Category: Wilderness

We Finally Have Decent Backcountry Snow

2/9/2014

We finally got a decent dumping of snow this week so it was time to get out and enjoy it. Friday friend and colleague Duane Gould and I set out to snowshoe up McKenzie Mountain one of the Saranac Lake Six. We have hiked this mountain too many times to count so the question of the morning was, "Which route should we take?" We decided to take the Shore Owner's Trail up and come down the DEC trail to the Jack Rabbit Trail.

The morning temperature was in single digits with a slight wind as we headed out. The forecast was for clearing skies but unfortunately for us they didn't clear until late afternoon so we were pretty socked in with occasional flurries for most of the day.

The Shore Owner's Trail heads north parallel to Lake Placid before it heads northwest up along Twin Brook. The snow was nearly two-feet deep as we snowshoed up along the brook. It ascends steadily until you come up to Bartlett Pond.

Bartlett Pond

From there it starts getting pretty steep. That combined with the deep snow made travel, even with snowshoes, pretty demanding. It was a long six tenths of a mile up to the ridge. Once on the ridge the snow was over 30 inches deep but the going was easier. From there it was an easy two tenths of a mile to the summit. The Shore Owner's Trail was much

better maintained than I remember it but then again I probably hadn't hiked on their trails for around 15 years. I was particularly impressed with how well the trails were signed.

Once we summited we headed down the south side where we were very grateful we hadn't climbed up the traditional route. It was much easier to slide down the steep pitches rather than have to climb up them. For those who have never climbed McKenzie Mt be prepared to go up and down a number of "false" summits. There was more than one that I slipped on the way up as well as slid down.

After sliding down, down, down we finally hit the Jack Rabbit Trail where the trail was broken by skiers and it wasn't long before we saw a group of French Canadian snowshoers. It was a long two miles out to the road and then a short jaunt to our car. After over seven miles and nearly six hours of breaking trail with snowshoes we were pretty bushed. It is so nice though to have enough snow to get out and XC ski and snowshoe. More trips to come...

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Essex Chain Lakes - by Doug

10/14/2013

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From here the road gets rough.

On Thursday, October 10, 2013 I got my first glimpse of the Essex Chain Lakes. Most recreational users of the Adirondacks are likely familiar with the recent activity concerning the Essex Chain Lakes tract, which is part of the former Finch, Pruyn & Co. lands purchased by New York State from The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The State Land classification of this tract has been in the news for several months and the decision is now in the hands of the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and will be subject to approval by the Governor.

Kiosk & register box at Deer Pond parking lot.

The day was slightly overcast, warm and dry. The mornings have been cold, so my two friends and I took our time
getting started. It was 11:05 AM by the time we signed in and started carrying
our lightweight solo canoes the 0.25 miles to Deer Pond. Still waters and no
bugs made ideal conditions for exploring the Chain Lakes.

Second Lake outlet.

Leaving Deer Pond we carried
0.5 miles to Third Lake, paddled into Second Lake and then carried to First Lake. The carry to First is flagged and lightly brushed out, but it has not been cut or developed yet. We paddled the length of the lake then down the outlet as far as the first beaver dam. Wanting to explore the other lakes in the chain we retraced our strokes to Third Lake.

A glimpse of Vanderwhacker Mt.

We stopped for lunch and watched as a member of the Gooley Club trolled around, fishing from an aluminum boat power by an electric motor. Although I am pleased to have a new portion of the Adirondacks to explore, I couldn’t help but think about the sense of loss members of the Club must be
feeling. These lakes have been a special part of their lives for a long time and now that is all changing. For the next five years this group will have lease access to the camp buildings and will be able to use motor boats on Second through Sixth Lakes. The DEC’s Interim Plan allows Club members to use electric motors from July 1st to September 30th and ten hp gas motors from October 1st to the end of the big game hunting season and from ice out until June 30th. As the day went on a few more fishing boats appeared on the water. Another paddler we encountered made a comment about eliminating motorized boats from the tract. I on the other hand did not find the boats to be bothersome. My earliest experiences in the wilds were fishing with my grandfather in boats like these.

