Schroon Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Adirondack Region. It's also home to approximately 1,500 year-round residents, and in the summer that number swells to nearly 5,000 with summer homeowners.

Schroon Lake is also renowned for its therapeutic qualities, having hundreds of visitors come from around the world to sit on its shores and rejeuvenate. These vistors are mostly individuals or families that want to escape the fast-paced life of urban America; however, at times A-listers frequent Schroon Lake. Some of the first A-listers that influenced or visited came as early as the dawning of the town.

Schroon Lake was established in 1804. The origin of its name is still a topic discussed at many dinner tables. There are two versions of how Schroon Lake recieved its name. The first is that the local Native Americans, the Iroquois and Algonquians, named it. It has been noted that the Iroquois gave the name Ska-ne-tah-no-wah-na to Schroon Lake, while the Algonquians called it Skoo-na-pus. The first syllable of Skoo-na-pus is reflective of Schroon.

The second version of Schroon Lake's naming occurs during the 1700s, when French soldiers and officers were encamped in the region. During scouting expeditions, the soldiers found the beautiful lake, which was full of trout and salmon and provided much-needed protein for their diets. Due to the beauty of the lake, the officers gave it the name "Scarron" in memory of the widow of French dramatist and poet Paul Scarron.

Paul Scarron was a poor, crippled poet who was married to a young and beautiful woman who, after his death, secretly married into royalty, thus becoming the wife of Louis XIV. This young lady captured the hearts of many who were entertained at the home of her late husband, Paul Scarron. Schroon Lake may very well take its name from Madame Scarron.

So who was Madame Scarron? Local historian Gary Glebus explained that Madame Scarron’s maiden name was Françoise d’ Aubigne. Her grandfather was a very close associate of Henry IV and her father, Constant d’ Aubigne, was imprisoned for killing his wife and her lover. While in prison he married Jeanne de Cardilhac, who was the daughter of the governor of the prison. Before completing his term of sentence Jeanne had several children, including one who was named Françoise.

After Constant was released from prison he traveled to the Virgin Islands, where he later died in sheer poverty. Françoise and her mother returned to France and took up residency with the Countess de Neuillant, the godmother of Françoise. There she lived as a peasant caring for the poultry and other farm animals. Little did she know the poet Paul Scarron lived on the same street and would someday ask for her hand in marriage. Having wealth at the time, Scarron offered to give Françoise enough money for her to be able to finish her education at a convent. Along with being indebted to him, her beauty and charm soon captured Paul’s heart.

At the young age of 17, Françoise married Paul. He was 34 years of age. Many intellectuals and French philosophers were entertained at their home. Françoise always captivated her audience, even royalty. Unknown to many, Françoise became the secret governess of the children of Louis XIV by Madame de Montespan. It became a competition between her and Madame de Montespan to win the heart of the king, who had every intention of making Queen Maria Theresa of Austria his mistress. Theresa's death influenced Louis to marry the widow, Françoise, instead. Madame de Montespan had brought embarrassment to the king earlier and thus he had no desire to ask her hand in marriage.

The wedding between Françoise and Louis XIV took place at midnight in June 1684 at the Palace of Versailles, and thus Françoise became the queen of France. The uncrowned queen became known as the Marquise de Maintenon, a title bestowed on her by Louis XIV, who placed her in charge of his estate Maintenon. For many years thereafter she continued to have an influence over the history of France.

Thomas Cole paints Schroon Lake

Thomas Cole, a famous landscape artist who worked with and inspired many famous American landscape artists during the early 1800s, was the founding father of the Hudson River School for artists. Born in England in 1801, he emigrated the United States with his family when he was 17 and first worked as a wood engraver in Philadelphia before going to Ohio, where his father had established a wallpaper manufacturing business. Not happy working in the wallpaper business, Cole began working with an artist in Ohio, learning to paint portraits and landscapes.

Once he gained self-confidence, Cole set out to seek his fortune. By 1825 he had moved to New York City and soon thereafter made a trip up the Hudson River to stay at the Catskill Mountain House Hotel, located in the Catskill Mountains. This young painter was a very talented artist who had a gift for painting breathtaking American scenery. Cole caught the attention of various art buyers and quickly was included as part of the inner circle of the cultural world of New York City. He soon became one of the founding members of the National Academy of Design in 1826.

Cole expanded his travels and subjects to include scenes of Schroon Lake, other Adirondack towns and landscapes, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He later did illustrations for James Fenimore Cooper’s popular novel The Last of the Mohicans. By 1829 his success enabled him to take a tour of Europe, where he lived for many years painting nobles and landscapes.

Movie stars ascend on Schroon Lake

Schroon Lake is unqiue and has bragging rights most other Adirondack lakes don't have. A Hollywood movie was even filmed on the lake.

In 1957 Scaroon Manor, a very popular resort and playground for vistors from New York City, became the set of the Hollywood film Marjorie Morningstar, which was based on the bestselling book by Herman Wouk. The soundtrack of the film was by Max Steiner, the same composer for the hit films Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, and Wouk's The Cain Mutiny. The director was Irving Rapper, who had also directed The Glass Menagerie, The Corn is Green, and Rhapsody in Blue.

The leading actor was Gene Kelly, who played Noel Airman, and sang A Very Precious Love, a song that became a hit that year. Kelly's co-star was the young and beautiful 19-year-old actress Natalie Wood. Wood was an experienced actress who started in the business at the young age of four. Her best-known roles were West Side Story, Splendor in the Grass, and Rebel Without a Cause.

