We recently returned from our third ADK “Adventure Travel”. The first trip was to Costa Rica followed by Glacier National Park and the Utah Canyonlands. Until three years ago, we had never been on a group trip preferring to do our own “thing”. All these trips were in conjunction with educational groups in the local areas. During all three, we visited outstanding scenic areas with members of ADK from throughout New York State. We are looking forward to next year’s trip to Olympic National Park, led by Mary Coffin. If you’re looking for something different, try one of ADK’s Adventure Travel trips described on ADK’s website.

This spring we went to another ADK event at Heart Lake. This was out first Heart Lake “clean up” weekend which ADK schedules each spring and fall. There is a list of jobs that need doing to open and close the campground as well as much maintenance around the grounds. ADK provides terrific meals at the Loj as well as lodging for the weekend for all the volunteers. There are also similar weekends at JBL. It was fun to meet the other approximately 60 volunteers and spend the weekend at Heart Lake. These weekends are open to any ADK member.

Another ADK experience we’ve been volunteering for is the Campground Host program. Each year for the past several years, we’ve stayed at Heart Lake in a luxurious tent on a platform (with power) for a week. There is a list of duties for the campground host which are not difficult. When the “jobs” are finished, we enjoy our free time hiking in the area. In return for our help, ADK provides a free camping experience and outstanding meals at the Loj. We’ve enjoyed interacting with the campers and Loj guests. This program is also available to any ADK member.

There are also many other volunteer activities for ADK that are listed on the website. If you are interested in any volunteer events, we can put you in contact with a member of our Chapter who has been involved.

Speaking of volunteers, we welcome Lucy Hawkins who will be leading our Education Committee. We look forward to having educational events listed in this Newletter’s Outing Schedule.

P.S. The Finger Lakes Trail Conference (FLTC) sponsors a hike series each summer across the trail in a different county each year. Next summer we will be hiking Chenango County which includes a section of trail maintained by our chapter. The 70+ miles of trail is divided into 7 monthly hikes April through October. A shuttle bus transports participants from their cars at the end of the trail to the beginning of the hike. There is a registration fee that covers the shuttle bus, county patch, final picnic and other items associated with the hiking series.

Next year our ADK-ON schedule will contain a schedule of pre-hikes across Chenango County about 9 days ahead of the FLTC hike. Participants will hike the section and do light trail work along the way. This is a chapter event, so there's no charge. Hikers will also have the choice of doing the entire section, which could be as much as 12 miles, or could do a shorter segment. Another option would be to do part of the trail as a prehike and finish during the FLTC. The first information will be sent out about January 1. Contact Jon Bowen if you are interested in placement on the contact list. (FLTC Delaware County hikers are already on the Googlegroups email list.)

See you on the trail-----Jon

In the Fall 2009 newsletter I reported that construction of the new bridge in the Mariposa State Forest had been completed; however, that was, after the fact, not an accurate assertion. Sounds like double-talk gibberish, doesn’t it? Something you would expect a politician to say. Anyway, the gist of the matter is that we were subsequently required to install a third 20ft log stringer and provide handrails on an already completed bridge, which entailed removal of the existing decking to accommodate the additional stringer and the extended boards to support the handrails. Notwithstanding such a setback, you can never under estimate the resolve of our work crew, nor their determination and commitment to finish what was started. On October 10 we all gathered at the site and completed the task; this time for real. It should be comforting to everyone that you can now drive a multi-ton vehicle across without the slightest sag.

The other item also mentioned in the previous newsletter was the proposal to install large step boulders, in lieu of a bridge, across Cheningo Creek in the Taylor Valley. Well I am happy to report the project has been completed by DEC as promised. Eight large flat boulders have been placed just downstream of the beaver dam and the areas at each end have been graded and a crushed stone walk provided. The road leading to the crossing has been blocked with large boulders to preclude access by motorized vehicles, which was formerly a problem. During very high water conditions the boulders will be submerged, so it may more prudent to follow the alternate high water route, but most of the year they should be easy to cross.

For those of you who have hiked the trail above Tinker Falls, you are aware of the steep, potentially hazardous conditions. We are in the process of developing a plan to correct that situation. Since such a project will require considerable heavy work we are requesting the FLTC to set up an Alleycat work project for next summer which will hopefully attract additional man/woman power for the task. Once the plans and logistics are worked out the information will be posted.

