The Adirondack Mountains — and the townships within them —are beautiful places to live and visit. Travelers come from around the world to spend time here because of the scenery, the outdoor activities, the hospitality of the local people, and the unique businesses that are scattered throughout our region. However, the reality of the Adirondacks is this: it is sometimes a challenge to live here year-round! With a lull in tourism during the late fall and early spring, many business owners become creative and find interesting secondary ways to make their income. One business owner, who lives in the mountains outside of Schroon Lake, has managed to to meld two of her favorite things with great success.

True Adirondack spirit

Laura Donaldson had been a seamstress/tailor for well over 35 years. She wasn't your typical small-town seamstress; her business plan was unique because she would travel to her clients' homes, place of business, or any other location they needed her. She often found herself working in Newcomb, Schroon Lake, Minerva, Olmstedville, North River, Warrensburg, Glens Falls, Chestertown, Pottersville, Thurman, North Hudson, and Adirondack to name a few! Her business thrived, and she was doing well. Unfortunately, in 2001 Laura was faced with the challenge of taking care of an entire household due to the passing of her husband.

Faced with new challenges, Laura stepped up to the plate like any other tough and rugged Adirondack woman, and she started a bed and breakfast at her home. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she drew on her years of experience as a caterer, election office worker, school substitute, headstone digger, movie theater attendant, house cleaner, and as an employee of the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. This was yet another new challenge, an endeavor with great potential.

Taking a chance

It was by chance during her summer work at the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center that Laura met a woman that was desperately looking for a place to stay. It was 4th of July and all the local motels and B&Bs were booked. The lady really needed to come for a family vacation, so Laura explained that she had been considering the possibility of starting a B&B of her own. Laura told the lady that if she was willing to stay at her place it would give Laura the opportunity to feel it out and see if it is something she really wanted to do.

This chance meeting was a great fit; Laura loved fussing while making coffee and muffins for her first guest. And over the next fifteen years, Rocky Acres Inn grew. Laura has been blessed to have had many wonderful guests that continue to return each year to stay in her home. She works hard to make every guest's experience unique and comfortable, and her breakfast is divine. With sprawling yards at this beautiful property, guests are sure to witness wildlife and nature at its best. Besides her regular B&B rooms, over the last couple of years Laura has added a screen house that people can stay in that has a heater and curtains that can be pulled to keep the heat in on a chilly night for that "Airbnb" feel. During the winter her yard is a great place to cross-country ski.

Today, both Laura's B&B and sewing business are thriving due to the fact that she melded them together (they even share a website!). Laura has had the pleasure of having guests bring their items to be tailored while they stay at her B&B. Where else is that an option!? She happily gets to do two of her favorite things at once — fuss over her guests, and take care of their tailoring needs. With the success of her unique business, she was honored recently by Trip Advisor for her growing 5 star reviews. But the most rewarding compliment Laura gets is generous and kind comments and gifts from her guests. She has had guests take her to dinner and send her unexpected gifts such as an embroidered pillow case, a hat and shirt for organ donation (in honor of her late husband), an outfit sent for her to use as mother of the bride, and a beautiful signed plaque in honor of guests that stayed in her Wolf Room. All these kind acts of generosity enforces Laura's will to succeed.

The personal touch

You can not book a room at Rocky Acres B&B online, and there is a reason for that: Laura believes in good old-fashioned one-on-one customer service. She would rather speak to her guests in person so that she can cater to their individual needs.

As of 2022, Rocky Acres has been in business for 18 years now, and the future is bright! Page after page of TripAdvisor and Google reviews are the result of Laura's hard work and dedication. Ready to plan your vacation? Contact Rocky Acres Inn today!

 

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This story was written by Tammy Whitty-Brown and was originally published in 2016. It was updated in 2022.

One way of knowing what people love about the Schroon Lake Region is what they share with each other.
With that in mind, here are the Top Ten things people think about... when they think about us.

History, fishing, and pie

The top most-shared blog of 2017 was about North Hudson history, which includes a fun video about Frontier Town. Our blog, A Day in North Hudson, covered the rise, fall, and possible new rise, of this early theme park.

There's also the fantastic family hiking and the amazing Adirondack Buffalo Company. Yes. real buffalo.

The next one was about Schroon Lake's favorite diner, Pitkin's: A taste of home. Fantastic breakfast with all the fixings, their own Michigans, or dinner with those homemade desserts, like peanut butter pie or rice pudding.

Come on in and make yourself to home.

The third blog was about the great fishing in the area, Wild places, wild fishing! It featured an interview with an Adirondack Guide and a DEC wildlife biologist to find out some of the best places to find the fish.

Of course, the fishing is fine all the year 'round, whether the water is "hard" (frozen) or "soft" (not frozen.)

Water, water, everywhere

Our next three top shares are all about the lakes and rivers.

The blog Kid Hikes Near Water shared some of our favorites for getting the younger ones on a hike with a lovely payoff at the end. Of course, we are spoiled for choice, here, as seen in this shot from Newcomb.

One of our followers, Richard Gallagher, brought us this lovely photo of Blue Ridge Falls, a spectacular, and spectacularly easy, hike with big waterfall action.