Not only did Natalie bring her beauty to Schroon Lake; she also brought her hot romance with actor Robert Wagner. During the fiming of Marjorie Morningstar, Wagner stayed at Scaroon Manor to be near Wood and was often seen out boating and skiing on the lake.

Marjorie Morningstar was a film about a young Jewish woman from New York City who worked at a girls camp and fell head over heels in love with Noel Aimran, the musical director at a glamorous hotel across the lake from the camp. Airman was handsome and charming but the wrong man for Morningstar. Their romance does not end happily, and Airman tries to make it big on Broadway, but fails and returns to the hotel in upstate New York to continue to be the in-house Casanova.

Not only did this film bring Hollywood to the shores of Schroon Lake; it gave the local residents a chance to have a role in a Hollywood film. A few of these extras are still with us today to tell the story of how Marjorie Morningstar was made. If you are lucky you may meet up with one and hear a tale or two.

Nationally known opera singer resides on our shores

In recent years, famous and internationally known opera singer Patrice Beverly Munsel and her husband came to live on the shores of the beloved Schroon Lake during the summer and soon year-round.

Patrice Patrice Beverly Munsel was born May 14, 1925 in Spokane, Washington, and became a famous American soprano and the youngest singer to star in the Metropolitan Opera. Munsel first sang at the Metropolitan at age 17 in March 1943. She made her official Metropolitan debut on December 4, 1943, at the age of 18, singing Philine in Mignon. Perhaps best known for the role of Adele in Die Fledermaus, she performed 225 times at the Metropolitan. Her opera roles included Rosina in The Barber of Seville and Despina in Cosi fan Tutte.

Munsel's late husband Robert C. Schuler developed and produced the ABC-TV primetime variety series The Patrice Munsel Show, which starred his wife and was broadcast during the 1957–58 season. Munsel appeared on many other TV shows during her career, including the role of Marietta (Countess d'Altena) in the January 15, 1955 live telecast of the operetta Naughty Marietta. She also portrayed the title role in the 1953 film Melba, which chronicled the life of the great opera singer Dame Nellie Melba.

Munsel made frequent television appearances on The Bell Telephone Hour, and was the central singer in the Camp Fire Girls' famous TV commercial and song "Sing Around the Camp Fire (join the Camp Fire Girls)," which aired in the mid-1960s. Munsel ended her career as an opera singer in 1981 and began to perform in musical comedies.
Munsel's husband Robert C. Schuler was an advertising and public relations executive and producer for 55 years until his death at age 90 in 2007. They were blessed with four children. Munsel still supports schools for students that are studying opera, including the Seagle Music Colony.

Schroon Lake is loved by so many, from all walks of life. Staying in Schroon Lake is considered a peaceful heaven away from home for many. Come and enjoy our clear cool spring water, the breeze in your face, the beautiful views, and the fresh crisp air. Whether you want to relax at the beach, go on an adventure, or shop and dine in style, Schroon Lake has something memorable to offer. Come find out for yourself why so many stars have called it home!

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Information for this blog was gathered from a number of sources: Header photo of Patricia Munsel from Wikipedia; the history of Schroon, Paul Scarron, and Madame Scarron, as well as pictures of Madame Scarron and King Louis, are from Gary Glebus, town historian and Glebus Realty website; information and photo of Thomas Cole from Adirondack Museum; film photo from Warner Bros. site.; information on Marjorie Morningstar from Schroon Lake Chamber.

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In related Fame In The ADKs news:

No joke. Will Rogers has seen its fair share of famous entertainers.

Dewey’ing it with decimals.

The Adirondack hermit.

A star-studded past with more stars on the horizon.

Lighting the way for the rich and famous.

Meadowmount: Multiple strings attached.

Wheeler goes to Washington.

The lovely Essex Chain Lakes Tract opened to the public in the summer of 2014. This remote area is comprised of twelve lakes and ponds. Paddlers can spend the day exploring the lakes, or stay longer by camping at one of the designated sites.

At the end of last summer, I chose to do a camping trip. I explored Third Lake to Seventh Lake, and reserved the most remote camp site, number 2 on Sixth Lake.

The Carries

After the long scenic drive on backroads in Newcomb, a visitor reaches the large parking area for the Essex Chain Lakes. There are two carries to reach Third Lake. The first carry is a quarter mile and begins on a dirt road. Pay attention! You need to take a right turn off this road on a foot trail to Deer Pond. I walked right on by this trail by hiking with my canoe over my head. The trail drops down to Deer Pond. When I visited, there were ongoing improvements to the carries, including steps on the trail to Deer Pond.

Canoe straight across Deer Pond to access the second carry. This half-mile carry begins on a foot trail that leads uphill to an old dirt road. Turn right on the dirt road and watch for a left turn on a short foot trail that leads downhill to Third Lake.

The carries to Third Lake total three-quarters of a mile. I hiked the carries twice – once with my canoe and paddle, and once with all my camping equipment, so my hike was two and a quarter miles!

The Lakes

Third Lake is the largest in the chain and has four designated camp sites. It also has many Common Loons and Common Mergansers.

From the put-in on Third Lake, a paddler can choose to head west-southwest to Second and First Lakes, and then a carry of four-tenths of a mile to Grassy Pond, or head east-northeast to Fourth through Seventh Lakes (no more carries in this direction).

All of the lakes have signs indicating which numbered lake you are entering.

The transitions between lakes had Beaver houses and many lily pads.

Fourth Lake is small and intimate with only one camp site.

