A fun part of every snowmobiling trip are the stops along the trail. Giving yourself and your group pre-planned breaks for rest and refreshment adds to the delightful time, no matter how long or short your loop may be.

As thrilling as it is rocketing along the trail, it is just as important to refuel; both the sled, and the appetite. Hanging up the helmets and enjoying a good meal is part of the fun, too. Here are some welcoming pit stops.

Hometown Handiness

The Newcomb Cafe & Campground is an excellent spot to get gas at one of their pumps and/or stop for a homestyle breakfast or lunch. From there you can hop on a number of trails around the Newcomb area that connect to other communities like Long Lake or Indian Lake.

Just down the road is the Lake Harris Lodge. They have a full bar, serve lunch and dinner, and have several stone fireplaces to warm up by. They serve American-Italian style food and have local beers on draft at the bar, and the lodge overlooks Lake Harris. You can come right off the trails to a hot meal. 

Downtown Pubs

All downtown dining in Schroon Lake is available to the snowmobile owners who park their machines on the gazebo park grounds. After the ice is firmly set and tested, it can be safe to sled across the frozen Schroon Lake, but do be careful. It's an easy walk to find many fine places, but here's a look at the two pubs.

The Timberwolf Pub is a local gathering place. It can be difficult to choose from the delicious menu, but the soups are home-made and the burgers are fresh so you can't go wrong either way. Their motto is "good food, good company, and good times." Join them for breakfast with daily specials, lunch with homemade soups, and dinner.

Flanagan's Pub & Grill is a Irish Pub. They have daily specials, and today, I had the peppermint hot chocolate. Homemade. I could tell. When the menu says “The Best Wings in the Adirondacks,” I have to check them out. There are many varieties and I am planning to try them all. The menu has some welcome side trails and appetizers. After five the dinner menu features some hearty meals sure to satisfy the hungriest snowmobiler. We went for my favorite appetizer, the gluten-free coconut shrimp which is so good I have to share, so we also got the Nachos Deluxe, with fresh jalepenos.

St. Patrick's Day is Flanagan's anniversary, so that's also a great time to stop in. But then again, any time is.

Bistro Flair

Sticks & Stones Bistro & Bar is at the edge of town, with plenty of parking. The rustic interior with stone fireplace is a warm and welcoming space in winter. The owner is particularly proud of the special Italian pizza oven. There are sandwiches, bistro salads, and evening entrees like scallops, fresh fettucine, and steaks. Make sure you check out the burger of the day!

Even my gluten-free self can enjoy one of their signature desserts, the adult root beer float with vanilla bean ice cream, but there are many more. Like table-side s'mores and molten lava cake. They also specialize in craft beer, boutique wine, and handcrafted cocktails.

With such a range of possibilities, and so many trails, the Adirondack Hub makes a wonderful choice to spend your day sledding. After a full day of fun, find a place to stay. Try more of the delicious dining. Explore more trails!

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If you like craft beer, you need to visit Paradox Brewery in Schroon Lake. And depending on when you visit, you might even get to sip your pint while enjoying a view that includes some of the High Peaks. 

Paul and Joan Mrocka opened Paradox six years ago. Hailing from New Jersey, Paul started brewing when he got out of the service in 1984. The couple transitioned from being visitors to the Adirondacks when they bought a house on Paradox Lake, and as many Adirondackers can attest, life here isn’t as leisurely as it might seem.

“I don’t vacation anymore, I work,” Paul said with a laugh. “I use my boat maybe twice a year, and I only used my season pass for skiing twice last winter.”

That hard work is paying off, though. The Mrockas are building a shiny new brewery in North Hudson, just a few miles north of Schroon Lake on Route 9, to replace the current brewery, which is just south of Schroon Lake on Route 9. The brewery will be closer to I-87 than their current location, and it will be close to the state’s new Frontier Town Campground, Equestrian and Day Use Area. 

But besides being in a convenient spot, the new brewery will allow Paradox to quadruple its output and move everything on site. Right now they’re at capacity at their present location with about 2,000 barrels (there's about 30 gallons of beer per barrel) a year, and another 1,800 to 2,000 barrels a year are produced in Stratford, Connecticut. 

Shiny and new

The large, hangar-like building on Route 9N will be packed full of modern, highly efficient equipment. Outside, a large wraparound deck provides views of the surrounding mountains, and there might be food trucks in the brewery’s future. All in all, the vast space is bigger than what Paradox currently needs because Paul wants to allow room for the business to grow. 

More space also means more brewing tanks, so the brewers can try smaller batches of things that will only be found on site. There could be a maple porter or a blueberry wheat in Paradox’s future! 

A round of beers

Back at the current location, tasting room manager Andre Turcotte outlined some of the mainstays Paradox offers. The Paradox Pilsner is one of the lightest beers they do — it’s smooth, crisp and refreshing.