Congratulations to Horst and Sigi Schwinge (who previously had hiked the entire Finger Lakes Trail), now have completed all of the FLT branch trails - a grand total of over 800 miles!

The Chapter would like to welcome the following new members and affiliates who have joined since our last newsletter:

Carlton Dykes, Paul Harvey & Lorrie Paratore, Michelle Kelly-Buxton, Tim Kuss, Ellie McGaan, Shereen Webb, Orvil & Christene White, Ron Blackmore, Jamie Bodenlos, John & Debbie Brod, Joe Cobb, Michael DeCarlo, Vivian Dimmel, Karen Kelly, Tim Rosbrook, Susan Schaeffer & Bryon Pagot , Anita Schmidt, Joseph Stabb, Angela Wishoff & Frank Gerace, Alex Barnicott & Helen Stewart, Gary & Shannon Comins, Jay & Erin Dardano, Daniel Devaul & Carolyn Jaskulski, Denise Erwin, Maxine Free, Victoria Gerhardt, Susan Gilcher, Margaret Gregory, Warren Gross, Alan Haight, Eric Holmes, Stephen Laifer, Anthony Lapczynski, Douglas & Holly Lee, Douglas Pacheco, Quinn Shamlian, Robert Sheppard, Pamela, Andrew Stage, William Thayer & Lynn Spagnola-Fofi, Matthew Vicki.

Affiliates: Tania Ramalho, Nathan Warren, Willard Bruce.

Welcome aboard! See you on the trail.

Jake had a fantastic experience at the DEC camp in Saranac Lake and here is a report that he did for your club to see.

We are all so grateful to the Adirondack Mountain Club for sponsoring his week at Camp Colby. Please feel free to share this with others so they know the great benefit Jake received from the club and how appreciative we are.

Thanks again for encouraging his love of nature and desire to pursue a career in that direction!

Paula Maxwell

This summer I was sponsored by the Adirondack Mountain Club to go to Camp Colby, up in Saranac Lake, NY; run by the Department of Environmental Conservation. The weeks leading up to Camp Colby were stressful and if I had the choice to quit then, I would have. Right before I arrived at the camp I stopped at a local beach to get relaxed. As I was scanning the other side of the lake, I spotted the beautiful area of Camp Colby. As soon as we got there, I had to jump into the pristine water of Lake Colby to complete a swim test, which I passed.

When my Dad left there were counselors who told me to introduce myself to other campers. After we got to know more about each other, our lessons started with a unit on group dynamics. Our counselor expressed the idea that no matter what situation a group is in, you must work efficiently and cooperatively. The first day at camp, we also played a fun game called “relay” where you have to roll down a hill and run back up it, but you are so dizzy you can’t see where you are running so it is a lot harder than it sounds. The second day at camp we learned a lot about the E.C.D.C.I.C.A.C. principle, which represents the eight main concepts of any environment. This day we also played many games in a field. One of the games was capture the flag except it was played with six flags instead of one. The third day of camp, we did a lot of work and it ended up very well. Our counselors gave my group a project to do about efficient, renewable resources. Out of all the resources, we had to pick the most fit for our needs. There were many options, and our group ended up choosing Hydroelectricity. We practiced countless times and finally we were ready to present our project to all of the Colby staff.

The fourth day was probably the most exciting and exhilarating. To start off the day we had an amazing bacon and egg breakfast. Soon after that, we headed off in a large work van to a Landlocked Atlantic salmon Fish Hatchery that supplies 60 percent of New York State’s waterways with Landlocked Atlantic salmon.

After we got back from the hatchery, we watched the camp director shoot multiple handguns, rifles and shotguns at targets to show how dangerous they really were. The demonstration was followed by more games in the field and I suddenly realized that this camp was mostly games the whole time with learning experiences within them.