The transition from Fourth Lake to Fifth Lake is through a large culvert under a dirt road. There is a rope with knots and you pull yourself through.

In high water conditions, it might be necessary to take your canoe or kayak out and walk over the road.

Fifth Lake is larger and also has many Common Loons. There is one camp site on this lake. This site can also be reached by hiking the road that leads from the parking area. I met a group of five men coming out as I headed in last September. They said they used a wheeled cart to get all of their camping equipment, which included a lot of refreshments (!), to the Fifth Lake camp site. It is nearly a 2 mile hike, so 4 miles round trip. After they got their camping equipment to the site, they hiked the carries with their canoes and paddled to the camp site from Third Lake.

The transition from Fifth Lake to Sixth Lake was lovely. It has dead snags that likely attract Olive-sided Flycatchers in breeding season. There were Belted Kingfishers rattling as they fished and many lily pads and floating dirt mats. It was fall migration during my trip, and migrant shorebirds were attracted to the floating mats.

Sixth Lake is also small and intimate. There are two camp sites and I spent the night at the site farthest east, so there were gorgeous sunset views over the water from my camp. It was mesmerizing with ever-changing color.

The camp sites are primitive and the privies are the new open-air, wall-less models. With a restriction of no fires, there is more vegetation in the camp sites than at sites where fires are allowed, and campers burn up all the brush and sticks.

The Nightlife

The night was filled with the wild sounds of Barred Owls hooting and “monkey-calling” to one another.

All night, I heard the call notes of migrating Swainson’s Thrushes that flowed over me like a river.

There was splashing in the water and I wondered if it was a Beaver or Moose.

Dawn

In the morning, I heard singing Blue-headed Vireos and Common Yellowthroats, and a calling Pileated Woodpecker. A curious Black-throated Blue Warbler flew close to me as I ate breakfast. A Belted Kingfisher rattled. A Red Squirrel dropped large White Pine cones with a loud thump wherever I happened to be standing.

I explored Seventh Lake. At dawn, the lakes appeared as mirrors of the world above without a ripple. It was blissfully peaceful and I lingered in the wilderness.

Heading West

I finally returned to my Sixth Lake camp site and reluctantly broke it down. I headed west back through the chain. I once again saw the Common Loon families, a Deer drinking at the edge of the water, Beaver lodges, and many wildflowers. It was a lovely paddle back to Third Lake in calm winds. And then I hiked the carry trails twice again with my canoe and camping gear.

If you plan to paddle the Essex Chain Lakes, and you want to camp overnight, a (free) permit is required. The Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) in Newcomb issues the permits from May 15 to October 15. If you camp before May 15 or after October 15, you do not need a permit. A map of the campsites can be found on the AIC website, and they can also assist in describing the various sites since you need to choose a campsite ahead. There is no permit needed for day use.

I plan another trip this summer to explore Second and First Lakes, and Grassy Pond. Plus, I want to experience the lakes in bird breeding season! If you plan to visit, there are wonderful lodging and restaurant options available in the area.

Fall flavors

Fall is a magical season for the Adirondack Hub. When our friendly neighborhood giants are blanketed with rich reds and golds, and our valleys prepare for the season’s harvest, the region shines with its celebration of autumn. Our noses are also greeted with the sweet smells of delectable restaurants and breweries that can be found in every nook and cranny of the region. If you’ve been preparing your taste buds for the fall flavor tour of a lifetime, you’ve come to the right place. 

The Lodge at Schroon Lake 

First, no flavor tour would be complete without booking your stay in one of the premier hotels of the Adirondacks. The Lodge at Schroon Lake is a beautiful 36-acre hotel on the west shore of Schroon Lake, boasting incredible views and a sprawling property, offering everything you could dream of in an Adirondack stay. After a $21-million renovation, The Lodge at Schroon Lake contains 116 rooms, 32 of which are pet friendly, and offers lodging opportunities designed to fit your wants and needs during your stay. Choose from your own hotel room, standalone cabins and chalets, or “rough it” in their upscale glamping sites. There is plenty of space within the resort’s recreational amenities to try your hand at pickleball, paddle boarding, or even book a ride on the resort’s own Chris Craft boat!

The Brown Swan

A resident of The Lodge at Schroon Lake, the Brown Swan is the resort’s artisanal restaurant, serving up unique creations blended with hints of Adirondack comfort food. The Brown Swan is proud to source many of their ingredients locally, and offer many farm-to-table dishes, for those curious about the local harvest here in the Adirondack Hub! Start your dining experience with the Artichoke Spinach Blue Crab Dip, or the Short Rib Poutine. For your main course, break out of your comfort zone with Squid-ink Linguini, or play it safe with their NY Strip. After your meal, wander outside to the stone fire pit, or cozy up inside in the lounge. 

Paradox Brewery 

Paradox Brewery is a certified Veteran-owned, independent craft brewery in North Hudson, serving up delicious craft drinks year-round in a spacious brew house and tasting room. You’ll find it hard to choose between all the flavors they offer, including Beaver Bite (or its cousin Beaver Overbite), the Great Kӧlsch Affair Blood Orange, or the One Handed Applesauce Mosaic; my favorite! Pair your favorite drinks while looking out from the property onto the sprawling leaf show around you, or sip away during open mic nights with friends. The brewery also offers delicious goodies in the form of pizzas, sandwiches, a hot IPA pretzel, and poutine. In my personal opinion, there’s no better way to celebrate fall than with a craft beer and some good poutine. A staple for its unique brews, the brewery has just rebranded, with their new motto, “RoughlyRefined,” and a brand new logo! Their new facade is perfect for photo ops to give your fellow beer lovers some FOMO.

