In the Adirondacks, the past and present are intertwined.

The remnants of old logging camps peek out from under decaying leaves, which provide nutrients for new forest growth. Old buildings lean alongside our winding roads, while the tools used to build them are on display in state-of-the-art museums here.

The wilderness itself boasts a varied landscape where the past and present collide with dizzying force: Landslides carve new paths on steep slopes, revealing ancient rock. Young red maples sprout from cracks in the crumbling stone fences and walls that decorate the backcountry. The forest reclaims its own.

There is no better place to walk through this heritage than the difficult and 10.3-long hike from the Upper Works trailhead to the summit of Mount Marcy. Where else can you see a ghost town, the site of a fatal accident, the place where a former vice president embarked upon a midnight ride, and the top of the highest mountain in New York state all in one hike?

The trek begins on the outskirts of Newcomb. Take Exit 29 off of Interstate 87 and head west on Blue Ridge Road for 17.5 miles, then turn right on Tahawus Road. After 6.5 miles, bear left onto Upper Works Road.

Blast from the past

 

The first stop along the tour happens before you even leave your vehicle. As you drive along Upper Works Road, you'll soon come to a real-life ghost town. This is Adirondac, an old mining town that was once booming with activity.

In the 1939, National Lead bought the mining operation from the McIntyre Iron Company, then rented the 30 vacant Tahawus Club cabins that were on the property to its employees. Those homes comprised Adirondac, and the neighboring mining town was called Tahawus.

The mining industry hit a boom when World War II started in 1939, and things were great in the Adirondack mining communities. The people in the bustling little towns even kept things lively with friendly competition that emerged in summertime softball games, a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. When iron ore and titanium were discovered under Tahawus in 1963, the town and its people were literally moved to get at it. Houses were jacked up, loaded onto flatbed trucks, and transported to nearby Newcomb, where many still remain today.

In 1964, National Lead higher ups decided it was time to get out of the landlord business, so the people of Adirondac were also relocated to Newcomb. Their houses stayed put, and the now-abandoned buildings are open for exploration. Take some time to wind through the once-beautiful homes, where trees now stand in place of furniture and the scuttling of animals is more frequently heard than the stomping of feet.

There are other remnants of the mining operation to discover there too, like the enormous stone blast furnace. Cold, tall, and dark, it remains as a silent testament to a bygone era.

An upper workout and a calamity

 

Once you've finished exploring Adirondac, continue down Upper Works Road, park at the Upper Works trailhead, and head toward Mount Marcy and the Flowed Lands. You'll follow an old logging road, cross the beautiful Calamity Brook on an impressive suspension bridge, and ascend to the edge of the Flowed Lands at 4.7 miles.

Before reaching the Flowed Lands, take care to follow the side path that leads off to the left. It goes 60 feet to the shore of Calamity Pond and the Henderson monument, which memorializes an accident that occurred here 170 years ago.

As the story goes, David Henderson was searching for a water source to power the blast furnaces at the iron works when he accidentally shot himself and died on this spot. The inscription on the monument reads:
"This monument, erected by filial affection to the memory of our dear father, David Henderson, who accidentally lost his life on this spot, 3rd September, 1845."

After the monument you'll soon come to the Flowed Lands, a gorgeous spot where mountains seem to rise from the surface of the water. There are several desirable lean-tos and campsites along the shore, but be forewarned: If you decide to camp here, a bear canister is not a recommendation, it's a necessity.

If you're doing this trip as a day hike, it's best not to linger too long as there are still 5.5 miles of climbing left to reach the top of Marcy. If you do camp, make the half-mile side trip to Hanging Spear Falls. It's worth it.

Marcy bound

Follow the edge of the Flowed Lands, cross the bridge over Lake Colden Dam, and turn right at the trail register to follow the rugged and scenic Opalescent River toward Mount Marcy. At about 8 miles from the parking area, turn right to begin the long, steep climb to the summit. It's uphill all the way from here on out, so make sure you have enough water or a reliable water filter.

Lake Tear and the midnight run

 

After hiking 9.2 miles and climbing 2,700 feet from the parking area, you'll come to a small, secluded body of water called Lake Tear of the Clouds. At 4,346 feet in elevation, it's the highest pond source of the Hudson River. The rocky dome of Marcy rises behind the pond, and it looks deceptively close even though there's still about 1,000 feet in elevation to go.

The end is in sight, but take a minute to consider the history of this place. On Sept. 14, 1901 then-Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was at Lake Tear after summiting Marcy. It was there that he received a message that President William McKinley — who was shot a couple of weeks prior but was expected to recover — was dying.

Roosevelt made haste to Tahawus, then took a 40-mile midnight stagecoach ride to North Creek, where he learned McKinley had died. Roosevelt boarded a train for Buffalo and was sworn in as president there.

Summit fever

 

After leaving Lake Tear, you'll soon come to a four-way junction. Straight descends into the wild and remote depths of Panther Gorge, right goes to the summit of Skylight, the fourth highest mountain in the Adirondacks, and left goes to the top of Marcy.