This sign was not posted when we entered the tract.

After lunch we resumed exploring
lakes Fourth through Seventh. As it was getting later in the day we did not have time to investigate Sixth or Eighth Lakes. We will save those for future trips. The sun was setting as we retracted our route to the Deer Pond carry. We arrived at the parking lot before needing to break out the headlamps. We talked to some mountain bikers at the parking lot and discussed the potential for riding that the logging roads on the tract would provide.

The day’s paddle was an enjoyable experience. I am grateful to have the opportunity to explore this
beautiful area. While we were paddling we discussed the classification options currently being decided by the APA. I think we all had preconceived ideas about what classification we would favor. The area certainly is a great addition to the Forest Preserve; many people will enjoy experiencing it. Having seen the
tract first hand has provided me with a much better idea of the recreational use potential available. Given the character of the land I favor a Wild Forest classification over Wilderness. The
road network was constructed for extracting timber and can easily withstand the impact of mountain biking which would be allowed as Wild Forest but not as Wilderness. As far as motor boats, I think the current restrictions that apply to Gooley Club members would work for me. I know that some paddlers would disagree, but the area can certainly withstand this level of use. In addition, the Wild Forest classification would allow appropriate development of accessible facilities for use by people with disabilities.

Map from DEC Interim Plan

I hope that those deciding the final classification have had
a chance to explore and discover what the tract has to offer for the people of New York State.

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White Mountains Winter Hike – by Doug

2/1/2013

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Leo & Doug at Carter Notch

During MLK weekend I joined a group from the Connecticut Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) for a weekend hiking trip in the White Mountains of NH. On Friday, the ten of us met at Joe Dodge Lodge at the base of Mt. Washington in Pinkham Notch. I was the only hiker not from CT and most of the group was already acquainted. My friend Leo Kelly was one of the hike leaders and he had invited me. Blog readers will recall that Leo and I hiked the Northville Placid Trail in June. Dale Geslien was the other hike leader; I had met her last spring during a CT Chapter urban hike in NYC.

Since the 1920s Pinkham Notch has been a Mecca for hiking, climbing, snowshoeing, and skiing in the Presidential Range and surrounding areas. In the front country, Joe Dodge Lodge offers comfortable bunkroom style accommodations with excellent meals provided in the adjacent Pinkham Notch Visitors Center, both facilities are operated by the AMC.

Our plan was to spend Friday at Joe Dodge, hike to Carter Notch Hut on Saturday, spend the night and return to Pinkham Notch for a final night at Joe Dodge on Sunday.

Ready to go.

On Saturday morning our group met in the “pack room” of the visitors’center and made our final preparations for our overnight trip to Carter Notch Hut. Being a holiday weekend the pack room was jammed with other hikers getting ready to hit the variety of trails in the area. I was glad to leave there and load my pack into the back of Leo’s truck. It was a short drive to the trailhead; although we were relatively early the parking lot was already jammed. It is a straight 3.8 mile, 1,900’ uphill hike to the hut. Our plan was to take a longer 5.9 mile route up and over Carter Dome with a 3,350' vertical rise to the summit and a very steep decent to the hut. At 1.9 miles we took
stock of the group and decided that some would go the 1.9 additional miles right to the hut, while others would take the longer route as originally planned. I took the long route, but in retrospect since I had a full pack on my back it would have been wiser to go to the hut and dump the pack, then go exploring without a heavy load.

