Locals call it mud season, I call it lovely. There’s nothing quite like spring in the Adirondacks. Everything is changing — wildflowers start appearing along trails, birds return from their southern sojourn, and the melting snowpack sends water pouring into streams, making them more dramatic to see. And of course, everything is wet, wet, wet. It is mud season, after all.

Hiking this time of year requires a bit of special consideration, but the pros outweigh the cons if you can get it down. Popular trails are less crowded, there’s always a cool breeze, and the leafless, budding hardwoods make for over-the-shoulder teaser views while ascending steep slopes. I wanted to put some spring hiking considerations to the test on Goodnow Mountain, and in the process I made a handy guide for anyone interested in visiting the Adirondacks before summer kicks off.

1. Pick a trail that stays under 3,000 feet in elevation

This guideline was my inspiration for hiking Goodnow Mountain. Well, that plus the fact that I’d never been there, and I’m always up for a new peak. Following the 3,000-foot rule gives trails on higher mountains a chance to dry out and harden so they can better withstand hikers’ footsteps. I get it — I love the High Peaks too — but protecting our forests is more important to me than nabbing a summit. Goodnow is 2,690 feet in elevation, so that checked out. And guess what? Since there’s a fire tower at the top I knew there’d be a great view, and what a view it is! More than 20 High Peaks can be counted from the tower, and smaller mountains and lakes were spread in every direction. It’s not bad being under 3,000 feet!

2. Stay on the trail, walk through the mud

If you’re an avid hiker, you know nature is full of surprises. One thing that shouldn’t surprise the spring hiker is mud. Lots of it. So make sure you wear a good, sturdy pair of hiking boots, because part of hiking during mud season is getting those boots dirty. Speaking of dirt, always stay on the trail to avoid widening it, which can increase erosion and damage the forest. Even if the terrain ahead looks more like a swamp than a path, do the right thing and push through it. Your boots can handle it!

3.Don’t pick the pretty flowers

As I hiked up Goodnow, I was happy to see a bunch of spring ephemerals — wildflowers that appear right after the snow melts and before leaves appear on trees — along the trail. There were trout lilies, spring beauties, red trillium, and violets. It might be tempting to make a spring bouquet, but resist the urge. The best way to take flowers home is to take pictures of them.

4.Don’t carve your name into trees, lean-tos, or anything else

The 2-mile path up Goodnow is about as gentle as a trail up a mountain can be. There are a few bridges and catwalks for getting over wet areas and streams; it was shortly after one of those that I discovered a large yellow birch bearing a number of deep, human-inflicted scars on its trunk. I don’t know who Martin is, but I’d like to have a word with him. This type of forest graffiti is unsightly to say the least, but it also compromises the tree’s armor, making it more susceptible to diseases and parasites. No one wants to see your initials while they’re hiking, so please resist the temptation to carve.

5. Carry it in, carry it out

One thing that struck me when I started hiking in the Adirondacks some 20 years ago was how clean the trails here are. It’s a simple concept — if you bring it into the woods, take it back out with you. Most hikers I’ve met are conscientious of this, so it’s safe to assume two things. One, the occasional water bottle found along the trail was accidentally dropped from a pack, and two, it’s good to grab those lost items as you pass them. I picked up an empty plastic bottle and a granola bar wrapper on my Goodnow Mountain hike.

6. Only build a fire in designated

Goodnow’s summit is an awesome place. Besides the view I described earlier, there’s plenty of open rock to relax on. Unfortunately, the first thing I noticed as I stepped out onto the rock, besides the impressive fire tower, was the remains of a campfire. With no fire ring to contain the fire, and no source of water to pull from to make sure it’s out, it’s ironic, for sure, that a fire hazard was located at the base of a fire tower, a structure originally built to survey the landscape for forest fires.

If you want to check out the night sky from a mountaintop, I suggest picking a mountain with a designated campsite near the top, or hiking the peak in the late afternoon and returning via headlamp. An open, windy area is no place for a fire!

Goodnow Mountain stats

• Getting there: Take exit 29 from Interstate 87 and head west on Blue Ridge Road, toward Newcomb. After about 18.5 miles, turn right on Route 28N and follow that for about 9 miles as it goes through Newcomb. The large parking area is on the left, about 1.5 miles after the Adirondack Interpretive Center.
• Distance: About 1.9 miles to the summit
• Elevation: 2,690 feet
• Elevation gain: 1,040 feet

2016 Top 3 Blogs In Review

We scoured our blogs for the most popular, most informative, and just downright funniest pieces from the past year. In case you missed them when they were originally published, here are our top three picks from the Schroon Lake Region. Enjoy!