As you leave the forest and enter the moonscape-like alpine zone of the mountain, take care to avoid the vegetation there by staying on the rocks. Many of the plants here are rare and incredibly fragile, so all it takes is a misplaced hiking boot to kill them. Great efforts have been made by the Adirondack Mountain Club's summit stewards to revegetate and protect alpine zones in the region. Please respect their work and gently enjoy this unique ecosystem.

The final pitch of Marcy is a steep, wonderfully open climb to the 5,344-foot elevation mark. The mountain was named after former New York state Gov. William Marcy, who authorized an environmental survey to explore the area in the 19th century. The first recorded ascent of the mountain was August 5, 1837.

The view from the top of Mount Marcy is one of the best anywhere. The surrounding topography bears evidence of the geologic forces which created this region, the plants growing between the rocks serve as living relics of the last glacier's retreat, and plaques bolted to the anorthosite grantie speak to the recent, but no less compelling, history of human involvement in the area. It's a lot to take in. Oh, and there are mountains, lakes, and forests stretching in every direction.

After your hike, why not grab a bite to eat and rent a room to relax in for the night John Brown lives.

I found the trail to Crowfoot Pond by driving a back road at about thirty miles an hour. The trail leaves the Tracy Road in Moriah at the northern end of the Hammond Pond Wild Forest. At a spot where the road takes a sharp turn to the left, a DEC trail sign on the right marks the turn to an ample parking area.  (44.04.335'N, 73.37.778'W)    

The trail along Crowfoot Brook begins with a disheartening washed out bridge but that should not deter anyone. Judging from the river debris hanging in the trees at a height of about six feet, I suspect Hurricane Irene was to blame. A short detour brought me to a crossing upstream. The new ice on the cobbles looked tricky but proved safe. It's probably not so safe with more water. 

 

Beginning from my first step on the far shore I found myself loving this trail. Starting out into a hemlock forest the trail heads uphill close enough to the brook to hear it's chilly gurgling. Funny in November to see so many summer plants. Many stay green under the snow -- goldthread, partridgeberry, wintergreen, foamflower, pipsissewa, and the different club mosses. The true mosses look like miniature forests--very festive with the morning's snowflakes.

     The Crowfoot trail crosses back and forth over the brook on nice wide bridges that are open to snowmobiles in winter according to the DEC maps. There's a hunting lease that crosses the trail about two-thirds of the way to the pond. It's well marked and I had no problem respecting the line, especially since it's still hunting season technically. The yellow state trailmarkers are clearly hung.

Crowfoot Pond itself was completely black and white on Tuesday. There is a new cover of snow on what is obviously still very thin ice. The open water is black and clear. Soon to be black ice for backcountry skating we hope.

Why hike this trail? Low elevation, wide trail, varied forest, soft ground, falling water, woodpeckers and otter tracks. Views down into dark pools pouring pristine water over prehistoric rocks. There was scat from a very well fed coyote, mushrooms that have the texture of soft suede shoes and dark, cool pools to quench the dog's thirst. The soundtrack is excellent: running water and that lively near-silence of wild places.  

  2.5 miles one way.

 

 

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Another adventure in the wild

There has been a bit of a hiatus between me and the Vanderwhacker Wild Forest, so I felt it was about time I try to refamiliarize myself with the area and check out a couple of trails and a couple of peaks whose names just drew me in. I set my sights on Little Beaver and Beaver Mountains, located just south of Vanderwhacker Mountain. Seeing as how I am not a fan of hiking by myself due to my inability to hold a meaningful conversation with myself, I wanted to find someone interested for such an adventure. Luckily it was Sunday and most people have weekends available for recreation, so the question was whether I could get someone to take the hook. The answer is yes. Yes I did. Melissa is a new hiking compadre of mine and a newbie to bushwhacking, and by new I mean this is her second bushwhack. The interesting thing is her first bushwhack was also with me and I didn’t scare her off.

So the day of the hike came and I arrived early. It took me a half an hour less to get there than I had anticipated so I burned up a bit of time hiking along the Hewitt Eddy Trail, just down the road. I didn’t have time to make it all the way through but I did manage to take in a short scenic walk along the Boreas River. Our meet-up time had come and gone, and so had the next half hour. I got to thinking maybe I was supposed to meet her at the actual trailhead, not the corner of Moose Pond Road. With that thought I drove the nearly 3-miles of rough, rocky, puncture-your-oil-pan road back to the trailhead, but she wasn’t there. By the time I got back out it was 45-minutes past our meeting time, and now I was wondering if something happened or maybe she had to cancel, but with my cell phone comfortably at home on the counter it was to be a waiting game.

I decided to delay a bit longer and gave her to the top of the hour before disappointingly venturing out alone. Melissa showed up not long after, in a panic that I had gone without her. Apparently her cell phone GPS works about as good as mine. Well, it is what it is and I was happy to have her along, and I now had ammunition for some ribbing later on.

Off to the Beavers

For the second time that day I had to drive the rock mine of a road back to the trailhead, which can be done in a low-clearance vehicle, it just takes time and a bit of dodging. Now underway we started along the Vanderwhacker Mountain Trail with a couple of groups ahead of us. We immediately passed by three hunters standing along the trail waiting for an elusive black bear to just come up and raid their lunch pail. As busy a trail as this is, and on a holiday weekend, I couldn’t imagine too many bears would come wandering by.