Thank you, Richard. What a reminder that spring hiking is especially good for this kind of roaring river photo opportunity.

Our next contender was this shot of fall on the shores of Schroon Lake.

From the fantastic foliage to the tasty eats downtown, this is a great place to be at that most enjoyable time of year.

Thrill of summer

Our final four top shares celebrate the sheer beauty of the area, like this one of fall just beginning in North Hudson.

One of our bloggers caught this fun reminder of how nature is all around us in the Adirondacks.

I love this fall picture from one of our most enjoyed photographers, Sharron Hosley Tyrrell, who revels in capturing our loveliness.

Thank you so much, Sharron!

Coming in tenth is a blog called Celebrate Summer in Schoon.

Which we do, we do. And we hope you do, too.

Some of our most shared posts were videos. Enjoy them on our Schroon Lake Region Facebook page, and feel welcome to follow us.
We don't believe in depriving you of anything.

Come and stay with us. Enjoy a meal with us. Win a stay with us.

Warmer days are finally here and nothing compares to an Adirondack summer. Longer days mean longer adventures, and there is a never-ending list of outdoor activities to tackle. Before every new season I like to make a few goals, a bucket list of sorts.

This summer I’ll be racing in the Black Fly Challenge, want to learn to fly fish, and have a big question mark next to the Adirondack Canoe Classic-90 miler, but more important than any race, I want to experience new regions in the Adirondacks. I currently live in Lake Placid, which means my backyard extends for 6 million acres. It might take me a lifetime to explore, so I better get started.

First up on my haven't-visited-yet Adirondack towns is Schroon Lake. Read on the see my Schroon Lake summer bucket list!

Boating on Schroon Lake

There is no shortage of boating options in the Schroon Lake Region, so I hear, making it number one on my list. Schroon Lake is 9 miles in length and has 23.7 miles of shoreline, so there’s plenty to cover by boat. There’s also a beach on the lake, perfect for summer lounging.

The Schroon Lake Marina has a great rental fleet of pontoons, row boats, motor boats, deck boats, canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards and more! If fishing is your boating motive, there are 24 fish species and 52 trout-stocked bodies of water in the Schroon Lake Region.

Camping and Hiking

More than any other season, summers are meant to be spent outside. I would happily leave my bed behind in the summer, trading it for my hammock, tent, and sleeping bag. Falling asleep to nature's sounds, waking up to the warmth of the sun, and being fully immersed in the outdoors is what dreams are made of (and why I chose to move to the Adirondacks!).

Top on my Schroon Lake Region camping and hiking list is the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. The 46,283-acre Pharaoh Lake Wilderness offers 70 miles of hiking foot trails and an abundance of lakes and ponds. Pharaoh Mountain stands as the wilderness’ highest point at 2,551 feet. There are also plenty of camping options with 38 designated tent sites and 14 lean-tos. It seems to be the perfect hiking choice whether I'm out for a day hike or a multi-night camping trip!

Dining

I strongly believe dining out is a must when experiencing a new place. Beer is also high on my list and Paradox Brewery is just the place to go. I already know their beer is delicious, I just need to experience it at the brewery. Paradox opened in 2013 and has been taking off since, featuring a variety of beer styles for every craft beer connoisseur.

North Woods Bread Co. is another place I’m excited to visit. They serve rustic breads, local cheeses, and other handmade goods, all of my favorite things! No matter your dining style, there seems to be a long list of options!

Shopping

At this point you might take me for an outdoor, tent-sleeping bum, but I’m a Long Islander at heart and I'm always ready to shop!

Schroon Lake is home to a quaint downtown area with unique shopping options. I’m dying to check out Pine Cone Mercantile — a home goods store taking a modern spin on rustic interiors. There is also Gokey’s Trading Post, Adirondack Buffalo Company, and more!

I’ve never been one to plan and I probably won’t start now. There’s no saying when my Schroon Lake Bucket List will be complete, you’ll just have to keep checking back in. I’ll follow up eventually and let you know how it goes!

 

I should also note, if you’ve made it this far, you’re probably also intrigued by Schroon Lake and just about ready to plan your adventure. Don’t put too much thought into it, just book your stay now!

 

I have a nostalgic streak that draws me to historic places. When deciding which attractions to visit this season, I went off the familiar path and chose an Adirondack attraction I had driven past the signs for all my life but never visited. I was excited at the prospect of finally visiting this natural wonder.

One of our oldest and best attractions

Natural Stone Bridge and Caves is one of the Adirondack's oldest natural attractions. The business has been operated by different members of the same family for more than five decades. Surveys have concluded that the Stone Bridge appears to be the largest natural marble cave entrance in the eastern United States. Greg Beckler is the current family member to own and operate the business. We chatted with Greg after our tour and he filled me in on a lot of history and some of the expansion they've done in recent years.