The fifth day of camp had many good times and some bad times too. This day was Hunter Safety Day for those who wanted to get their certification. I had been completing a home study of this and didn’t want to spend any more time on it. Little did I know we were going to do fun things like tracking a wounded animal, learning hands-on how to handle and clean a gun. My favorite was we got to shoot a .22 long rifle at targets. After our group retained some knowledge, it was time to take the Hunter Safety test. Later we found out everyone who took the course, passed. The sixth day of camp we looked in the shallows of Lake Colby to find aquatic plants and animals and found out where they would stand on the lake’s food chain. Right after the Fresh Water Unit, we moved on to the Field Community Unit, which was by far the best unit. We each got a sweep net to sweep the low grasses and shrubs to find tiny grasshoppers and other insects, including dragon fly and butterflies.

After we researched the meadows we made insects that did not already exist. My insect was called a “Swizzle Bug”. It had a three-section body with an overlarge tongue.

The final day of camp was very sad and I learned so many things without even knowing they were hidden within each and every fun game. This camp I feel started me on the path of my future career. If I ever get the opportunity to volunteer there I will definitely take it. The staff there was amazing and taught me so many things that will stay with me forever. I would like to thank the Adirondack Mountain Club for presenting me with this wonderful opportunity and also thank everyone involved in the whole process.

For the past 10 years the ADK-ON NCT Team has been negotiating with DEC and private landowners to extend the FLT Onondaga Trail and concurrent North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT). The chapter commitment to NCTA and FLTC was to construct 20-22 miles of new trail according to NPS best trail practices to connect the FLT with the NCT section near New Woodstock. It is nearly complete. There are a couple of short gaps of 0.2-0.4 miles, but they are flagged and the hiker can find the way through. Hopefully the permits (in progress) will be granted to construct these final gaps in 2010.

A trail is never really complete but a dynamic creature. The team will continue to improve trail and bring it up to standards, move a couple of sections off road and seek trail easements to protect the trail.

The NCT, when all gaps are converted to trail, will span 4600 miles crossing seven states from North Dakota to Lake Champlain and the Vermont border. There are about 150 miles yet to be built in the Adirondacks. At present the 2400 miles of completed foot trail is already longer then its sister the Appalachian Trail.

The NCTA tag line, “Your Adventure Starts Nearby”, is quite appropriate as one can hike from Highland Forest for example through the Catskills to Maine or Georgia or west to North Dakota. Just ask Nimble Will the distance hiker. But, remember to pack a big lunch!

The O2 map can be ordered from www.fingerlakestrail.org.

There was virtually no response from the Chapter's membership to be a host at the cabin in Labrador Hollow this past summer. However, it will be opened on certain Saturdays in January and February from noon until 3PM if anyone wishes to volunteer.

The porch was opened to the public during the warm-weather months with a nature display, maps and information about the cabin, the Skyline Trail and other nearby trails. About 800 people visited the cabin with visitors from 16 states and 2 countries. Everyone loved the area, the recently re-constructed boardwalk, and access to the cabin. Dick Lightcap (637-3737)

The St. Regis Canoe Area is a designated wilderness, motor-free canoe area with 58 bodies of water. On the last weekend of summer, an ADK-Onondaga group of four paddlers and two dogs visited twelve of those bodies.

We met Saturday morning at the Long Lake Diner, Mike and Deborah coming from Syracuse, and Jaye and Kellie, both Onondaga members who have moved to the Albany and Boston areas, respectively, carpooling from Albany. At 9:00 a.m., it was 45 degrees, but a clearing sky promised warmer temperatures.

We chose the Nine Carries route, and put in at Little Clear Pond, after spotting a car at the Hoel Pond take-out by the golf course. From Little Clear Pond, we made the first carry of 0.6 miles to a dock on St. Regis Pond. There we met two men on their way out, making multiple trips with their gear. By the way they dragged their canoe overland at the end of a rope, we could tell it was a rented boat even without reading the livery numbers. We had light-weight boats (Jaye’s forty-pounder and Mike’s weighing in at fort-five). Kellie carried one backpack in front and one behind while Jaye carried their canoe, and we made the carries in one trip each. On St. Regis Pond, we stopped for lunch and a swim. After fighting off the impulse to camp there and lie out in the sun until Sunday afternoon, we continued to the carry of about 0.5 miles to Ochre Pond. After a short paddle, we had a carry of about a mile and a half, most of it on the fire road to Fish Pond. We bypassed Mud Pond and the esker trail, both of which the leader has done before. The former is well-named, and the latter is an interesting feature, but a canoe and pack can diminish one’s appreciation.