What we were looking for was not a walking rug but an old snowmobile trail which, according to the map at the trailhead and other topo maps, is still a designated trail to follow. We would see. I remembered seeing the trail nearly five years ago, but only out of pure luck as it wasn’t too apparent back then.

 

After about a mile of trail we were where the trail should have been according to the GPS and the map, but the trail was nowhere to be seen. I backtracked a bit to assure we didn’t walk right past it but I felt a tenth of a mile was far enough to scope out. We continued up the trail and in the woods ahead I could see a snowmobile trail disk on a tree. If it were not for that disk, I think we would have passed it right by; deadfall had covered the actual intersection and a dense layer of fallen leaves masked the ground around it.

Now finally on the trail we could walk a bit freer and just keep the trail under us. The trail is all but in good shape, in fact I would say it was abandoned many years ago and the lack of maintenance had left Mother Nature to do her job and recover the scar, and she was doing a mighty fine job. I felt as part of the food chain as I was getting swallowed up by seedlings and seeps. The old metal trail markers still remained on the trees, but they were becoming few and far between. After only a quarter of a mile or so, we lost the trail. It had been absorbed by forest and even after a bit of scrambling we couldn’t make out its course. I made the quick decision to just head for the mountain and maybe, just maybe, we would happen upon the trail again.

We walked freely through the open hardwood forest and I was a bit frustrated that we didn’t have the ease of the trail before us to help with the shorter days’ time restraints, but we would make due. We did pop back out on the trail and at this juncture it actually was in pretty decent condition overall; not passable by snowmobile but noticeable enough for foot travel. We remained on this snowmobile route as it passed through thick undergrowth, under and over deadfall, and through deep spring-fed mud pits. Eventually we were where we needed to be to start bushwhacking toward Little Beaver Mountain.

Little Beaver Mountain has two summits, but it is unclear which one is considered the true top. I presumed it was the higher one, but was that just a shoulder of Beaver and not Little Beaver? We decided to check them both out for customary sake. We dropped from the trail and quickly came to a crossing of Wolf Creek. Wolf Creek was not quite as big as I was led to believe but it was widened in areas by beaver activity. I mean, what are the chances? Crossing in that area was very easy. We started to climb slightly as we passed through a ring of thicker spruce growth, typical for a wetland. Soon we emerged into an open hardwood forest and then we came to the crossing of Moose Pond Brook. This outlet of Moose Pond was also easy to navigate, nothing a well-placed fallen tree couldn’t fix.

Unexpected views

It was flat for a bit longer as we again went through a band of thicker spruce, but the climb was soon before us. The lower summit of Little Beaver Mountain was to our west and through several maneuvers to cut down on the steep terrain we made our way to the summit. The hardwood forests were very welcoming and even the crown of the summit was not a struggle to overcome. We had climbed up Little Beaver from the Newcomb side of the mountain and we ended up with great, colorful autumn views of the Indian Lake region and some of the smaller High Peaks. As we looked out over the Hudson Gorge area we could also see the taller summit of Little Beaver and Beaver mountains casting their shadows a bit further off on the horizon.

We made our way off of this summit under easy, albeit steep, conditions. We found ourselves in the high col standing atop what I call a bootleg trail. This trail laid out and maintained by a private party ran up and over the col, but not in the direction we needed to go, which was too bad. But wait — about 100 feet into the forest we were upon another bootleg trail that led uphill along the ridge. We welcomed it. While a bit tough to follow in spots it was a clear route over the summit, without which would require us to push through thick balsam growth. With seldom small views through the trees we moved along rather timelyand crested the high point of Little Beaver Mountain before starting our descent toward Beaver Mountain. The bootleg trail started to fall off the opposite side of the mountain away from our planned destination, so we exited it before we got sucked too far in the opposite direction. We located a welcoming part of the hardwood forest below to make that jump. We descended moderately to another high col, which seemed even shallower than the last. In our state of solitude we started our climb. We tediously picked our way up the mountain, step after step. A few tree slaps sparked some foul language from my vocabulary, under my breath, of course. We finally summited in a forest of open, old growth balsams. The floor covered in a deep green moss and a field of pickup sticks was in our path. We hoped for a view, but it wasn’t in the cards.

From here we decided it would be best if we made our way back though the boneyard of trees and back onto the bootleg trail. It was rather fast and easy to reach that point and that path aided quicker travels through the forest as the sunlight became diluted by darkness. Yes, it was getting late and shadows of the Beaver Mountains behind us made dusk even earlier in the day. We just wanted to at least be back on the snowmobile trail by dark, but being back at the car was even more preferable. Our descent was fast; we made it such, and quickly we were upon the first and then second brook crossing. A flagged hunters' trail on the way down helped with the ease of return. We crossed the hunters' path on the way up, but didn’t realize it would have aided our ascent.

The crossing of Wolf Creek came next and then we were upon the snowmobile trail, in plenty of time to finish the hike before dark. We only hoped we could keep the snowmobile trail under us all the way. We nearly lost it again in the same location where we lost it that morning, but luckily we realized where we were and we made the correct choices. Once back on the trail we made haste and returned to the car in plenty of time, even early enough to see the final minutes of the sunset on our ride out of town.

