The Lookout August/September 2014

Adirondack Mountain Club — Schenectady Chapter Dedicated to the preservation, protection and enjoyment of the Forest Preserve

http://www.adk-schenectady.org

Adirondack Mountain Club — Schenectady Chapter Board

ELECTED OFFICERS APPOINTED MEMBERS

CHAIR: CONSERVATION: Rich Vertigan Mal Provost 1804 Van Cortland St., Rotterdam, NY 12303 93 Kingsbury Road, Burnt Hills, NY 12027 381-9319 399-1565 [email protected] [email protected] LOOKOUT EDITOR: VICE-CHAIR: Nicole Weinstein Stan Stoklosa 904 Myrtle Avenue 8 Archer Drive, Clifton Park, NY 12065 Albany, NY 12208 383-3066 482-2594; [email protected] [email protected]; [email protected] MEMBERSHIP: Maria Beurmann SECRETARY: 5 Wing Road, Rexford, NY 12148 Sally Dewes 399-7409; [email protected] [email protected] NORTHVILLE-PLACID TRAIL: Mary MacDonald TREASURER: 27 Woodside Drive, Clifton Park, NY 12065 Mike Brun 371-1293; [email protected] 4001 Jockey St., Ballston Lake, NY 12019 OUTINGS: 399-1021 Herb Terns and Gillian Scott (Co-chairs) [email protected] 372-8478; [email protected] PRINTING/MAILING: DIRECTOR: Karen McKenney Norm Kuchar [email protected] 60 Fredericks Road 518-399-6606 Glenville, NY 12302 PUBLICITY: 399-6243 Roy Keats [email protected] 1913 Baker Avenue

Schenectady, NY 12309 PROJECT COORDINATORS: 518-370-0399; [email protected]

Horst deLorenzi TRAILS: 34 St. Judes Lane, Scotia, NY 12302 Stan Stoklosa 399-4615 8 Archer Drive, Clifton Park, NY 12065 [email protected] 383-3066; [email protected]

SILVER LAKE: Jacque McGinn Harold McCumber 79 Kenaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054 1074 Madison Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 438-0557 274-3960; [email protected] [email protected] WEB MASTER: Rich Vertigan Dan Gray 1804 Van Cortland St., Rotterdam, NY 12303 48 Empire Drive, Niskayuna, NY 12309 381-9319 428-3059 [email protected] [email protected] WHITEWATER: Larry Woods 1120 7th Avenue Watervliet NY 12189 271-0270; [email protected]

Ralph Pascale 72 Willow Street Cohoes, NY 12047 339-4810; [email protected] On the Blue Mountain Lake, Photo submitted. By Paul cover Weinstein.

Inside this issue: August-September 2014 Outings 2-4 Whitewater Schedule 8 The Lookout Fall Fest 2014 10 The newsletter for the Schenectady Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club

Save the Date! 2014 HS Scholarship Awardees Every year, the Schenectady Chapter of the ADK offers two $500 Schenectady & scholarships to seniors from eight local high schools. These seniors will major Albany Joint Chapter on the sciences as freshmen in college. The 2014 winners are Bianca M. Vis- Picnic cusi and Kelly C. Jones, both from Niskayuna High School. Bianca has not yet determined which college she will attend, but she has been accepted at RPI, When: Friday, Aug. 1 Villanova, Clarkson and Northeastern. Kelly will be attending Hartwick College and will be working toward a 5 p.m. – four-year degree in Geology and Environmental Science. Both students re- 8 p.m.-ish ceived a check for $500 at the seniors’ Awards’ Night held in late May. A special thank you to the chapter members who helped defray the cost Where: of the scholarships through their contributions at our annual dinner scholar- The Crossings in ship raffle drive. Colonie – Maria A. Beurmann, Membership Chair