Carter Dome

The steep climb to Carter Dome quickly separated our new group of seven. Two hikers moved out well ahead of the others. They did wait a couple miles up the trail, but they were so much ahead that they got cold waiting and moved on. Two others were moving quite slowly and fell behind rapidly. Three of us waited along the way and tagged up with the rear party from time to time. Although we made steady progress it was evident that it would be late in the day before we would reach the hut. It was late and cloudy when we reached the summit of Carter Dome, so the promised view of the Presidential Range was not very clear. As we started our decent to the hut, the trail was badly postholed so progress was further slowed. It was getting dark and we discussed when to break out our headlights. About a half mile out we could see lights from the hut far below. We got our lights out and started down the steepest portion of the trail. I knew Leo would be watching from the hut and see our lights. The trail here was so steep that even in the dark we had little choice but to slide down most of the sections. At the bottom of the final steep pitch I stopped with another member of our group to wait for the last three. Before long I heard John, the next hiker and saw lights coming down. Although I could not see him around the curve, we were able to talk to each other. He decided to wait for the last two before coming down any further. Soon John yelled down that one of the two above him was “stuck” but OK, so he was dropping his pack and climbing back up. I did the same.

When I arrived on the scene the stuck hiker was off the trail, on a steep pitch, upside-down, on her back with her pack caught on a stump and holding her from sliding further out of control. John worked carefully to get her pack off and keep her from sliding. After awhile she was on her feet and I had her pack. John worked her step by step down the last two hundred yards of the steep pitch. It was slow going, but she had lost her confidence and needed the support to move safely. In the meantime, Leo and the hut caretaker had arrived on the scene and provided additional assistance. Leo cut steps and the caretaker took the injured hiker’s pack. Once on flat ground she started to regain her composure and move quicker.

Inside the hut

It was late when we finally arrived at the hut. It was crowded, but we were glad to get there, take the packs off our backs and start hydrating. After a hot meal I was more than ready to hit the sack. The hut is heated in the evening, but the bunk rooms are not. My minus 20 degree sleeping bag was more than enough to keep me warm.

At 3,450’, Carter Notch Hut is in a beautiful location. It was built in 1914 and is well maintained. In the summer it is a full service operation and the rest of the year there is a caretaker present to oversee the
operation. We had shared use of the kitchen and dinning area. Capacity is forty people and the hut was completely full while we were there. A group of about twenty Boy Scouts and leaders were there and I enjoyed watching them work. They did the majority of cleaning and KP for everyone. It was a well run “boy lead” unit.

The Hut

one of two unheated bunk houses - note helicopter pad on roof

Ready to hike out

Sunday morning broke clear with temperatures in the 20s. It was a great day to be in such a beautiful location. We took our time with breakfast and packing, departing about 11 AM. It took us just over two hours to hike down to the road. It was a great run and I enjoyed being out front all the way.

Equipment wise I got to use my new MICROspikes and MSR Lightning Accent snowshoes. Both performed well and I am glad to have them.

Back at the trail head

We checked into Joe Dodge Lodge Sunday afternoon, had a beer and took showers before heading down to the town of Jackson for dinner. Later that evening we gathered in the living room and debriefed the trip.

Monday morning I woke before everyone else and decided to forgo sleeping in to go grab some breakfast and coffee. As I mentioned, the food at the Pinkham Notch VC is really good. I sat in the dinning room and watched as a number of families with young children came and went. It was nice to see so many parents sharing the outdoors with their children, even in the cold winter of the mountains. I look forward to future outdoor adventures with my own
granddaughters.

Eventually our entire group made it to breakfast. Afterwards we said our goodbyes and headed home, richer for the experience.

I had one lingering after affect from the trip. The week before I was very active skiing and had not kept fully hydrated. I worked at catching up, but I was not quite there by hike time. I carried two liters of water on the hike to the hut, but with the delay in getting there, I ran out. By Monday I knew that I had a sinus infection coming on, I tried to tough it out and hydrate it away, but with another full weekend of traveling and skiing on the way I ended up taking an antibiotic to knock it out. I am healthy again and back on the slopes and hoping that the ground hog sees his shadow.

Leo & son-in-law Paul, aka Mountain Biscuit

Thanks to Leo I experienced a taste of the
White Mountains. I always enjoy new places and new adventures and now I have a better idea of what is available only a
couple of States to the east. I am already thinking about a visit there on our way back from skiing in Maine this spring.

