The Lookout October/November 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 810-7552; [email protected]

Ralph Pascale 72 Willow Street Cohoes, NY 12047 339-4810; [email protected] On the Schenectady Chapter hikers on the Appalachian Trail in cover the Berkshires. See Trip Tale on Page 8.

Inside this issue: October-November 2014 Outings 2-4

Annual Dinner 5 Registration Form The Lookout Trip Tales 6-8 The newsletter for the Schenectady Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club

Annual Dinner slated for October 28

The Schenectady ADK Chapter the Van Curler Room and served by found on the Schenectady ADK will host its annual dinner and SCCC culinary arts students. Entrée Web site. meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at choices include herb and garlic Please fill out the reservation Schenectady County Community roast pork, sautéed chicken cutlets, form on Page 5 and send the form, College (SCCC) starting with a so- and tortellini with broccoli and pine along with your payment made out cial hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at nuts. Cost for the dinner is $23 per to “Schenectady ADK” by Satur- 6:30 p.m. The speaker will be Pete person. Skinner Skinner will discuss whitewater day, October 18 to Stan Stoklosa, The dinner will once again be in recreation; more information can be 8 Archer Drive, Clifton Park, NY 12065. Joint Chapter picnic deemed a success Reduced ‘Road Walk’ on The Albany and Schenectady was delicious. There were trails Northville end of N-P Chapters hosted a joint Chapter to walk, prizes to be won, and a Trail almost a reality picnic on Friday, July 11, at The good time was had by all. Thank Submitted by Larry King, Crossings in Colonie. The you to all participants for mak- Schenectady, NY weather was great and the food ing it such a success! For years, hikers dreamed of an off-road rerouting of the Northville 2015 Schenectady Chapter Correction end of the Northville-Placid Trail ADK from the Village of Northville to Slate of Board Candidates Regarding the 10 Best the end of Godfry Road, where the Hiking Views article in actual off-road walking trail starts. CHAIR: Rich Vertigan the Aug - Sept issue: All The new Sept-Oct. issue of ADI- VICE CHAIR: Stan Stoklosa the distances shown are RONDAC features an article on a SECRETARY: Sally Dewes incorrectly listed as being 7.5-mile segment of it that is now TREASURER: Mike Brun “one way” when they are open from the end of Godfry Road DIRECTOR: Norm Kuchar actually “round trip.” to the Benson Road (where you go into Woods Lake) and holds out a To receive The Lookout promise that a longer segment from PROJECT COORDINATORS: digitally, via email, the Benson Road to the Gifford Dan Grey (2015) please contact us at: Valley Road will be opened by Larry Woods (2015) Horst DeLorenzi (2016) [email protected] Jacque McGinn (2016) Continued on Page 8

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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

Saturday, October 4 Sunday, October 5 AT in Massachusetts: Beartown Mt. Rd. to Rt. 23 Buck Mountain Class B2B Class B2B Rich Vertigan, 381-9319 or [email protected] Ken & Nilde Marcinowski 885-9400 We’ll hike a moderately difficult section of the Appa- [email protected] lachian Trail in the Berkshires, starting in the heavily We will climb this popular mountain from the North wooded Beartown State Forest and heading south. (Shelving Rock Rd), which is the shorter of the routes We’ll enjoy great views at The Ledges and pass a generally taken. Hopefully, the fall colors will be at lovely glacial pond. Total distance is 5.7 miles. Net peak making the views of Lake George all the more elevation loss is over 800 feet, but there’s a lot of up spectacular. Round-trip distance is 5 miles with an (760 feet) and down (1,500 feet) along the way. Continued on Page 3