Bianca M. Viscusi’s 2014 Application Essay Food, fun, new friends I plan to work toward a four-year degree and then a law degree. As of and old! Great family- March 2014 I have been accepted at Villanova, RPI, Clarkson, Northeaster and friendly environment! several other schools. I plan to major in engineering, likely chemical. I have an interest in math and science. (Since as a child) …my fascination with how things work Save the Date! has never abated. I find science interesting and enjoy reading about future Schenectady Chapter technological innovations. I am particularly passionate about science that can ADK Annual Dinner be used to help people and make a difference in society, including preserving and protecting the environment. Notably, in my college-level engineering Tuesday, class, I recently developed a prototype of a device for people with life- threatening allergies which allows them to always have epinephrine available. October 28, 2014 Unfortunately, I know from personal experience that the prompt administration of epinephrine during allergic reactions can mean the difference between life @ Schenectady and death. My sister, who has such an allergy, was the inspiration behind the County Community invention. My invention was entered in the international Spirit of Innovation College competition and I was recently informed that I am a semi-finalist, selected More to come in the from 385 entries worldwide. I have also applied for a patent on this invention. If we don’t safeguard our natural resources, our children will not be able to October/November Lookout! Continued on Page 4

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Innings and Outings

How do I sign up for a hike? For futher details or to sign up for a hike, call the trip leader. Try to call at least two days in advance, as leaders may cancel on the day before an outing if there is insufficient interest. Leaders reserve the right to refuse participants for any reason, including lack of experience and/or lack of physical fitness. All equipment and supplies are the sole responsibility of the trip participants.

What do I need to bring? The trip leader will let you know if any special equipment (crampons, snowshoes, etc.) will be needed. In general, you should always carry food, water, rain gear, map, compass, headlamp, first aid kit and extra clothing, including hat and gloves in case tem- peratures drop. Clothing for wet or cold weather should not be made of cotton — use a synthetic fleece or wool. If in doubt, ask the leader.

What if I don’t have snowshoes/crampons? The chapter has hi-tech snowshoes and one pair of universal fit crampons available for rental at $5/trip. Contact Stan Stoklosa at 383-3066 to arrange for pick up from his convenient location in Clifton Park. Gear is also available to rent at local retailers..

Should I reimburse drivers for gas? Yes! Each rider should pay their driver four to five cents per mile, depending on the current cost of gasoline. With gas at $2 per gallon, four cents per mile should be used and at $2.50 per gallon, five cents should be used ($3/gallon – six cents, etc).

The kind of hikes I’d like to do aren’t listed here — what can I do? Trip leaders may be willing to plan trips based on member suggestions. If there’s a specific trip you’d like to do, contact Herb Terns at 372-8478 and let him know.

Wilderness First Aid Course The Schenectady Chapter Board agreed to provide partial ($150) tuition refund for outings leaders who take Wilderness First Aid courses. The program is modeled after the 46ers current program so people who are both 46ers and Schenectady trip leaders can get a total of $200 reimbursement. For further information, call Larry Woods (271-0270) or Herb Terns (372-8478).

HIKE CLASSIFICATIONS

Distance Leader’s Pace Terrain Examples A+ 13 Miles or More 1. Fast A Very Difficult A+1A Most Difficult Trip A 8-12 Miles 2. Moderate B Strenuous B2C Moderate Trip B 5-8 Miles 3. Slow C Average C3D Easy Trip C Under 5 Miles D Easy

Tuesday, August 5 state. The route will take us past Tomantown, Hart- Benson Road Tract well Swamp, Moat Vly and down to the banks of West Class A2B Stony Creek. Distance is about 8.5 miles, with about Norm Kuchar, 399-6243 or 800 ft of climb. [email protected] In March, the state purchased the 3,800 acre Benson Balm of Gilead, William Blake Pond and the Road Tract, part of the former Finch Pruyn lands, in Hooper Mine Fulton County. We’ll explore this newly-opened land, Saturday, August 9 Family- mostly following old roads and logging roads. This Class C3C Friendly land was a commercial forest for many years, with Gillian Scott, 372-8478 or some logging done just prior to its transfer to the Continued on Page 3

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Outings

Continued from Page 2 Sunday, August 17 Family- Sleeping Beauty Friendly [email protected] Class C2B Balm of Gilead Mountain near Thirteenth Lake is a Ken Marcinowski 885-9400 short, easy hike (about 1.8 miles round-trip), offering [email protected] nice views over Thirteenth Lake and the Siamese We will climb to the summit of Sleeping Beauty to Ponds Wilderness. We’ll add in side trips to William enjoy some great views of Lake George and a picnic Blake Pond (1.6 miles round-trip) and to the old lunch. The return VIA the north trail down and Hooper Mine, an abandoned open pit garnet mine (0.8 around Bump's Pond, while being a little steeper in miles round-trip), for a total distance of 4.2 miles. If one area, will make the hike a bit more interest- there’s group interest, we can stop for a swim break ing. This is a popular family hike of 4.5 mi. with and explore at Thirteenth Lake. This trip is family- 1,038' of elevation gain. Be sure to bring plenty of friendly (kids are welcome) but you don’t have to water as well as your lunch. Please call or e-mail by bring kids along to participate. Friday evening prior to the trip. Rain will cancel.

Thursday, August 14 Wednesday, August 20 Paddling – Cedar River Flow Nine Corner Lake Class A2C Class C3C Roy Keats 370-0399 or [email protected] Walt Hayes, 399-7482 This trip starts and ends at Wakely Dam at the north An easy trip of under 4 miles round trip to a nice end of Cedar River Flow. The flow extends as a lake swimming hole on a beautiful lake in Caroga. This for approximately 3 miles to the south. Even though will be a relaxed hike with a little elevation gain. No there is public access at this end of the road, the lake bushwhacking. has a very wild character. There are many coves to explore as well as beaver meadows and meandering Saturday, September 6 streams. At the far end the Cedar River provides an AT in Massachusetts: Beartown Mtn Road to Tyr- additional 1.5 mile paddle to a lean-to on the North- ingham Main Road ville Lake Placid Trail. Finding the inlet of the Cedar Class B2B River is always a challenge. The south end of the lake Norm Kuchar, 399-6243 or is filled with weeds and false channels. The total [email protected] round trip will be on the order of 10 miles. If the We’ll hike a section of the Appalachian Trail in the weather forecast is for extreme winds, the trip will be Berkshires, starting in the heavily wooded Beartown moved to a more sheltered location. State Forest and heading north to the Tyring- ham Valley, with its farms, orchards and mead- Saturday, August 16 ows. Near the north end, we’ll go over Cobble Hill, Plateau Mountain, Class B+2A with its rugged ledges and great views of John Susko 383-1284 or [email protected] the valley. Distance is about 6.5 miles. Total climb is We’ll take the Warner Creek trail up and come down about 800 ft, although there is a net elevation loss of the Devils Path to Stony Clove Notch. This route will about 825 ft between start and finish. take us over the summit of Plateau (one of the Catskill 3500' peaks) and past 9 scenic views. The distance is Friday, September 12 greater than 8 miles with more than 2,500 feet of as- Paddling – Fish Creek Ponds Loop cent. Class A2B

Continued on Page 4

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Outings Continued from Page 3 trip – 6-8 miles on a trail that will likely be designated Roy Keats 370-0399 or [email protected] as NCNST. Fall colors should be at their best. Please The exact route would depend on the weather. With call or email Mary for further information about this warmer weather we would do several short portages to trip. give us a complete loop, otherwise we would do an out and back on Fish Creek itself from Square Pond to Sunday, September 28 Floodwood and return. The round trip mileage would Buckhorn Lake, Rogers Mountain, Poplar Moun- be 8 to 9 miles. The colors should be nice at this time tain and Priest’s Vly of year. Class A2A Herb Terns, 372-8478 or Saturday, September 27 [email protected] Hiking on the North Country National Scenic Trail Seeing the open meadows of Priest’s Vly really made Class B2B me want to explore. I passed by on the Northville Mary MacDonald 371-1293 or mmacdon- Placid Trail and had a tough time sticking to the NPT. [email protected] We will hike this area of the Silver Lake Wilderness Mary will be leading a hike on a trail in the North near Piseco. Both Rogers and Poplar Mountain look to Creek area which will be in support of the North have intriguing open areas where hopefully we will Country National Scenic Trail Day. The NCNST is find some views and Priest’s Vly looks terrific. Round currently being reviewed by DEC at this time with trip will be roughly 8-9 miles with about 5 miles of DEC recently accepting comments from the public bushwhacking and the rest on the Northville Placid toward establishing the route through the Adiron- trail. dacks. In September, she will choose a route for this Gain should be about 1,800 feet. Schenectady Awards Winners Continued from Page 2 enjoy sunny days in Lake George, winter hikes in peaks, created art projects by gorgeous waterfalls and Lake Placid or fresh air in Niskayuna. listened to the rain under the cover of a tree. I have a My ultimate career goal is to become an intel- new appreciation for my natural surroundings and lectual property lawyer because I find the fusion of have increasingly wanted to learn about and preserve cutting-edge science and law most appealing, espe- them by capturing nature through photography. I have cially technology that can be used to help preserve our the ability to see things differently through my lens natural resources. If we do not safeguard our natural and attempt to preserve a moment in time that may not resources, we will not be able to sustain our lifestyles exist anywhere else. Everything natural is inherently and that of future generations. different; there will never be the exact same flower or tree stump. I love showing how beautiful the world is. Kelly C. Jones’ 2014 Application Essay I chose Geology with a concentration in Envi- ronmental Science because I hope to teach people how I am attending Hartwick College in the fall of to get what they want without exploiting resources or 2014 and will be working toward a four-year degree in harming living organisms. I am interested in the well- Geology and Environmental Science. When I was a being of future generations, and aspire to teach future little girl I was never afraid of getting dirty or playing generations how to live well in a healthy environment. with bugs. Since 3rd grade I have attended Camp I want to learn about air quality and how to prevent or Fowler in Speculator, N.Y. I have hiked the high minimize pollution. At Hartwick College I will be Continued on Page 6

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Trip Tales OK Slip Falls – May 13, 2014 Saunders, Bear and Buck Mountains – This trip attracted a bumper-crop of hikers: 13 went on June 14, 2014 the trip and 12 more were on a wait list. We hiked to Three hikers set off for three peaks through the tunnel the falls using the new route, which branches from the near Shingletree Pond in the Dix Mountain Wilder- Whortleberry Pond trail about 0.7 miles from NY ness. An hour into our trip we realized we had zero 28. The new route was only flagged with ribbons, but working GPS units among our little group. We man- it was easy to follow. After passing several wetlands, aged to find our way up Buck Mountain by compass it intersects OK Slip Rd. at the place where the blue- to find exceptional views of the Dix Range. Gorged by marked trail goes north to the falls. The falls, viewed recent rains, we could clearly see West Mill Brook from two lookouts, were spectacular. We had lunch at Falls in the distance. After a short trip over to Bear a lookout, enjoying the view while clouds of black Mountain we found a deer antler and hundreds of pink flies enjoyed us. After lunch, we followed a trail to lady slipper flowers. We lunched among the flowers the brink of the falls before returning to the cars using while discussing Saunders Mountain. We had been OK Slip Rd. plus a one-mile walk along NY28. In my seeing the bare rock on Saunders all day and were ex- view, the new route to the falls is far superior to walk- cited to finally climb it. We were not disappointed as ing the road. Hikers were Trisa Bills, Walt Hayes, we found terrific views and big open areas, the peak of Tim Lawson, Gail Livingston, Dave Loux, Mary Mac- the day for us. We also found another deer antler (a Donald, Ken and Nilde Marcinowski, Kathy Miles, companion to the one on Bear Mountain?) After nego- Alan and Mary Jane Morse, Kendra Pratt, and the tiating our way back through the tunnel the group en- leader (Norm Kuchar). dured a spruce grouse attack by mother grouse before finishing at pretty little Courtney Pond. We recounted Moxham Cliffs - May 19, 2014 our trip and started planning new ones over ice cream A tree across 14th Road and high water in Deer Creek at Schroon Lake. Hikers were Denise Mongillio, Doug prevented us from reaching our goal on a perfect late Tinkler and the leader (Herb Terns.) spring day. There was a tree down across road about 0.4 miles east of deer creek. Walked about 1 and one half miles to parking area then searched stream bank for crossings. Lunch was at Deer Creek Falls north of the 14th Road. We reported the downed tree to the Town of Minerva highway department. They did not know about it. Tamara Caufield, Mary MacDonald and leader.(Walt Hayes)

Sly Pond (Gamawakoosh) - June 16, 2014 On the hike in we lost the old road but made it to the pond for lunch on a gorgeous day. The trip out was completed without leaving the old road. We had to be very careful to stay on the old road. It took three hours to go 2.7 miles on the way out which was equal Photo submitted to the best time the leader has done. The six water Doug Tinkler looks over Bear Mountain and the Dix Range crossings were not a problem. Including the six hour from Saunders Mountain during the June 14 outing. car ride we were away from home over 14 hours. Very satisfying. Dave Loux, Kathy Miles, Mary MacDonald and the leader. (Walt Hayes) Continued on Page 6

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Trip Tales Continued from Page 5 Charlie Beach, and the leaders, Rich Vertigan and Holly Hawkes. Mt Everett and AT North, June 21, 2014 Given that this was a fairly short 5.3-mile hike, and County Line Lake- June 24, 2014 mostly downhill, we set a very civilized meeting time We encountered heavy rain on our drive north, but it of 8 a.m., and headed off in 2 cars to Massachu- fortunately stopped just as we reached the trailhead at setts. After spotting a car on Jug End Road, we re- the end of Pinnacle Road. Still, the skies threatened grouped at the main Mt. Everett parking area, left most of the day, and the hemlock groves along Pinna- most packs in the car, and started up the Appalachian cle Creek were gloomier than usual. The trail, im- Trail to the summit. It was a crystal-clear blue-sky proved and marked by DEC a couple of years ago, day, perfect for hiking. Reaching the summit, we now goes all the way to the lake, making the hike opted for the easier walk back down the old road, and much easier and pleasant than the bushwhack formerly past a nice stone shelter, back to the car, where we'd needed. About a mile before the lake, we saw large pick up packs and continue north on the AT. The moose tracks in the trail, heading in our direction, but, mountain laurel was only blooming in sunny spots, alas, we did not see the moose. The lake itself was and much of the rest was still in bud after this late quiet and beautiful, and a large flat rock jutting into spring. The trail along the ridge to Jug End, though the lake provided a pleasant spot for lunch. On our generally downhill, was much more rolling and rug- return, we stopped to explore the cellar holes and ruins ged than we (your leaders) expected, but at the same of an old dam and mill on the creek, just below the time, afforded numerous views. The final descent to large vly. After the hike, we were graciously treated the spotted car started off extremely steep as we edged to homemade strawberry rhubarb pie and coffee at the our way down open rock faces, but then became more home of Gail Livingston, who lives near the trail- gradual farther down. After retrieving the other car at head. Hikers were Walt Hayes, Gail Livingston, Barb Mt. Everett, we all headed off to Stewart's in Hillsdale Milton, Jerry Perregaux and the leader (Norm Ku- for ice cream to cap off a perfect day. Hikers were char). Ken and Nilde Marcinowski, Norm Kuchar, Lin Neil,

Schenectady Awards Winners Continued from Page 4 analyzing the elemental make-up of different types of will be better equipped to learn about aspects of the rocks under the x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, earth that greatly affect global warming. To preserve evaluating acid mine run-off waters, and inspecting both the living style of society and to ensure a healthy the conditions of mineral formation through micro- environmental future, people like me have to be will- scopic analysis. A concentration in Environmental Science will ing and eager to have an in-depth understanding of the inform me of the social impacts of geological and Earth’s materials and formation and apply them to the other environmental phenomena around the world. I economic, social and political issues throughout the world.

To receive The Lookout digitally, via email, please contact us at:

schdyadk @gmail.com

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Board of Directors Report Membership Survey: The recent membership survey, sent to 11,000 membership households, elicited 2,300 Highlights of the June meeting responses (a very good rate for surveys of this type). Results, which included over 1,000 written comments,

are currently being evaluated and will be presented in Environmental Advocacy: In the waning days of the a future issue of Adirondac. The survey yielded inter- New York State legislative session, ADK focused its esting information about ADK’s demographics. The advocacy efforts on two important bills. ADK advo- median age of responders was about 60, versus 50 cated for the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) bill, when the last survey was made ten years ago. Only which would help prevent the spread of AIS by requir- 9% were under 40, while about 12% were between 40 ing watercraft to be clean and dry prior to launching. and 50, 27% were between 50 and 60, 33% were be- This bill passed. tween 60 and 70, and 19% were over 70. 95% were

white, and 90% had a college education. ADK advocated against a bill that would have changed the definition of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) Recreation Working Group: The membership survey to include the larger and heavier machines called util- showed that the primary reason for joining ADK and ity task vehicles (UTVs). Current ATVs have caused continuing membership is the opportunity for outdoor extensive environmental damage on public lands, and recreation (hiking, paddling, snowshoeing, biking, larger vehicles would only increase the problem. Us- etc.). To support this, a Recreation Working Group ing e-mail, ADK urged members to send letters oppos- has been formed to help the chapters to with increase ing the bill to legislators, resulting in over 1,700 let- participation in outdoor recreational activities, train ters. When the Assembly adjourned for the year, the trip leaders, share best practices and otherwise pro- bill was dead, not having made its way through the mote ADK’s outdoor recreation programs. Bob Van committee process. Hise chairs the working group and is seeking volun-

teers for the group. If you are interested, please con- Mineral Sampling in the Jay Mountain Wilderness: tact him at (716) 628-0355 or adkpad- Last November, a constitutional amendment was ap- [email protected]. proved allowing land swaps in the Jay Mountain Wil- derness area to permit NYCO to mine wollastonite on Important 2014 Events: current Forest Preserve land. NYCO is now preparing  ididaride! Bike Tour: August 10, at North for mineral sampling on the Forest Preserve land to Creek. assess the extent and value of the mineral deposits,  Ragnar Relay: September 26-27, from Sara- prior to initiating actual land transfers. ADK believes toga Springs to Lake Placid. that DEC has skipped certain steps to assure that the  ADK Fall Outing: September 19-21, at Keene sampling has minimal impact on the Forest Preserve Valley, hosted by Albany Chapter. land, and a strong letter of concern has been sent to  Fall Trails Day: October 18, at Heart Lake. DEC. —- Norm Kuchar

Ragnar Relay coming to the Adirondacks

The overnight running race, is coming to the Adirondacks! The relay is September 26-27th and starts at the Saratoga Spa State Park, skirts along the Hudson River, passes through the Lake George region, up the southern side of Lake Champlain and ends in Lake Placid. GREAT NEWS ~ ADK has been selected as the “Charity of Choice!” Organizers estimate 100 volunteers are needed. RAGNAR will pay ADK $100 for every volunteer we provide, which will be split 50/50 with the ADK Chapter who provides the volunteers. Please consider volun- teering in support of the Schenectady Chapter. For more information, visit http://www.ragnarrelay.com/race/ adirondacks.

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Whitewater Schedule

Day Date Event Class/Ease Contact Phone

Saturday August 2 Fife Brook II/III Clark Darlington 370-2144

Sunday August 3 Moving Water I Anthony 275-6005 Introduction Lomanno

Saturday August 9 Sac. Release, III Bob Wright and 279-1428 picnic, gear Mike Raley 797-3547 swap/sale, and Introduction to Playboating Saturday August 16 Fife Brook II/III Ken Perrault 664-6781 Deerfield

Sunday August 17 Sacandaga II/III Ed Cunningham 885-7444

Saturday August 23 Sacandaga II/III Ed Cunningham 885-7444

Saturday August 23 Leader’s Choice III+ Bob Wright 279-1428

Saturday August 30 Hudson River III Mal Provost 399-1565 Gorge

Sunday August 31 Esopus II Larry Woods 346-1761

Saturday September 6 Sacandaga II/III Ed Cunningham 885-7444

Saturday September Hudson River III Horse DeLorenzi 399-4615 Gorge John Banevicius 256-7827

Saturday September 27 West River III+ Ralph Pascale 339-4810 Release Bob Wright 279-1428

Schenectady ADK P.O. Box 733 Schenectady NY 12301-0733 http://www.adk-schenectady.org

CHAPTER BOARD MEETINGS: Are held regularly on the second Tuesday of the month. No meetings are held in July or August. Any concerns members have may be expressed to any board member listed on the inside front cover, or attend the meetings which are open to the membership. Call a board member for date, time & directions. CHAPTER DISCLAIMER: People who attend outings are reminded that such activities entail a certain degree of danger; and persons participating do so at their own risk. This disclaimer is for both whitewater and regular outings of the chapter. SCHENECTADY CHAPTER PATCH: This lovely patch (shown at right) can be pur- chased by mailing a check (payable to Schenectady Chapter ADK) to Maria Beurmann, 5 Wing Road, Rexford, NY, 12148. The cost is $3 per patch, which includes the mailing cost. TRIP LEADERS: If you do not want your trip listed in the local newspapers, call Publicity Chair Roy Keats at 518-370-0399, or [email protected]. This newsletter goes out over the Internet. EQUIPMENT RENTAL: The chapter has hi-tech snowshoes and one pair of universal fit crampons available to rent at $5/trip. Call Stan Stoklosa at 383-3066 to arrange for pick-up. WEB SITE: http://www.adk-schenectady.org — All of the latest information will be posted on the Web, i.e. any changes or corrections. Please review our website and related Internet resources Acceptable Use Policy. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If you move, you must inform the ADK in order to continue receiving The Lookout. The Look- out is sent via bulk mail, which the Postal Service will not forward. Send changes of address to membership chair Maria Beurmann at 5 Wing Road, Rexford NY 12148 to insure uninterrupted delivery.

Membership Application

To join, send this form with Name______payment to: Address______Adirondack Mountain Club City State ______ZIP+4______814 Goggins Road, Lake George, NY Home phone ______12845-4117 or drop it off at Adirondak X I want to join the Schenectady Chapter Loj or Headquarters. List spouse & children under 18 and birth dates Check Membership Level: Spouse ______ Family Life $1950 Child ______birthdate______ Individual Life 1300 Child ______birthdate______ Adult 50  Family 60 Bill my ______VISA ______MasterCard ______Discover  Senior (65+) 40 Exp. Date ______Account #______ Senior Family 65+) 50

 Student (full time 18+) 40 School______signature (required for charge)

ADK is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. Membership fees are tax deductible, as allowed by law. Please allow 6-8 weeks for receipt of first issue of Adirondac.

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Fall Fest to be hosted by Albany Chapter The Albany Chapter is pleased to announce "Fall in time, but with remarkable rewards nonetheless. Want the High Peaks," the 2014 ADK Fall Outing. We will a shorter list of outings plus a schedule for the week- be returning to the Adirondack High Peaks and the end? towns most severely affected by Tropical Storm Irene to show our appreciation of all that these communities We can look forward to a social event on Friday after- offer to the ADK membership. noon featuring a conservation showcase, light refresh- ments and an accompanying folk performance by The The event will be based out of the Keene Valley area, Loosely Wound String Band. The conservation show- using local accommodations and amenities. An all-you case will feature staff and information from ADK, -can-eat spaghetti dinner will be hosted by the Keene Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, The Nature Valley Fire Department on Saturday night. Six miles Conservancy, Wilderness Conservation Society, Bio- to the north, Keene Fire Department will provide an diversity Research Institute, Adirondack Ski Touring all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Proceeds from both Council, and Lean2Rescue. Following dinner on Sat- events will benefit each Fire Department's Search and urday night, a folk concert by Cindy Mangsen and Rescue operations, a service that we rely upon— Steve Gillette will be held in the Keene Valley High thankfully not often! School auditorium where we will enjoy the perform- ance along with members of the local community. We have planned a wide variety of outings, including hikes, paddling trips, and road cycling. This area is a Non-members as well as members of ADK will be major access route to the mountains of the High Peaks welcome. A registration cost of $25 per person ($10 in Region. It includes stunning rivers, brooks and water- the case of trip leaders) will be the only mandatory falls, as well as scenic roadways, remote yet easily cost. Meals, accommodations, and concert tickets are accessible lakes and lands—recently opened to the optional. public. Outings have been selected from the unique Any questions, please contact Mery Seeman-Sokal at and challenging to those involving less effort and 518-217-8627 or [email protected].

Traditional Paddle-Making Workshop at Adirondack Museum On Aug.1 from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. the Adirondack Mu- cherry paddle in a day-long workshop in our rustic seum in Blue Mountain Lake will feature a paddle classroom on the museum's grounds. Led by craftsman making workshop. The workshop is offered again Caleb Davis, each workshop participant will use hand throughout August. tools to make his or her own paddle. Choose from a single- or double-bladed cherry wood paddle. Partici- Deep in the Adirondack wilderness, people have been pants will leave with a shaped paddle; finishing, deco- making paddles by hand for hundreds of years; pad- rating, and other personalization can be completed at dles were crucial for transportation along the region's home. Please note this can be a physically demanding lakes and rivers before there were roads or trains. workshop. Spaces are limited, and pre-registration is Even today, hand-made paddles are widely used for required. recreational canoeing and kayaking, as well as rustic decoration in cabins, camps, and city condos. To register for this workshop, please call the mu- seum's education department at (518) 352-7311, ext. This summer, you can make your own traditional 147, or write to [email protected].

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10 Best Hiking Views per the Adirondack Guide

According to the Adirondack Guide, the following are and offers a great place to picnic and to check out 10 of the best hiking views in the Adirondacks that are views. Distance: 7 miles one way. good for both vetetan hikers and first-timers alike.  Stewart’s Lake: Twenty to 40 minutes of hiking. Easier Hikes This hike features a 15-minute section of uphill climbing. Distance: One-quarter mile one way.  Baker Mountain: Near Saranac Lake, Baker Mountain offers a short and sweet hike with two More Challenging loops, one more challenging than the other, so hik- ers have two choices with which to hike to the  Cat’s Mountain: The trail is best for beginners peak. Distance: 1.8 miles one way. ready to take up moderate hikes. Many different kinds of terrain are featured on this hike for a chal-  Black Mountain: A relatively easy trail with a lenge. Distance: 6 miles one way. few challenges. The summit is one of the remain- ing fire towers in the Adirondacks, so worth the  The Saranac 6er: You must complete hiking the trip. Distance: 6.7 miles one way. six mountains surrounding Saranac Lake. Rules, etc. are available at: http://www.adirondack.net/  Buck Mountain: Near Lake George, Buck Moun- hiking/challenges/6er. The mountains are: tain is a moderate hike with great view of the lake. Distance: 6.6 miles one way. 1. McKenzie: 10 miles, one way 2. Scarface: 6.8 miles, one way  Cascade Mountain: Good for beginners because 3. Ampersand: 5.4 miles, one way it has a low ascent, Cascade Mountain also has 4. Haystack: 6.6 miles, one way awesome views. Distance: 4.8 miles one way. 5. St. Regis: 6.6 miles, one way 6. Baker: 1.8 miles one way.  Crane Mountain: Good for those who don’t want to spend the whole day summiting. Some rocky and challenging moments. Distance: 4 miles one way.

 Hadley Mountain: Quick and easy, this is a good hike for a beginner - and it has a fire tower at the top. Distance: 3.2 miles one way.

 Roaring Brook Falls: Features rock walls for more adventurous climbers, but also offers a short, wide, flat path for quick hikes. Distance: 1.2 miles one way.

 Shelving Rock Falls: Great for beginners to ex- plore east side of Lake George. Distance: 6.5 miles one way. View of Ampersand Mountain, near Saranac Lake.

 Sleeping Beauty Mountain: Close to Lake George this offers a hike that loops around a pond

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