The Beaver Bite IPA is the top selling beer, while its sibling Beaver Overbite is a juicy double IPA, a pineapple meets grapefruit kind of thing. Southern Hemisphere is a highly coveted beer — all of the ingredients come from New Zealand and Australia and it tastes hoppy without being bitter. The pale ale is a classic, light and low on the hoppiness.

And then there’s the Off Trail Series.

“The Off Trail Series is to keep the brewers’ creativity going,” Andre said. “Once a month they go off the trail, they try something a little different, a different rendition to a recipe, or they try a different style.” 

One Off Trail beer was Peaches and Cream, a milkshake IPA with peach puree and lactose in it. It sounds like a mixed drink, but Andre said it didn’t taste like one. That’s something that speaks to what the brewers at Paradox are all about. They’ll slide something across the bar that you might not think you’ll like, and you’ll end up with a new favorite.

“We have people walk in here who say they hate IPAs, but ours are a northeast style. Very juicy, hoppy more than bitter,” Andre said. “You get someone who will walk in hating IPAs and they’ll walk out with a case of our Southern Hemisphere IPA.” 

Beer isn't the only thing you can try in the Schroon Lake Region! Take a hike, go horseback riding, or go for a paddle!

Every season in the mountains holds its own distinct beauty, but perhaps the most dramatic and photo worthy of them all is fall. Different shades appear as the season progresses, with the peak offering a show-stopping display of reds, yellows, oranges, and deep greens. Combine all that with the warm days and crisp evenings — campfires are highly recommended — and you have the perfect conditions for outdoor exploration. To get started, take a look at four of our favorite fall haunts, listed below in order from easiest to most difficult, then get out there and enjoy the beauty of autumn in the Adirondacks!

1. Adirondac, a ghost town

This is more of a site to explore than a hike, but there’s no better way to experience fall than by being in a real Adirondack ghost town. Visitors can drive right into the shuttered old mining town and explore the abandoned community of Adirondac at their leisure. It’s an amazing place where trees emerge from the buildings’ rooftops and moss and peeling paint converge to form a haunting backdrop to the reds and oranges of the seasonal foliage. No great tragedy happened here — the inhabitants were simply relocated in 1964 when National Lead, the company that owned the village and the nearby mines, decided it was time to get out of the landlord business — but the place still conjures images of its former inhabitants. It’s hard not to imagine miners and their families walking down the straight, narrow dirt road before retiring for the evening within the confines of one of these now-decrepit homes. Do resist the urge to follow those spirits inside, though. Many of the houses aren’t safe to enter, so peering through the windows is your best bet. And be sure to check out the enormous blast furnace; it’s on the right as you enter the town.

Fun fact: The buildings of another nearby mining village, Tahawus, were literally picked up and moved into Newcomb in 1963 after iron ore and titanium were discovered beneath it.

Getting there

From I-87, take Exit 29 and turn west on Boreas Road. After about 18 miles, make a right onto County Road 25, which is also called Tahawus Rd. Follow that for about 6 miles and turn left onto County Road 25A, also known as Upper Works Road. After about 2 miles, the ghost town of Adirondac will appear. Park anywhere along the road to explore the remnants of the town, or proceed to the Upper Works parking area and backtrack on foot.

2. Newcomb AIC

If you want a little nature education to accompany the sound of crisp autumn leaves crunching beneath your hiking boots, this is the place for you. AIC stands for Adirondack Interpretive Center, and that’s exactly what this place sets out to accomplish. There’s a lot of cool stuff to learn inside the AIC's main building, but don’t linger too long. From there you can embark on a network of 3.6 miles of trail that wind through 236 acres of woods and waterways. They’re all really easy so seeing the entire AIC in a day isn’t a problem for most hikers.

If you are pressed for time, don’t miss the Rich Lake and Peninsula trails. A lovely bridge gets visitors out onto the large peninsula, where there are great views of Rich Lake and Goodnow Mountain. Side note: Goodnow has a restored fire tower on its summit and is a great hike if you’re looking for a bigger challenge. See the description below!

Getting there

Take Exit 29 off of Interstate 87 and turn left on Blue Ridge Road to head toward Newcomb, then turn right on Route 28N. The VIC is on the right, about 25 miles from the highway.

3. Mount Severence

There’s no better way to see fall colors than by gaining elevation. Luckily, some mountains are easier to climb than others, so killer vistas are still attainable even if vertigo-inducing scrambles aren’t your thing. At a paltry 1,693 feet in elevation, a trip up Mount Severence shouldn’t take the entire day, but it might if you can’t pull yourself away from the blanket of oranges and reds you’ll see from the summit.