An 1824 passage from A Gazetteer of the State of New York by Horatio Gates Spafford, describes the stone bridge and cave:

"The STONE BRIDGE, in this town is a very great natural curiosity, and has given the name Stone-Bridge Creek, to a small stream that runs under it. This stream rises in Essex County, and enters Chester about 30 rods above the Bridge, and immediately falls over a rocky precipice, into a large natural Basin; whence turning easterly, enters its subterranean passage in two branches. The northern branch enters its passage under an arch of massive granite 40 feet high, and about 80 feet broad at the base, gradually diminishing in capacity as you descend. A person may follow the stream with ease, 156 feet from the entrance, where it becomes co contracted as to check any farther progress. At a short distance, the southern and principal branch enters its passage amidst a heap of stones and rubbish that almost conceal the entrance; and though with difficulty, its passage has been explored. In some places, very much confined, in others it opens into caverns of 30 or 40 feet diameter, and filled with water to a great depth. At the distance of 247 feet from the entrance, the waters disembogue in one stream, having united in the subterranean passage; and here is a precipice of rock 54 feet high, which terminates the Bridge. The arch through which the water discharges is about 10 feet wide and 5 high. This stream enters the Scaroon River, about ¾ of a mile below the outlet of Scaroon Lake, and the Stone Bridge is about 3 miles NW from the mouth of the Creek."

The above ground tour

Greg was kind enough to give me a thumb drive with some great images of old maps and brochures from the past days of the attraction. The tour map from the 50s is one of my favorites. Keep in mind the current tour is somewhat expanded from this older map as they have added some walkways since that time, and there is a walkway across the top of the stone bridge. But, you'll get the general idea from this map. Oh, and they'll give you a brand spanking new map when you go.

 

As you can see, the paths wind around the edges of Trout Brook, which runs through the property. It's lined with wooden walkways, stairs, railings and beautiful meditation spots along the way. We marveled at some of the tiny and noisy caves with the brook rushing through them. We've had a very dry summer here in the Adirondacks this year. Fortunately, just prior to my visit, the region experienced some big storms, dumping quite a large amount of rain on the area. Naturally the rain caused the water levels to rise in the rivers and streams, so we were able to experience the attraction with a fairly normal amount of water flowing.

The day we toured was a beautiful, hot summer day and the attraction was very busy. Lots of visitors of all ages were scurrying around the rocks and walkways around the property. Little kids were marveling at the caves and the loud water sounds inside them. Noisy Cave is one of the caves visitors can walk into. Trout Brook rushes through the cave as you watch the electric lighting change color from green to blue to red to purple. It's pretty cool and we readily understood why it was named Noisy Cave - we could not hold a conversation inside!

It took us about an hour and a half to walk the entire tour, taking time to stop for a snack with a lovely family from Connecticut, who so generously offered us some of their treats and water. The Lilaporia family, from Connecticut, had chosen to visit by suggestion of their three young daughters, who were making all the holiday decisions and plans for this vacation. I love that idea! I think more families should do this - that way the kids can't complain when they don't like the itinerary —because it's all theirs. The girls obviously had a great time judging by all the smiles:

Highlights of the tour

A great resting spot along Trout Brook, known as Serenity Park

There are wonderful benches and stopping points to take a break and contemplate the beauty

This is the site of a former sawmill on Trout Brook

You can see why this cave is known as "Tiny Cave"

Walking along the huge expanses of rock downstream from the Bridge

Natural Stone Bridge is also a great location for a wedding!

Fall foliage season is a perfect time to visit and capture nature's spectacle

Some really cool 'potholes' as seen from the walkway above - these are carved out by the force of the water raging against rocks swirling around within the hole.

Join an adventure tour and get inside the caves

If you aren't claustrophobic and you don't mind getting wet and dirty, sign up for one of the Adventure Tours led by a guide through some of the amazing caverns and waterfalls. The tour is offered once a day on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday each week during summer, ending the last day of August. If you miss it this year, make sure you visit during the summer months next year to take advantage of this very cool trip through the attraction. Watch the video above for the better picture of the Adventure Tour.

It's a tight squeeze through parts of the Adventure Tour. Put on your brave pants and give it a try next summer!

There are many more activities in the park for adults and kids alike - mining, climbing, disc golf, and much more.

And of course, there are winter snowshoe adventures.
If you're a rock hound, you won't want to miss the gift shop. Greg told me they make regular rock buying trips to Tucson, Arizona, and rocks shows in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. These are apparently the big shows in the rock world. The rock shop is filled with hundreds of amazing rock and mineral specimens, most of which are for sale. There are Mexican geodes with surprises inside that you can buy, and they will split them open for you to find your special surprise minerals. There are many items on display that are not for sale, but you can buy items ranging from .10 cents to $10,000.00! Don't miss at least browsing around the rock and gift shops before departing.

Plan your trip

Plan a trip to the Schroon Lake Region and take advantage of all the fall attractions and events in the region. Visit Natural Stone Bridge and Caves website for much more history, as well as admission information. The park is open through September 5th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and September 6th to October 10th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be sure to arrive 90 minutes before closing time to assure yourself the time for the full experience.
Of course, Mother Nature's fall foliage spectacular is the biggest attraction in fall. What better backdrop than to spend a few days visiting and touring. Don't wait til the last minute to make your lodging plans — plan now to visit soon!

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This week in related ADK awesome autumn activities:

Switching gears

Lapping up the fun

Four for fall

A-maze-ing fall fun

Going up?