Exhausted, all I could think about on the way home was a hot drink.

I bet you didn't know Schroon Lake is home to the longest running summer vocal training program and music theatre in the United States. I didn't either until I began researching for this blog. For the past century (98 years to be exact) Seagle Music Colony has been the summer training ground for countless numbers of singers who have gone on to perform on many of the world's most notable stages. Each year 32 of the world's most talented young singers are chosen, through a rigorous audition and application process, and spend the summer training and performing at the prestigious Colony in Schroon Lake.

World renowned baritone Oscar Seagle

The early days

In 1915 world renowned baritone Oscar Seagle founded the Seagle Music Colony in nearby Hague, but soon moved it to Schroon Lake, where it has remained in its current location since 1922. The Seagle singers were some of the first performers to appear in front of television cameras and were regularly called upon to perform at WRGB in Schenectady. The Colony continues to this day as a not-for-profit organization, and was named the "Best summer vocal training program in the United States" in 2000 by Classical Singer Magazine. An exceptional faculty allows young singers to blossom and gain invaluable experience on the stage at the Colony. Members of the Seagle family remain involved as well in volunteer capacities. Yes, all this in the small Adirondack town of Schroon Lake!

Production promotion in July 4th parade in Schroon Lake - 1932

 

Students at work

The young artists live in the various small rustic cottages scattered around the beautiful property overlooking Schroon Lake. And in addition to classes and performances, all Colony artists are expected to put in an hour of work each day around the camp. The job titles include such creative names as waitrons, choppers (listen you can't make this stuff up!), cleanup, set building, cleaning, library assistant and pot scrubbers to name a few. Waitrons are just what you'd think (gender non-specific) and choppers are, well, choppers! The choppers assist the chef with chopping - salads, fruit, potatoes, etc. Daily duties must be fulfilled or else. I'm not sure what the "or else" might be, but you can be sure the administration is serious about this part of a their responsibilities.

Dining room duties at Seagle Music Colony

 

"Choppers" at work in the kitchen at Seagle Music Colony

 

Set construction

 

Set DEstruction

 

Spectacular view from the hill on which Seagle Music Colony sits high above Schroon Lake

 

2014 Season at Seagle

From the 2013 production of "Eugene Onegin"

Evolution of production

Over the years the Colony has evolved from two productions and eight summer performances to today's schedule of six full-blown productions and over thirty-five performances. The resident artists receive individual music coaching and private lessons in voice with an exceptional faculty, and basically learn the ins and outs of the business of music theater.

The 2014 summer schedule is filled with fun and familiar productions such as Hansel & Gretel, Side by Side by Sondheim, West Side Story, Camelot and much more on the Main Stage of the Oscar Seagle Memorial Theatre. The schedule also includes Vespers Concerts, a Schroon Lake tradition of sacred choral music and vocal solos. The Colony's largest fundraiser of the season, the Patrice Munsel Gala, takes place in July and includes an elegant dinner, drinks, dessert and dancing, as well as performances by the young artists in residence for the summer.

The Seagle Music Colony in Schroon Lake is a short drive from Albany, Saratoga Springs, Lake George, Lake Placid and Vermont.

A few of the summer 2014 Performances:

Camelot - July 2, 3, 5

The Italian Girl in Algiers - July 16, 17, 18, 19

West Side Story - Aug. 13, 14, 15, 16

Make sure you check the events schedule for Schroon Lake to find the Seagle performances along with their performance dates and times. Most performances take place at 2 pm or 8 pm. Seagle Music Colony is located at 999 Charley Hill Rd. Schroon Lake, NY.

It’s easy to find something to do in the Adirondacks, especially if you like being outside, but it can be hard figuring out where to begin. If you’re traveling with the family, that can be even more difficult as differing ideas converge on what makes a fun day a fun day. Yes, it’s beautiful here — the question is, what is the best way to experience it and make a range of ages happy? Keep reading to find out!

Hit the beach

A large sandy beach on the edge of a glistening Adirondack lake that’s ringed by mountains. Need we say more? Pull up a blanket and enjoy the sun, go swimming (there are lifeguards on duty), lounge or dive off of the floating dock, go fishing off the nearby docks, and then head out for ice cream when it’s all over. The Schroon Lake Town Beach is located right downtown, so it’s super accessible and if you forget something — or if a certain somebody starts to get cranky — there are options for fixing the situation close by. There are also beaches in Minerva, North Hudson, and Newcomb, all perfectly family-friendly and sure-fire summer hits.

It's time to camp!

If the kid in your family loves setting up tents in the living room, why not start a summer tradition of camping in the Adirondack Hub? At all our campsites, all the rooms are rated five-million star. Camping doesn't have to all be hiking miles into the woods to remote campsites. There are RV parks and maintained DEC campgrounds to cater to different preferences. There is even glamping! Your options are virtually limitless. Let the Common Loons and owls sing you to sleep after an evening by the campfire. (Don't forget to pack the s'more ingredients!)