3) Take the scenic drive

The sun is shining, the top is down on the Jeep, and the radio is playing — it's a beautiful early-fall day for a scenic drive with no solid plan in mind. What sights will we discover today?

 

2) Camp Santanoni Preserve

History buffs have long known the Newcomb area to be a destination rich in heritage. One of the crown jewels of the region is Great Camp Santanoni and the Santanoni Preserve. Enjoy a bit of history and a tour from our blogger's perspective.

 

1) Shh... it's a secret!

A natural hot stone massage awaits for those so inclined. Lay back, relax, and let the water lull you into a state of total relaxation as the Adirondack rocks warm you up and soothe those aching muscles. Grab a paddle or a tube and lazily float along the river. This mountain swimming hole is a favorite of locals and travelers alike!

 

 

From short jaunts to long-distance ski tours 

Cross-country skiing in the Adirondack Hub may not involve groomed trails, but what it lacks in tracks, it makes up for in its range of backcountry options. From truly beginner options to engaging expert-only terrain, there’s an adventure to be had for anyone. Whether you're clicking into those fresh NNN or three-pin bindings for the very first time, or are on day 75 of your skiing season, you’ll find a trip below that is perfect for you.

Camp Santanoni - Beginner

While the Adirondack Hub doesn’t have groomed trails, the road that leads back to Camp Santanoni in Newcomb is almost always packed down, making for an xc ski of any length you desire! The terrain is gentle, the width of the trail is big enough for two cars to pass each other, and there are usually other people gliding to the historic Great Camp. 

Camp Santanoni hosts the popular Winter Weekends, where many of the historic buildings are opened up for viewing, hot chocolate is served, and rentals are available. Keep in mind that if you ski from the parking area to the Camp and back, the round-trip distance is 10 miles with a bit over 700 feet of elevation gain. If this seems like a bit much for you, then just ski as far down the road as you are comfortable with. There are fun stretches of gentle downhill on the way back that you’ll enjoy, and the scenic farmhouse buildings towards the beginning can be a good beginner destination. 

Rankin Pond - Beginner 

If you’re looking for something shorter than Camp Santanoni, yet you’re still new to skiing in the backcountry, consider Rankin Pond! Even if this 0.6-mile round-trip xc ski is considered “easy”, you should still have some experience on groomed trails before getting out in the backcountry.

The trail starts descending nearly right away, before leveling off, then making a final short descent to the shores of Rankin Pond. If the ice is safe, you could carefully make your way onto the pond and explore the different views of Crusher Hill to your east and Rankin Mountain to your north.

Crane Pond - Beginner 

Skiing to Crane Pond is a combination of the two above xc ski trips. It has that backcountry feel of Rankin Pond while having a wide road to ski on like Camp Santanoni. It’s a 4-mile, 350-foot elevation gain round-trip adventure that provides the perfect introduction to the extensive trail system of the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. Right after a scenic, icy waterfall, you continue left at a junction at around 0.8 miles in. At 1.5 miles you have two options, continue on the road where in the summer season it is typically flooded, or take a left around it through the trees on a marked section of trail. Before reaching the shore of Crane Pond, some vistas are looking towards the lofty Pharaoh Mountain across Alder Pond.

When you reach the shoreline at 2 miles, consider a short jaunt onto the frozen pond if conditions are ideal.

Stony Pond - Intermediate

A rather big step up from the aforementioned adventures, the Stony Pond trail traverses hilly terrain for 2 miles (one-way) to the shore of the trail’s namesake. Along this designated snowmobile trail (which rarely sees a snowmobile), you’ll pass by a side trail for Twentyninth Pond (a nice side trip), a behemoth of a beaver dam, a lean-to, and a scenic pond nestled among some craggy, Adirondack hills. 

Hoffman Notch - Advanced

There’s no way around it, the trip through Hoffman Notch requires fantastic snowfall, cold conditions for safe water-crossings, and loads of cross-country skiing experience. To avoid a 14-mile round-trip distance, it takes some planning. This route is best thru-skied, parking a car at the northern trailhead on Blue Ridge Road, and starting at the southern trailhead on Loch Muller Road. At times, the road isn’t plowed to the trailhead, so you may have to park a bit up the road and ski down to it.