By land, sea, or air

Defiance at its finest

Bike the Barns 2016

Newcomb, NY is a haven for hikers, with nearby trails leading to the eastern High Peaks, Mount Goodnow, and into Great Camp Santanoni. It also is home to Lake Harris and the Hudson River for boating, camping, or just relaxing. 

And now Newcomb residents Kelly and Tony Audino are looking to feed hungry visitors and offer beds with lake views. I met up with Kelly earlier this week and got a glimpse of the future Lake Harris House Lodge and adjoining glamping sites.

The couple moved to Newcomb from the Albany area to open the Hoot Owl Lodge, fulfilling their dream of moving to the Adirondacks. Kelly said there isn’t a place in Newcomb for dinner, so she decided to rectify that. Hence, their latest project, the Lake Harris House Lodge.

Situated along Route 28, the road that cuts right through the town, stands the shell of the soon-to-be Lake Harris House Lodge. The restaurant is slated to open late October 2018. Kelly gave me a tour of the enormous space that will include three fireplaces, leather couches and chairs, cathedral ceilings, a capacious bar area, screened-in outdoor seating overlooking the lake, and 90 or so tables. The plan is to become a year-round destination for hikers and visitors in summer and fall, and skiers and snowmobilers in the winter. While still heavily under construction, it was easy to envision the warm, traditional Adirondack-style lodge to come. 

We then walked down the the edge of the property adjacent to Lake Harris to tour the first of four glamping sites. Glamping is luxury or glamorous camping — a mix of hotel room amenities in an outdoor setting. The completed tent is outfitted with a queen bed, a dresser, and seating area. There is also a porch with more seating that faces the lake. There’s a ceiling fan, electric outlets, and canvas windows to enjoy Adirondack breezes. 

Guests will be able to order room service from the lodge and enjoy dining in their personal elevated and waterproof “tent.” Of note is Kelly’s attention to detail; each bed has 1,000-count sheets and fluffy down duvets. 

Outside, Tony will be building docks where glampers can tie up their canoes and kayaks, or use just for sitting and enjoying the view. Each site will have its own bathroom facilities. 

Kelly says she envisions the sites as romantic getaways, and they even plan on installing a wood stove to test out winter glamping. 

I’ll keep you posted with more photos when the doors open! Once you've booked your stay, check out our unique dining options and other attractions.

 

 

Here in the Adirondacks, we love winter. Really, really love winter: building snow forts, ice skating on frozen lakes, sledding down hills, and warming up with hot cocoa. As good as that sounds (and I know you're pondering your next winter vacation right now), we also love winter events and activities. During a variety of special events, winter is celebrated with skiing clinics, snowmobile rides, live music, great food, and more. Here are some of our favorite events that make the most of snow, ice, and the joy of living in a real life snow globe.

Camp Santanoni Winter Weekends

January 18 - 20, February 15 - 17, March 14 - 15

Ski or snowshoe your way into the past at historic Great Camp Santanoni, once a private summer home on Newcomb Lake. While Santanoni may be reached by ski or snowshoe all winter long, Winter Weekends are an extra special time to enjoy this historic property. Volunteers from Adirondack Architectural Heritage will be on hand to provide tours of the Great Camp's Gate Lodge and Main Lodge, while the Artist's Studio will be a cozy spot to warm up and enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. Don't have snowshoes? No problem! Staff from the nearby Adirondack Interpretive Center will be on hand to loan you a pair for the 9-mile round trip adventure.

Gore Mountain MLK Weekend Holiday Camp and Fireworks!

January 18 - 19

Make your children’s winter vacation extra special with this holiday camp at Gore Mountain. They’ll enjoy two full days of fun on the slopes and in the snow with coaches and new friends and a hearty lunch. This camp is great for kids of all skiing and riding levels. All you have to do is pick them up and drop them off! Stick around at dusk on the 19th for a gorgeous fireworks display, torchlight parade, and live music! There's a reason why so many skiers and riders visit Gore year after year, so come find out for yourself!

Vintage Snowmobile Races

January 25

Head to beautiful, frozen Lake Harris for this affordable, entertaining annual event hosted by the Newcomb Snowmobile Club. The event is totally free for spectators, while riders interested in racing pay only $10 to enter. Lunch is provided by the club and the racing is good fun for everyone. You just might get inspired to take up snowmobiling yourself. The Adirondack Hub has miles and miles of beautiful trails to explore!

President's Week Holiday Camp at Gore

February 18 - 20

Make your children’s winter vacation extra special with this action-packed holiday camp at Gore Mountain. They’ll enjoy three full days of fun on the slopes and in the snow with coaches and new friends and a hearty lunch. This camp is great for kids of all skiing and riding levels, helping them have fun and improve their skills. All you have to do is pick them up and drop them off!

Adirondack Interpretive Center

Ongoing

Visit the Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb for outstanding exhibits about the natural history of the Adirondacks, as well as periodic special events, including guided snowshoe hikes, film screenings, painting workshops, and more. The AIC's beautiful trail system, which winds through cedar swamps and along two lakes, is well worth a visit. Trails vary in length, so visitors can choose a short walk or a longer adventure. The AIC is an exceptional location to learn more about the plants and animals of the Adirondacks, as well as the mountains themselves, and enjoy the beauty of nature first-hand.