 

Sticks and Stones Wood Fired Bistro and Bar

If you’re in the mood for an authentic Adirondack atmosphere with good food to boot, Sticks and Stones is your place. A casual dining gallery cafe featuring fresh food and a full bar, this restaurant will transport you to the rustic dining experience you’ve been looking for. Their lunch and dinner menu is stacked with options, so picking from all the delicious choices may be a challenge! Choose from entrees like their lobster ravioli, wood fired pizzas, or burgers served up on a pretzel bun. When you’re done munching away, take a seat on the patio, or hang out by the fire inside. 

Newcomb Cafe and Campground 

For a delicious home-cooked meal made with love, be sure to stop by Newcomb Café and Campground! The moment you step through the door, you’ll feel right at home. Serving up hearty breakfasts and lunches Thursday through Sunday, it’s a must-visit on your next trip through Newcomb!

Experience the flavors of fall

Fall flavors abound in the Adirondack Hub, from impressive lodges and breweries, to rustic Adirondack eateries. Complete your stay with a fall hike, scenic drive, or perhaps a peaceful paddle in between all the delicious dishes you’ll try!

It's tradition: Scenic Driving

Long before cell phones and high-speed internet, back in the day when you couldn't google directions, my dad and I had a Sunday ritual. We would leave our camp on Hoffman Mountain, and "go for a drive." My dad would proclaim this statement like clockwork, let's "go for a drive" ... when I was younger it brought on the sighed reply of "okayyyy" - I couldn't act like I enjoyed it, that wouldn't be cool. But honestly, we didn't have electricity or running water for many of our years at camp, so I never really minded these excursions into the world.

We would head out into the surrounding Schroon Lake back roads. No plan in mind - we'd just drive and stop when something looked interesting. We loved to explore the Adirondacks, and I have many memories of discovering cool things ranging from a ghost town to finding the perfect secret swimming spot.

This week on a beautiful early-fall day, in the tradition of my childhood, I took to the roads - with no solid plan in mind. I remembered that I used to love driving over Route 74 toward Ticonderoga (I confess it's because it was the closest "big" town, and had some cool things like a Fort to visit!). While this isn't a real back road, I was by myself today and on a bit of a time constraint, so the thought of getting really lost (a distinct possibility in my world) was weighing on my mind. Plus, if memory served, there was a place in the road where, at certain times of the year when the snow had melted or it had rained a lot and the lakes were full, it almost felt like you would tip the car into the water. I was going to go in search of that spot and see what I found on the way.

The sun is shining, the top is down on the Jeep, and the radio is playing - I am ready! Starting from the one-and-only light in town, located at the intersection of Routes 9N & 74 at the base of Exit 28 from the Northway, I head east toward Paradox. And, since a traditional Sunday drive is all about the view, I took lots of pictures for this blog - hey, they speak louder than words or something like that anyway, right!?

Today's only guiding principle: If it looks interesting, stop.

Playing it by ear, I was just meandering along when to the right I saw a trail marker and decided to stop. Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area!? Hey, I have read about this place - Spencer has written a family-friendly hiking blog about it... SOOOOO... this is how you get to Crane Pond and Pharaoh Lake!

Now, today's blog is about riding, not hiking, but I suddenly have a plan. I am going to check out any of the Trail Markers that catch my attention so when I have more time I can come back and hike the ones I am interested in.

I continue along 74 and not long after to the left I see my next trail marker. It indicates driving down a little road for 1.0 mile to reach Peaked Hill Pond. Sounds like a plan. I drive down a bumpy road that leads to an awesome boat launch I didn't know existed!

What a day to be on the lake! But... again... this is about the drive, so off to my next discovery! I head back up to 74 and take a left. A few more miles down the road I see my next big marker on the right side (who knew the 18 mile stretch between Ti & Schroon Lake would have this many public trails!?). It is another pull-off for the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, this time for the Short Swing Trail - yet another section of wilderness I remember reading a blog about!

I stop to talk to a few hikers at this juncture. I had noticed within a mile or so of getting to this spot that the air had become quite smoky and it smelled like campfire. The hikers asked me if I had noticed it - they were a bit concerned, it has been a dry season afterall. Luckily another passerby confirmed it was a controlled fire. We talked for a few more minutes and it was time for me to bid them happy trails. (*see addendum at bottom)

Off to my next stop. Where will it be? I don't know, but here we go... another right-hand turn is soon on the docket.

JACKPOT! Adirondack Treasure: Found

This, this is exactly what a Sunday drive is all about. If I see nothing else today, this week even, I am content. EAGLE LAKE Fishing Access Site. I don't usually fish, so I normally wouldn't stop at a Fishing Site. What a mistake I have been making. Big, BIG mistake. As soon as I pull in I am taken with the beauty of this serene little spot. There is a parking lot with a half-dozen or so vehicles - yet it is almost like I am here alone. The leaves are just starting to change colors, and I am drawn to the little dock.

I am so glad I decided to stop! To the left the lake opens up and in the distance I could just make out a couple of paddlers.

To the right was this beautiful, wild section of lake. I am not a fisherman - but I would guess the "big one" might be hiding in this picturesque section of the lake.