Good times with good friends!

Click here to see more photos from this trip.

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Summary #3 - Ten Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

1/22/2013

3 Comments

To see the introductory Blog Post to this series and the trail suggestions click HERE

I mentioned in my last post that as a result of these blog posts that Dick Beamish founding publisher of the Adirondack Explorer and founding member of ARTA (Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates) asked me to lunch to discuss my writings and the rails-trails issue. I’ve known Dick since the mid 1970s and he was my first employer as a winter x-c country skiing guide when he started Adirondack Ski Tours in the winters of 1978-79 and 1979-80.

I have tremendous respect for Dick. He’s been a great advocate for environmental causes and excellent entrepreneur. I also found him to be an excellent person to work for. We had a very cordial lunch and discussed many of the points I made in my blog posts about the rails-trails issue. In particular we discussed those comments I made about ARTA. Unfortunately neither of us had much luck influencing the other. The closest thing we came to agreement on was regarding the Unit Management Plan…at least in theory. I’m not against revisiting the Unit Management Plan process in theory. The original Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan called for UMPs to be updated every five years. So in theory a review of the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor UMP is long overdue. The reality is a bit different however. I’m not sure but I don’t believe that any of the UMPs have been updated. They were supposed to have been completed over thirty years ago and many have still not been completed. Some haven’t even been started. So with that in mind here is my stand on revisiting the travel corridor UMP. When we complete all the Unit Management Plans we should then start updating the oldest ones first. When the time comes THEN the DEC and APA should do a thorough analysis of the issues surrounding the rails-trails issue.

The fact that we can’t get Unit Management Plans written and implemented is emblematic of one of the biggest issues. Financial resources. Whether we turn the rails to trails, create all the trails I recommend, or implement my “50 in 2” concept we have a money problem. Even if the sunniest projections for turning the rails to trails turn out to be true, and I’m very skeptical that they will be, we still need money to maintain and provide support for continued trail development. I’ll leave that discussion for my final summary entry on this topic.

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Summary #2 - Ten Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

1/8/2013

4 Comments

To see the introductory Blog Post to this series and the other trail suggestions click HERE

Happy New Year – Let’s hope that 2013 helps us develop more trails in the Adirondack Park in general and the Saranac Lake area in particular.

Over the last month I have had two meetings as a result of this blog series. The first with Dick Beamish, founding publisher of the Adirondack Explorer and founding member of Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates. I’ll report on our meeting in a separate blog post.

A little over a week ago I met with Steve Guglielmi the NYSDEC Forester largely responsible for the Saranac Lake Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (SLWFUMP.) Steve shared with me some of the trails the DEC has proposed for the SLWFUMP and solicited my thoughts on a variety of trail issues. I think the trails proposed for the SLWFUMP in general are excellent. My general observation and what I attempted to reinforce to Steve was the importance of connectivity. I mean connectivity in a number of ways:

Can you get from one trail to the other without having to get into your car?

Can you get from one trailhead to another rather than just traveling in to an interior location and then hike back out?

Can you create a loop trail so people don’t have to retrace their steps?

The trails I have proposed all have great connectivity.

I also shared my idea for what I’m calling “50 in 2.” Any community within the Adirondack Park should be able to have at least fifty miles of trails with trailheads within two miles from the center of the community. A concept like this would make the Adirondack Park a mecca for trail activities.

I appreciate the opportunity to meet with Steve and share my thoughts. I look forward to seeing the Saranac Lake Wild Forest UMP completed.

Let’s take a look at our conversation regarding each of my proposed trails.

