean to “be prepared?”
Essentials
Once you’ve decided where to go and let someone who will follow up know, it’s time to pack your bag. Make no mistake, there are essentially no hikes in the Adirondacks that don’t require you to bring some supplies in case of emergency. And the longer the hike, the more you should be prepared. First and foremost, water and food are needed, and it’s better to bring extra than to run out. For water, pack what you think you need and then add some more. Same goes for food: Make sure to bring enough to eat and then think about what you’d need to get through an unplanned night in the woods. A couple of extra granola bars could provide much-needed calories in the event you get stranded. Next up is a map and compass, and no, your phone does not count. In fact, consider it dead weight because if the screen cracks or the battery dies or it gets wet, that’s exactly what it is. Guinan was relying on his phone and was lucky enough to get a call out to his wife before the battery died, but in all other ways, his phone was useless. The nice thing about carrying a paper map and decent compass is that there are no batteries to die. But more important than having these items with you is a basic understanding of how to use them. Can you orient your map to north? Do you know how to set the declination on the compass? If not, take a class, look it up online or ask a more experienced hiker. Most importantly, don’t wait until you’re lost to try and figure this stuff out. Any time you go into the woods, you should also have a first-aid kit with you. This doesn’t have to be anything serious or heavy. There’s no need to carry a defibrillator into the woods, but some band aids and gauze can relieve most of the common ailments hikers will endure, and mole skin or
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PHOTO BY JUSTIN A. LEVINE
Itinerary
The first thing one should do when planning a hiking or backcountry trip should be obvious: Figure out where you want to go. Once that’s done, make an itinerary, and — just as important — stick to it. There are many forms (like the one printed on this page) floating around the internet and Facebook which have fill-in-theblank lines that provide a solid way to let others know where you’re planning on going. But that information is useless if it’s sitting on your kitchen counter or if you leave it with an unreliable friend. An itinerary can be elaborate or basic, but the necessary information includes where you’re going, when you’ll be back and who you are with. It’s helpful to include more information such as make/model/color of your car and what you’ll be wearing, and the particular trailhead you’ll be leaving from if there’s more than one option. The itinerary should be given to someone you trust, not the bartender you just met last night. And the person doesn’t even have to be close by, just so long as they’re reliable enough to pay attention to when you’re supposed to return. Something as simple as a text message to a relative can be sufficient, but make sure the person you’re trusting knows to call 911 or DEC dispatch if you don’t return on time. As a related note, the itinerary you plan may or may not work out. The key is to not change it too much. For instance, if you plan to hike Cascade and Porter mountains, let your contact person know that you might only do one of those peaks depending on the amount of time you have. Just don’t decide to go do Mount Marcy if your itinerary says Cascade and Porter.
duct tape can help with blisters. In addition to the first-aid kit, be sure to bring some sunglasses and sunscreen in case you’re left exposed to the elements. Sunscreen may not be necessary in the winter, but snow blindness can be debilitating to a serious extent. Especially in winter, when the sun comes up much later, it can be easy to forget sunglasses or goggles so throw them in your pack before leaving the house. The weather this fall has been unseasonably warm, and that may lead to some pacification in terms of bringing extra clothing with you, but even when the sun is shining and the days are warm, night time temperatures can plummet. And if you sweat a lot or get wet in any way, then an extra set of clothes can save your life. A fleece sweater weighs basically nothing, but can keep you warm and provide some much-needed comfort if you get lost, and with the impending onset of winter, a wool hat and extra socks are also recommended. Some experts recommend bringing tools and a repair kit with you, but for a day hike a knife or multi-tool is likely all you’ll need. Combined with duct tape, a