I sit for a few minutes and take in the view. I breathe deeply and appreciate every little detail of the day. I love the Adirondacks. I truly do. It doesn't matter that I left the house a bit stressed this morning, as I take in my surroundings I can be nothing but thankful for all the peace I am afforded by just walking out of my door and into nature. Goodbye, stress.

I am soon joined by another traveler. We exchange beautiful day pleasantries, and I decide to move on - it's time to let someone else enjoy the solitude.

View from the Road

I only have a few more minutes to spare before I must change direction and start making my way back toward home. So I decide I will drive for another couple of miles and then call it a day. And, that's when I see the sign (yes, I pulled over quickly to take a pic!) - this must be the place of my fall into the water memory!

And, there it is... Eagle Lake. Water on both sides and a fun little turn.


Fortunately I was able to pull over & snap pics from the here. Unfortunately, before I actually made it the best viewing spot in the center of the lake, there was traffic around me. So, you'll just have to take the trip yourself and enjoy the actual view!

I drove a bit further and came to my last trail marker spot - this is on the right before the road starts climbing in anticipation of its long descent into Ticonderoga.

I didn't drive in to Putnam Pond this time, I reluctantly needed to turn around and I had already pushed 10-minutes past my designated self-imposed time limit. However this is a great place to hit the next time you're in the area, I camped there a couple of years ago and it's quite a nice little spot for the family. There are a good number of trails that start from the parking lot, and some amazing views.

Whether you decide to get out and explore on foot, or enjoy the view from the comfort of the car, Schroon Lake Region has so many great roads to explore. I urge you to get out and discover your own secret spots - of course, you should take lots of pics and share them on our Schroon Lake Region FB page!

Full Circle

And, as I was inspired to do this trip in the tradition of my father, it seems only appropriate to end it as he would have. After a day out exploring, we would visit the Mt. Severance Cemetery to pay our respects to our family. Now, resting in the shadow of the mountain of one of our favorite family hikes - I stop to pay my respects.

Hit The Road

I am so grateful that my Dad introduced me to the Adirondacks when I was a child. Oh, the memories! Ready to make your own? Book your lodging now - it's the perfect time to catch the fall foliage in full splendor!

* Sadly the information passed along regarding the smoke was incorrect. While there was no cell phone coverage in that particular area of my trip, I later went back to research and learned a valuable lesson - be careful, if something looks suspicious check it out - better safe than sorry. As mentioned is a dry season, and unfortunately the smoke was the beginning of a forest fire caused by an unattended campfire. As of print time, it has burned over 100 acres of Adirondack forest. Here is a screenshot of the NYSDEC post.

The latest AP report (as of Mon, Sept 28):

SCHROON (AP) — State forest rangers are battling a growing wild fire in the eastern Adirondack woods that has scorched about 100 acres since an unattended campfire sparked the blaze over the weekend.

The Department of Environmental Conservation says about 14 forest rangers are fighting the fire Monday at Bear Mountain in the Essex County town of Schroon (skroon), 80 miles north of Albany.

DEC officials say county 911 dispatchers received word of a fire around 1:20 p.m. Saturday in the area of Crane Pond in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness.

Sunday afternoon's dropping humidity and winds gusting to 20 mph caused the fire to spread over 80 acres.

A state police helicopter and local firefighters have been helping contain the blaze.

No injuries or damage to structures have been reported.

 

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What's your ADK ride?

Take your top off - or roll down the windows!

Cruisin’ the country.

Biking the Blueberry Hill trails: best make a day of it.

Who needs plans!?

Pedaling: the long (or short) way to serenity.

A new face on an old favorite

"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza." – Dave Barry

I remember when I first heard about Paradox Brewery opening up in Schroon Lake, it felt like just yesterday. The brewery was located in a former bait shop, gas station, and general store, which is not necessarily the best-suited location for a brewery; but they managed to make it work. Later on, construction of their new facility in North Hudson started, and after ten years at that location, a new effort of rebranding began! 

A new logo

Paradox Brewery's logo has undergone a transformation. While the original design was a trail marker with yellows and browns, the current logo, hilariously dubbed "Crowntain", tells a different story. The double image of the mountain and crown pays homage to Adirondack's history and location and positions the brewery at the top of the industry. The impossible shape at the bottom symbolizes the back-and-forth flow of water between Paradox Lake and the Schroon River. By appreciating the intricacies of the logo, you can't help but fall in love with it!

Where it began

The transition began in July when the 10-year anniversary of the brewery was announced. Paradox Brewery had an amazing celebration filled with food, laughs, and you guessed it, BEER! Here they unveiled their plans for the future starting with their new modern logo. The brewery needed to attract new drinkers and so began the process of rebranding and diving even deeper into the Adirondack market and beyond! They're looking into their new demographics. And don't worry the beer we have all come to know and love is still the same. The same IPAs and Pilsners that greet you at the door remain. There's no need to fix perfection! The brewery is just trying to keep up with the market and push themselves to the top. 

A new merchandise collection has been released to celebrate the launch of the new logo. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on a beer glass or shirt beforehand, you now have a valuable piece of memorabilia. To enhance your collection, check out the new selection of glasses and shirts available at the brewery. Speaking personally, I already have glasses from both the Schroon Lake and North Hudson locations, so it's worth adding one with the new modern logo to my collection. 

Change can be a good thing, and I am personally excited to see what the future holds for Paradox Brewery. We love you PBC! 

Fans of fall foliage, (and yes, I am one) can fall into well-worn paths of enjoyment. Sometimes it is a great advantage to shake up the usual and take the road, or hike, or paddle...less traveled.