The trail leaves the parking area by way of two metal tunnels, which go underneath I-87. The path is well-marked and well-maintained as it winds to the base of the mountain, crosses a wooden bridge, then climbs moderately to the summit at the 1.2-mile mark. Explore the top to discover all of its secrets — there’s a stunning view of Schroon Lake in one direction and another that encompasses the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area.

Stats

Distance: 1.2 miles to the summit

Elevation: 1,693 feet

Elevation gain: 700 feet

Getting there

From Interstate 87, take Exit 28, head toward Schroon Lake, and make a quick right to go south on Route 9. The parking area is in about a half mile on the right.

4. Goodnow Mountain

Goodnow is a little longer and a little more difficult than Mount Severence, but the view from its summit fire tower is simply stunning: A series of High Peaks rise to the north while rolling mountains, twisting rivers, and expansive lakes stretch toward the horizon in every other direction.

The trail starts at a mellow grade and never gets too step as it climbs toward the summit. A lot of trail work has been done to maintain this popular route; you’ll see the result of that in the many wooden bridges, boardwalks, and stairs along the way. Those features will help keep your boots dry and using them also keeps the surrounding trail from eroding, so be sure to take advantage of the trail crew’s hard work!

Depending on when you go, you could see a progression of fall colors as you ascend. Leaves on the lower portion of the mountain might be green while those higher up are brightly colored, a testament to the colder conditions found in high elevations. That’s cool to see and it’s also good advice, straight from the forest! Bring a couple of warm layers, like a windbreaker, hat, and light sweater, for the summit, which is bound to be chillier than the valley below.

Stats

Distance: 1.9 miles to the summit

Elevation: 2,690 feet

Elevation gain: 1,040 feet

Getting there

Take exit 29 from Interstate 87 and head west on Blue Ridge Road, toward Newcomb. After about 18.5 miles, turn right on Route 28N and follow that for about 9 miles as it goes through Newcomb. The large parking area is on the left, about 1.5 miles after the Adirondack Interpretive Center.

 

You can imagine that as editor of a statewide hunting andfishing publication, I see my share of big buck photos. And over the course of my newspaper career I've always been a hands-on kind of editor, so I manage to grab a camera with some regularity still and snap a few shots of big deer, big fish and turkeys.

Sometimes – usually during spring gobbler season – I even end up on the other side of the camera. But it sure hasn't happened for me this deer season, as I've struggled to fill a tag and, even as I write this, am planning to jump out this afternoon in an effort to find a buck. At this point in the season, any buck. They're all trophies now as the next-to-last weekend of the firearms season winds down.  

Things have, however, been heating up in the deer woods, as they always seem to do when the temperatures drop and the bucks are on the prowl for willing does. Some of the best bucks of the season are killed later rather than sooner, and that seems to be the case again this year. 

While I've been beating my head against an oak tree trying to find a buck, the stories keep rolling in all around me. A friend connecting on a big-bodied seven-pointer (5 on one side and 2 on the other) way back inthe high country of the Lake Placid and Whiteface regions, necessitating agrueling, 8-hour drag out of the woods that wasn't completed until the following morning. A neighbor scoring on a fine 8-point not far from where I'd been hunting, filling his tag while I was 300 miles away for the Southern Zone opener. Another friend who, home from college for the Thanksgiving holiday, finally got out and in the first hour of his hunt downed a beautiful 10-pointer that will likely score in the 150s. Sometimes it happens that way. I'm trying to convince myself it could happen to me later today. 

And just as there are big-racked whitetails in the high country, there are also corn-fed beauties along Lake Champlain and in the Schroon Lake Region, in spots like the sprawling Pharoah Lake Wilderness Area. 

Even on Thanksgiving Day itself, I was pressed into duty –with pleasure – with news of Jesse Napper's spectacular 11-point buck, the first ever for the 16-year-old. 

It started harmlessly enough; I was working cleanup duty at a church dinner when his aunt arrived with news that her nephew had killed a big buck. She even had a photo of it on her digital camera. 

When she showed me, I wasn't sitting down. I should have been. It wasn't just a "big buck." This one was something special, a big-bodied, heavy-racked, long-tined monster that weighed in at a field-dressed189 pounds and will almost assuredly score in the 150s when someone puts a tape measure to the massive rack. 

I had to see this one myself, and hustled up the road to the farmhouse the hunters had gathered. This was a big deal for any hunter, but especially for a 16-year-old tagging his first buck. I made sure he was aware of that, even driving back home to fetch a couple of cameras for a photo session, then listening to him re-tell the story of his Thanksgiving morning success. You'll see a photo and story in an upcoming issue of New York Outdoor News. 

I didn't have to ask Jesse to smile for the camera. 

And who knows? Deer-hunting lightning can strike at anytime up here. Some big bucks are still out there. 

Maybe I'll need someone to take my picture. 