Whether you ski and ride, snowshoe, or love the sound of a good old fashioned snowmobile engine, the Adirondack Hub and the towns of Newcomb, Schroon Lake, Minerva, and North Hudson have great wintertime adventures, activities, and events. Visit us at one of our cozy motels, lodges, or cabins, enjoy the great outdoors, and sample hearty Adirondack food and craft beer.

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Submitted by Guest Blogger: Brooke Clark

The ride to Schroon Lake was always far too long when I was heading up to ride snowmobiles with my dad. I would wait for him to pull into the driveway, only to run out at top speed to climb in and go! He had the most beautiful sled with a leopard seat, and the smell! Oh, how I loved the smell when he got that machine started. I am so fortunate that I married someone who shares this love of winter, snowmobiling and sharing it all with family.

The recent cold temperatures certainly went a long way in helping firm up what we had on the trails, and we were fortunate to have our groomer out this weekend. We are hoping that the reports of snow ring true and head our direction!

Plan ahead to sled!

We have annual events in Schroon Lake that ensure sledding is fun for the whole family. A few years ago, we lost a good friend and avid snowmobiler. The 5th annual Mark Heinzelman Snowmobile Poker Run is on Saturday, Feb. 13 this year. We raise money in his name to donate to either a local family or charity.

The following weekend is the Schroon Lake-North Hudson Snowmobile Club poker run. This is also an annual event. For both, we register and then ride in groups from place to place, getting a card stamped. Then we gather at a local spot — usually the Fish and Game Club or a restaurant — and pull playing cards to make a hand of poker. The best hand wins, and there is usually something for the lowest hand, too! We share laughs, memories and make plans for families to get together to plan more snowmobiling. Close to 100 people enter the runs. It certainly makes for a fun-filled day for everyone.

In addition to the poker runs, the majority of people who live and visit Schroon Lake in the colder months enjoy getting out and riding. We ride to go out to dinner and to get to the grocery store; my daughter has even been asking if she can ride her sled to school. It certainly is a great form of transportation when the roads get scary and you need to be somewhere. We also ride on the lake, when it is safe. Ask a local fisherman you see on the ice and he or she will be more than happy to tell you how much ice is on the lake.

Safety First!

General guidelines regarding ice thickness are:

• 2" or less — STAY OFF
• 4" — safe for ice fishing or other activities on foot
• 5" — safe for a snowmobile or an ATV
• 8" - 12" — safe for a car or small pickup truck
• 12" - 15" — safe for a medium-sized truck

I generally wait until I see vehicles driving about before I venture out onto the ice. I have driven my jeep, snowmobiles and have spent a lot of time fishing on our lake without incident. There is always someone that thinks it’s safe before it is, and they wind up going through the ice, so ask questions, be safe and don’t be that guy…

Where to begin?

Schroon Lake has one of the longest trail systems in New York state. There are 6 main trails, and all interconnect. Trail 1 begins at the Schroon Lake Municipal Golf course. It is the longest trail, with a variety of terrain and the widest trails. Be careful on the golf course, which is wide open to ride, due to the fact you may not be able to see another sled coming at you through the dips and valleys.

You can access the lake about a quarter mile down Hoffman and across state Route 9. Trail 6 provides the best access to local restaurants, gas, service and other amenities. The North end is located at Paradox Lake. If you take the trail south you can reach the Fish and Game Club, Sticks and Stones, Witherbee’s and other trails that continue south into the Warren County system.

The state is currently working on connecting our local trail systems so we can travel to points we haven’t been able to access in the past. Remember when you join a club you can register your sled at a discounted price. You can find all kinds of information by following the links here. Questions come up often about age to ride and courses available. We offer a snowmobile licensing course annually at our local Fish and Game Club.

Here are a few of the basic guidelines:
The New York state Office of Parks and Recreation website states that, "Youth ages 14 through 17 years old may operate a snowmobile, on lands upon which snowmobiling is allowed, without adult or other supervision if they have completed a snowmobile safety training course recognized by the State of New York. If youth ages 14 through 17 years have not completed the training course, they may operate a snowmobile if accompanied by (within 500 feet of) a person who is at least 18 years of age.

Youth ages 10 through 13 may operate a snowmobile, on lands upon which snowmobiling is allowed, if they have completed a snowmobile safety training course recognized by the State of New York and are accompanied by (within 500 feet of) a person who is at least 18 years of age.

Children less than 10 years old or less than age 14 without a safety certificate may operate a snowmobile only on lands owned or leased by their parent or guardian."

Visit the NYSSA website for a detailed reference to the New York state laws pertaining to or affecting snowmobiles, including OPRHP Law § 25.19, operation by youthful operators.

Photo credit: Patricia Strickland

Our trails wind for miles around beautiful snow-covered trees, along frozen streams and through quaint communities. I consider Schroon Lake one of the best places in the Adirondacks to snowmobile in New York. There are other amazing places to ride, but I think the combination of our trail system, restaurants, access to the lake and our tight-knit community make it a truly special experience. See you on the trail! Ready…set…ride...