multi-tool can fix a blown-out boot or backpack strap and keep you moving along. For longer trips, consider bringing a tent patch kit or something similar. It’s also important to bring some sort of shelter with you. Whether it’s a space blanket, tarp, bivy sack or tent, be sure to put something into your pack that will keep you out of the wind and weather. Just remember that a space blanket, while cheap and light, won’t really do a whole lot for you unless you have other forms of insulation, such as a blanket or sleeping bag. The last two items that are necessary for any backcountry excursion deal with light and heat. A headlamp is always needed, even in summer when the days are long. I once had to hike down Noonmark Mountain in the dark, using just a Bic lighter to show the way. It was not fun. Headlamps and flashlights don’t need to be expensive, but they do need working batteries. An old trick is to make sure all of your electronics (headlamp, GPS) use the same battery type so you don’t have to make that distinction. And with the expansion of LED lights, even a small, single battery headlamp can provide plenty of illumination. Last but not least, is to be sure and include a fire starting kit in your pack. Fires are not allowed in the Eastern High Peaks, but if it’s going to save your life, then risk the ticket. A fire starting kit shouldn’t just be a lighter thrown into your bag, nor should it be two sticks that you plan to rub together. Your kit should include a couple of ways
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to create a spark, including a butane lighter, storm matches and/or a flint and steel. There should also be some tinder such as dryer lint, birch bark or roofing tar paper. The latter two are water-resistant, and dryer lint can be mixed with some petrolium jelly to make it easier to start. The key to being prepared is not to just
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wing it. Plan ahead and stick to your plan. If you plan for the worst, then anything less will be a treat. Embark writer Justin Levine is also the coordinator of Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks, a volunteer SAR team based in Saranac Lake.
October-November 2017
Recommended reading
AUTHOR GOES DEEP TO GATHER IMAGES
C
By JUSTIN A. LEVINE
High Peaks AUTHOR: david crews PAGES: 44 COPYRIGHT: 2015
MOuNTaiN
A
reFlecTiONS By JUSTIN A. LEVINE
book of poetry by a nature-inspired poet will help transport you to the Adirondack High Peaks, even if you’re feet or the weather can’t get you there in person. David Crews, an author and teacher from New Jersey is out with his second book of nature-inspired poetry, and this effort, called simply “High Peaks,” focuses on the mountains of northern New York. Each poem in the small volume is based on a hike the author did. From “Gothics via Orebed Brook” to “Allen, aka The Loneliest Mtn.,” Crews offers his take on what makes the Adirondacks special. Crews’ verse brings forth images in the mind that many will relate to, while at the same time presenting insights on certain trails and High Peaks that only those who have climbed them will understand. “It’s a trudge for miles through / nowhere and a serious climb once / at the base near Allen Brook. / The red slime’s for real — couldn’t / imagine climbing in rain — you’d slip / right off the damn mountain,” Crews writes in his ode to Allen Mountain, often seen as the longest slog in the quest to climb the 46 High Peaks. On the other hand, one doesn’t need to be an Adirondacker or even an avid hiker in the High Peaks to find something relatable in Crews’ book. Any hiker who’s been on a trek that seems to wear on will crack a smile at his “Trail Confessions” poem: “It’s not until you see the next false / peak that you realize there’s a next / false peak … and I’ll / take it slow since no one’s watching.” The poem which closes out the book, called “High Peaks,” shows just what Crews himself takes from the mountains, and reflects a time that every hiker has had while looking out at the vast wilderness of the Adirondacks. “There’s a music to this place, and I want to listen / more. I want to hear the songbirds hiding in the / balsam fir, the broadwings cry … / to find me again look under your bootsoles. / There’s a music even in the mud. Listen for it.” Crews’ poetry is highly accessible, and unlike many poets who cloak their words in layers of meaning just for the sake of it, his brand of poetry is readable and inspiring, thoughtful and humorous. This is a book for poetry lovers, mountain lovers and, perhaps most importantly, lovers of the Adirondacks.
ranberry Lake-based author, guide and photographer Spencer Morrissey came out with a new book, his fifth, but most likely not his last. In a departure from his usual format, Morrissey recently released “Bushwhacking Your Way to Great Landscape Photography.” The book, which is printed in stunning full color, gives the reader not just tips on earning wonderful photos, but provides more than enough examples of Morrissey’s photography to prove he knows what he’s talking about. Morrissey is a lifelong Adirondacker, having been raised in Long Lake and now residing in Cranberry Lake. He is more than an avid hiker, though. Morrissey recently made it to the top of his 1,000th named mountain in the Adirondacks while working toward the goal of climbing all the named mountains and hills that reside within the Blue Line. Most of those mountains lack a trail, so the reader can take Morrissey’s word that he knows how to successfully bushwhack — that act of hiking to a place that has no trail and no guidance on how to
October-November 2017
Morrissey shows that getting off the beaten path will often offer greater rewards. get there. Bushwhacking is less a how-to guide and more of a how-I-did-it guide, with Morrissey showing the readers his photos and explaining how he captured them. There is some technical information presented, such as which camera he used along with shutter speed and tidbits like that. But Morrissey, who has written a handful of guidebooks, tells a short story to go with each photo that will give would-be photographers at least the inspiration to try something new, like getting off the beaten path. As a practical matter, Morrissey, a contributing writer to Embark magazine which is published by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise and Lake Placid News, often will hike along an existing trail before
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breaking off to do a bushwhack. One of the most stunning shots in the book is called “Dynamite” and was snapped along the trail on the way to a mountain. Morrissey explains that he did some post-production work on the shot, making the sky and rippling clouds black and white, which allows the sloping hillside filled with fall color to pop even more. The reflection of the colorful trees in the lake draws the viewer in, and it’s a photo the author is especially proud of. But most of the shots in the book were earned with hard work and dedication. As any landscape photographer knows, anyone can follow a trail and snap a picture that has been captured before. But Morrissey shows that getting off the beaten path will often offer greater rewards. “I arose at 5 a.m. with it still dark and the house cracking from the bitter cold,” he writes of his winter shot of Rainbow Falls. The shot shows billowing mist back-lit by the still rising sun just peaking through some dense foliage. The rounded ice stuck to the jagged rocks presents a rough and tumble landscape that is surprisingly soft looking. “Cold such as this you can’t get
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Bushwhacking Your Way to Great Landscape Photography AUTHOR: Spencer Morrissey PAGES: 125 COPYRIGHT: 2017
used to, you just have to tolerate it as long as you can, and learn of course to take pictures with heavy gloves on,” he says of the shot, which he took in minus-20 degree weather. “No tripod here, just the steady shoulder of a hiking companion.”
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Can’t miss hikes in the Long Lake region
Goodnow Mountain
ACTIVITY: Hiking DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate DISTANCE: 3.8 miles, roundtrip PERKS: One of the many fire tower peak in the region that offers not only the historical aspect of the mountain but also sweeping 360-degree views, including a close look at the High peaks. also, Goodnow’s ease of terrain offers a wonderful outing for the entire family. Take your time to enjoy this one. OBSTACLES: None really come to mind right away, but always remember to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and be prepared with working navigational equipment. QUOTE: “Goodnow Mountain is one not to be missed by anyone who is in the area. reached in just under two miles of generally easy going, the summit has a restored fire tower and a sweeping view that includes 23 of the High peaks.” — www.lakeplacid.com DIRECTIONS: Follow state route 28N out of long lake toward Newcomb. continue for 11.4-miles from long lake to the trailhead on the right. This is 1.5 miles west of the adirondack interpretive center in Newcomb.