One of the appeals of the Schroon Lake region is how very much fall we have, and in beautiful settings, too.

This can be just a bit overwhelming. Here's some concepts which can help you get your arms around it. And take it home.

Photo finish

Of course there will be photos. That's part of the point.

But when you behold a gorgeous vista and try to take a picture of it, there's often disappointment. Your eyes, your brain, and your camera all have their quirks, and are all working against each other.

Don't let this sabotage your photo. Wide angles brings the foreground closer and shrinks the distant objects. Sometimes, that might be what we want.

To a certain extent, it doesn't matter what kind of camera you are using, either. Phone cameras can be excellent tools for landscape photography, if you understand their capabilities and limitations. They are set at a wide angle, which is fine for taking pictures of groups of people. When it comes to landscapes, it gets trickier.

A helpful tip is to remember that with such lenses, there is a bigger than real-life difference in distance. Objects that are close will seem larger than they are, while even just a bit further away, those objects become smaller than they are.

This explains how we take a beautiful roadside picture, and wind up with mostly road.

It can be as simple as tilting the camera (for more sky) and walking closer (pick a vantage point to exclude more of the foreground) to make a big difference. Don't be afraid to zoom in a tad to get more of what you want. A lot of zoom on a camera phone gives the "watercolor effect" and will blur, but a little bit can help a lot with your framing.

Rent a boat or walk our waterfront for some easy vistas right in Schroon Lake.

Vary our perspective

Time of day can also be used to your advantage. Early in the morning, the contrast between warmer earth and water and the colder night temperatures creates some lovely mists rolling over the water or softening distant mountains.

Later, the humidity leaves the air for some crystalline long distance views.

Even rainy days have some compensations. It's a chance to make one perfect, and shiny, tree stand out from the background after the active water has stopped falling.

Cloudless blue skies are a wonderful contrast to the reds and golds of foliage, but overcast skies have more evenly-cast light that is less intense. This makes the fall colors pop with more natural saturation.

Choosing late afternoon and evening will mean light, which will warm the foliage colors. Position yourself so evening shadows fall in the deep evergreen sections of the forest, and let the brighter trees stand out all the more.

Another option to play with is using an editing app on your phone or tablet. This can duplicate some of the tricks of professional photographers, such as different filters and exposure duration. As seen above, the picture on the lower right was taken with existing light and not adjusted. The other photos had their contrast, highlights and shadows, or exposure tweaked for different results.

You can also use such an app to crop out some of that troublesome foreground so it does not dominate the picture.

Choose from our biking and driving routes.

Choose a focus

How and where you explore colorful nature is another tactic to make your foliage photos more interesting. Fall is a great time for hiking, and it's the best way to stop and find just the right angle.

If we are moving in close, choose an interesting foreground object that will not compete with the colors or overly dominate the picture. This delicately woven bird's nest lets the leaves fill the picture while also giving a viewer's eyes a place to "rest."

Give your pictures depth by showing objects on different planes of view. If we are shooting across water, pick an object in the foreground to give a sense of three dimensions that a flat photograph might need to offer a fuller picture.

Likewise, in the picture above, the distant trees seem brighter when underscored by the intense color of the shrub in front of the water. The dark water behind it makes the bright color even more intense.

The beauty of our autumn foliage is in its complexity. We have the full range of species, a broad spectrum of color, many ways to access it, and acres and acres to offer. It's fall. Enjoy the intensity.

Pick a scenic hiking path.

Chose a cozy place to stay. Make that appetite happy with our dining. Keep up with the advancement of color by bookmarking our Foliage Report.

 

 

As summer winds down in the Adirondacks, the days get shorter, the temperatures cool some and we look forward to the events of fall. But don’t forget there’s still some summer left, so enjoy the remainder with some of our ongoing events while you wait for fall to set in a bit later in September.

In the art & workshop departments, there are still plenty of events on the calendar:

Shakespeare in the Park

The ADK Shakespeare Company will delight with its “Kingship Cycle” - Richard II, 1 & 2 Henry IV, and Henry V during August. According to their website, you’ll be able to see all four Kingship Cycle productions beginning on August 28 and concluding with the first ever Labor Day Festival. Their extensive schedule can be found online at Adirondack Shakespeare Company.

Artist in residence

The Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb still has lots of ongoing events and programs. Don’t miss catching their summer artist in residence, Frances Gaffney, at work on the trails. She’s there to chat and exchange tips and techniques in the summer Art Along the Trails program. Gaffney also conducts some regular painting workshops, so make sure to check out the Schroon Lake Region events calendar for all of AIC’s ongoing, year-round events.

Did someone say fishing?

For those wishing to hone their skills or learn how to fly fish, there’s a workshop at the VIC just for you - The Adirondack Fly Fishing Retreat. No experience is necessary and gear will be available. No excuses now to finally learn the fine art of fly fishing during this 3-day workshop beginning on September 12th.

Arts, crafts and farmers

Don’t forget the 4th Annual Adirondack Artists & Crafters weekly expo, which continues through September 6. The tents go up each week at The Schroon Lake Town Hall and they’re open for business from 10 am - 3 pm each Thursday. There is a terrific representation of local artisans and craft folks every week. Go home with something special from the Adirondacks!

On Mondays, through September 1, the Schroon Lake Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. - 1 pm at 15 Leland Avenue. This is one of the Ausable Valley Grange's “producer-only” markets. This means vendors must sell only items that they or their employees have produced (they can’t buy in bulk and re-sell, or sell someone else’s product). These markets are the only ones in the Eastern Adirondacks. Remember there is much more than just produce at the market. Offerings include fresh breads and pastries, meats, cheeses, artwork, crafts and ready-to-eat foods. You can shop and have a little lunch at the same time. Don’t miss these last markets of the season!