Take an easy hike

Going hiking in the Adirondacks is like eating Buffalo wings in Buffalo or a Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia — it’s just what you do. That said, hiking isn’t the easiest activity, so the best way to get the little ones into it is to take them up a mountain they can easily conquer. There’s no guarantee they’ll be hooked, but giving them a taste of success is a great way to hedge your bets. 

The Schroon Lake region is the southern access to the High Peaks, but if you’re traveling with kids it’s probably best to steer clear of the bigger mountains until their legs — and tolerance for walking great distances — are ready. You’re in luck! There are a lot of shorter trails to get you on the trail.

Mount Severance is the first hike for a lot of people, and with good reason. It’s short, it never gets steep, and the view is phenomenal. If that trek goes well, consider Goodnow Mountain. It’s longer and taller than Severance, but it’s still on the easy side as far as mountains go, and the 360-degree view from the summit fire tower is magnificent. 

For mellow trails that wind through the woods, try the Adirondack Interpretive Center at Newcomb on for size. Lovely paths can lead to great discovery here! It's a wonderful natural history playground.

Your canoe or kayak awaits

There are a lot of paddling options in the region, but quite a few of them require a short portage to reach. If you’re really adventurous and you have the right gear, the nearby Essex Chain Lakes Complex is well worth your time. Its 19,600 acres and numerous lakes and ponds make it a paddler’s (and camper’s and hiker’s) paradise. Just be sure to consult a map and don’t be afraid to hire a guide or ask for advice before setting out.

If you’re with family, you might want something a little closer to town. Schroon Lake, anyone? We’ve already mentioned how big and beautiful this lake is, but what we haven’t gotten into is how perfect it is for paddling. Launch right from town and paddle the shoreline for mountain views and a chance to see all kinds of wildlife, like ducks, bald eagles, and loons. For an extended adventure, keep paddling south to explore the Schroon River. If you need gear, you can rent it in town, too, making it even easier to try paddling, even if it wasn’t part of the original vacation plan!

There is even family-friendly smaller ponds in the area. Courtney Pond sits right by the road and it's small size makes it less wavy - perfect for young ones who might just be getting used to being in a boat!

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Of course, the best thing about all of these options is they are close to town, which means food and a place to stay are never far!

Great camp devastation

The Adirondacks are an amazing part of New York’s history. They are so intricate, and most would argue there is no comparable place to this beautiful forest preserve. The building of Great Camps during the 1880s and 1920s confirm the desire to escape to the Adirondacks for rest and relaxation. The word vacation is believed to have originated when people would “vacate” the hot city to head to their camps. Thus, creating the adjective of vacationing.

Great Camp Sagamore, White Pine Camp, The Point, and Camp Santanoni are just several of the many camps that were once occupied regularly in the Adirondacks. However, each camp is so different from the next. Camp Santanoni is what we will focus on during this journey.

Camp Santanoni

The day was gorgeous as usual here in the mountains. No matter the season, it always seems like a fabulous day. We even had a few warm days in October. That was our cue to explore the Great Camp and the stories behind it. I had heard a few stories of the property but the one that wouldn’t leave my mind was that of 8-year-old Douglas Legg.

Camp construction began in 1891 by a wealthy banker from Albany, Robert Pruyn. Decades later the property was acquired by the Melvin family in 1953. This camp was where the extended family would gather during the summer to enjoy the crisp mountain air. They enjoyed many wonderful family memories, unfortunately the last memory of this place left them empty.

On a beautiful summer day in June of 1971 the family decided to take a trek into the woods to enjoy their property. They began hiking and encountered patches of poison ivy. Little Douglas Legg wasn’t properly dressed to trek through the forest in his shorts. His uncle instructed him to return to the camp to change. His brother and cousin reported seeing him pass them approximately 50-60 yards away from the main lodge. That was the last time anyone ever saw Dougie.

The search is on

The search began immediately that night, June 10, 1971. The news spread fast that little Dougie had gone missing. This search started with around 30 people the first night. Unfortunately, the search continued as Dougie wasn’t found. The days went quickly and the search crew expanded rapidly each day. There were locals, college kids, camp counselors, employees of the NY Conservation Department, and even the U.S. Air Force overhead. They had hounds, infra-red technology, and hundreds of people on the ground.

The days went on with a few moments where hope was restored in the finding of Dougie; A hound had tracked his scent, but it was lost at the edge of a pond. The pond was drained and they came up empty-handed. Dougie was still missing and hope was fading. The weather was inconvenient as the rain kept interrupting the search. The danger of the search grew as mucky bogs and sinkholes started appearing and putting searchers in harm's way.

The last true trace of Dougie was a set of shoe prints picked up by a bloodhound — however, again, the rain washed away the scent. The search continued for weeks on end, with less and less evidence of Douglas being found. The Melvin family had hired their own group of professionals from California to search, but they were also unsuccessful in their endeavors.

The search was called off by state police six weeks later. By that time, they believe that 80 square miles were covered in the search for Douglas. This case remains a tragic and upsetting topic for this beautiful area.

The unsolved mystery of Douglas Legg did, however, assist in improving the way searches were conducted in the Adirondack region. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is now in charge of search and rescue missions in the wilderness areas of NY.