 

North Hudson is the smallest of the four villages that comprise the Schroon Lake area of the Adirondacks. They have wonderful hiking paths, including a town system that is a wonderful forest exploration.

While it has traditionally been a quiet village, the cycle is turning. They are currently poised for renewal.

Out of the past

Once upon a time, there was Frontier Town. Before Disneyworld, before Disneyland, children from all over New York and New England would dream of visiting Frontier Town. For almost four decades, North Hudsonites would meet their future mates while working there, playing the gunslingers, saloon denizens, villains, stagecoach drivers, and other legendary wild west characters. They built the stagecoaches, made the costumes, churned the butter, cared for the many horses, and engraved children's names on sheriff's badges.

Frontier Town today. (photo courtesy adirondacknorthway.com)

Frontier Town was destroyed by cheaper mass transportation, which let larger attractions and distant continents become available as vacation destinations, and it closed in 1998. Now, it will be the site of a revived "Gateway to the Adirondacks." Redevelopment plans are in progress to create a visitor center, an event center, and interactive exhibits.

There will be a new DEC campground and day use area along the Schroon River, including an equestrian camping and trail riding area. There will be visitor accommodations and facilities for hosting shows and festivals. The exhibit space will be about the past, present, and future of the area, from its pioneer logging and mining industry to its present leadership in the conservation and renewal ethos of the Adirondacks.

Taken from the roadside during early fall in North Hudson.

One thing has never changed. North Hudson is a gorgeous place. It combines beauty with many easy trails to please all ages and skill levels.

Scenic hiking

Some of my favorite hiking places are in North Hudson. The Sharp Bridge NYS Campground is the site of many hiking trails, including a real gem, the East Mill Flow and related trails.

This easy path is mostly elevated above Schroon Brook, but there are sections where it descends to the shore and you can step down to water level and get a different perspective.

This is a fun trail that is not at all challenging. It's a photography favorite, too. There's lots of tumbled boulders, silvery gray piles of blown down trees, and many beautiful wildflowers.

Another fine hike with water features is Blue Ridge Falls, with easy paths and spectacular views. Just further down Blue Ridge Road is the Cheney Pond trail, which is the remains of an old access road and another fine hike to water. Enjoy three ponds in a row with Courtney Pond, Shingletree Pond, and Holiday Pond.

North Hudson hiking trails tend to be short, flat, and scenic, compared to the much more demanding wilderness treks that get all the attention. This area has more gentle terrain, with lots of water in streams and ponds.

Personally, I love semi-level forest trails with lots of interesting shoreline, which explains my fondness for North Hudson trails. This ease of use is a prominent feature of the town of North Hudson's multiple use trail system for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Whatever your hiking choices, North Hudson is a place that encourages us to take our time. Stroll along and absorb the peace of the forest. See and hear the slow approach of a pond through the trees.

The buffalo herd

Fall is a fine time to visit the Adirondack Buffalo Company. Their location in North Hudson is along the very scenic Blue Ridge Road, and their viewing platform is a spectacular place to see the colorful mountains and the pastures of the buffalo. Yes, they are real buffalo.

But then, anytime is a fine time for me to come here. They have a big shop, too, full of crafts and goodies.

The buffalo are not wild, but they fit in fine with the terrain and essentially take care of themselves.

The shop has a lot of Adirondack crafts, and also many with Native American themes. I have two of their nature-themed throw pillows, and must control myself from picking up a new one each time I visit. There's a good selection of children's and adult's layering items, from woven tunics to Adriondack Buffalo Company sweatshirts, T-shirts, and hoodies.

Yes, I have a sweatshirt. I confess I am a fan. There's a whole food section full of their own condiments, salsa, pickles, and baked goods. There are also snacks, beverages, candy...so many fine road cravings can be fulfilled here.

Their pie is a must. You'll thank me later.

Learn more about the Adirondack Buffalo Company with the blog, Where the buffalo roam.
North Hudson is a wonderful day trip that is mere minutes from the lodging and dining in the area. Yet, it can seem like a whole little world of its own.

Choose your place to stay. Pick a dining spot. We have lots of hiking.

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This week in related ADK news:

Tires on the trail

Something corny

Feeling lucky?

In search of color

From leaves to Halloween

1-in-20 Year Food Crop

The Adirondack summer-fall-winter of 2017-2018 featured a 1-in-20 year food crop on the trees. Every coniferous tree species had excellent to bumper cone crops, birch trees were covered with catkins, and there was abundant fruit on bushes and trees. All that available fruit allowed quite a few American Robins to over-winter.

A Wonderful Season to see Winter Finches

As a result of the abundant cone seeds on the conifers, it was a terrific season to see winter finches. Red and White-winged Crossbills, which are fascinating nomadic species, nested during the summer of 2017 and many more irrupted in late fall to take advantage of this huge food source. Both species began nesting again in February - March.

Crossbills can nest at any time of year, as long as they have plenty of cone seeds to feed their young. Our central Adirondack region, including Long Lake, Newcomb, Minerva, and North Hudson, was a magnetic for visiting birders this winter. This spring, we will see many heavily-striped juvenile Red and White-winged Crossbills among family groups.