At the Fish Pond put-in, we found a pile of plum-sized pellets, fresh moose scat. We cruised around, looking for an unoccupied site among the two lean-tos and three designated tent sites, but alert for antlers, too. We camped at the south corner, near the take-outs for Clamshell Pond and Little Long Pond, two alternative legs in the route. We cooked dinner under towering old growth white pines, and after darkness become complete, sat by the campfire, then listened to the calls of great horned owls, the adults hooting, and a young bird making cat-like screams. A coyote howled, and the rest of the pack joined in as a chorus.

The next morning, the pond was covered in fog, which lifted by the time we breakfasted and broke camp. A short paddle and a short carry brought us to Little Long Pond. Another short carry took us to Kit Fox Pond, the smallest on our route but truly a gem. We then made another carry to Nellie Pond, where we faced the long carry, a mile and a half, to Long Pond. To break up the trip, we carried a short distance to the junction with the spur trail to Bessie Pond, and walked down to the put-in, which has a picnic table at a campsite overlooking the pond. We sat in the sun and enjoyed our lunch, then faced the long carry. A stretch in the middle was muddy in spite of recent dry weather. In wetter times, it is a quagmire. The carry is interrupted by a beaver flow, where one must reload the boat and paddle a few hundred feet over the flooded part of the trail.

The take-out for the carry from Long Pond to Slang Pond is a sandy beach. The carry is a short one, on a smooth trail, and is the last real carry on the route. The beach has a western exposure, receiving full afternoon sun, and it seemed a most inviting place for a swim to wash off the sweat of the long carry. The narrow waterway between Slang and Turtle Ponds was shallow, so we got out and dragged. Turtle and Hoel Ponds are connected by a culvert under a railroad embankment. There was enough water in the culvert to float an empty canoe, so we carried only our packs over the tracks. From here, we took in the profile view of Iroquois and Shepherd’s Tooth and Mount Marshall, as we paddled across Hoel Pond to the last take-out.

After nine carries and as many put-ins and take-outs, we had had enough takeout, so had a restaurant dinner instead, at Casa del Sol in Saranac Lake.

On September 12, Tony Rodriguez, Li-Hua Lan, Carolyn Hartman and her friend Becky, Chris Katula and her brother, Michael, Kathy Disque and myself climbed the third, fourth and fifth tallest peaks in the Catskill Mountains. It rained (but not too hard) almost the entire trip, so that we were unable to see those beautiful views. The trails were fairly easy to traverse, except when we encountered those rock outcroppings. Congratulations to these hearty souls!

With the week behind us and all ‘to do’ list tasks ‘on hold’, we left Wanakena behind and headed for High Falls on a bright, sunny, Friday morning. Thanks to the ADK Trail crew, the first beaver dam crossing was bone dry. Occasional glimpses of Cranberry Lake to the east placed us into the serene without saying a word. After passing Janacks Landing and Cowhorn Junction, we entered the remnants of the Microburst storm from 1995 and finally, High Falls is reached late afternoon. We camped two nights at High Falls and listened each night to the Oswegatchie’s constant change.

Saturday was a long hike to Wolf Pond Lean-to, passing through the Five Ponds on a beautifully maintained trail. Our cameras were ready for the big Moose at any moment, but only Moose tracks were found in a short section of trail. The rain held off during the night.

Sunday, we packed up and started our 9 mile trek back to Wanakena. Two beaver crossings were my thoughts for what was ahead. The old man polling on the Oswegatchie looked from another time passed as he wished us luck at our next beaver crossing. We all rooted for the beavers and their building skills, as we carefully stepped the berm of mud and stick. By coincidence, we shared lunch at High Rock with a family from Rhode Island that we met the day before, a photo op moment for our group of four. Wanakena is reached and reality returns.

There are a variety of ways members can donate to ADK. The simplest way is to donate time through volunteer trail or lodge/Loj work weekends, campground host or by working on a committee. We are all familiar with the various mail appeals and memorials. These can be dedicated/restricted for a specific part of ADKs’ mission (ex. education, trails, advocacy) or just general operations. Every little bit helps and if your employer has a matching funds program your donation is multiplied accordingly. Check with your employer about the matching funds program.