From the start, the trail parallels and crosses the North Branch of Trout Brook numerous times, a difficult navigational task for inexperienced skiers. Following tons of yellow trail markers, a stunningly large marsh opens up views of Hoffman Mountain. Shortly after the marsh, aptly named Big Marsh, you start descending through the Notch (between Washburn Ridge and Hornet Cobbles). This section is all downhill, following and crossing Hoffman Notch Brook several times. The trees here are more open than the previous few miles, providing views of the rocky cliffs and spruce-covered mountains surrounding you. After 7 miles, you reach the car you parked at the northern terminus! 

Do any of these skis seem fitting for you? If so, plan a day out of it! The Adirondack Hub is a great base camp for adventures, with cozy places to stay, tons of dining options, and many more options for cross-country skiing than just the ones above.

 

As I sit here on my porch looking out over the sparkling waters of Palmer Pond, it is hard to believe that Christmas is only forty-six days away. It is sunny and nearly 60 degrees today. This year, the Adirondacks have been blessed with a warm and beautiful fall. However, in contrast, the cool crisp evening air lets us know that “ol’ man” winter is just around the corner. Soon, falling snowflakes, frigid cold air, sparkling holiday lights, and amazing colorful decorations will begin to pop up - and the smell of pumpkin and spice and everything nice will be upon us.

The Schroon Lake Region is no exception, soon it will be a magical winter wonderland as home owners and local businesses begin to deck the halls. One of my favorite pastimes is to drive around the region and see all the holidays decorations and lights, this year will be no exception.

As soon as the decorating is done, the stores will take inventory and make sure that their shelves are stocked with those special items that will make great gifts for everyone in your family.

Tradition

One of my favorite events is the Schroon Lake “Old Fashion Christmas” that the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce and local volunteers host each year. This year it will be held on Saturday, December 12th and it is lining up to be spectacular.

The line-up looks like this... The Annual Christmas Bazaar will be held at the Community Church during the day, arts and crafts vendors will be stationed in the meeting room at the Schroon Lake Town Hall for your shopping needs, the stores and shops will be open for holiday shopping, and the North Woods Bread Company will be hosting a holiday bake sale that will benefit the Schroon Lake Chamber.

As evening comes, Santa will arrive on a firetruck to meet with all the good boys and girls, and the Town of Schroon Christmas tree will be lit, carols will be sung, horse-drawn wagon rides will be offered, and the Chamber will be holding its annual Adirondack Holiday Gift Basket Raffle. For more information regarding this event please call (518) 532-7675.

Now, if you miss out on this great holiday event, have no fear! You can still check the gifts off your list by stopping in a few of the shops located in the Schroon Lake Region.

Shop the shops!

One of my favorites is The Schroon Lake Towne Store.

The Towne Store is a 133-year-old General Store, located on Main Street in Schroon that boasts of 6,500 square feet of space filled with unique gifts, quality jewelry, souvenirs, Adirondack books, stylish clothing, hats, accessories, Adirondack décor, linens, bath and kitchen accessories, sporting goods and toys, Minnetonka moccasins, Columbia clothing and boots, and so much more. Not only is the variety of items happily mind-boggling, but the staff are friendly and helpful. I can’t tell you how many times I have gone in needing a gift for someone and have no clue what to get, and the ladies take their time to help me choose the right item.

Besides the Towne Store, a new favorite store of mine is the Pine Cone Mercantile. The Pine Cone Mercantile opened this summer on Schroon Lake’s Main Street. When you walk through the aged, wooden, double doors you feel like you are walking into an Adirondack Great Camp. The room is filled with amazing Adirondack-style furniture and the walls are adorned with eclectic Adirondack-style art work and wreaths that look like they came right out of the local woods. Then there are these little items that tease and tantalize you such as little handblown glass vases that will suction to a window and hold a single flower, or old apothecary-style bottles that can hold your special treasures.

There are so many neat items, you should plan to shop slowly and grab yourself a great cup of organic coffee in the North Woods Bread Company located at the back of the Pine Cone Mercantile. Lisa and Ed Hess are the owners of this amazing shop, and they will go out of their way to make you feel welcome and help you with your purchases in either their home decor section or the bakery.

Get outta town (but not too far!)

