Footprints Newsletter of the Adirondack Mountain Club

Foothills Chapter

Volume 3, Issue 12 Dec 2013

Upcoming Events

January 8 Foothills Chapter Meeting – 7PM at the Gloversville Senior Center. Guess speaker: Ben Tabor (DEC) speaking on Black Bearss

January 11 Winter Fest 2014 – Heart Lake LOJ

January 11 Winter Trails Day – Heart Lake LOJ

January 24-26 ADK Winter Outing - Hosted by the Iroquois Chapter, Mad River Club, Lacona, NY

February 12 Foothills Chapter Meeting – 7PM at the Gloversville Senior Center.

February 15 – 16 Adirondack Outdoorsman Show - Johnstown Moose Club

~ 1 ~

Sounds from the Chair…by Jody Rothmeyer At this time of year, there are a lot of Christmas parties going on. We, the Foothills Chapter, are no exception. We had our 3rd annual Christmas party on the 11th of Dec. of which approximately 35 people attended this year’s event. Besides everyone bringing in a different dish (which was very good), there were toy’s, for the toys for tots program, and food for the food pantry at the Senior Center. We also had our annual equipment swap (see below.) I thank everyone that came and participated and hope for more of you to attend next year’s event. I hope the pictures below will convince anyone that hasn’t attended one of our Christmas parties to come next year. Really, you are missing out. Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Years. Happy hiking and be safe.

~ 2 ~

……Tracking the Foothillers……

DeBraine Lake and Trout Lake hike Mon. December 2, 2013 Leader; Kathy Miles Participants; Thora, Kathy S., Arlo, Betsy, Nancy , Karen, Marie, Nolan, Jack, Ginny, Dave, Jane, Sue and the pups, Max and Berta

We had a taste of winter on our hike. The ground was covered with about 4 inches of snow and also by many tracks. Ours were the first human tracks on the snow but among the many animal tracks, bear tracks crossed the hiking trail. There were a couple of tricky stream crossings and one beaver dam crossing. The temperature was about 30 degrees and even next to the lakes it was not windy making for a very pleasant day. Some of the hikers had their first butt sliding of the season. Another fine day on the trail.

~ 3 ~

MOXHAM MOUNTAIN IN NOVEMBER Sat. November 23, 2013 Leader: Arlo Klinetob Participants: Betsy, Cheryl, Gail, Nolan, Rose and Rosa We lucked out with a cold, windy, but sunny day. The trail was covered with a light coating of snow making it easy to find our way. At each of the many viewing sites we watched snow showers envelop distant mountains while we basked in sunlight. We were even able to see snow-making on Gore Mountain. After a graceful demonstration of the hazzards of stepping on ice by visiting ADKer Cheryl, we proceeded with care to the summet. Due to the brisk wind we retreated to a more sheltered viewing area for our lunch. On our descent we took a short bushwack to examine an abandoned beaver lodge sitting high and dry. We were entertained by our leader as he demonstrated a full frontal fall in a thicket of witches hobble. Following the hike, Rose and Rosa took a side trip to examine Auger Falls while Gail took the rest of us to Café Sarah in North Creek for hot chocolate and tasty baked goods. All agreed it was a great day on the trail.

~ 4 ~

Indian River and Essex Chain Tracts

Date: Sat., Nov. 23

Leader: Gail Livingston

The day started off at zero degrees, but as we waited at the Hope Barn for Arlo, Kathy and I saw a bald eagle fly past and I took that as a good omen. We met the rest of our party at the beginning of Chain Lakes Road in Indian Lake and continued in a two-car procession. The first mile was plowed and sanded, but the next two miles the road narrowed to one lane and proved to be a challenge due to the steep hills and slippery conditions. Once we got on the trail there was enough snow to make it somewhat difficult, but others before us had done it, so we soldiered on. The view of the Hudson from the Gooley Club was beautiful as was our end destination, Pine Lake, with a dusting of snow crystals on the ice. The breeze coming off the water made for a quick lunch stop, and we were all ready to get back on the trail and warm up. We were also anxious to get our return trip underway since there was a real concern that one of the two vehicles might not be able to make it back up the steep hills on the way out. Unfortunately that proved true, and we had to call AAA to the rescue.