ADK also has Charitable Gift Annuity programs where the donor irrevocably transfers assets to ADK in return for ADK’s agreement to pay the designated annuitant(s) fixed payments for life.

Chapters can invest in ADK Certificates of Deposit as a way of growing chapter funds when the economy turns upward.

Consider also including ADK in your will regarding stocks, marketable securities, including mutual funds, property and cash assets. But please, please don’t leave us too soon. ADK can wait!

All of the above ways of giving back to trail organizations apply also Finger Lakers Trail Conference and to North Country Trail Association. So keep ADK, FLTC and NCTA in mind when planning your charitable donation budget and remember it is still tax deductible.

For more information on all the ways to donate to and make a difference with ADK, contact ADK’s Development Director, Deborah Zack at deb@adk.org or 518-668-4447, ext. 42.

The Finger Lakes Trail Conference has received a $1400 grant from the American Hiking Society to complete a three year project in the Holland Ravines section of the Conservation Trail. The trail extends from Pennsylvania northwards 177 miles to Canada, connecting the Finger Lakes Trail and the Bruce Trail in Canada.

The American Hiking Society’s National Trails Fund was created in 1998 and is the only privately supported national grants program providing funding to grassroots organizations working toward establishing, protecting, and maintaining foot trails in America.

Foothills Trail Club volunteers completed the project in July under Project Manager, Annette Brzezcki, Construction Manager, David Potzler, and Director of Crews and Construction, Quinn Wright. Over thirty-nine volunteers worked a week in July 2009 to transform an 8-mile stretch from a once arduous section into a pleasant moderate hike. A total of 2,004 work and travel hours completed the three year long project. Come see it!

The never-ending saga continues. As you recall, in September the Adirondack Park Agency voted to classify part of Lows Lake and several thousands nearby acres as Wilderness. But some questioned the legitimacy of the decision because the Empire State Development designee, who voted for the classification, had left that agency prior to the vote. The agency plans to redo the vote in November with the new ESD designee. The outcome is not expected to change.

The Adirondack Mountain Club has released a 24-page supplement to its guidebook “Adirondack Trails: Eastern Region.”

Written by David Thomas-Train, the supplement describes 12 hiking opportunities at 10 locations in the eastern Adirondacks. Most of the trails are located along Lake Champlain, but the additions include the Cat and Thomas Mountains Preserve near Bolton Landing, on the west side of Lake George. The supplement includes trail trips through marsh, woodland, meadow and island habitats.

The supplement is available for free online at www.adk.org, or for $1, at ADK’s Lake George and Heart Lake properties. It may also be ordered by sending $1 to Eastern Region Supplement, 814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY 12845. The supplement material will be included in the next printing of the Eastern Region guide.

Large and small bike Nashbar baggage $10. Cannondale men's hybrid bike. Like new. $125. Iverson 10" X 32" wooden snowshoes w/ bindings. Like new $50.27" Tubbs metal snowshoes. VG $30 JanSport 4-season dome backpack tent $50.

All this and more please call for the whole list.

Premier hiking trails like the Finger Lakes Trail and its pathway companion, the North Country Scenic Trail are intended to be the most primitive, natural and remote experiences that can be found. This requires the absence of all motorized vehicles, the same environment required in state and federal Wilderness Areas.

You may have a wilderness area closer to your home. That is what the long distance and scenic trails are all about. They require strong volunteer support groups. Most hikers on these trails are not the end to end performers, but the multitudes from local communities who use them for shorter journeys.

The hiking experience is not a lofty thing to avoid sharing trails with the off road bikes and engine vehicles. Off road bikers don’t want motor bikes and ATVs’ either. Skiers get in the way of snowmobiles and snowshoers spoil the ski tracks. All outdoor activities have their own needs and the hiking experience is no less important than any other.

The mission of the Finger Lakes Trail Conference is a foot trail across New York State – forever. Not only will there be forever a foot trail but the Conference will forever work to make it a better one.