After large winter irruptions, crossbills will continue to be observed into the spring and summer before they move on to another region with plenty of food.

White-winged Crossbills have been feeding on Black, Red, and White Spruce seeds in addition to Tamarack seeds.

Red Crossbills have been observed feeding on the seeds of Red and White Pines, Tamarack, Red Spruce, and Hemlock.

Pine Siskins irrupted in enormous numbers this winter and it seems as if they can be found in every bush and tree! They have been observed feeding on birch catkins, and the seeds of White Pine, Balsam Fir, Hemlock, and White Cedar.

Purple Finches and American Goldfinches, species which normally leave our central Adirondack region in winter, over-wintered this year. The huge numbers of American Goldfinches at Adirondack feeders was a continuous topic of conversation all winter.

Signs of Spring

“Winter” is hanging on with cold and snow, but already, signs of spring are all around us. Our year-round Brown Creepers and Golden-crowned Kinglets have begun to sing. I observed the first migrant Golden Eagle moving north through our area on March 16. Snow Bunting males are beginning to head back to the Arctic.

Hooded Mergansers appear first on any small opening in the ice on ponds, lakes, brooks, and rivers. I observed 3 males on the Hudson River in Newcomb on March 16.
Year-round Gray Jays are currently nesting and their young will fledge in late April.

Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles are moving back in. Northern Saw-whet Owls are also returning. Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkeys are displaying and courting females.

Purple Finches, which over-wintered, are already singing.

Soon, American Woodcocks will be heard. Other early arriving species include Red-shouldered Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Chipping Sparrow and waterfowl such as Wood and Ring-necked Ducks and Pied-billed Grebe.

By April and May, huge waves of migrants return (see my 2017 spring birding blog), including all the colorful warbler species, and every day holds excitement as more and more songs fill our landscape.

Two New Birding Areas in Minerva-North Hudson

The Long Lake-Newcomb-Minerva-North Hudson region of the central Adirondacks has extensive boreal habitat and it is one of the most exciting areas to go birding. This year, birders will be able to explore two new areas in the Minerva-North Hudson region: The Wolf Pond Trail and the Boreas Ponds Tract.

The Wolf Pond Trail is a newly cut 2.4-mile trail that begins at the Boreas River Bridge parking area along the Blueridge Road in Minerva near the town line with North Hudson. It weaves through beautiful boreal habitat. I hiked the trail in August last summer and encountered two flocks of Boreal Chickadees, three Black-backed Woodpeckers (pair with a juvenile), and two groups of Gray Jays.

Red Crossbills could be heard singing and calling throughout the hike. The pond is lined with bog mats on its western side. Common Loons nest on Wolf Pond and they were observed diving for fish during my visit. Views of the High Peaks to the north of Wolf Pond are spectacular!

There is a new lean-to near the pond, which makes a nice spot for a food/rest break. In September, together with four others, we canoed Wolf Pond Brook to the pond. This trip was challenging, requiring several bushwhack canoe-carries, but a great deal of fun and it was terrific to be able to paddle Wolf Pond!

The dirt road to the Boreas Ponds Tract (nearly 21,000 acres) is open to the public, although the lands are in the process of being designated Wild Forest and Wilderness. The planned parking area will eventually be closer to the Boreas Ponds. The current parking area is several miles from the ponds. You can hike or bike from the current parking location.
I biked to the Boreas Ponds in the fall of 2016. There is a great deal of boreal habitat in the vicinity of the ponds. This area will be easier for birders to reach when the new parking lot is completed. Views of the High Peaks are breathtaking, looming above the ponds to the north. This will be a very popular hiking, camping, and paddling area.

Another Great Boreal Birding Area in North Hudson

Along a straight portion of the Blueridge Road in North Hudson, where it is much easier to park on the shoulder than along the narrow, twisty, western sections of that road, is the Sand Pond Marsh area (formed by the inlet of Sand Pond). This is a wonderful spot to go boreal birding. There are no trails, but much of the land is public and part of the Hoffman Notch Wilderness to the south and Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest to the north.

I have found as many as 20 Boreal Chickadees just walking along the road in this area. Black-backed Woodpeckers and Gray Jays are also regularly found, in addition to all the Red and White-winged Crossbills that nested here last summer and currently this winter-spring. I am a frequent visitor of this exciting boreal location. It is ~ 9.4 miles east of the Blueridge Road–Route 28N intersection in Newcomb.

Stay tuned for more birding blogs on the newly acquired state lands, and new hiking and cross-country ski trails, and paddling routes! If you visit this lovely, remote part of the Adirondacks, there are great places to stay and eat in this region.

Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness

My close friend and frequent hiking companion, Jim Hopson, and I are often out at the break of day, but for this adventure we decided on a bit later start. Today we are heading to the north side of the Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness. We met up just off Exit 29 of I-87 and caravaned over to the trailhead for the Short Swing Trail located off Route 74 between Schroon Lake and Ticonderoga. I was a bit worried that the parking area wouldn’t be plowed, but it was, so luckily parking was no issue.