Antiques galore!

Two of the much anticipated Adirondack events of the late summer season are the Adirondack Mountains Antiques Show in Indian Lake and the Adirondack Museum Antiques Show and Sale in Blue Mountain Lake. The Indian Lake event is a town wide sale of all things Adirondack you won’t want to miss, with vendors scattered all about town. The Blue Mountain Lake event is as famous as the location at which it’s held annually, The Adirondack Museum. These events are less than an hour drive from the Schroon Lake Region and make for a great day trip.

Whatever events you participate in during your stay in the Schroon Lake Region, you’ll be delighted with your experience. Summer’s still in full swing, so don’t miss out on any of the action. Plan a vacation or a weekend getaway today!

Summer is amazing, but have you seen fall in the Adirondacks? It is truly a sight to see. The reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves create a colorful display that is unmatched. There are some pretty unique places to get out and see the fall foliage in the Adirondacks. Here are four of our favorite spots to see the fall colors in the Adirondack Hub. 

Treadway Mountain

The trailhead to Treadway Mountain starts at Putnam Pond State Campground (there is a parking fee when the campground is open). The hike is just under 8 miles round trip and boasts views of Pharaoh Lake and the High Peaks in the distance. Much of the summit is open rock, making a perfect seating area to enjoy a packed lunch and take in the view.  

Vanderwhacker Mountain

This hike up Vanderwhacker Mountain is 6 miles round trip leading to a fire tower at the summit. Several parts of the hike pass wetlands so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife - beaver activity is high there! The summit is quite forested, but the view from the fire tower will not disappoint. Views of the High Peaks, Gore Mountain, and Blue Mountain will take your breath away.

Wolf Pond

The hike to Wolf Pond is 2.3 miles from the Boreas River/Wolf Pond Parking Area on Blue Ridge Road. This is an easier, more gentle hike that is easy to navigate and which ends at the 59-acre Wolf Pond outlet. There is a lean-to on the pond that is able to be used on a first-come, first-served basis. This means you can sleep under the stars, and wake up to the birds chirping, all while you take in views of the High Peaks. 

Schroon Lake

One of the easiest places to get to is the waters edge of Schroon Lake. The gazebo by the lake is right near the center of town. Grab a picnic lunch and head to the grassy area by the gazebo or the beach and enjoy the views of foliage with the crisp air of fall, or grab a coffee and a book and relax to the sounds of the water. 

Flavors of fall

While the fall foliage views are amazing, so are the flavors of fall. Grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte from 9 Mile Coffee, a fall brew at Paradox Brewery, or a cider donut from the Adirondack General Store. Then find a quaint spot to rest your head. The communities in the Adirondack Hub will have you feeling nostalgic with a small town vibe, unique dining experiences, endless outdoor opportunities, and the cutest lodging properties. Pair that with the amazing fall foliage and you’ll never want to leave! 

Gimme a break

I have to stop. It's a compulsion. Whether I am heading north or south on the Adirondack Northway, as soon as I see the signs — you know the ones — I have an intense urge to flip on my blinker. Suddenly I realize I am hungry, thirsty, need gas, or need to stretch my legs. Mostly, I just need my dose of Schroon Lake.

This past week, in the frenzy of summer travels, I had two such occasions to visit my favorite little Adirondack town. I never pass up the opportunity — you shouldn't either! If you're heading north, take Exit 27 to Route 9. Trust me.

Peace of mind

The scenario: I was stressed, a little freaked out, and a mix of nervous and excited about delivering my son to sleepaway camp for the first time. Shockingly, we were running a bit ahead of schedule, so with an hour to spare pulling off at Exit 27 seemed the perfect way to procrastinate.

Regaling Oliver with tales of my own childhood summer adventures in Schroon, it seemed only appropriate to swing down Main Street and take a quick detour to the stunning shores of the lake.

Hoping to win best-mom-ever status before dropping him off for the week, I cheerfully agreed that he had time for a swim. And ice cream. (I think I succeeded, as he turned and quickly flashed this "thank you, mom" heart before dashing off to the sandy beach.)

I grabbed a beach blanket out of my jeep and settled on the grass to watch the action for a few minutes. There's something supremely relaxing about being in this town. I could seriously feel my shoulders slowly release and the stress just start to melt away as I breathed in the mountain air.

After the allotted 15 minutes turned into 25, a reluctant (and very wet) Oliver made his way up the grassy hill to me. Before loading up, drying up was in order, so we grabbed the promised icy treat and decided to spend a few minutes checking out the boats at the town dock and watching as the DEC steward carefully inspected each vessel for invasive species.

Lunch on the go

We had procrastinated enough — it was time to hit the road, the boy had places to be and memories to make. First, though, we needed to grab a quick lunch. I thought we would swing into Pitkin's, my favorite pit stop, but the beach detour had eaten up an hour.

With a change of plans we headed north on Route 9 and stopped at the newly reopened Mt. Severance Country Store — a true Adirondack one-stop shop. There we were greeted by a friendly pup and the smell of delicious baked goods. With two hearty sandwiches in our bag, we continued our journey north toward Exit 28.

Back to reality

We soon saw the flashing stoplight that marks the end of Schroon's main drag, and we hopped back on the highway, happy for our 6-mile diversion.

