Take the Love Your ADK Pledge

Taking care of the Adirondack Park’s natural resources is everyone’s responsibility It’s easy, and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism will show you how on the “Love the Adirondacks” website, where you can take the Love Your ADK pledge

By taking the Love Your Adirondacks pledge and practicing Leave No Trace ethics you can help ensure that the forests, waterways and communities of the Adirondacks remain beautiful and unique for generations to come.

The Love Your ADK pledge has been created in partnership with ROOST, the Adirondack Mountain Club, Adirondack Council and the state Department of Environmental Conservation

Sign the pledge online at the following website: www.loveyouradk.org/pledge.

I pledge to:

¯ Love the Adirondacks in a way that is mindful of others;

¯ Only share thoughtful messages on social media that encourage good stewardship;

¯ View wildlife from afar and be considerate of their home;

¯ Embrace the hiker ethos and get my boots dirty by walking through the mud;

¯ Always explore responsibly and prepare for any experience;

¯Do my duty to properly dispose of trash as well as pet and human waste;

¯ Keep woods and waters clean by checking my gear and equipment for invasive species; and

¯ Support, practice, and inspire others to follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles

Saranac Lake 6er hiking challenge

There are four patches for the Saranac Lake 6er hiking challenge: Summer, Winter, Ultra Summer and Ultra Winter. Ultra hikers leave from Berkeley Green in downtown Saranac Lake, complete all six mountains in 24 hours and finish at Berkeley Green, where they can ring the bell in the pavilion. Winter hikes are completed between Dec 21 and March 21 All hikes must have been completed after May 25, 2013

Hikers who finish the six peaks have the privilege of ringing the bell at Berkeley Green

Anyone interested needs to complete the online registration form at www.saranaclake.com/activities/outdoor/saranac-lake-6 Each finisher will be sent a certificate with an official member number, 6er patch and sticker. All numbers are awarded in the order of completed applications received Names will also be added to the official Saranac Lake 6er member roster Allow for up to 12 weeks for processing. Learn more at www saranaclake com

Baker Mountain: 1.8 miles round-trip, 2,457 feet elevation

Trailhead: From downtown Saranac Lake, head north on Broadway (state Route 86) and turn right on Bloomingdale Avenue (state Route 3), then turn right on Pine Street after about a half mile. Cross the railroad tracks and turn left on Forest Hill Avenue and follow it as it wraps around Moody Pond. The trailhead is on the left in about a half mile

St. Regis Mountain: 6.6 miles round-trip, 2,874 feet elevation

Trailhead: From downtown Saranac Lake head west on state Route 86, toward Paul Smiths. At Paul Smith’s College, turn right on state Route 30, take the first left on Keese Mill Road Follow Keese Mill Road for almost 3 miles to the trailhead parking on the left.

Haystack Mountain: 6 6 miles round-trip, 2,874 feet elevation

Trailhead: From downtown Saranac Lake, take state Route 86 east toward Lake Placid Continue for about 5 miles and look for the large parking area on the left. This is also the parking area for McKenzie Mountain

Scarface Mountain: 7.6 miles round-trip, 3,058 feet elevation

Trailhead: From the intersection of state Route 3 and state Route 86 in Saranac Lake, follow Route 86 toward Lake Placid Continue into Ray Brook, take a right onto Ray Brook Road (just before Maplefields), and look for the parking lot about 0.1 mile on the left.

3,352 feet elevation

Trailhead: From downtown Saranac Lake, turn right onto state Route 3, heading west toward Tupper Lake. The parking area is on the right after about 8 miles The trailhead is across the road on the left

3,861 feet elevation

Trailhead: From downtown Saranac Lake, take state Route 86 east toward Lake Placid. Continue for about 5 miles and look for the large parking area on the left This is also the parking area for Haystack Mountain