Short Swing Trail

It looked as though the trail had been used somewhat recently; the faint indentations of snowshoe tracks gave us a ray of hope. There ended up being about 3 inches of powder on the broken trail, which was solid enough underneath to support us. At the trail register we planned to sign in, but the book was full, each pencil was broken, and the pens frozen solid. That was okay, safety-wise, since we left notes and plans at home with the family. But, we'll be sure to throw a pencil in our packs for future trips.

We swiftly moved along the trail to the Eagle Lake Dam, where a playful otter resides. We must have spooked him with our conversation, as all we saw were fresh tracks from belly-sliding. We started our climb along the trail, almost immediately past the dam, steady but not overly steep. As we passed by the cliffs and rock outcroppings of Ragged Mountain, it brought back memories of my previous hike to that summit, and whet Jim’s motivation to return.

The trail was still broken ever so slightly. We finally crested the shoulder of Bear Mountain, the apex bringing us to a long descent that would leave us at the Spur Trail for the Tubmill Marsh Lean-to. We could now see clearly that Pine Hill, which was one of our destinations on this day, was right in front of us and the trail would actually get higher at the peak's base. Climbing again we crested a small hill and moved on quickly to a crossing of Rock Pond Brook. This little crossing, which should be assumed to be of no major consequence and frozen solid, was not the case. Sure it looked fine and dandy, but that didn’t stop me from finding the bottom. Of course it was only about 4 inches deep, but your mind can play tricks on you when you have that sudden downward momentum. Apparently the previous snowshoers didn’t even try to cross; the broken out trail now ceased to exist.

Breaking trail

We suddenly found ourselves on undisturbed terrain and breaking trail in no less than 14-inches of snow. We trudged on. Jim started with the trail breaking force as we continued to climb to the shoulder of Pine Hill. Once on the shoulder we switched off and I led the assault as we headed up the steep slopes of Pine Hill. The slopes didn’t hold back as we climbed the final 700-feet of elevation in just under 4/10’s of a mile. The snow was deep as ever, we could only do a few steps between each straight-legged breather. We opted to hike under the canopy of the hemlocks as much as we could, as they held snow in the needles keeping the ground cover at a more manageable 6-inches. We soon found ourselves in the low lying clouds of a rather damp winter day; the hoarfrost on the white pine needles scrapped against our jackets as we moved through. The opening through the trees gave us hope of a viewing platform as we approached a lower knob on the hill. The white pines were too tall to afford us more than an obscured view through the slight openings. The true summit awarded not much more for rewards, but the interesting rock formations, frost on the trees, and the thumping of snow shelves breaking way under us in micro-avalanches was cool enough.

After a quick snack and some hydration we pressed on toward Antwine Hill, which was 300-feet lower than us in elevation and would only work us as hard as its 100-foot climb to its summit could afford. The ridge we followed off Pine Hill was a long landing zone of snow-covered open rock, which gave us the benefit of easy travel and periodic vistas out through the trees. Soon we would have to drop dramatically off the ridge to reach the high col between the two summits. The col was narrow and deep as the steep slopes of both hills surrounded us. Snow seemed to gather here in the hopes of burying any visitors. Pushing on I continued the trail breaking work for a bit before Jim took over. Jim left me the final 200 feet or so as part of my finish, this was my 700^th different Adirondack Peak. We celebrated the summit with some hot coffee and homemade chocolate bread that my wife Corenne made with black beans (don’t scrunch your nose, it’s pretty amazing).

Both Jim and I didn’t like the appeal of climbing back up the 400 feet of elevation on Pine Hill so we opted for the backup plan of a short descent down to Horseshoe Pond, which rests on the Short Swing Trail that we followed in, but another couple miles deeper into the wilderness. This would mean much more trail breaking, but we decided it would be okay, and we both enjoy loops much more than out-and-back hikes.

Horseshoe Pond

The descent off Antwine Hill was perfect; not too steep and quite interesting as it passed through a tall stand of red pines. In no time whatsoever, we stood at the shore of Horseshoe Pond. Dead snags dotted the pond and leatherleaf protruded the snow along shore. The trail was just a short 1/10^th of a mile away and we were looking forward to being there. As suspected, this section of the trail had not been touched in a very long time, if at all this winter. We needed to continue to break trail, and much of the trail back to where we had left it was uphill. As we climbed steadily, the shallow slopes seemed much more difficult under the current conditions, and our legs were starting to feel it. As we passed by the trail that leads to Rock Pond we could see Lilypad Pond through the trees, but today we had no interest in a visit. The trail would continue to climb up over a shoulder of Pine Hill only to tease us with a descent most of that way back down to Honey Pond.

Honey Pond, just to say it, was a honey of a spot. Potter Hill was across the way, and the open rocks that lined the summit made Jim seem to salivate about a near future visit. Once we snapped a few pictures, and Jim wiped his chin, we made the final short climb up to where we broke off up to the steep slopes of Pine Hill that morning. We knew now it would be clear sailing back to the trailhead, but we were not looking forward to the climb back up and over the shoulder of Bear Mountain. Phew.

Interested in the Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness, check out our recreational pages for more trails, ponds, and mountains in the area. Want to have a guided trip into the region, be sure to go to our guide services page for more details and we can get you there. The Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness is a great escape for cross-country skiing as well.