Now, if you like to adventure out beyond Schroon Lake’s Main Street - which I sometimes do - then you will want to visit a few more places such as the Adirondack General Store. The Adirondack General Store is also an icon, and located on the back side of Schroon Lake in the small hamlet of Adirondack. Bob and Maureen, the store's owners, have done extraordinary things with this amazing hidden gem in the Adirondacks.

The store now has a gift shop area which includes many beautiful Adirondack style items, a deli with delectable food offerings with daily specials such as Quiche and homemade soups, and a grocery/pantry style shopping area where I personally buy many of my jams and sauces and Oscar products. My favorite - the strawberry-rhubarb jam, it is amazing on toast.

Adventuring is an art, you have to take all the country roads and really see the Schroon Lake Region, and your shopping trip is not complete if you have not visited a few other locations such as The Lazy Moose Market and Garden Center located in Brant Lake, NY.

Brant Lake is just a few miles southeast of Schroon Lake and now can brag about having an amazing general store called The Lazy Moose Market. The Lazy Moose has a wonderful deli, large gift shop section, grocery section and garden center. The gift section is loaded with delightful items that will make great gifts for the holidays. I recently purchased a vase that lights up with a gorgeous winter scene that includes cardinals and deer. Oh, and while you are there, make sure to have Jeanine make you a sandwich and grab a few bags of Next Organics. Next Organics are all natural dark chocolate covered real fruit, they make great stocking stuffers.They have them in blueberry, strawberry, cherry, coconut and banana, so yummy!

Now that you are done in the southern end of the Schroon Lake Region you should head back north to North Hudson, NY. Your first stop should be Gokey’s Trading Post. This store has everything from $1 items that are great for stocking stuffers all the way up to art work, tools, Adirondack books, decorations, and so much more. There is a huge, huge variety here.

When you are done shopping at Gokey’s, your next destination should be the Adirondack Buffalo Company on the Blue Ridge Road. The Adirondack Buffalo Company is approximately 3.8 miles from I-87 off exit 29 heading toward Newcomb. This place is a hidden gem that intrigues both locals and visitors alike. The Adirondack Buffalo Company's farm allows families to visit a real live American Buffalo Farm complete with a large barn-style gift shop that is full of all kinds of unique and amazing items.

Doreen and Steve take great pride in their business and offer made-fresh daily tasty homemade bakery items such as pies, muffins, cookies, and much more. They also offer a whole line of jarred sauces and marinades, fresh farm veggies (in season), homemade crafts, souvenirs, art work, antiques and so much more! You won't want to leave the shop without Buffalo Burgers or tasty Buffalo Rib Eye Steaks (both excellent healthy-heart selections and great on the grill)!

The Schroon Lake Region is full of great little shops, restaurants and artisans. Don’t forget, if you can’t find a gift at one of our amazing shops, you can stop in to one of our restaurants such as Sticks & Stones, Decesares Pizzeria, Flanagan’s Pub, Pitkin’s Restaurant, or Shirley’s Diner to pick up a gift certificate for that special someone that likes to dine out. And for those craft beer drinkers, you won't want to miss out on grabbing some Internationally-Awarded Paradox Brewery products.

Each year shoppers travel to big box stores to purchase their perfect holiday gift for their loved ones, however most shoppers do not realize how detrimental this is to the local communities in our region. I would bet that most shoppers don't realize that there are nearly 23-million small businesses in our country, and they provide nearly 54% of all U.S. sales! Not only do these businesses provide over half of the retail sales in our country, they also create nearly 8 million jobs per year. But it doesn’t end there, small businesses donate 250% more than larger businesses to non-profits and community causes, funds that are very important to the rural communities we live in. It is said that if a shopper spends $100 at a local business, roughly $68 stays in the local economy; if they spend the same amount at a large big box store only $43 stays in the local economy, a huge difference!

So, when it comes to deciding if you want to shop at a big box store or travel to the Schroon Lake Region to do your holiday shopping - I hope that you will remember these statistics and how magical the region is during the holidays. The Schroon Lake Region’s business owners look forward to taking care of your shopping needs this holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you all out and about while on my own shopping adventures.

Where do I start?