Of all the winter sports out there, I think snowshoeing is probably the easiest to learn. Our Adirondack trails simply transform with the seasons. If you can hike there in the summer, you can snowshoe there in the winter, exchanging the bright green for the sparkly white. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.

Snowshoeing doesn't require much more equipment than the actual shoes, though I highly recommend a pair of trekking poles. At first, there's this tendency to step on your own feet, since they are a bit larger than what you are used to. Even after you get the hang of it, having that extra four-point leverage of poles is always a good idea, especially on backcountry trails, or on any descent.

That's one of the reasons dogs do well in snow. They have four on the floor.

Go anywhere

One way to have a great time, even on the first time, is getting some expert help. Cloudsplitter Outfitters in Newcomb rents all kinds of equipment, including snowshoes. Their expert guides will take you out for a trek tailored to your interests and skill level.

They are certified Adirondack Guides who love the area and have everything needed for four-season enjoyment of it. From equipment to accommodation, they can offer a full service experience.

Their store is stocked for all kinds of outdoor needs, and there's an especially fine selection of trail food. Staying fed and hydrated on the trail is an important comfort element.
A recent trek I joined gathered kids and dogs for a festive outing on fresh holiday-season snow.

Make sure to have proper hats, mittens, and socks, because when these sensitive areas are not warm enough, all of you will feel cold. But this day was one of those where the overcast sky actually seemed to keep in the sun's heat, and the lack of wind makes a big difference. On the trail, windbreaks of trees can alternate with the vistas of meadows and lakefronts.

Our guides also have many local stories connected to the history of the area, from the early lumbering days to the mid-century move of the Tahawus mine's "company town" to neighboring Newcomb. Guides also lead trips to Camp Santanoni Preserve, a famous Great Camp that can only be reached using human power.

Get out and snowshoe!

With or without a guide, there are a lot of beautiful places to explore in Newcomb.

Newcomb's Overlook Park has the Hudson River running through it. The abundant forest trails here also have a backdrop of Adirondack High Peaks. There's even an informative display that helps visitors identify the distant mountains.

Newcomb is also the home of the Adirondack Interpretive Center. This beautifully sculpted trail system has bridges over many brooks and lake outlets, including a peninsula trail with plenty of dramatic water views. 

A lot of the trails wind through winter forest landscapes, with abundant tracks from wildlife and benches along the path. I love the sound and sight of half-frozen water tumbling over ice and rocks. The Center is open Friday - Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Use of snowshoes is included in the admission.

Learn more with Snowshoe glory: Adirondack Interpretive Center.

Don't forget food and rest

Although a break can be as simple as a Thermos of coffee or hot chocolate, when you're ready for a full lunch try the Newcomb House Bar and Grill — a popular Adirondack pub. Plan to take a break here and enjoy the warm atmosphere of this local favorite.

Stay right at Cloudsplitter Cabins in their self-contained cabins with kitchens.
Find some more great trails — especially for birding enthusiasts, in the blog, Boreal Birding in Newcomb and Minerva.

The Schroon Lake Region is as gorgeous in winter as it is in summer. From downhill skiing to a warm fire, this is a wonderland of outdoor recreation and festive relaxation.
Choose some cozy lodging. Warm up with our dining. Find the finest snowshoeing trails.
 

Whether you want to fish, swim, paddle, or sail, Schroon Lake is the ideal basecamp for your summer fun adventures!

By the numbers

Need proof? Check out these sweet facts:

Ready, set, plan!

So grab your gear, book your campsite, and start dreaming about all the fun you'll have this summer in the Adirondacks' Schroon Lake Region!

We'll see you on the lake - or maybe at one of our favorite secret swimming holes!

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The Roosevelt Truck Trail in Minerva is one of the most beautiful trails in the Adirondack Park. The road-sized path takes hikers through a lovely, mature boreal forest of spruce and balsam fir trees on a carpet of sphagnum moss.

The 2.5 mile long trail has become a favorite hike during the annual Adirondack Birding Festival.

Flora and Fauna

Year-round boreal birds, such as Black-backed Woodpecker, Canada Jay, and Boreal Chickadee can be found along the Roosevelt Truck Trail.

During the spring, it is one of only a handful of known nesting locations in the Adirondacks for the sought-after Cape May Warbler.

In the fall and winter, both year-round and irruptive finches can be found along the trail if the cone crop is good. With an excellent cone crop this year, Red Crossbills have already made their way into this area.

Wildflowers, lichens, mushrooms, amphibians, and mammal tracks are just as exciting as the birdlife along the Roosevelt Truck Trail! Black bear and moose tracks are often spotted along the path.

August Field Trip

I recently led an August field trip along the Roosevelt Truck Trail. The Long Lake “Little Bus” dropped us at the northern trailhead along the Blue Ridge Road in dense fog conditions.