Participants: Kathy Miles, Arlo Klinetob, and guests Cheryl, Richard, and Max Agris.

~ 5 ~

Packbasket weekend

The Packbasket, located in Wanakena in the northwest foothills of the Adirondacks, consists of an Adirondack lodge that sleeps 8, and a cabin that sleeps 4. It is situated on the banks of the Oswagatchie River at the edge of the Five Ponds Wilderness. The terrain is rolling with well established trails leading to outlooks and waterfalls. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is also available at the nearby ranger school. I have tentatively booked the week-end of Feb. 21 to 23rd. If we get at least eight people the cost per person for food and lodging would be $140 for the period of Fri. noon to Sunday noon (check-out time is flexible). You can get more details and see pictures of the lodge, rooms, and cabin if you Google Packbasket. We would need to put a 25% deposit down by Dec. 1, so if you are interested, contact Gail Livingston at [email protected]. We could have a great time exploring this area together!

______Note: If you have something that you would like to submit for the newsletter,, send all to: [email protected].. I will pick one a month to be added to the newsletter.. All are welcome..

~ 6 ~

ADK Winterfest, January 11th 2014 Heart Lake Program Center, Adirondak Loj, Lake Placid

Winter Trails Day is a nation-wide, family friendly event, allowing children and adults the opportunity to try snowshoeing and cross country skiing for free, with the goal of helping participants discover these winter sports and their many benefits. Approximately 11,000 participants in 100 locations will get out on the snow this year on January 11th, 2014 during the 19th annual Winter Trails Day event.

In 2014, ADK will host Winterfest: A family friendly winter event at its Heart Lake Program Center in Lake Placid. This event aligns with ADK’s mission of promoting protection and responsible recreational use of the State Forest Preserve, and other parks, wild lands, and waters vital to our members and chapters.

Planned Events for the Day: Guided snowshoe hikes Introductory classic ski with lesson Ice camp with family-friendly activities Telemark ski beginner clinic Ice fishing Pond hockey game Winterfest family quest: Self-guided snowshoe scavenger hunt Skills workshops: ski waxing, orienteering (in French), skating, winter trail awareness Vendor tents with demo gear throughout the day Self-guided ski, snowshoe, and skating throughout the day Warming stations with hot beverages and live music

~ 7 ~

Outings Schedule October 2013 Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Gail Livingston East Branch of the ([email protected] or 725- Sacandaga 6202) Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013 Leader(s): Gail Livingston Rated: B Hike/snowshoe Trout Lake Information: This is an 8 mile round Mt. trip off route 8 west of Bakers Mills. I Thursday January 16, 2014 did this hike in April of '04, and noted LEADER that it had pretty views of the river Leader(s): Kathy Miles along part of it, as well as views of RATING the cliffs of Eleventh Mountain. The Rated: C+ trail register also indicated moose track sightings, which made me want Information: We will start on the trail to return! A lean-to and a suspension to Chub Lake Mt. then leave that to bridge will mark our lunch and turn- work our way around Chub Lake and around spot. Micro-spikes or other climb the south face of Trout Lake Mt. traction aids may be needed. This to the cliffs that offer a view across hike is further described in the the West Branch of the Sacandaga. Central Region ADK guidebook. This is mostly a bushwhack so if there Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Gail is snow cover participants should Livingston expect to help break trail. Even ([email protected] or 725- though the round trip distance is only 6202) about 4 miles, depending on conditions this can be a challenging

trek. Contact leader more information. John Pond Trail Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Kathy Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 Miles ([email protected] - 518- Leader(s): Gail Livingston 568-5372) Rated: C Information: This is a 4.4 round trip hike in Indian Lake that I also did in Pack Demonstration Forest '04. John Pond has a lean-to which Saturday January 25, 2014 faces some nice cliffs on the opposite Leader(s): Gail Livingston side of the pond. An interesting side Rated: B trail leads to the graves of two Information: The Pack Demonstration children who died of diphtheria in Forest in Warrensburg is a 2500 acre 1897. Traction aids may be needed. environmental forest donated to This hike is also described in the SUNY by Charles Lathrop Pack. Most Central Region book. of the hike is on forest roads with the exception of a 1 mile self-guided nature trail, the highlight of which is the Grandmother Tree which has

~ 8 ~

been growing since the 1600's. There are some wonderful old growth hemlock and pines as well as an Hike/snowshoe Broomstick esker. Our 4 mile loop will take us Lake to Nine Corner Lake around the 85 acre Pack Forest Lake, Friday, February 14, 2014 plus a side trip up Ben Wood Leader(s): Kathy Miles Mountain for some nice views from an Rated: C+ open ledge. Total distance about 6 Information: Bring your Sweetie out miles with 400 feet of elevation. This on a hike for Valentine’s Day. will probably be a snowshoe hike, Hopefully the DOT will plow the depending on conditions. Contact trailhead for Broomstick Lake as they leader more information. did last year. We will hike to Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Gail Broomstick Lake on the established Livingston trail. From there we will bushwhack to ([email protected] or 725- one of the back corners of Nine 6202) Corner Lake . Depending on conditions we will either loop back to the Broomstick trail or we will head Hike/snowshoe Little out to route 29-A on the Nine Corner Cathead Mt. trail where we will have spotted some Wednesday, January 29, 2014 vehicles. Participants should expect to share trail-breaking duties if there is LEADER Leader(s): Kathy Miles snow cover. Round trip 3+ miles. Contact leader more information. RATING Rated: C+ Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Kathy Miles ([email protected] - 518- DESCRIPTION Information: For a short time we will 568-5372) be on the new section of the Northville-Placid trail to get around Woods Lake . We will leave that trail and bushwhack to the summit of Little Cathead Mt. where there are limited views to be had. Participants should expect to share in trail- breaking if there is snow cover. This is only 3 miles, round trip but has some steep climbing. Contact leader more information. Notice: This hike is open to the first three friendly trail dogs whose humans contact the leader to sign them up. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up:

KathyMiles ([email protected] - 518-568-5372)

~ 9 ~

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:

[email protected] or 518-774-5050.

Foothills Membership, Dec. 2013 Trip Ratings

HIKERS EFFORT ELEVATION MILES TIME A Hearty Welcome to New Members: RATING LEVEL GAIN (HOURS) Last Month’s Rejoining Members: (FEET)

A+ VERY 4,000+ 10+ 10+ STRENUOUS

STRENUOUS 3,000+ 5-10 8-10 A Last Month’s Renewing Members: Don Hazlett B+ MODERATELY 2,000+ 5-10 6-8 STRENUOUS Shawn Neese Melinda Broman MODERATE 1,000+ 8-10 5-7 B Robert & Florence Grimm

C+ FAIRLY EASY 1,000+ 5-8 4-6

C EASY UNDER UNDER UNDER Foothills Membership: 152 1,000 5 5

These are general guidelines. Not all trips will fit exactly into one of these Foothills total chapter share for the month of July: categories. Address questions to outing leader. $37.00

~ 10 ~

New Member Information:

Newsletters are sent via email to all members with an email on file. If you are not receiving the newsletter through email, or if you know someone who isn’t, please send a current, legable email address to Jody Rothmeyer at [email protected]. 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 email on file. If any new members would like a hard copy sent, please send request to [email protected].

Monthly meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7pm at the Gloversville Senior Citizen Center, 53 Church St., Gloversville, NY.

A 50-50 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 .

The Chapter is looking for someone to take

over the

newsletter.

If you are interested please contact

jody Rothmeyer

at

Rojo12547@yahoo.

com

~ 11 ~

Foothills -ADK Chapter Adirondack Club Executive Committee:

Chairperson: Jody Rothmeyer [email protected] 224-1576

Vice -Chairperson: Arlo Klinetob [email protected]

Board Director: Walt Lane [email protected] Membership : Barbett e Rothmeyer [email protected]

Treasurer: Jean Griffin [email protected] 835-4022

Secretary: Karen Burke [email protected]

Outings Chair: Scott Hammons [email protected] 518-774-5050 Education Chair: Michael Divak [email protected] Conservation Co-Chairs:

Shawn Neese [email protected]

Brenda Hammons [email protected]

Newsletter:

Chapter Photographer: Greg Maklae [email protected]

~ 12 ~

NO DECEMBER MEETING SO NO MINUTES

~ 13 ~

~ 14 ~