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By SPENCER MORRISSEY Sunset on Goodnow Mountain
Mud Pond Mountain
Northville-Placid Trail
Owls Head Mountain
ACTIVITY: Hiking DIFFICULTY: easy DISTANCE: 5.0 miles, roundtrip PERKS: This is an excellent hike for the entire family that has an outstanding payoff at the end with expansive views from the completely open summit. The ease of this approach is also a perk, as it follows an old forest road, allowing for an approach using a mountain bike if one prefers. OBSTACLES: The old boy Scout trail can be a bit tough to find, but once you are on it, it’s pretty easy to follow. QUOTE: “The road approach is very easy and you will pass by two canoe carry trails to Mud pond and one to Mcrorie lake. The views toward the High peaks and over Mcroarie lake are some of the finest in the region.” — adirondackexperience.com DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of state route 30 and kickerville road in long lake, follow kickerville road to the end at the old stone gate house. continue past the gate house on the dirt road just to the right of the building and continue for just under a mile to the parking on the left.
ACTIVITY: Hiking DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate, depending on distance DISTANCE: as much or as little as you desire PERKS: The NpT runs through long lake (the town, not the water) allowing you to go in either direction but the most scenic is north along long lake (the lake itself ). Heading in this direction, you will quickly come to the shore of long lake where you can get sweeping views, have a picnic, camp, relax, go for swim, it’s pretty much endless. OBSTACLES: in the long lake section of the trail, there aren’t too many obstacles. The entire trail runs from the town of Northville all the way to lake placid and takes multiple days to complete. QUOTE: “This section takes you through a mixed forest habitat, crossing a stream where you'll see winter wrens, brown creepers and many of the wood warblers found on the southern route. as you approach the lake at caitlin bay, look for many species of waterfowl, common loons and bald eagles.” — adirondackexperience.com DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of state route 30 and route 28N, follow route 28N toward Newcomb. continue for 1.5 miles to Tarbell Hill road on the left. Follow this for just under a mile to the parking area at the top of the hill, and the trail is just over the hill on the right.
ACTIVITY: Hiking DIFFICULTY: Moderate DISTANCE: 6.4 miles, roundtrip PERKS: Owls Head is one of the few adirondack peaks left with a historical fire tower on its summit. The summit area offers outstanding views while the restored fire tower will open up a 360-degree sweeping view of the entire area. Owls Head is the perfect distance for the entire family to enjoy this hike and the fun of a historic fire tower. OBSTACLES: Some areas are a bit steep and the round-trip distance could be a little much for some, but other than that no real obstacles to report. QUOTE: “The summit is a great place to stop and enjoy a snack, having a nice clear area accompanied by several viewing cliffs. as with many mountains in the adks, the fire tower is open and provides excellent 360-degree views of the surrounding area; views that cannot be beat for the amount of work that must be done to reach them.” — www.Summitpost.org DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of state route 30 and endion road, follow endion road. continue for 1.6 miles to the trailhead on the right.
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PHOTO BY SPENCER MORRISSEY
Five trips
Sargent Ponds Loop ACTIVITY: Hiking DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate DISTANCE: 6.8 miles, one way PERKS: This trail is designed quite nicely so that you could start from either side and hike as far as you want and still get the vistas of some attractive backcounty ponds. The loop is an option, which allows an excellent opportunity to make it your own hike. OBSTACLES: he biggest setback is needing two cars for this hike or one car and a long road walk to finish the loop. The road walk is not all that bad, and is included in the mileage noted above. QUOTE: “Sargent ponds are located in the approximately 45,000-acre Sargent ponds Wild Forest and is open to all kind of outdoor activities — from mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, fishing, trail running, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and hunting. The Sargent ponds loop makes for an excellent outing for the entire family. One of the nice things about this loop is it can be hiked in its entirety or only in parts. With three very distinctive ponds along the loop, a visitor could visit one or all of them depending on what they had in mind.” — www.mylonglake.com DIRECTIONS: You can find these two trailheads off the Forked lake road in long lake. Start at the three corners in long lake and drive south toward blue Mountain lake on state route 28N/30. North point road will be on the right in 3.0 miles — drive down North point road. There will be a fork in the road a few miles in; right leads to Forked lake campsite, left to the trailheads. The trailheads will both be marked with state department of environmental conservation signs on the left side of the road. The first trailhead is at 3.1 miles from the intersection with Forked lake road; 1.5 miles separate the two trailheads.
October-November 2017
What’s in a name
P
PEAK NAMES THAT NEVER STUCK By SPENCER MORRISSEY
lace names in the Adirondack Park have always intrigued me, and with that comes the love of Adirondack history, legends, lore, old tales, and at times some big fish stories. Through a vast amount of exploring in the wilds, on the internet and in books, I have come to some conclusions on local names and why they might be named as they are, with a few other neat tidbits thrown in for good measure. When it comes to the deep High Peaks Region, it always intrigues the explorer in me to hear about mountains with names that never quite stuck, for whatever reason. Here is a look at a few of them:
Opalescent Mountain
This is an unnamed peak to the south of Mount Colden, which the Marshall brothers and Herbert Clark considered the 43rd peak on their initial list of the high peaks but then scratched it off. If looking at a map, Opalescent Mountain is the small peak above Feldspar marked 1273(m) — that’s still nearly 4,200 feet in elevation. Of course, it didn’t remain on the list for very long due to the proximity of the ever-popular Mount Colden, but that’s OK. I’m going to go check it out anyhow. Who wants to go?
Connery Cobble
Connery Cobble
So, the backstory to the backstory on this small knob is an interesting one. OK, it might not be interesting but I’m going to tell you anyhow. I often drive over state Route 86 along with thousands of others every day. One day this past spring, I looked up at a low ridge, not all that high over
the AuSable River. Located at the corner of Route 86 and Connery Pond Road, this small peak has rested, nearly unnoticed by passersby at 60 miles per hour. If you are a bushwhacking fanatic as I am, it’s worth a stroll through the evergreens to the summit. Connery Cobble is referred to in Verplanck Colvin’s 1897 survey report, in which he said that the station Legget there controls the west Mountain line of the Whiteface Mountain Tract. By the looks of the small peak and the regeneration of the plant life, it’s quite possible it was burned off by the Colvin Crew to gain a better visual of the region. But the only thing for sure remaining are a few of his anchor eye bolts imbedded deep in the bedrock.
Leggett Mountain
Located just north of Whiteface Mountain and directly west of Morgan
Mountain, this small peak resides in the Wilmington Wild Forest. Standing at nearly 2,900 feet in elevation, it’s still dwarfed by its bigger sisters but can hold its own in unique qualities. I might be known as a guy who is a glutton for punishment but this little guy was an easy outing that followed a snowmobile trail for most of it. Then, on top of that little tasty morsel were some good views from its open slopes and partially open summit area. Now Leggett, as the name goes was noticed on an old area map created by the county. The exact location of Leggett, as it appears on the map, should in all rights be this peak labeled as 871(m) on current USGS maps, but I suppose it could be up for discussion. The original name, to the best of my researching ability, may be refer to a local surveyor, but again, this mountain is full of speculation.
Light Light Up Up Your Your Life Life
PHOTOS BY SPENCER MORRISSEY
Sable Mountain
This forgotten peak’s name was located on an old Essex County Area Map from the late 1800s, not all that dissimilar than what you might find at a local town hall. The scale as seen on the map is not that easy to read or understand, but comparing it to modern maps looks as though it’s a peak near Cascade Mountain — then referred to as Long Pond Mountain, the original name for Cascade Lake. Along the Cascade Trail, about a mile up or so from the trailhead, lies a small knob, resting quietly unnoticed by all who pass by. However, this small rocky knob about 40 feet higher in elevation offers a unique perspective from a small window view atop its dome. So, remember next time you are up there and you come to a lull in the trail where it flattens out that you are on what we called Sable Flats. (I just made that up, but it could be.)
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October-November 2017
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full of surprises I Four hikes of the Moriah Challenge I Advance planning for outdoors travel I 5 trips in the Long Lake region I Recommended reading selections
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©2017 Adirondack Daily Enterprise
October-November 2017
Your guide to Adirondack adventure