Footprints. Foothills Chapter. Upcoming Events. Newsletter of the Adirondack Mountain Club ~ 1 ~ Volume 4, Issue 7 July 2014

Transcription

1 Footprints Newsletter of the Adirondack Mountain Club Foothills Chapter Volume 4, Issue 7 July 2014 Upcoming Events July 9 July 12 July August Sept. 10 Chapter meeting Gloversville Senior Center Trails committee meeting Northville arts and crafts show No meeting Chapter meeting Gloversville Senior Center ~ 1 ~

2 Sounds from the Chair by Jody Rothmeyer I know that I have talked about this in the past but it is something that we are in desperate need of as a Chapter. VOLUNTEERS We have been lucky as a Chapter to have some very wonderful volunteers from the Chair positions to the trip leaders. We have had some folks partake in manning a booth at past events like the Fine Arts and Woodworking Show in Northville and the Adirondack Outdoorsman Show held in January in Johnstown. We even had a booth at the National Trails Day even in Caroga Lake. Let s not forget to mention all of the people that volunteered to lead trips that day as well. We have so many wonderful folks in our Chapter that have stepped up to make our Chapter what it is. What is need though is for others to step forward and consider stepping in. It is important to have an abundance of volunteers to keep this Chapter healthy. So, this plea is for all of the folks that have wanted to volunteer but haven t taken that step yet for whatever reason. The one s that have taken an active part in our Chapter are willing to assist anyone that would like to Volunteer. So, please if you want to help in keeping this Chapter healthy and happy, contact one of our active volunteers to see how you can help. There are many volunteer opportunities out there. Just ask. Thank you. Happy Hiking and be safe. ~ 2 ~

3 July 14, 2014: Hike/Walk at Landis Arboretum in Esperance, NY. This is a continuation of the presentation to Foothills-ADK regarding Old Growth Forests and Champion trees. Explanations and observations will be provided by Fred Breglia, Executive Director of Landis Arboretum. For start time, and possible carpooling contact Co-leaders, Fred Breglia and Michael Divak (divakvax@hotmail.com) This is an ADK outing in a contained private park and is rated easy. If you signed up, you know who you are. [ ] Tracking the Foothillers Crane Mountain Thurs. June 12, 2014 Leader; Kathy Miles Participants; Arlo Klinetob, Thora Blackwood, Cherie Watson, Trisa Bills, Traci Voorhees, Tara Stanton, John Ahern, Scott Smith We had to negotiate around a tree that had fallen across the Bleecker/Benson Road, had to use evasive measures to avoid collision with a deer on the same road, lost the last car in the caravan on the way to the trailhead when they had to stop to relieve symptoms of motion sickness of one rider, finally all gathered at the trailhead, not too far along the trail we mistakenly took a renegade path and had to work to re-find the trail, hiking through light or heavy rain for the entire day the ascent was laborious and tricky, the descent was treacherous, there were no views to be had due to fog and mist, the wind on the summit was enough to knock over a small child or Thora, we stopped to administer first aid to a young woman who had cut her foot because she thought it was smart to hike in flip-flops then barefooted, we never saw a glimpse of sunlight. We had a blast. Really. ~ 3 ~

4 ~ 4 ~

5 Through hike of NP trail, Godfrey Rd. to Benson Rd. Leaders; Diana Niland (NP Chapter) Kathy Miles (Foothills Chapter) Participants; Arlo Klinetob, Trisa Bills, Al Morse, Tom Folts, John Ahern, Dave Nilsen We started at the parking area on Godfrey Rd. getting the road-walk over with at the beginning of our day. Just past the gate on the road we found a patch of several Jack-in-the-Pulpits. At the end of the old road we were able to rock hop across the North Branch of West Stony Creek. Once across we picked up the new section of the NP trail. Being a new trail the trail bed is soft, not yet having suffered erosion. There are several new bridges along the trail. We found the trail to be pretty dry. We also found that because the trail bed hasn t had much traffic it is obscure in places and a few more markers would be helpful for staying on the trail. We lunched at the bridge over Grant Lake outlet. During lunch each participant talked about the wildlife scenario that he/she longs to see in the Adirondacks. On our way out none of those scenarios played out, but we did see a very small garter snake. We clocked 8.8 miles but more than a mile of that is the old Godfrey Rd. that we used to access the new section. ~ 5 ~

6 Outings Schedule April 2014 Irishtown Trail Maintenance Wednesday, July 2, 2014 Leader(s): Gail Livingston Rated: B Information: This will be our second work day on this trail. There will be side cutting and blow-down removal as well as the placing of additional trail markers. We will enter from Irishtown end and work towards Little Sherman Pond. This should be about a 6 to 6 and a half mile round trip, returning to Irishtown, since we cleared a good section from the Stony Pond end last time. If there is interest we could camp overnight at Big Sherman Pond from Tues. to Wed., or Wed. to Thurs. This is a beautiful trail with a stream, waterfall, ponds, and probably musical accompaniment by loons. Tools will be provided. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Gail Livingston (pepperjack@frontiernet.net or ) round trip. Contact Leader(s) to signup: Jody Rothmeyer (rojo12547@yahoo.com) or Belfry Mountain Sunday, July 6, 2014 Leader(s): Jody Rothmeyer Rated: C.8 RT At 1840 feet, Belfry Mountain is small, however the views are truly amazing. The trail is a service road for the communication towers that are on the mountain. A short 0.35 mile hike along the gravel road with an overall elevation gain of 137 feet is this easy hike. Not a misprint, 137 foot elevation gain for this hike (although the DEC sign says its 120 feet gain). There is no other hike in the Adirondacks that gives so much for such little effort.. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Jody Rothmeyer (rojo12547@yahoo.com) or Severence Hill Night hike Friday, July 4, 2014 Leader(s): Jody Rothmeyer Rated: C+ 2.4 RT Information: This hike is a popular hike to the top of Severence Hill in Schroon Lake. It is a semi steep hill with a small rock scramble at the end to reach the top. From the top you are able to see all of Schroon Lake as well as another view of Paradox lake. We will be going up in the evening to see the fireworks in Schroon Lake. We will be coming down in the dark so bring your head lamps and flash lights. This trip is approx. 2 mile ~ 6 ~ Pharaoh Lake from Pharaoh rd Sunday, July 13, 2014 Leader(s): Jody Rothmeyer: C+ 7.2 RT This is the most popular trail into the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness from the south. This trail takes you directly to the south end of Pharaoh Lake and giving you access to other sections of the wilderness. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Jody Rothmeyer (rojo12547@yahoo.com) or

7 Bennington, Vermont 10K Walk (6.2 miles) Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Leader(s): Gail Livingston Rated: C Information: This is a walk with information provided by the Volksporters Walking Club. Bennington is one of Vermont's oldest and most historic towns. The walk takes you past the Old First Church burial ground where the poet Robert Frost is buried as well as soldiers from both sides of the Battle of Bennington, the Bennington Monument, the Bennington Museum and the Bennington Pottery Shop. We will spend time at each of these sites and eat lunch in one of the restaurants along the way. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Gail Livingston (pepperjack@frontiernet.net or ) Fawn Lake, Speculator Area, Day Picnic and Swimming Sunday, July 20, 2014 Leader(s): Paul Kalac Rated: C Information: Have you ever wanted to take your family for a swim in a backcountry Adirondack lake? Fawn Lake near Speculator is one of the finest swimming lakes in the whole Adirondack Park. Why? Imagine a nice sandy beach sloping very, very gradually, crystal clear water over clean sand, as you wade out however far you like. There is also good smallmouth bass fishing among the reeds and rushes to both sides of the sandy swimming area. The trail to Fawn Lake, a wilderness lake with NO development, is short, around a ½ mile, so packing in a picnic basket and a fishing rod is no trouble. The enthusiast outdoors person can carry in a canoe via a shorter ¼ mile path to the lake, and then paddle to the swimming beach. Wheeled canoe carriers are not recommended as both trails to the lake are pretty bumpy, but yes it can be done. I ve found it better to carry an ultralight canoe. Pack a picnic lunch with some great treats and drinks, don t forget the kids, and join us for a day of swimming, sun and fishing. This trip will be dependent on warm sunny weather for comfortable swimming. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Paul Kalac (kalac@frontiernet.net or ) Glasgow Mills/Hillabrandt Lake & Vly Saturday, July 26, 2014 Leader(s): Jody Rothmeyer: C 6.6 RT HIDDEN VLY. E of East Stoner Lake (1.2 miles from Rt.10). In the Shaker Mtn WF. Old logging road has a rope tied across it at start - no trail markers but easy to follow the 2 miles to Hidden Vly. A shallow lovely lake dammed by beaver. This hike also takes us past the old mill historic site. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Jody Rothmeyer (rojo12547@yahoo.com) or ~ 7 ~

8 West Branch Sacandaga River, Shaker Place Area, Day Picnic Sunday, July 27, 2014 Leader(s): Paul Kalac Rated: C Information: Have you ever wanted to take your family for a short canoe paddle to a nice backcountry Adirondack campsite. Here is a great picnic destination on the West Branch of the Sacandaga River off Rte 10 near Shaker Place. This trip requires watercraft to get to. We ll do an hourlong paddle upstream on the river to a secluded campsite, roast hotdogs and hamburgers over a fire in a stone firering, and chill. Pack a picnic lunch with some great treats and drinks, don t forget the kids, and join us for a day of paddling, sun and roasting. This trip will be dependent on warm sunny weather for a comfortable, relaxing day. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Paul Kalac (kalac@frontiernet.net or ) Cascade Mt. & Porter Mt. Saturday, August 2, 2014 Leader(s): Jody Rothmeyer: B 6.2 RT It is one of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks (36th) and is located in the Adirondack Park. Its name comes from a series of waterfalls on a brook near the mountain's base. Once on the summit, we will take a side trip to Porter Mt. where there are wide views available from the summit, particularly of the Johns Brook Valley to the east (which Porter blocks from ~ 8 ~ Cascade); it is often less crowded than Cascade. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Jody Rothmeyer (rojo12547@yahoo.com) or Nine Corner Lake, Pine Lake Area, Day Picnic, Swimming Sunday, August 3, 2014 Leader(s): Paul Kalac Rated: C Information: Have you ever wanted to take your family for a swim in a backcountry Adirondack lake? Let s check out this popular hotspot for swimming in the southern Adirondacks. Nine Corner Lake is a premier swimming lake, and while visiting we can check on the condition of its campsites in regard to cleanliness. Pack a picnic lunch with some great treats and drinks, don t forget the kids, and join us for a day in the sun, maybe fishing, maybe swimming, definitely snacks. This trip will be dependent on warm sunny weather for comfortable picnicking and such. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Paul Kalac (kalac@frontiernet.net or ) Chase Lake over night trip Saturday & Sunday, August 9-10, 2014 Leader(s): Jody Rothmeyer: C 2.5 OW Information: Lots of twists and turns and stream crossings. A nice hike close to home. Lean-to on the lake. Ups and downs but no major elevation. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Jody Rothmeyer (rojo12547@yahoo.com) or

9 Fawn Lake, Speculator Area, Day Picnic and Swimming Sunday, August 10, 2014 Leader(s): Paul Kalac Rated: C Information: Have you ever wanted to take your family for a swim in a backcountry Adirondack lake? Fawn Lake near Speculator is one of the finest swimming lakes in the whole Adirondack Park. Why? Imagine a nice sandy beach sloping very, very gradually, crystal clear water over clean sand, as you wade out however far you like. There is also good smallmouth bass fishing among the reeds and rushes to both sides of the sandy swimming area. The trail to Fawn Lake, a wilderness lake with NO development, is short, around a ½ mile, so packing in a picnic basket and a fishing rod is no trouble. The enthusiast outdoors person can carry in a canoe via a shorter ¼ mile path to the lake, and then paddle to the swimming beach. Wheeled canoe carriers are not recommended as both trails to the lake are pretty bumpy, but yes it can be done. I ve found it better to carry an ultralight canoe. Pack a picnic lunch with some great treats and drinks, don t forget the kids, and join us for a day of swimming, sun and fishing. This trip will be dependent on warm sunny weather for comfortable swimming. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Paul Kalac (kalac@frontiernet.net or ) West Branch Sacandaga River, Shaker Place Area, Day Picnic Sunday, August 17, 2014 Leader(s): Paul Kalac Rated: C Information: Have you ever wanted to take your family for a short canoe paddle to a nice backcountry ~ 9 ~ Adirondack campsite. Here is a great picnic destination on the West Branch of the Sacandaga River off Rte 10 near Shaker Place. This trip requires watercraft to get to. We ll do an hourlong paddle upstream on the river to a secluded campsite, roast hotdogs and hamburgers over a fire in a stone firering, and chill. Pack a picnic lunch with some great treats and drinks, don t forget the kids, and join us for a day of paddling, sun and roasting. This trip will be dependent on warm sunny weather for a comfortable, relaxing day. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Paul Kalac (kalac@frontiernet.net or ) Nine Corner Lake, Pine Lake Area, Day Picnic, Swimming Sunday, August 24, 2014 Leader(s): Paul Kalac Rated: C Information: Have you ever wanted to take your family for a swim in a backcountry Adirondack lake? Let s check out this popular hotspot for swimming in the southern Adirondacks. Nine Corner Lake is a premier swimming lake, and while visiting we can check on the condition of its campsites in regard to cleanliness. Pack a picnic lunch with some great treats and drinks, don t forget the kids, and join us for a day in the sun, maybe fishing, maybe swimming, definitely snacks. This trip will be dependent on warm sunny weather for comfortable picnicking and such. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Paul Kalac (kalac@frontiernet.net or )

10 HIKERS RATING Trip Ratings EFFORT LEVEL A+ VERY STRENUOUS ELEVATION GAIN (FEET) MILES TIME (HOURS) 4, A STRENUOUS 3, B+ MODERATELY STRENUOUS 2, B MODERATE 1, C+ FAIRLY EASY 1, C EASY UNDER 1,000 UNDER 5 UNDER 5 These are general guidelines. Not all trips will fit exactly into one of these categories. Address questions to outing leader. Wanted: Trips/Trip Leaders Wanted The outings program of ADK Chapters is a principal means by which members and their guests learn about, enjoy and become proficient in outdoor recreational activities. Our chapter has 29 trip leaders and has about 4-5 trips per month. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for trips please let me know. There may be a trip leader who would be able to do it. If anyone who is not a trip leader is interested in becoming a trip leader, please contact Scott Hammons at: adk_foothills_outings@yahoo.com or New Member Information: Newsletters are sent via to all members with an on file. If you are not receiving the newsletter through , or if you know someone who isn t, please send a current, legable address to Jody Rothmeyer at rojo12547@yahoo.com. If you are unable to open a PDF attachment, the newsletter is available through the ADK website (adk.org) by following the links for Chapters, Foothills, and then newsletter. A hard copy of the newsletter is mailed every other month (next mailing is July) to all members who have requested a hard copy as well as to those members without an on file. If any new members would like a hard copy sent, please send request to rojo12547@yahoo.com. Monthly meetings are held the 2 nd Wednesday of each month at 7pm at the Gloversville Senior Citizen Center, 53 Church St., Gloversville, NY. A raffle is held at each monthly meeting to support refreshments, equipment purchases, and a general use fund as applicable. Committee membership: New members are encouraged to become active members of the Foothills Chapter by participating on one of the various committees. Please contact anyone from the executive committee if you would like to participate. ~ 10 ~

11 Foothills Membership, 2014 A Hearty Welcome to New Members: Last Month s Rejoining Members: Last Month s Renewing Members: Foothills Membership: 148 and growing Foothills total chapter share for the month of Apr: $ The Chapter is looking for someone to take over the newsletter.if you are interested please contact jody Rothmeyer at Rojo12547@yahoo.com ~ 11 ~

12 Foothills-ADK Chapter Adirondack Club Executive Committee: Chairperson: Jody Rothmeyer Vice-Chairperson: Arlo Klinetob Board Director: Walt Lane Membership: Barbette Rothmeyer Treasurer: Jean Griffin Secretary: Karen Burke Outings Chair: Scott Hammons Education Chair: Michael Divak Conservation Co-Chairs: Shawn Neese Brenda Hammons Newsletter: Chapter Photographer: Greg Maklae ~ 12 ~

13 NO MEETING ~ 13 ~

14 (The following is a schedule of trips that are being offered throughout the summer as well as some of the scheduled events for the club. If you would like to add to this list by offering a trip, or other information, feel free to contact me. If it is a trip that you are offering, the information must first go through Scott Hammons first to be approved.) JULY 4 Severence Hill night (hike) 6 Belfrey Mtn fire tower (hike) (Schroon Lake area) 12 Trails Committee meeting 13 Pharaoh Lake (Schroon Lake area) (hike) Northville Arts & Crafts show (booth, volunteers needed) 26 Glasgow Mill/Hillabrant Lake (hike) AUGUST 2 Cascade & Porter Mt. (hike) 3 Nine Corner Lake, Pine Lake Area, Day Picnic, Swimming 9-10 Chase Lake (overnight hike) 10 Fawn Lake, Speculator Area, Day Picnic and Swimming 17 West Branch Sacandaga River, Shaker Place Area, Day Picnic 17 Goose Pond (Schroon Lake area) (hike) 23 New Section of the NPT (thru hike) 24 Nine Corner Lake, Pine Lake Area, Day Picnic, Swimming 31 Buck Mt. (Lake George) (hike) ~ 14 ~

15 SEPTEMBER 4-7 Fall NPT Trail Maintenance (hike) 14 Mount Gilligan and Split Rock Falls (hike & swim) Murphy Lake (overnight hike) Ragnar race (volunteers needed) 28 Belfry Mtn. fire tower (Schroon Lake area) (hike) OCTOBER 12 Severence Hill (hike) (Schroon Lake area) 18 Falls Trails Day 19 Trails Committee meeting ~ 15 ~