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Outings Continued from Page 2 est, Fulton County, Town of Stratford. Estimated hik- ing time about four hours with total trip time of five elevation gain of 1150 feet. Be sure to bring plenty of hours including lunch. water and lunch. Please call or email by Thursday eve- ning prior to the hike. Rain will cancel. Friday, October 17 Bennett, Middle & Murphy Lakes Wednesday, October 8 Class B2B Little Buck Mountain and Shelving Rock Falls Mary MacDonald at 518-371-1293 or Class B2B [email protected] Norm Kuchar, 399-6243 or This hike is 7.6 miles with small hills and undulating [email protected] terrain. No significant climbs. We will likely lunch at Many have climbed Buck Mountain on the east side of Murphy Lake Lean-to. This is hike is about 1 hour Lake George (see Oct. 5), but on this hike we’ll visit away from the Capital District. Car pool with be from its neglected little brother to the north, which also has the Northway or other site as arranged. nice views of Lake George as well as south to Buck. We’ll bushwhack over the summit of Little Saturday, October 18 Buck from Shelving Rock Rd., before descending Slide Mountain, Class B2B north to 40-ft Shelving Rock Falls. From the falls, John Susko 383-1284 we’ll follow the marked trail to and along the shore of Slide Mountain is the highest peak in the Catskills the lake, passing close to Log Bay Island where our with good views from the summit. We’ll do a loop chapter camped several times in the 1940’s. We’ll hike taking the Curtis-Ormsbee trail on the way up complete the loop by walking up Shelving Rock Rd. which provides additional views before returning on to the car. Distance is about 6 miles, with about 1,350 the more direct Slide-Cornell-Wittenberg trail. The ft of climb. distance is 6-7 miles with 2,000 feet of ascent.

Friday, October 10 Sunday, October 19 Northville-Placid Trail Steward Trip Wyman Mountain Class B3D Class A2A Roy Keats 370-0399 or [email protected] Herb Terns, 372-8478 or Please me for another semi-annual cleanup patrol on [email protected] the N-P Trail, between Lake Durant and Stephens We’ll take a slightly longer bushwhack route from the Pond. Side-cutting, drainage clearing, and light blow- north by King Phillip’s spring. There should be some down removal are expected. It is an easy introduction good early views over the low open hills below route to trail maintenance. This is an out-and-back trip of 73 before dropping into the valley for a long stretch. about 6 miles with a nice scenic spot by the lake for Wyman features some nice open rock which should lunch. Limited to 6 participants. have good views. Round trip is roughly 11 miles, nearly all of it off trail and 3,000 feet of climbing. Thursday, October 16 Dexter Lake Saturday, November 1 Class B2C Albany Rural Cemetery Walt Hayes 399-7482 Class C3D This trip is from the west to Dexter Lake. About 7.6 Norm Kuchar, 399-6243 or miles. Very little elevation change and all on a trail [email protected] (no bushwhack). Located in the Ferris Lake Wild For- With over 450 acres of wooded hills, winding roads Continued on Page 4

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Outings Continued from Page 3 take the trail from Barnum Road. The trail over Tho- mas Cole & Blackdome is one of the more scenic and beautiful burial monuments, the Albany Rural trails in the Catskills with good views from both of the Cemetery is a great example of the rural or garden summits as well from the shoulder of . The cemetery movement of the mid-1800’s. This outing, distance is ~7 miles with ~3,000 feet of ascent. At this to be held on All Saints’ Day, combines an easy hike time of year snowshoes and crampons or other traction (actually, a stroll) with some local history. We’ll pass devices may be needed. the resting places of, and learn a bit about, a host of notables, including a President, senators and congress- Tuesday, November 18 men, jurists, governors, Revolutionary and Civil War Catskills Trivia Night soldiers, industrialists, businessmen, and others, a few Herb Terns, 372-8478 or with interesting links to the Adirondacks. Distance is [email protected] about 3 miles, with little elevation gain. Our last trivia night was so much fun we’re going to try it again. We’ll meet at the Bier Abbey in down- Wednesday, November 5 town Schenectady, divide up into teams and then get Rock Lake and Clockmill Pond to the questions. For more information email the trip Class B2C leader or view the chapter Facebook page. Walt Hayes 399-7482 Sunday, November 30 We will go to Rock Lake first and use the side trail to Henderson Mountain Clockmill Pond on the way out. About 6 miles with Class A2A minimal bushwhacking. This will be big game hunt- Herb Terns, 372 8478 or ing season so wear some blaze orange in a hat, vest or [email protected] other clothing. This is located in Ferris Lake Wild This is the 3,700 foot peak between the Santanoni Forest, Hamilton County, Town of Arietta. Range and Henderson Lake. With new land purchases in the area we’ll try to make a loop over the summit. If Friday, November 7 we’re lucky, we’ll have near winter conditions. Round St. Regis Mountain trip roughly 10 miles with 2,500 feet of gain. Class B2B Mary MacDonald at 518-371-1293 or Friday, December 5 [email protected] “Wild” Viewing party St Regis Mountain is 2,874 feet with a fire tower. Herb Terns, 372-8478 or Great views. The hike is 6 miles round trip. About 2 [email protected] 1/2 hours by car to the trailhead. This hike is part of We’re going to get a view party together of the new the Saranac 6 Challenge. Car pool with be from the movie “Wild” with a social event/film discussion af- Northway or other site as arranged. terward. “Wild” stars Reese Witherspoon and is based on the popular book about a solo hike of the Pacific Tuesday, November 11 Crest Trail. For more information, contact trip leader Thomas Cole, Blackdome & Blackhead Mountains or check the chapter Facebook page as the date gets Class B+2B closer. John Susko 383-1284 Thomas Cole, Blackdome & Blackhead Mountains are the 5th, 3rd & 4th highest peaks in the Catskills. We’ll spot a car at the end of Valley Road and