Leads to false hope

The case has stayed open since the day Douglas Legg disappeared. There have only been two reported stories. First, a woman swore her relative had taken part in the disappearance of Dougie; however, she was found to be a psychiatric patient.

The other story is intriguing and quite possibly could have aided in the finding of Dougie if it was brought to authorities. This story unfortunately wasn’t told until 20 years after it occurred, when a hunter heard about the story of Douglas and felt compelled to speak with authorities. He had been hunting near Newcomb Lake and stumbled over what he believed to be a small skeleton and skull. He drove all the way from Montana to show them where this had occurred. At the time this hunter was on leave from the Navy and didn’t want to get in trouble for where he was, so he never reported the incident. Unfortunately, 20 years later they found nothing at this location.

I found this case very heart wrenching and upsetting. I decided to go check out Camp Santanoni for myself with my husband. The entire way there I couldn’t stop thinking of the many people affected by Douglas Legg’s disappearance. I can’t even imagine if this happened in my life. His family, friends, and community worked so hard to try and find and save him.
 

Stuck in the moment

We rented bikes from High Peaks Cyclery as we were traveling from Lake Placid for a day trip. On the way down the foliage was beautiful and the drive relaxing. As we pulled into the parking area you could immediately see the remains of the Great Camp. We hopped on our bikes and cycled towards the Main Lodge. As we passed the Gate Lodge, Farm Manager’s House, barn ruins, Creamery and much more it was almost as if time had stood still. The history behind this land is amazing. The leisurely bike ride went on for 5 miles until we reached the Main Lodge.

When we reached the lodge it was a beautiful structure. We started walking around and exploring the areas that were unlocked for the public. While walking through I tried to imagine the days when Douglas Legg roamed the house and surrounding area. I couldn’t help but feel as though his presence was still at this beautiful Great Camp. Lunch quickly approached and we decided to set up on the boat launch and take a moment to relax and refuel for the bike ride back. I sat overlooking Newcomb Lake and still couldn’t believe that the possible 1,000 people that searched this area could not find Dougie.

This unsolved mystery, although miserable, is a huge part of Camp Santanoni. I must say I will always think of the little boy and his disappearance when thinking of this area. I hope that some day this case is able to be closed and that those who mourn may finally feel at peace. Little Douglas did leave a legacy, however; because of him the search and rescue missions in the Adirondacks are now organized and efficient.

Travel the winding roads of the Adirondack Hub this season. We have comfortable lodging and delicious dining waiting for you after a day of exploring our local history.

 

I have to admit, I haven't done a lot of predator hunting.A red fox here, a gray fox there, and a couple unsuccessful outings for coyotes– which, from what serious predator pursuers tell me, isn't unusual.

But I've always marveled at how those die hard predator hunters speak with reverence of their prey, the sport itself, and the satisfaction that comes from luring a fox, coyote or even a bobcat into shooting range. It's the way I feel about spring gobbler hunting, so I understand what they're talking about, although it's fur that fires them up and not feathers.

There are, actually, some legitimate comparisons to be made between predator hunting and spring turkey hunting. Both involve huge challenges, turkeys due to their incredible eyesight and predators primarily because of their keen sense of smell. The fraternity of hunters who relish that challenge is much smaller than those whose focus is whitetails. And in both the turkey woods and the predator fields, you lose more often than you win.

But there are differences, too. While spring gobblers are available during the month of May (as well as a weekend youth hunt for 12 to 15year olds), predator hunting seasons are longer.

And you can even hunt them at night. With a spotlight.

Trust me, it takes some getting used to, heading out after dark, toting a rifle (or shotgun, or muzzleloader, bow, even a handgun – in Essex County all those implements are legal) and actually hunting something legally. I felt like a poacher the first couple times I was out there.

You can use a call; maybe a rabbit in distress. And you can even use an electronic call to lure them in. The anticipation alone is enough to make you forget about the temperature.

Sure, it can be cold. So can the deer woods. And yes,successes are rare, as they are in many of our pursuits. But what else would you be doing on a full moon mid-winter night? Get out there and give it a try.You might get hooked like many hunters have. And if you do connect on a coyote,look at it as helping the deer herd or the turkey flock. It's one less of those pesky canines in the woods.

Chances are you have a friend who knows a bit aboutpredator hunting. If you don't, you can hook up with a seasoned Adirondack guide who can show you how it's done.

It's a great way to extend your hunting season, to keep going during the winter, and get off the couch an evening or two and get some exercise.

And it's a good way to pass the time beforespring gobbler season, too. 

What makes an Adirondack town perfect? Well, sure the mountains and waterways are exceptional. But, to make a town perfect you need all that and a local craft brewery. And not just any craft brewery, but one that has a beer garden, a selection of original and rotating beers, games to play while you sip brews with friends, nice bar tenders, and a dog friendly environment. Paradox Brewery has fulfilled this list and more. They are also veteran owned and operated.

My ROOST co-workers and I spent an afternoon hanging out and sipping beers there after we rode horses at Circle B Ranch. Unarguably, this is an ideal way to enjoy fall weather. First, you do some great leaf peeping perched on a horse, and then you sit back, play some corn hole, and try the different unique and classic beers at Paradox.