The boy was successfully dropped at camp and I needed to head home, though I would have stayed if invited! As I fondly think back on my own memories of Adirondack summers spent in Schroon Lake, I'm so happy to know he is making his own mountain memories — even if they're not with me. Sigh.

Of course, just a short while later, as I found myself on my normal 6-mile southern detour (off at Exit 28, back on at 27), I took the opportunity to indulge my sorrows with a selection of decadent cookies and an iced coffee from North Woods Bread Co. while I quietly took in the glory that is Schroon Lake.

What's your sign?

I can't help but wonder how anyone could pass this stretch of Route 9 by. Whether you have 15 minutes to spare, a couple of hours to browse, or a weekend to unwind, the road between Exits 27 and 28 is well worth taking. With awesome scenery, friendly people, funky stores, and quaint restaurants, the next time you're heading north — or south — visit the Schroon Lake Region. We think you'll like what you find!

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This week in related ADK news:

A rugged sport

Girls gone camping

Lily finder

Training pain

Nature's jewels

It's a monster!

Lettuce feed you

Cross Country Skiing In Schroon Lake Recon

With winter looming, but not QUITE here yet, I decided one day recently to do some recon for cross country ski season in the Schroon Lake Region.

I’ve done a lot of hiking in the region. In reviewing the trail systems for this recon mission, however, I realized that most of my hiking - both summer and winter - has been in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. There are other wilderness areas for me to explore; including the Hoffman Notch Wilderness area (where I HAVE gone snowshoeing once), and the Hammond Pond Wild Forest - a network of trails that I’ve never traversed.

Gear, Trails and Companions 

I looked at the map and descriptions, and decided that the Moose Mountain Pond and/or Bass Lake seemed to have great potential for cross country skiing. (I also asked the advice of my friend Elizabeth Lee, a licensed guide familiar with the region, and she agreed it would be a great ski or snowshoe destination.)

“Wild Forest” seems like somewhere you’d go unwillingly alone in a fairy tale. And as it was a week day and I WAS alone, I brought my trusty dog Katie with me on this recon mission. 

On the Trail in the Adirondacks 

We donned bright colors as it was hunting season, brought a small pack with water and lunch, and reviewed the sign in the empty parking lot at the trailhead, which is located on Ensign Pond Road in the Town of North Hudson. Moose Mountain Pond was 3.2 miles and Bass Lake (cleverly edited by local hooligans on every sign, I noticed) was 2.4. I decided that we’d head toward Moose Mountain Pond, and decide at the junction for Bass Lake whether I felt like tackling both lakes.  

The day was unseasonably mild, calm and sunny, but I stretched my imagination and pictured the trail covered in snow, and myself gliding on my classic cross country skis.

The hemlock-lined trail is quite wide and generally flat, without much elevation gain in the beginning. The trail parallels a stream, and a nice waterfall; perfect for a dog to muddy their paws and get a drink - though small enough that it would likely freeze over during ski season. After a mile or so, my keen investigative eye caught sight of one section that might be tricky on skis, but certainly navigable, and depending on snow depth maybe easier than it appeared with the rocks and roots visible at this time of year.

We were trekking along quickly, even without skis, and soon arrived at the junction for Bass Lake. I decided to head straight to Moose Mt. Pond and lean-to, which was another 1.8 miles from that point, and perhaps visit Bass Lake on the return trip.

Shortly after that junction, we crossed a small bridge at a dam at the end of a huge marsh. There were at least three beaver lodges visible from the trail, which parallels the marsh on its left for a bit. This section, blanketed in pine needles instead of snow at this time, included some rolling hills - quite a nice surface for skiing without requiring real technical moves.

Before long I could see that we were nearing the pond itself - and there was an area that appeared to be an obvious rest stop (there was even a cast iron pan left hanging on a tree.)  The trail, however, continued to navigate around the lake to the left. We continued along this section - scanning the landscape for the lean-to that would signal the end of the trail. This section was narrower, but still a fine trail for skiing.

Finally, there it was; a lean-to located above a beautiful pond. We scampered down to the water’s edge, I unpacked my snacks, and Katie went for a swim and fetched sticks for a while before returning to my comfortable lunch spot, realizing that her snacks were in my bag, too.

It was a lovely day, warm in the sun, but the days this time of year get shorter, and we had to turn back in order to ensure that we returned to the trailhead before dark.

If it was winter, once the lake was frozen, I could have skied across the lake’s surface directly back to that spot where the cast iron pan awaited, rather than through the woods.  But we hiked back along the trail - eventually reaching the bridge at the dam. We soon were back at the junction to Bass Lake, but given the time, I decided that destination would have to wait until we returned on skis this winter.

Though we hadn’t seen one person since we left the car, I put Katie back on her leash for the last mile or so to be good citizens, just in case we encountered anyone. We ran much of that last mile at speeds much like we’d achieve on skis, and I imagined that if I really WAS on skis, Katie could have pulled me, skijoring-style, skillfully navigating the trail and delivering me safely to the car.* 


I’m pleased to report that the reconnaissance mission was a success. I’m definitely going to return on cross country skis, which typically allows one to cover terrain a bit faster than on foot, giving me time to check out (B)ass Lake, too.  
 
* Note: We’ve never skijored before, and I’m pretty sure that if I were simultaneously on skis and tethered to my dog, we’d have been in those woods LONG after dark, trying to untangle my legs and poles from the trees that line the trail. But that’s not how I imagined it. 

Kim Rielly is the director of communications for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism.