March-May 2009 No

MARCH-MAY 2009 No. 0902 chepontuc — “Hard place to cross”, Iroquois reference to Glens Falls hepontuc ootnotes C T H E N E W S L E tt E R O F T H E G L E N S F ALLS- S ARAFT O G A C H A P T E R O F T H E A DIRO N DA C K M O U nt AI N C L U B Pharaoh Wilderness area needs your help Hikers alerted to The Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of muddy trail conditions ADK has joined with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Indian Pass; Lake Arnold Cross—Over; (DEC) in the Adopt-A-Wildland Program. Use extra caution Marcy; Marcy Dam; Lake Colden; Our adopted wilderness area is the Pharaoh Phelps Trail above Johns Brook Lodge; Lake Wilderness Area. This heavily on trails this spring Range Trail; Skylight; Wright, and all used area is in perhaps its best condi- “trail—less” peaks tion in recent years. Pressure on Pharaoh New York State Department of Wilderness Area (“PWA”) begins in early Environmental Conservation (DEC) Dix Mountain Wilderness Area spring when trout season opens. Unlike Former Commissioner Denise M. — all trails above Elk Lake and Round past years, the popular camping areas were Sheehan has urged hikers of the Pond relatively free of litter, fireplace unburn- Adirondack High Peaks to be cautious ables, beer and liquor bottles left behind by during trips into the area and to post- Giant Mountain Wilderness Area people taking advantage of the excellent pone hiking on trails above 3,000 feet — all trails above Giant’s Washbowl, trout fishing in PWA lakes and ponds. Easy until otherwise advised. “the Cobbles,” and Owls Head access to Pharaoh Lake from Beaver Pond “During warm and wet spring weather, Road pressures this resource all summer. many trails in higher and steeper portions Trails to Try While many come to revel in solitude, hike of the Adirondacks can be become haz- DEC suggests the following alternative Pharaoh and Treadway Mountains, or sim- ardous to hikers,” Former Commissioner trails for hiking, weather permitting: ply relax waterside listening to loon calls at Sheehan said. “In the current muddy night; some come to party. This has been a conditions, trails and the plants that sur- Debar Mountain Wild Forest — good season. round them are also particularly sensitive Azure Mountain As adopters of this wilderness area, we to human disturbance. Anyone setting are concerned with observing and reporting out to enjoy the trails of the Adirondacks Giant Mountain Wilderness — to DEC such things as: this spring should use extra caution to Giant’s Washbowl and Roaring Brook • Faulty privies protect themselves, the trails and our Falls • Messy lean-to areas natural resources. This will help to avoid • Illegal trail use, especially ATV use injury and eliminate the need to perform High Peaks Wilderness • Trail conditions costly repairs to the trails this summer.” — Ampersand Mountain; Cascade; • Damaged bridges Big Slide; Brothers, and Porter from • Sightings of rare or endangered wildlife Trails to Avoid Cascade; avoid all other approaches • Problems with bears To avoid damaging natural resources • Trailhead parking problems and promote safety, hikers are advised Hurricane Primitive Area — The • Incorrect or missing signs, etc. to use trails only at lower elevations Crows and Hurricane Mt. from Route 9N If you are hiking in the Pharaoh during the spring mud season. Lower Wilderness Area and notice any of these trails usually are dry soon after snow- McKenzie Mountain Wilderness conditions, or something that causes you melt and are on less erosive soils than — Haystack Mountain and McKenzie concern about the condition or usage of this the higher peaks. DEC is asking hikers Mountain area, please contact me, Jim Schneider at to avoid the following trails until muddy 581-9367. Feel free to comment on posi- conditions have subsided: Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area tive aspects of your experience in this area — Pharaoh Mountain as well. I will forward information to DEC. High Peaks Wilderness Area — all Thank you for helping us participate in the trails above 3,000 feet—wet, muddy Saranac Lake Wild Forest — Baker “Adopt-a Wildland” program. snow conditions prevail, specifically at: Mountain, Panther Mountain and — Jim Schneider, Wilderness Chair Algonquin; Colden; Feldspar; Gothics; Scarface Mountain hepontuc ootnotes Go the extra mile C PublishedF Bimonthly Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter ADIRONDACK MOUntAIN CLUB P.O. Box 2314 Glens Falls, NY 12801 • www.adk-gfs.org with ADK EXecUTIve CommIttee Officers: Chair Heidi teRiele Karkoski BY HEIDI teRIELE KARKOSKI 25 Black Point Road, Ticonderoga, NY 12883 Phone: 585-7206 • E-mail: [email protected] First Vice Chair Maureen Coutant 22 Pinion Pine Lane., Queensbury, NY 12804 is a members have joined the Executive Phone: 745-7834 • E-mail: [email protected] strong Committee, filling the Programs and