You can currently find Paradox on Route 9 in Schroon Lake. But, because of its success, Paradox will be relocating their production and tasting room to a 25,000 square foot space that overlooks the High Peaks, just 12 miles from its current location. In its current space, Paradox has a fantastic outdoor beer garden set under a tent that’s perfect for summer and fall weather.

During our hangout, we met Paradox bar tenders, Veronica and Andre; one of the owners, Joan; and the head brewer, Devon. Of course, every good brewery has resident dogs so we also hung out with Olive and Sammy.

Andre, one of the bar tenders, spent summers at a camp in nearby Newcomb and decided he loved the region so much that he had to live there full time. He knows the area well and learned about Paradox through friends. The rest is history, of course. Not only is he a great and helpful bar tender, but he is an expert in all the fun things to do in the area. Pick his brain about the best places to hike in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness.

Devon, head brewer, said the best part of working at Paradox is that he gets to brew a lot of different beers. Paradox always has two monthly rotating series, the Off Trail and Weather. Off Trail goes into kegs and Weather goes into cans. This month the Off Trail is a Dunkelweizen, a malted wheat beer with a smooth finish. Overall, the selection of beers on tap definitely reflects the best of both tradition and originality in craft beer brewing. Brooke, ROOST’s Content Manager, enjoyed the Big Fruity Gose, a sour beer with a pleasantly tart, salty and fruity combination. Sarah, ROOST’s Director of Sales, enjoyed the Hefeweizen, a traditional German wheat beer. I enjoyed the  BeaverBite IPA. Like all good IPAs this one had a bold finish with a hoppy bite to it.

After five years in operation, Paradox has a strong following and is a welcomed outpost to travelers in the Adirondacks. According to the brewers at Paradox, the pure Adirondack water makes their beer so standout. Adirondack water, after all, needs no filtering because it is that pure.

My co-workers and I can't complain because we spent the afternoon playing checkers, enjoying the weather, and drinking good beer. Paradox also serves pretzels if you need a bite to accompany your beer. Really, this place is for beer aficionados and nondrinkers alike. The atmosphere is relaxed, and when Paradox moves to its new location there will be even more opportunities for great views of the High Peaks. So sit back, relax, and drink good beer.

Start planning your trip to the Adirondacks today. We have great food, great beers, and great adventures.

This week in ADK news:

Roadside attractions

Film Placid

Fall bucket list

Mazes, harvests, and history

All roads lead to beer

Hot tips on fall foliage

This way to fun

 

North Hudson has a lovely bunch of pond hikes, and a particular set of three worth investigating. They are all close together and good for any skill level. They also let hikers choose how long they want to hike, and how much water they will find at the end. All three are located on Ensign Pond Road, along a 2.5 mile stretch. There's parking at the trailheads.

Short and sweet

The Gero Pond Trail is 0.3 mile from where Caza Turn Road connects with Ensign Pond Road. Look to the right to find the historic cemetery, and find the parking area a little further down the road. Walk back to the fence, and pass the cemetery on your right. The trail is through the trees just beyond the cemetery.

It is a short and easy hike until the very end, when the terrain drops sharply at about 3 feet. This is where a trekking pole or walking stick really helps. If all else fails, sitting down and sliding on the fallen leaves will work. There's a quarried stone dam here, turning Black Brook into Gero Pond.

There's a waterfall effect over the dam that makes some peaceful zen water sounds. I would stay off the dam itself with its slippery rocks, but the nearby shore has a few openings for different vantage points.

Peering downstream will offer views of Black Brook, and looking upstream gives some lovely views of the pond.

Gero Pond runs alongside Ensign Pond Road for almost its entire length, but this hiking path is the only way to actually see the pond, as the shoreline is heavily wooded.

Easy gem

The hike to Challis Pond is 2.3 miles from the Caza Turn intersection. It was named after an early settler named Timothy Challis, but the trail sign reads "Chalis Pond." But, you know how difficult it is to use auto-correct on those wooden signs.

This trail is a great example of why I like late fall and early spring hiking. With so many trees still leafless at this time of year, we get the lovely "cathedral of trees" effect at various points throughout the trail.

Usually, this much sunlight seen in the above and blow pictures means the light is glimpsing through the trees, from meadows surrounding the trail. On the Challis Pond trail, there are many sections where leafless trees let in shafts of light, highlighting the late season golds and other shades of yellow.

 

The trail starts climbing early on, for an overall elevation gain of 227 feet by the time you have reached the pond, but it's all gradual and not demanding. The trail twists through many interesting boulder formations and variations in forest density.

Another feature of the late fall hike is the magic carpet of fallen leaves. This is where the color goes. The trail starts to flatten out, and then Challis Pond appears in a dramatic reveal.

This is a beautifully rounded pond that will make you wish you brought an inflatable or ultra-light kayak to allow for further exploration. Maybe next time.

Even without that extra thrill, there are some wonderful shoreline views from the trail's end. If you're comfortable following a faint trail, there is one circling the shoreline. Unlike going off trail in a forest, which should not be attempted without bushwhacking experience, the pond provides a clear marker that will bring you back to the beginning.