1. Saranac River/Pine Pond Trail
It is safe to say that the DEC is concerned about using the Route 3 State Bridge Boat Launch as a trailhead. There are many issues with that site and adding a new use just complicates things further. Having said that this is a natural location for a trail head and at least two trails could start from there. (This one and #9) Given that the trail I proposed here runs through the High Peaks Wilderness it turns out there are at least two other options for this trail that might make more sense. Evidently there is a route north of the bridge that DEC employees use to access the lower locks in the winter to check the water level. There is also the old abandoned trail from route 3 north of the river that went into the lean-to on Lake Kiwassa. From there it wouldn’t be too hard to get to the locks. The challenge is to find a route from the locks to the trail from Averyville. Finding a way to get from Averyville to route 3 just makes too much sense not to do it.

2.  Saranac River/Moose Pond
This trail is in the McKenzie Wilderness. The UMP for this unit will probably not be completed for a long time yet. The fact that this is a wilderness area seemed to raise red flags but I pointed out that all the trails I have proposed for the McKenzie Wilderness Area have close proximity to Route 3. This trail has great connectivity to the Village.

3.  McKenzie Wilderness Trail
The DEC appears to support the trail proposed in the Village of Saranac Lake Trails Plan from the summit of Baker Mt. The trail I have proposed here would complement that trail and combining this with #2 and #5 make for a nice trail network on the east side of the Saranac River.

4. Scarface to Pine Pond
The SLWFUMP proposes a trail around the south side of Scarface Mt but does not, at this time, connect to Pine Pond. By this time you know my mantra, “Connectivity.” Connect trails around Scarface to Pine Pond, which will connect to Route 3 and Averyville.

5.  Moose Pond Trail
A loop trail around Moose Pond makes a lot of sense because it would meet all three of my connectivity points when combined with trail #4. Ditto the comments for #2

6. Saranac Lake to Mt. View – Conceptually the state seems to support this although, if I understand it correctly, they don’t have ownership of the entire roadbed. The DEC has some excellent ideas for this region which is in the DeBar Wild Forest. They are trying to link the VIC, the Slush Pond Trail, and the Hayes Brook trail and other areas. This would be excellent. Great connectivity!

7. Turtle Pond Trails (Fowler’s Crossing) – The proposed UMP supports the development of this area but a trail linking to the Scarface trail is challenging due to wetlands. We need to find a way to make this connecting trail work. The trails south of Turtle Pond are nice but connecting them to the Scarface trail opens up numerous additional opportunities. There may be some options to run the trail through private property. The DEC has proposed some good connectivity on the east side of the tracks north of route 86 to Ray Brook.

8. Scarface Mountain Loop – The proposed UMP has some very interesting trails proposed around Scarface Mountain. I support their proposals and suggest that my proposal be left as a bushwhack and not developed as a trail in light of the other trails they are proposing.

9. Lower Saranac Lake Trail – We had a lengthy discussion on this trail. There is a desire to keep this large parcel of land more primitive with few trails. We looked at some options that allowed for that such as keeping the trail close to the lake and then running it closer to private land up to the Forest Home Road. I really feel that this trail has lots of potential especially if it is continued on to Lake Colby as I propose.

10. Black Pond Trial – I’ll gladly sacrifice this trail for #9, the Lower Saranac Lake Trail, in order to preserve a larger trailless area in this region.

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Summary #1 - 10 Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

12/18/2012

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To see the introductory Blog Post to this series and the other trail suggestions click HERE

Sorry I haven't followed up on my ten trails blog posts but other commitments have kept me from wrapping this series up. I hope to make a few more entries on the topic before things are complete. (At least for the time being.) For tonight I provide you with a map that includes all ten trails plus one major addition (provided by the Village of Saranac Lake Draft Bicycle + Pedestrian Trail Master Plan) and a number of minor additions The major addition is a trail from the Forest Home Road to Lake Colby. Although I have never traveled it, my understanding is that it exists and is used by mountain bikers and others. I propose extending it on the north side of the Forest Home Road to where it could link up with my proposed Lower Saranac Lake trail. Minor additions include:

A couple of spurs along the Saranac River near the upper locks that connect the Lower Lake to Middle Saranac. This route is an old snowmoble trail and could by used by snowmobles and x-c skiers to traverse both lakes in the winter. I've skied it many times.
A number of connecting spurs along the railroad tracks in and near the village that link all the trails together.