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Annual Dinner Reservation Form

Please join us at the Chapter’s Annual Dinner and Meeting at the Schenectady County Com- munity College (SCCC) on October 28, 2014, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Reconnect with hiking or paddling partners, learn about ADK activities, and enjoy a dinner in the Van Curler Room pre- pared by the SCCC culinary arts program students. The Chapter is defraying a portion of the cost of the dinner, so attendees need only pay $23 per person.

Schenectady Annual Dinner Reservation Form Tuesday, October 28, 2014 Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m.; dinner served at 6:30 p.m.

Name(s): Phone Number: Email:

Dinner Choices:

Number of Dinners:

______Herb and Garlic Roast Pork ______Sauteed Chicken Cutlets ______Tortellini with Broccoli and Pine Nuts

______Total Number of Dinners X $23 per person

______$$ Total Enclosed

Please enclose this form and make your check payable to “Schenectady Chapter ADK” and mail to: Stan Stoklosa, 8 Archer Drive, Clifton Park, NY 12065

Reservation Deadline is: Saturday, October 18, 2014 Any Questions, contact Stan Stoklosa at 518-383-3066

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Trip Tales Northville-Placid Trail Steward Trip – May 23 the end of Fourth, we pulled ourselves through a cul- Six of us did this steward trip about a week later than vert with an overhead rope into Fifth Lake. At the end planned. The day was cloudy with a few bugs to keep of Fifth we paddled a winding floating bog stream us in long sleeves. We cleared four blow-downs, five leading to Sixth Lake. Paddling across Fifth and Sixth water bars, opened out almost 30 drainage problems, Lakes provides a constant view of Vanderwhacker and did some side trimming along the way. We ar- Mountain. Seventh is a wide part at the end of Sixth. rived at Stephens Pond about 12:30 for a well- There did not appear to be any way to get to Eight deserved lunch on the shore. The hike out was great Lake. On the return we had great views of Dun Brook on our spruced up trail. We topped it off with an ice Mountain and . Most of the group cream at Stewarts. The participants were Ray Sergott, pulled out of the water and returned to their cars at this Mary MacDonald, Rich Vertigan, Holly Hawkes, and point on reaching the take out for Deer Pond. How- Sue and Roy Keats (the leaders). ever, an intrepid group of seven continued paddling across Third to Second Lake. From there they then Shelving Rock Mountain – July 11 portaged into First Lake and then paddled First and the Nine hikers took part in this family-friendly outing to First Lake outlet stream to an impassible beaver dam. a small peak overlooking Lake George. The hike is This stream was one of the highlights of the trip. We under four miles up an old carriage road. Disappoint- then retraced our steps to the original Third Lake port- ingly, most of the blueberry bushes on the summit age and on to our cars. Local participants were Marc were picked clean. Hikers were Audrey Daly, Sally and Jan Limeri, Fred Kirk, Ed Brown, Tim Kase, Daly, Bernard Mansbach, Celia Mansbach, Arden Dave Esmond, Ron Karpien, and Sue and Roy Keats Rauch, Eric Scott, Erika Scott, Bob Zima, Patricia (Schenectady Chapter Leader). Maria Rinella led for Zima and the leader (Gillian Scott). the CRC.

Paddling – Essex Chain Lakes – July 17 Little Moose Lake – July 19 This was a joint outing with the Cold River Chapter. Changing the hike plan a bit because of a delayed We had 14 Cold River members and 9 Schenectady start, we made this an out-and-back trip from the junc- and Albany Chapter members. We had a total of 20 tion of the Northville-Placid Trail and the Cedar River boats with about 12 cars. It was quite a long wagon Road, just south of Wakely Dam. We first followed train negotiating the 3.2 mile long one-lane dirt road the N-P Trail, past the nice views across Cedar River going to the Deer Pond Access. The portage from the Flow, to an old road leading to Little Moose car was about 0.3 miles with 0.25 miles on a dirt road Lake. This road is overgrown in places, but still easy and 0.05 on a steep downhill to the pond. We paddled to follow. Part of it is now marked as a bike about 200 yards straight across the pond, pulled the route. We found two 1930’s-vintage cars rusting in boats out and continued up the other side on a trail up the woods just off the road. Little Moose Lake itself is to the dirt road which led in to the trail down to Third a worthy destination, with a good view west to Little Lake. The access was well marked; the trails were Moose and Manbury Mountains and an even better somewhat difficult for those with wheels. Once out on view south to Blue Ridge. The lake was private until Third, we paddled west to the bay with the remaining 2007, and a camp building still stands on a bluff above Gooley Camp buildings. The history of the camp and the lake. Near the camp, we also found the remains of the transition from Finch Pruyn ownership to state an old log cabin and a boat. After a pleasant lunch at ownership were discussed. We saw several loons on the camp, we returned by the same route. Hikers were our circuit of Third Lake. We continued on to Fourth Trisa Bills, Walt Hayes, Kathy Miles, Shelly Nevard, Lake outlet, and paddled up the meandering stream Larry Woods and the leader (Norm Kuchar). filled with water lilies and pickerel weed to Fourth. At Continued on Page 7

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Trip Tales

Continued from Page 6 ables us to cut across the lake near the Cedar River Benson Road Tract – August 5 inlet to keep from being misled by false inlets on the We explored some former Finch Pryun lands in Fulton east side. As we neared the weedy area at the south County, now part of the Forest Preserve. We followed end of the lake we encountered a loon family with 2 dirt roads past the site of Tomantown and Hartwell chicks. About the same time two bald eagles soared Swamp, now a picturesque pond with the help of bea- around overhead, causing the loons to start calling out vers. We also visited large Moat Vly before reversing alarms. One of the eagles splashed in the water for a course and using a logging road to descend to a lunch fish a distance from the loons, and the eagles went on spot on the banks of West Stony Creek. A highlight their way. As we continued into the weeds we came was spotting a yearling bear on the road at Toman- upon a family of mergansers, a blue heron, several town. This exploratory hike uncovered several possi- geese, some mallards, and a cormorant. We headed bilities for future hikes in the area, since the road net- across to the east side and were able to find the inlet work provides good access for exploring Shaker channel which had a surprisingly strong current. We Mountain, Steele Mountain and other destina- paddled up the 1.5 miles to the lean-to for lunch. A tions. Hikers were Tamara Caulfield, Walt Hayes, thru-hiker of the NP trail came by. This was his sec- Gail Livingston, Dave Loux, Kathy Miles, Jerry Perre- ond thru-hike of the trail. After lunch we paddled an- gaux and the leader (Norm Kuchar). other quarter mile up the stream, and then had a speedy run out to the lake. The Cedar River Flow and Balm of Gilead Mountain, William Blake Pond and its inlet are always a wilderness delight. We had the the Hooper Mine – Aug. 9, 2014 lake and stream to ourselves all morning. On the re- Six ADK members enjoyed a sunny day in Warren turn trip up the lake we met a few paddlers, and saw a County. Though there were three destinations, they’re few more loons. They were there to help us take out so close together the total distance of the hike was un- our boats at the end of the day. Participants were Gail der five miles. We paused to enjoy the view over Thir- Cotler, and Sue and Roy Keats (the leaders). teenth Lake from the summit of Balm of Gilead Mountain before heading back down the trail to see William Blake Pond. The beaver dam kept the water Nine Corner Lake - August 20 level high and left little place to sit, so the group was A perfect summer day for a visit to a lake with three shortly back on the trail, taking another long break at very nice swimming spots. We visited all three the Hooper Mine. The mine was once used to harvest spots. We all were in the water at least once. We en- garnets, and there are still plenty of the gemstones joyed watching the children in other groups as they around (though they’re often quite small). Hikers were jumped off the cliff swing into the water. Tamara Carol Hamblin, Bernard Mansbach, Robert Miller, Caulfield, Paul Dean, Marcia Hanson, Ruth Kuo and Arden Rauch, Erika Scott and the leader (Gillian the leader. (Walt Hayes) Scott). Hudson Gorge – August 30 Paddling – Cedar River Flow – August 19 We had a lucky 13 boaters on the Indian/Hudson Poor weather forced us to cancel the original date, so Gorge run Saturday, Aug. 30. The weather was in the our next opportunity had absolutely perfect conditions, high 70s or above and sunny, water mild as late sum- calm initially, beautiful blue skies, moderate tempera- mer temps are and the flow was about 4'4”, give or tures, and only a slight breeze later on in the day. Two take, with the Indian release. Tons of rafts were on the loons greeted us at the put-in as we made our way up river as well – first day of the Labor Day holiday – the mirror like surface of the lake. We paddled straight forcing some threading among them, particularly on down the lake a little to the west of center. This en- Continued on Page 8

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Trip Tales

Continued from Page 7 with temperatures reaching about 80 F. After spotting a car on Tyringham Main Road, we began hiking the Indian; we had a close call of an open canoe run north on the AT from Beartown Mountain Rd. During down by a raft but no serious consequence. Bugs the morning, we traversed a high ridge laced with minimal (though a Blackfly canoe, not in our group, stone walls, reminders that this rocky, forested land made a stylish run down the meat of the Narrows). was once the home of farmers and sheep. After a Seven of our crew was in four duckies, with Allison steep descent to the Tyringham Valley, we ate lunch at St.Pierre making her first solo run through the Gorge Shaker Campsite, location of an early nineteenth cen- in strong style.) Participants: Harrison Sangster, Sally tury Shaker settlement. All that remains is a beauti- Dewes and Horst deLorenzi in kayaks; Ed Cunning- fully constructed stone wall, part of a barn founda- ham, Allison St. Pierre, Ed Martuscello, Pam Sorbero, tion. Clark Darlington, Tim Lawson and Rick Morse in After lunch, we walked through meadows glowing duckies; Mike Prosalik, with goldenrod and asters, before climbing Cobble Hill, which has wonderful views of the bucolic Tyr- Appalachian Trail in the Berkshires – September 5 ingham Valley. Hikers were Holly Hawkes, Walt This hike was moved up one day to avoid a forecast of Hayes, Ruth Kuo, Tom Miller, Rich Vertigan and the rain and thunderstorms. We hiked under sunny skies, leader (Norm Kuchar).

‘Road Walk’ on Northville end of N-P Trail almost a reality Continued from Page 1 Woods Lake, but I can’t tell whether it also traverses “Middle Cat” and “Big Cat” or stays in the valley. In 2016, leaving only 2.5 miles of highway walking to any event, it is going to go through some nice country get to the Village of Northville. and I wish my old legs would take me there! The I am delighted with that choice of a “high terrace of ADK Professional Trail Crew with state Department the northeastern shore of Woods Lake,” then north, of Environmental Conservation (DEC) funding is and finally west to the old trail at Godfry Road. That given credit for the work. high terrace at the northeast shore of Woods Lake is The remaining re-routing to be done is going to be actually on Little Cathead Mountain. I have led a very challenging as it is going to have to cross the number of beginner snowshoe, and other trips, up Lit- West Stony Creek. The map in the ADIRONDAC tle Cat and back down along the lakeshore. Some- shows two options. The shorter of the two would have times, we went on over it and to the next knob on the north (that I call Middle Cat), and then on to Cathhead a nice walk along the Stony Creek, but the creek will with the fire tower (Big Cat). Before the trail from be quite large there. The other option would have a North Road to Cathead was closed, we sometimes left shorter stream crossing, but the trail would be consid- a car at each end for a through trip. erably longer. In either case, it will go through some The map in the ADIRONDAC shows the trail con- beautiful country and again, I am going to be wishing tinuing north from Woods Lake and skirting the I could still walk it. “Lapland Lake” development on the north end of

Visit the Schenectady ADK Web site at: http://www.adk-schenectady.org

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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Whitewater Schedule Date Day Event Level Contact Phone

October 4 Saturday Fall Foliage: III Bob Wright 279-1428 Hudson River Gorge Oct 17-19 Friday-Sunday The Moose III+ Mal Provost 399-1565

Oct, 25 Saturday The Farmington III+ Larry Woods 346-1761

November 1-2 Saturday/Sunday The Tohican III+ Horst DeLorenzi 399-4615

Photo submitted.

LEFT: Anthony Lamanno teaching a class at the first annual Cohoes Paddle Nights at Lansing’s Pool in

Photo submitted RIGHT: A Whitewater rescue clinic.

October -November 2014 The Lookout Pa ge 11

Cuomo announces conservation of Adirondack Site where the National Federal Wilderness Act was penned On Sept. 17, Governor Cuomo announced the fam- enacted. ily of Howard Zahniser granted State a Zahniser had passed away before President Lyndon conservation easement on the cabin where much of the B. Johnson signed the National Wilderness Preserva- Federal Wilderness Act of 1964 was drafted, allowing tion System into law on Sept. 3, 1964. for the site to be protected as part of the Adirondacks New York State Department of Conservation Forest Preserve. Additionally, the family donated (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens said, “This dona- more than five acres to the state as tribute to their late tion is an extraordinary gift that will highlight and pre- father’s wilderness advocacy. The lands border the serve the important role the property played in the de- Siamese Pond Wilderness near the hamlet of Baker velopment of the national wilderness movement and Mills in the Town of Johnsburg in Warren County. The gift commemorates the 50th anniversary of the protecting millions of acres of land over the past 50 signing of the historic Wilderness Act. years. New York is a leader in preserving valuable “New York is not only the proud home to two of forest lands, waters, and natural resources, providing the most sterling examples of natural beauty anywhere access for people to enjoy their scenic beauty and rec- in the world, the Adirondack and Catskill Parks, it is reational opportunities. The Zahniser property and also the birthplace of the wilderness movement that cabin continue to symbolize the value of lands like the inspired the work of Howard Zahniser and other advo- Adirondack Forest Preserve, and we are proud to pro- cates, “Gov. Cuomo said. “We are honored to accept this generous gift from the Zahniser family and ensure tect this property and the legacy of Howard Zahniser.” that this important piece of history is preserved for “My father, Howard, and my mother, Alice, fell in generations to come.” love with the Adirondacks in the summer of 1946. Howard Zahniser befriended Adirondack wilder- This led to the purchase of the cabin and 31 acres of ness conservationist Paul Schaefer in 1946, who intro- farmable land in 1947,” said H. Mathias Zahniser. “It duced him to the Adirondacks and to Article XIV of is here that Howard Zahniser penned the initial drafts the New York State Constitution. Zahniser purchased of the Wilderness Act introduced to the national legis- property near Schaefer’s property and built a cabin. lature in the mid-50s and enacted into law and signed He spent many days at his cabin in the Adirondacks drafting more than 60 versions of the historic federal by President Johnson in 1964. law that established the National Wilderness Preserva- “We are in the eighth decade of use of this cabin, tion System. Zahniser referred to the Adirondacks as including my parents’ great-great-grandchildren. the place “where wilderness preservation began.” There is a sense in which the Wilderness Act began in In 1894, New York established its “Forever Wild” the Adirondacks,” he said. constitutional amendment, known as Article XIV, pro- “Howard Zahniser often said that once the Wilder- tecting what is today the approximately 3 million-acre ness Act was passed, the greatest challenge would be Forest Preserve in the Adirondacks and Catskills. New York State was the first in the nation to preserve its to keep wilderness wild. This remains one of our big- wild forest lands by its own constitution. gest challenges in the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and Since the signing of the National Wilderness Act across the country. We invite people of all ages to ex- 50 years ago, the amount of federally designated wil- plore how we can become better stewards of our For- derness areas on federal public land has grown to 109 est Preserve during this anniversary,” said Dave Gib- million acres in 44 states and is viewed by many to be son of Adirondack Wild. one of the most important environmental laws ever

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