One of the first birds we found was a female Black-backed Woodpecker!

A few Boreal Chickadees were also found. A total of 9 Boreal Chickadees were tallied this day along the trail.

Several Hermit Thrushes and one Swainson’s Thrush were also found early in our hike.

More than a dozen wildflower species were found during our trip and the first one encountered was the lovely Blind Gentian.

Blueberries were abundant as we hiked the beginning of the trail – as was the black bear scat!

The trail has gradual uphill sections in the first couple tenths of a mile before a steeper downhill section around the half-mile point. Vanderwhacker Brook is crossed on a wooden bridge at the bottom of the hill.

The wide diversity of fungus along the trail was an attraction for everyone.

Spotted Touch-Me-Not, a favorite food of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and Turtlehead wildflowers were found in a wetland area near a stream.

After crossing Vanderwhacker Brook, the trail has gradual uphill and level sections before the first of two wheelchair-accessible camp areas is reached. We took a food break at the camp site picnic table. The camp sites are roughly the half-way point of the 2.5 mile long route.

The trail has a few more gradual uphill sections before a series of downhill areas end at the southern trailhead parking area.

As we hiked the second half of the 2.5 mile long trail, we spotted Eyebright, a tiny little wildflower that could easily be overlooked!

A feisty Winter Wren, one of several found, called loudly at us! Golden-crowned Kinglets and Red-breasted Nuthatches were abundant along the trail. Several late summer “warbler waves” were encountered and included, Ovenbird, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped, and Black-throated Green Warblers.

As we neared the trailhead, we heard chainsaws. The local forest ranger and a crew were clearing blown-down trees from the trail. The Roosevelt Truck Trail is a popular cross-country ski route in winter. In summer, those with physical disabilities can gain access through the metal gate and drive to the camp sites, so the trail receives regular maintenance.

Just before we reached the trailhead, one of the participants commented on a huge White Cedar tree at the edge of the trail. Thomas Cullen stood in front of the tree for perspective on its size!

The Long Lake “Little Bus” was waiting for us as we arrived at the southern trailhead parking area located off Route 28N.

How to Reach the Roosevelt Truck Trail

The 2.5 mile long Roosevelt Truck Trail runs in a north-south direction between the Blue Ridge Road and Route 28N. To reach the Roosevelt Truck Trail southern parking area, proceed .3 miles south of the railroad tracks on Route 28N to the paved road east of the highway – it looks like a driveway! Often, hikers decorate a pole near this drive (currently there are 3 American flags in the pole!). Drive in the bumpy paved road for a few hundred feet to where it ends, and park without blocking the gated trail. From the opposite direction, the paved road is 1.6 miles north of the Boreas River Bridge. To reach the northern end of the trail, take the Blue Ridge Road 4.3 miles east from its intersection with Route 28N to the trailhead on the south side of the road, or 10.5 miles west of the Elk Lake Road. The northern trailhead is on a curve and difficult to spot. There is also a metal gate at this end of the trail and stone walls on either side.

With two cars, one at each trailhead, the trip can be a 2.5 mile thru-hike. Otherwise, the round trip is 5 miles.

When you visit, you will find comfortable lodging and restaurants in a beautiful wilderness setting!

All hikers welcome

If your hiking gear has been laid to rest for the year in your garage or under your bed, it's time to dust it off and give it some love! The trails of the Adirondack Hub never rest, and they’ve been missing you this snowy season. See your favorite landscapes and summits transform under winter powder, traverse through new challenges, and embrace the peace and quiet of calm snowy trails. Although the hustle and bustle of summer has ended, you’ll find just how exciting winter hiking can be. The trails are calling this winter, so grab your snowshoes and cross-country skis and let’s go!

Treat this blog as a guide to some of the Adirondack Hub’s most notable trail systems, and choose between easy, medium, or hard trails. Note that just because your favorite trail is easy in summer, doesn’t mean it will be easy in winter!

Easy - AIC

For a beginner's circuit, or for those who like to take things easy, we thought the AIC would be the perfect fit. The AIC (Adirondack Interpretive Center) offers the tranquility of the outdoors with seamless trails that blend gently into the terrain of the property. Located in the town of Newcomb, the AIC is part of SUNY ESF’s Newcomb campus, serving visitors with an education on Adirondack wildlife and its ecosystems. For an easier hike, the AIC is perfect, offering 3.6 miles of rolling trails that aren’t too tough on your leg muscles, and stellar views of Rich Lake and Goodnow Mountain. The property also includes a home base that houses bathrooms, gear, or simply just a place to warm your mitts. Snowshoes are also available for use inside the main building. Note that the AIC is snowshoe only, so no skis!

Medium - Pharaoh Lake Wilderness

Cranking up the difficulty, Pharaoh Lake Wilderness offers shorter beginner trails, as well as more difficult terrain for intermediate hikers. Bordering the town of Schroon Lake, Pharaoh Lake Wilderness includes an oasis of lakes and ponds interspersed with its own mountain, Pharaoh Mountain. There are nearly 70 miles of foot trails, each with their own unique views and terrain. Choose from following the shores of the wilderness’s lakes, or try Pharaoh Mountain Trail to catch the incredible winter views from the summit. Although Pharaoh Mountain isn’t the tallest peak in the Adirondacks, its location offers phenomenal views of the surrounding mountain range. Most trails do not exceed 6 miles round trip, all except for Sucker Brook Trail, clocking in at 7 miles. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on all hiking trails. Remember to reward your hard work with a pint and a hot meal before the journey back to basecamp.

Hard - The High Peaks 

We won’t sugar coat it, the High Peaks of the Adirondacks are a challenging feat all on their own. Add snow and volatile weather, and you have your very own Indiana Jones adventure brewing. Luckily, these giant beasts can be scaled with proper gear, prep, and patience. Beginners may want to try a few of the previously mentioned trails first before attempting a High Peak. Increasing your stamina and athleticism with easier trails is advised. A High Peak is typically defined by an elevation of more than 4,000 feet, and round trip hikes can vary from 5 to 18 miles. Because of this, choosing which mountain you’d like to hike is step one. Researching your mountain before you go is essential, you can read up on other hiker’s experiences, and any obstacles that you may need to pack for. You’ll also be able to estimate how long the trail will take you, plan on arriving early and leaving before you lose daylight. Because of varying conditions, be prepared to stay overnight if you have to. While winter in the Adirondacks is characterized by frigid temperatures, remember that the air and weather can be completely different at the top of the mountain. While it may look sunny and perfect at the base, you may be climbing right into a snowstorm at the top of the mountain! So proper layering is a must. Start with a base layer of sweat wicking long sleeve shirt and pants, an insulating layer made of wool or polyester, a hooded jacket, and an outer shell. Wool socks should also be worn in your boots. 

Here is a list of other items that should be in your pack: 

1. A map and compass

2. Crampons and/or microspikes

3. Headlamp 

4. Batteries for your headlamp

5. Matches 

6. Sunscreen (you can still sunburn in winter)

7. First aid kit

8. Food- and extra food

9. Water- a lot of water

10. Extra clothing 

Lastly, and most importantly, tell someone before you go, including the mountain you’re climbing, the time you plan to leave, and the time you plan to get back.

After you’re done with just one, you’ll appreciate the few that own a 46er patch.

Gear up, stay warm, have fun

Winter is an exciting time for outdoor lovers of the Adirondacks. Whether you’re a snowshoe champ or cross-country skiing aficionado, there's a trail that’s ready to match your skill set and challenge your athleticism. If you’re a slow-and-steady kind of person, the trails of the AIC and shorter trails at Pharaoh Lake Wilderness are here to offer tranquil hikes without the heart racing thrills of some of our routes. No matter the path you take, proper gear and research is important. At any level of expertise, pick your trail based on your comfort zone, knowing yourself and your limits up here is necessary! Be aware of weather conditions and prepare for unforeseen obstacles. And if the weather isn’t that great, consider rescheduling. The trails will be right where you left them. 

The Science of Pack Fitting

Fitting a backpack can be very hard work and quite frustrating outside of a well-experienced gear shop. However, many of your best deals can be found online and that is why it’s very important to get some basics down before you take that chance and order something from across the country (which you may just end up having to return). It also helps to know what you are looking for before you head into a gear shop so that you can answer the questions that will be thrown at you.

Pack Size

First off, you need to figure out what size pack you want. Essentially this will be determined by what you are going to be doing. If you are looking at a rucksack or small daypack, you might be out of luck for custom fitting. Many come as a one-size-fits-most option - and in many cases that translates to one-size-fits-a-few. However if you want to go with something slightly bigger than a book bag type daypack, there are some moderately-sized rucksacks out there with sizing of XS-XL. They may not be able to be adjusted any further, but some may have a small varying range of adjustment. Essentially this sizing will at least get you a fit within that wider category or torso length.

Are you a long-day hiker? A weekend explorer? Maybe you are a multi-day backpacker? This will raise the size of the pack as well. A long-day hiker may need a slightly bigger pack or a larger rucksack as explained above. A weekender is slightly bigger and has better opportunities for a nice fit and has the options to carry overnight gear. A backpacker or someone who is out for many days may need the largest of packs - and these have lots of bells and whistle for a nice fit, if chosen correctly. With overnight bags it is even more important to get the right fit.

Now winter time is another story, but typically the pack is slightly bigger than one you use in summer - but there is no specific fit for winter. One of the important things to keep in mind when buying a pack for all seasons is the way it will fit with many layers on under it.

 

Brand

Don’t get hung up on brand, most companies have a wide variety of options and price ranges. Find one that fits correctly and is anatomically correct for your body. With that being said, different brands have different fits, so shop around if you can. Don’t be too narrow-sighted, the latest and greatest by company X just might not be best for you (no matter how awesome it looks in a picture of the perfectly fit outdoor hiker). One model of Northface for instance might not fit the same as another model. Even models of a different year fit differently. Maybe you had a 2009 model rucksack you loved, chances are the 2013 model may have been totally redesigned and fit better, or worse.

Comfort Rating

Not all companies have a comfort rating for their packs. Gregory is one that does, and it can be quite helpful in finding a place to start. A comfort rating is the number of pounds that the pack will handle and still be considered comfortable for the wearer. This rating is of course not a scientifically-proven system, but it's a good guideline to start with, and quite honestly, I feel pretty accurate. If you are going to carry 50-pounds on a long weekend, don’t get a pack with a comfort rating for only 30-pounds; the best fit in the world won’t alleviate 20-pounds of dead weight. You may have a 5 pound variance in the rating, which is quite significant.

Measurements

You have to know your torso length before you can go any further. “How do I figure that out,” you may ask? Measure from your C7 vertebra in your neck (it’s the one that sticks way out when you bend your chin to your chest), down to your iliac crest or the top of your hip bone (same thing). This measurement will put you in a range from XS-XL. While each company has their own range for pack size, they usually won't vary by all that much. Now you know where to start looking. If you find yourself right on the edge of one size or another, this can be a bit more time consuming because you are going to want to try both on. Typically I find that it’s better to size down and be at the max end of the smaller size.

Sex

Now that I have your attention, are you a man or a woman? This is very important, as you might have guessed, but I am still talking about pack fitting here. In most cases, a woman’s shoulders are much narrower than a man’s. Because of this, a woman’s specific pack has narrower shoulder straps and in many cases they're placed a bit closer together. Sizing is also different than a man’s as far as the XS-XL range is concerned. Straps are shorter and the pack width is a bit narrower. You should shop within your gender specific pack, if you can, and if they are available, before you venture outside of it. Women’s specific packs are much easier to come by online than in retail shops. A woman may need to size-down in a man’s pack, and a man may need to size up in a woman’s pack, but it’s not all that out of the ordinary — essentially they look very similar, in many design and color cases.

So many straps!!!

Once you get your pack size figured out, and it’s adjusted to your torso length, you will need to put it on for a final fit. You need to put on a pack that is filled with the approximate weight that you will be hauling - otherwise the straps will sit funny and you won’t get an accurate fit. Load up that pack even with a bit more, just to test it out. There is an order for strap closure and adjustment. Start with all the straps loose and open. Then go in this order:

1.Waist strap – hike it up onto your iliac crest and tighten it down to a comfortable level. You should have about 3-5 inches of strap left on each side of the buckle, it should not be all used. If it is all used that means you have too large of a waist strap and many companies will swap them out free of charge. It could also mean that your pack is too big. Some companies like Osprey offer heat-molded options, but many retailers don’t.

2.Shoulder straps – Pull these down equally on both sides. The buckle should end somewhere under your armpit. If you max them out with no extra strap then the shoulder straps are too big. Some companies will swap these out free of charge, or the pack is just too big. If the buckle is out in front and near your chest, the strap could be too small, again maybe they can be swapped out or you need a bigger pack. There should be no gap between your shoulders and the shoulder strap; they should wrap your shoulders perfectly.

3.Sternum strap – get this buckled and comfortable, this one is very simple, you just need to be able to snap it.

4.Load lifter straps (shoulder) – these straps connect your shoulder straps to the top of your pack. Pull these in to pull the load in closer to you and off your shoulders. This will put more of the weight on your hips and off your shoulders. You should notice a huge difference in how the pack sits and you should rightfully say “ahhhh.” The angle of the strap should be around 45-60 degrees.

5.Load adjustment straps – these are located on the waist strap and bring the bottom of the load closer to your waist. These are good for small adjustments, and over long distances they are very handy. Some pack do not have these, but most overnight packs will.

Packing your pack

A science in itself, follow this packing order rather than just throwing your stuff in:

• 1. Light and bulky on the bottom (sleeping bag, down jacket).
• 2. Then place medium-weight stuff on top of this area if needed.
• 3. Heavy stuff should be in the middle closer to your back (bear canister, stove, and food).
• 4. Outside-middle should be lighter items - you don’t want the weight pulling you back. Use clothing pieces to fill any gaps.
• 5. Top can be lighter stuff and things you want to be able to get to quicker.
• 6. The brain of the pack is the top lid and should be the essentials, but not too heavy and over loaded (headlamp, snacks, knife, gloves, hat, etc...).
• 7. Lastly, don’t strap too much stuff to the outside even though you may have ample straps to attach the kitchen sink, a full-sized chainsaw, a small child, goodies from your favorite local eatery, and who knows what else. The more you strap to the outside the more awkward the pack will feel and the more out of balance it will become. Leave the outside straps for your bed roll, a jacket and maybe a tent.