The dispute over whether or not off road bikes damage hiking trails is endless. Just as big an issue I just the presence of any machine spoils the hiking experience and eventually changes the trail to better suit the bikes. The bikes also force hikers off the narrow hiking trails to pass so forest managers like to use the wider, higher and straighter ski trails for bikes like the ones at Stony Pond. Park managers prefer to limit snowmobile trails to the forest perimeter and reserve the more sensitive interior for the foot trails.

Now for the quiz. All trails that include both foot travel and mechanization must leave the foot traveler needs for last, if at all. True or false?

Among all the demands heard at public hearings and elsewhere the hikers must be heard too. They must say that hiking is for a wilderness journey; primitive, natural and remote and without the presence of any mechanization. Single use trail systems are the only answer. And don’t forget to protect the long distance trails.

Enjoy your hike and be sure to stop often to watch the forest come alive from all directions.

About this time of year I think about converting my pack from summer to winter hiking. We always dress in layers, avoiding cotton whenever possible, but this is more important in Fall and Winter when hypothermia is more of a risk.

I toss the bug repellent but keep the sunscreen and sunglasses for those sunny winter days. Also, I make sure the following are in the pack at all times: wool/fleece cap, gloves, extra socks, neck scarf, vest and insulated water bottle.

Check your pack now and play it safe.

Enjoy backpacking in one of the original and largest Wilderness Systems in NC. With three peaks over 6000 feet, the Shining Rock Wilderness offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The first day hike you will be introduced to one of the many loop trails in the Pisgah National Forest. The three day/two night back pack will include the summits of Shining Rock (5940 ft), named for the white quartzite rock that forms its’ summit, Stairs Mountain (5869 ft) and Cold Mountain (6030 ft). Hike distances and elevation gain will vary and range up to 10 miles and 2000 ft. Beginner backpackers are welcome. Accommodations include hotel the first two nights in Brevard, NC and the last night in the Pisgah Inn. Cost is $265 per person. Down payment ($100) required by March 10 to reserve a spot, full payment by May 10, full refund less $25 available to June 12. Group size limit is 8. Meals and travel not included. Make checks payable to “Onondaga Chapter ADK” and send to Kathy Disque, 785 Fyler Rd #23, Kirkville, NY 13082. Contact the leader Lisa Druke, (315) 637-6499, ldruke@twcny.rr.com.

We will follow the AT as it traverses the Presidential Range in the White Mountains, NH. We will stay in lodges and huts of the AMC where breakfast and dinner will be provided. We will hike 7-9 miles per day mostly above tree line. The level of difficulty will range from moderate to strenuous. We will attempt to climb ten 4000+ ft. mountains including the venerable Mt. Washington at 6288 ft. Participants should be aware of the changeable and potentially severe weather conditions that can occur and should be prepared with appropriate clothing and gear. The total cost will be $550 with a deposit of $200 due by Dec. 20, and the balance due by Feb. 15. Make check payable to “Onondaga Chapter ADK” and mail to me. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the policies of the AMC. Group limit is 10. For further info contact John Lang @ 492-3414 or JohnnyLang49@Peoplepc.com.

This trip is based at the Olympic Park Institute on Lake Crescent. Lodging in cabins, van transport daily, naturalist guides and meals are provided by the institute. The Olympic Peninsula and the Olympic National Park offer distinct contrasting environments: Glaciated peaks, subalpine meadows, wild Pacific coast, magnificent stands of old-growth forests and temperate rain forests. Alpine wildflowers should be at their peak. For details contact mcoffin1@twcny.rr.com, 315 687-3589.

This is a day hiking and tent camping trip. We will stay in beautiful Minnesota State Parks (showers and flush toilets) using a van for trail head shuttle daily. It is said that there are no uninteresting sections of trail here. If you are looking for the camaraderie of like-minded hikers to bag a few miles of the NCNST in northern Minnesota, this might be the trip for you. Expect lake views, lighthouses, wildlife, birds including eagles, waterfowl and moose. For details contact mcoffin1@twcny.rr.com, 315 687-3589.

Published quarterly by the Onondaga Chapter, Adirondack Mountain Club Deadline: February 1, 2010

Please mail submissions to: Michael Loftus, 429 North Franklin Street, #1- 402, Syracuse, New York 13204 or e-mail: mtale@twcny.rr.com Word document file attachments are welcome.