Part of a network

The Hammond Pond trailhead is 2.9 miles from from the Caza Turn intersection. This has a large parking lot since it is also the trailhead to a whole network of water destinations. Hammond Pond, Berrymill Flow, Bass Lake, and Moose Mountain Pond are all accessible from here.

This is a scenic trail for its entire distance. Early on you will cross a bridge over Black Brook, which chuckles along over many large rocks.

Soon the trail starts to follow a ridge along the brook, with many more scenic opportunities behind it, like scenes of meadows and distant mountains.

This contrast between the deep forest on one side, and the downslope brook and meadows on the other, makes for a lot of variety.

The trail follows the brook all the way to the dam that created Hammond Pond. And what a glorious sight it is. You can climb onto a bunch of giant rocks and see much of the shoreline from this vantage point.

Off to the right is another bunch of giant rocks covered in interesting mosses. You can walk out onto the wooden platform over the dam for even more vantage points.

This is a great place to sit down and just let it all soak in.

Read the blog post, Spotting Wildlife: Moose Mt. Pond for more about this amazing trail network. As a bonus, Challis and Hammond ponds are also trout ponds (no bait fish allowed) and popular for their mountain biking trails.

Find the right lodging. Enjoy more dining. Find similar hikes with the blog post, Kid Hikes Near Water.

Walk into any gin mill during sledding season and you are bound to hear:
“Ski don’t!”
“Artic Scrap!”
“Yamaha-ha-ha-ha!”
"Polaris – pull off lake and repair in spring..."

We are as serious about the sleds that we ride as we are about the gear that we wear to ride them. You will notice that most people that ride seriously — whether man, woman, or child — wear gear that matches their sleds. Not only does the brand match, but the colors do as well.

There have been times when this has been a blessing, as we can see them coming from a distance — especially on the lake. My husband has a jacket that is recognizable by almost everyone that rides in Schroon Lake. Both our families have been die-hard Artic Cat riders, until a few years ago when I began riding a Yamaha - ha. Notice the smiling faces all sporting their favorite brand...

Layer Up!

Brand aside, it is very important to layer when you are going to be spending time in the cold outdoors. We were going riding the other day, and it was -12 degrees when we got up. I can’t stress enough the importance of layering. At the base should be a layer that can keep you warm without adding bulk, perhaps a pair of running tights or under armor pants/top would do the trick. Some wear jeans when riding, I don’t necessarily think this is the best move, because once they get wet, you are done; frozen and done riding for the day.

That being said, a good pair of wool socks, snow boots, snow pants and a jacket are essential. Mittens/gloves are certainly a rider's choice. Remember that our bodies prioritize keeping organs warm, so hands and feet are the first to get cold. Most sleds have hand warmers on the handlebars, and some people like to add an additional little heat packet into their gloves or mittens for extra warmth. Another important extra to look for on your jacket, which I just learned about this weekend, is to have some sort of reflective strip or lettering. Check out the next picture - you can see on the jackets in front of me how much more this stands out and is more easily seen when you are following in a group.

Winter headgear can be laughable (for all the wrong reasons) but again, very important. My husband and I wear balaclavas, which are very thin, cover your entire head and fit under the helmet with ease. It also makes me feel like I am going to rob a bank, which I always find comical! Others wear a face mask or cowl neck. It’s all personal preference. When you take your helmet off, it’s fun to have a hat to put on like this!

Safety and warmth ensure a fun ride! I was looking on the internet for examples of putting this all together and found the following:

There is special gear if you are planning on doing a large amount of your riding on bodies of water/ ice. There is a brand called Artic Armor that has revolutionized snow gear for snowmobilers, fishermen, and hunters. Not only does this gear provide three layers of thermal insulator, which protects you from sub-zero temps, but it also is windproof, waterproof, and buoyant. If you were to go through the ice for any unfortunate reason, you will float. It won’t save you from hypothermia, but it will save you from drowning in most cases.

The most important piece of your ensemble is your helmet. NY state regulates that you must have a DOT approved helmet and it must be worn at all times. There are different types, and all personal preference. Some have only the eye sheild that flips up, some have the entire face piece that flips up. Some riders prefer to wear a smaller helmet and glasses or goggles (see below for examples!) Some plug into your sled and will keep your shield free of fogging or icing. Some have communication systems. Don’t forget to buckle your helmet. It doesn’t have to be extremely tight, but snug enough to keep it from falling off should you have a situation when you leave your sled unexpectedly. If you simply place it on your head, it won’t protect when you need it most!

Spending time outdoors is part of our schedule almost every day in Schroon Lake. On weekends, we hope for days that are sunny and crisp and trails that are groomed. Dressing appropriately ensures that we have long days of riding, family and friend time, good meals on the trail, and of course, fun! Remember, it’s never too early to start riding with your children...

And it’s also never too early for kiddos to start choosing their brand of choice! All of these bundling up suggestions are in-line with lowering heat bills so set your thermostat low, and bundle up! Then sit back knowing that your heating bill won’t be so expensive next month! See you on the trails…