As you can see backpack fitting can be very time consuming and kind of like a jigsaw puzzle. There are many different factors so please feel free to get in touch with me if you need help or need some questions answered. I don’t claim to know it all, but time has been a good teacher of mine and the best lessons learned are through experience and trying. You can also stop into a local gear shop and get fitted as well. Good luck and have fun with it!

The Dix Range

5 Mountains over 4,000 feet

Known for its namesake Dix mountain, the Dix Range is home to five mountains over 4000 feet; East Dix, South Dix, Macomb, Hough and Dix. Of the five peaks only Dix has a maintained trail and the other four have herd paths that lead to each of the summits. The paths, while not official trails, are maintained fairly well and not too difficult to follow with some experience in navigation. There are multiple routes to the peaks - one from Elk Lake and two from Route 73 at the Boquet River and Round Pond. Our group of six hikers chose to complete a traverse of all five peaks in a day starting at the Boquet River on Rt. 73 and finishing at the Round Pond trailhead. The traverse from this route is close to 18 miles and over 6000 feet of elevation gain.

How our trail begins

We left two cars at the Round Pond trailhead and used another to ferry our group over to the start of our trek at the Boquet River. We started off around 6:30AM to stormy skies and a forecast of rain. The path for this section is not officially maintained and had a few spots that were washed out. Generally it follows the river all the way to the slide on East Dix (now officialy known as Grace). Grace is a relatively low angle slide and not too exposed making it a great first slide to learn on. When we reached the slide the weather, which had been starting to clear up, changed and we had a slight misting of rain. Luckily for us the rock is very good on the slide and there are almost no slippery spots to worry about even when wet. To be safe we wore microspikes to provide additional traction.

A change in weather = change in scenery

As we climbed the weather changed for the better and we even had a few appearances of the sun and a small rainbow to accompany it.

As we approached the top of the slide there were a few more exposed sections where we helped some of our less experienced climbers along with the assistance of a rope.

 

Shortly after we reached to top of the slide and the cliffs. The weather had really cleared up and it started to get very warm. We enjoyed the views of our first summit of the day and moved on to the true summit a few hundred yards from the cliffs after a short break in the sun.

From the summit of East the path progresses down to a col and back up to the summit of South Dix (Carson). The trip took us about 40 minutes. The true summit of South Dix is in a wooded section but there are some great views a short distance away in an open rocky area.

From the summit of South Dix the path descends an open rocky area and then continues up Macomb. From here the views are amazing - you can see Macomb, Hough and Dix nearby along with Nippletop and much of the Upper Great Range in the distance.

As we moved on from the openness of the rock we descended into a forested area before leveling out and beginning our climb up Macomb. The weather changed yet again and it started to rain and we could hear the rumbling of thunder off in the distance. We moved quickly, hopeful the storm would not reach us, and reached the summit of Macomb where we made a brief stop and headed down. We backtracked over to South Dix and just before the summit took the turnoff to Hough.

Hiking to Hough

The path to Hough takes you down from South Dix and over a false summit before heading back down and then climbing steeply to the summit of Hough.

From Hough through the clouds we could just make out the Beckhorn, a feature on the side of Dix, which would be our next destination. The path descends steeply after leaving Hough’s summit and then begins to ascend close to 1000 feet. Near the top there is a tight spot between two cracks known by some as the Beckhorn Crack. There is a short length of rope that was left by other hikers to assist on the way up, but if you are feeling ambitious you can climb through without use of the rope. Here the path meets up with the DEC trail over Dix Mountain. From the top of the Beckhorn you can see the true summit of Dix a few hundred yards down the trail.

Looking back at the Beckhorn from the summit of Dix you can see Elk Lake off in the distance.

After a few pictures on the summit of Dix we headed down the trail. The trail down Dix is known as one of the steepest in the Adirondacks but we descended quickly and without any issues.

A popular lean-to

Near the bottom of Dix the trail merges with the Dix slide and there is a view of the valley with Noonmark in the distance. From here the trail leads out to a Lean-to which proved to be quite a popular spot this weekend with several large groups making camp as we passed though. As we approached the trailhead we made a quick stop off at Round Pond to take in the view.

After round pond it’s a short hike back to the cars for some well deserved rest and relaxation.

Interested in a hike like this?

Check out the Schroon Lake hiking page, and find a great places to stay and dine.