The linking of these trails would allow people to leave from their doorstep (home or motel) and travel nearly 100 miles. Imagine if every village in the Adirondack Park developed a similar trail network. We would become the trail mecca of North America.

Jack Drury's Proposed Saranac Lake Area Trails

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Trail #10 - 10 Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

12/13/2012

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To see the introductory Blog Post to this series and the other trail suggestions click HERE

I have had so much interest in this series I thought I would encourage people to submit what trail they think should be built. Let's keep this conversation going and, if you would like, share a trail in the Saranac Lake area that you think might be appropriate for one or more outdoor recreation uses. Once I have completed posting my ten trails I will start posting trails submitted that I think are appropriate. You can make your submissions by sending them to me HERE. Let me hear from you.

Trail # 10 - Black Pond Trail
This trail already exists from the Forest Home Road to Black Pond. I've skied it many times and once bushwhacked on skis from Black Pond to Little Weller Pond, to Middle Saranac Lake and out to the Ampersand Mountain Parking lot. For these purposes I have the trail intersecting my trail #9. This provides a nice second option for those hiking around Lower Saranac Lake.

Stay tuned tomorrow to see how I connect all these trails so you can see how you can access any of the trails from the other.
Thanks for following along.
Jack

Name

10. Black Pond Trial

Access/Description

From the Forest Home Road to Black Pond and then intersecting with the Lower Saranac Lake Trail.
Difficulty:
Hiking is moderate
Skiing is challenging
Mt. Biking is challenging

Distance

>4 miles

Thoughts?Issues

This is Wild Forest so could be a multipurpose year around trail although for a number of reasons it wouldn't be practical for snowmobiles. A hunter/fisherman’s trail already exists to Black Pond.

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Trail #9 - 10 Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

12/12/2012

5 Comments

To see the introductory Blog Post to this series and the other trail suggestions click HERE

UPDATE
As I prepare to wrap up this series I will be providing at least one or perhaps even a second reflective post after tomorrow's trail. (It depends how long winded I get.) I will also keep sharing trails as long as folks submit them. I have a few already and welcome more.

In sharing tonight's trail I want to make one thing clear. I am an avid sportsman. I love to hunt and fish as well as all the other outdoor activities I pursue. Whatever trails we might end up building and using we must take into account the hunting seasons and the sportsmen and women who have been using these lands for over a century. I think virtually all outdoor recreation pursuits are compatible if common sense prevails. We need to make sure common sense prevails as we develop a trail system for our community.

I have had so much interest in this series I thought I would encourage people to submit what trail they think should be built. Let's keep this conversation going and, if you would like, share a trail in the Saranac Lake area that you think might be appropriate for one or more outdoor recreation uses. Once I have completed posting my ten trails I will start posting trails submitted that I think are appropriate. You can make your submissions by sending them to me HERE. Let me hear from you.

Trail #9 - Lower Saranac Lake Trail
This is probably the most ambitious trail I am suggesting but as with all the trails it has so much potential. It could provide a relatively easy overnight backpacking trip. It could provide campers on the shore of Lower Saranac Lake with a way to get out of camp and get some exercise. It allows travelers to hike into the upper locks and see the locks in action without having to use a boat. It would be a great ski trip. I have skied most of this route (breaking a couple of bones in my right hand one winter many years ago while three miles from the nearest road.) It would make a great mountain bike trail. I have hunted this region for many years. A portion of the route follows an existing hunter's trail from the lake to the Forest Home Road.

Name

9. Lower Saranac Lake Trail

Access/Description

From the Route 3 State Bridge boat launch parking lot around the south end of Lower Saranac Lake crossing the river at the upper locks then proceeding around and eventually heading north to the Forest Home Road.

Distance

~ 9 miles

Thoughts/Issues

This is Wild Forest so could be multipurpose year around trail although for a number of reasons it might not be practical for snowmobiles. It follows a number of existing hunting trails and even a portion of an old snowmobile trail. The main challenge would be building a bridge across the Saranac River near the upper locks. The State Bridge on Route 3 has great potential as a trailhead since a parking lot already exists.

5 Comments

Trail #8 - 10 Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

12/11/2012

1 Comment

To see the introductory Blog Post to this series and the other trail suggestions click HERE

I have had so much interest in this series I thought I would encourage people to submit what trail they think should be built. Let's keep this conversation going and, if you would like, share a trail in the Saranac Lake area that you think might be appropriate for one or more outdoor recreation uses. Once I have completed posting my ten trails (and an additional blog post or two wrapping up my thoughts on the topic) I will start posting trails submitted that I think are appropriate. You can make your submissions by sending them to me HERE. Let me hear from you.

Trail #8 - Scarface Mountain Loop
This is another simple addition that would extend the hike up Scarface Mt. so you could ascend and descend via different routes. It would require about 2 miles of new trail. Descending the east side provides some great views of the High Peaks Wilderness Area. I've hiked, snowshoed, and skied this route and variations of it numerous times. It is a fun one.

Name

8. Scarface Mountain Loop

Access/Description

From the existing trail on the summit of Scarface Mt. around the eastern ridge down to Ray Brook across the tracks out the access road on the NE side of Scarface to Route 86.
Difficulty:
Challenging

Distance

~6.5 miles

(2 miles of new trail)

Thoughts/Issues

I've bushwacked this route and variations of it numerous times on foot, snowshoes, and skis. This could be used as a year around non-mechanized trail. (i.e., not snowmobile, or bicycle)

1 Comment

Trail #7 - 10 Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

12/10/2012

0 Comments

To see the introductory Blog Post to this series and the other trail suggestions click HERE

I have had so much interest in this series I thought I would encourage people to submit what trail they think should be built. Let's keep this conversation going and, if you would like, share a trail in the Saranac Lake area that you think might be appropriate for one or more outdoor recreation uses. Once I have completed posting my ten trails (and an additional blog post or two wrapping up my thoughts on the topic) I will start posting trails submitted that I think are appropriate. You can make your submissions by sending them to me HERE. Let me hear from you.

Trail #7 - Fowler's Crossing Trail Network
This wonderful network of trails right on the edge of the village has wonderful potential. There could be an argument made that it is greater here for cross-country skiing than at Dewey Mountain because the gentle terrain is an ideal location for novice skiers. It is also a great spot for mountain biking. There is additional potential for another trail network across the railroad tracks on the northeast side. If you combine a rail-side trail to Ray Brook linking up to the Scarface Mountain trail you now have a connection to trails #1 and 4 of my series. What opportunity right at our doorstep!

Rough estimate of trails in this area and spur trail to Scarface Mt trail

Name

7. Fowler’s Crossing Trails (Turtle Pond )

Access/Description

From the parking lot by the railroad tracks on route 86 this is a network of trails between Turtle Pond and Oseetah Lake. There are trails on both sides route 86.
Difficulty:
Easy - perfect for novices of all kinds

Distance

~2 miles on the west side of the tracks

~2 miles on the east side of the tracks

~1.75 mile spur to the Scarface Mt trail.

Thoughts/Issues

This network exists. It just needs to be formalized. It could be a multi-purposed year around trail although probably would not be of interest to snowmobiles due to its short length. This would include a new spur to intersect with the Scarface Mt. trail.

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We Finally Have Decent Backcountry Snow

Essex Chain Lakes - by Doug

White Mountains Winter Hike – by Doug

Summary #3 - Ten Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

Summary #2 - Ten Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

Summary #1 - 10 Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

Trail #10 - 10 Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

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Trail #9 - 10 Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

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Trail #8 - 10 Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

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Trail #7 - 10 Trails We Should Build Before We Worry about Converting Rails to Trails

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Jack Drury
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