Second Vice Chair Tricia Lockwood 91 Bardin Road, Hudson Falls, NY 12839 organiza- Newsletter chair positions. These Phone: 275-6054 • E-mail: [email protected] ADKtion because of the strength of its are vital links in communicating our Secretary John Caffry 25 Wing St., Glens Falls, NY 12801 members. Collectively mission to our chapter Phone: 798-0624 • E-mail: [email protected] we “move mountains” CHAPTER CHAIR members and the gen- Treasurer John Schneider 6 Nonchalant Dr., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 by joining together to eral public. If you have Phone: 584-8527 • E-mail: [email protected] promote the preserva- ideas for articles or Directors John Schneider tion and responsible Report programs, give them a See Treasurer contact information above Laura Fiske use of the Adirondack call! We welcome you 16 Barber St., Ballston Spa, NY 12020 and Catskill wilder- ADK can always use to share your experi- Phone: 884-0345 • E-mail: [email protected] Linda Ranado ness regions. Being a extra volunteers. Sign ences with fellow See Education Chair contact information below part of the Glens Falls- members. Learn more Past Chapter Chair Jean Holcomb 30 Schuyler Drive, Saratoga Sprints, NY 12866 Saratoga chapter, you up today for trail about Terry and Jill Phone: 583-0658 • E-mail: [email protected] join your neighbors in later in this issue. Committee Chairs: work, clean-up days Annual Dinner Susan Hamlin voicing your commit- I am grateful for the Box 823, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 ment to protecting the or to lead an outing. support, enthusiasm Phone: 587-5456 Conservation Jacki Bave recreational opportuni- and expertise of the 14 Round Table Rd., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 ties that are so close to Executive Committee Phone: 587-3754 • E-mail: [email protected] Education Linda Ranado home and heart. members with whom I am pleased to 18 Pine Ridge Road, Hadley, NY 12835 The programs, outings and events work. They are your links, executing E-mail: [email protected] Hospitality Gretchen Steen that are offered by our chapter hap- ADK’s mission through their involve- 2217 County Route 46, Fort Edward, NY 12828 pen because of volunteer members ment in various aspects of our mis- Phone: 638-6139 • E-mail: [email protected] Membership Pat Desbiens who have answered the call. I am sion including education, publicity, 16A Rovanten Park, Ballston Lake, NY 12019 never disappointed when I open conservation, membership, and more. Phone: 899-9688 • E-mail: [email protected] Newsletter/Editor Jill Gruben my Chepontuc Footnotes and read As winter progresses into spring 4 Nostalgia Lane, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 the list of hikes, paddles, and other there will be increasing opportuni- Phone: 309-4198 • E-mail: [email protected] Outings Jack Whitney activities that fill the pages. I wish ties for you to lend a hand at ADK. Phone: 793-9210 • E-mail: [email protected] I could participate in all of them! Think about going “the extra mile” Program Terry Peek 11C Robanten Park, Ballston Spa, NY 12019 I went to Ampersand Mountain and signing up for trail work, clean- Phone: 899-1129 • E-mail: [email protected] recently on an outing and found up days, or lead an outing. At the Publicity Bill Bechtel 37 Beechwood Drive, Burnt Hills, NY 12027 myself thinking about how fortunate club level there are numerous volun- Phone: 399-1206 • E-mail: [email protected] it is that people are introduced to teer positions, both indoors and out, Trails Tom Ellis 2217 County Route 46, Fort Edward, NY 12828 new experiences and beautiful places listed on the website. Volunteering Phone: 638-6139 • E-mail: [email protected] in the company of ADK friends. helps stretch budget dollars and Web site George Sammons 105 Farr Lane, Queensbury, NY 12804 Outings chairperson Jack Whitney makes you feel more connected. Phone: 743-9692 • E-mail: [email protected] and his group of trip leaders do an Plus it can be really fun too! The Wilderness Jim Schneider 30 Elizabeth Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 outstanding job keeping our calendar best way to thank a volunteer is to Phone: 581-9367 filled with opportunities. become a volunteer. I hope you can Young Members Group Jonathan Lane 15 Adirondack Circle Apt. D, Gansevoort, NY 12831 I am pleased to announce that two walk this mile with me. Phone: 744-4594 • E-mail: [email protected] The Education Committee is pleased to Welcome Jill Gruben, announce another successful drive for candidates for our youth camp sponsorship program. Despite Newsletter Editor the rise in fees, out of the ten applicants for DEC Camps Colby and Pack Forest, we will be able to spon- In 2001, I moved to the Capital Region sor five. I wish we could sponsor all, but our budget only and began climbing the High Peaks.

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