There are hundreds of companies out there in the outdoor retail industry, and just about every one of them has come up with a tent design that looks cool, unique, and even has a planned use, but which one is right for you? Surfing the net for a tent is tough, and a Google search will give you a headache with its hundreds of options. However, the web is a great place to check stats, feedback, and ratings on many of the tents you are checking out. Customer feedback is the best avenue for an accurate description of the tent's qualities and uses. Many who leave feedback are very honest, but you also need to be able to read between the lines and know that not everything is honest - it could be someone just going on a rant.

Variety and selection is what customers want, but how much is too much before it becomes overwhelming? You can go to a variety superstore and buy a tent for $20, will that suffice? It might last for a weekend or maybe even a season if you take care of it but don’t expect the world from it. But in some cases it could be just what you are looking for - especially if camping is a once a year adventure. Should you order a $500 tent online, thinking it will get you an entire backpacking career? You could, but let me tell you, you don’t always get what you pay for. A tent's life is all in how you treat it, maintain it, store it and sometimes baby it. I have had tents from all over the price range and the ones someplace in the middle have been the best. What I want to do is give you a brief overview of what’s out there and what features to look for.

Tent size is very important

This might sound kind of like a no-brainer but correct sizing is very important for overall comfort and use. First off, a three-person tent is just that, for three people. In most cases there will be no extra room for gear or the family dog. If you need that extra room, think about a three-person tent for a two-person outing. That way you can have room to store your gear inside so it doesn’t get wet in case of a rain storm.

If you are a tall individual you might have to shop around a bit for a longer tent with added leg room. The footprint dimensions are what you'll want to explore.

In the winter a two-person tent should be for two people, 3-for-3, 4 for 4, etc... Do not worry about your gear in winter, unless it has to stay warm (camera, GPS, medicines) leave it outside. The less dead space inside the tent the better; dead, unused space is hard to heat.

Remember too, you will have to carry this tent, don’t get anything bigger and heavier than you are willing to lug along.

Tents for all seasons

There truly are tents that are better for one season than another. This is less important during the warmer months, but during colder times of year you need to think about this a bit more. Warm season tents tend to have much more mesh on the walls and better ventilation and are much lighter weight. This might be great on calm 60-degree muggy nights, but not on a night that it drops to 10 degrees.

Winter tents have little to no mesh and much thicker walls, sure this makes them heavier, but it also protects you from the elements. There are many other smaller features to a winter tent, but to keep it simple – if you are camping in winter, get a winter tent. Camping in summer, get a three-season tent. In spring or fall, get a three-season tent with less mesh windows, or windows that zip closed.

Family tents

These massive shelters are built for car camping and not so much designed to be carried long distances. They can have several smaller rooms for added privacy and canopies built onto them for rain and sun protection.

Bivy Tents/Sacks

These tiny structures are for solo camping or emergency shelters. They are typically built for one person but two-person ones can be found as well. The designs on these are close to a glorified sheet that goes around you and may have one to two short poles for a small dome over your head. These are very light weight and considered a minimalist approach to backpacking. As I mentioned, many day hikers will carry a bivy, especially in winter, as an emergency shelter for an unplanned night in the woods.

Cost of a tent

The cost of a tent is based on its different features, as well as the brand name - even if the materials are no different. The quality of the material, craftsmanship, type of material and size of the tent all play a part in the cost. Supply and demand also plays a roll, and if a tent is new to the market and getting amazing reviews, you will pay a bit more. Of course, as mentioned, don’t forget the name; a manufacturer's name holds a ton of weight when it comes to price variances.

Shopping around

There is not a huge turn over in the tent market. Outfitters don’t sell a ton of tents, mainly because a tent is not a disposable piece of gear, it’s an investment. Watch for discounted items, discontinued items, holiday or weekly sales, and overstock blowouts. These will get you a better tent at similar prices.

Tent rentals

Rent a tent before you buy. Many outfitters have current or like tent models for you to use, and some retailers will allow you to use the cost of the rental toward the purchase of a new tent at their shop.

After you buy your tent

After you have made the leap into buying a new tent, you need to do a couple things before you head out. First off, set it up and make sure all the parts are in the package. Manufacturers make mistakes too, and you want to make sure they didn't forget a vital piece, like a pole, I have seen it happen. Pieces can also get lost at the outfitters when being set up for a display or to show an interested customer. Once up, make sure there are no factory defects, rips, stains, etc... Damage during shipping can also happen whether shipped from a warehouse to a store or directly to you by a carrier. There’s not much worse than getting out camping and finding you can’t use the tent due to some unforeseen circumstance.

Once the tent is up, seal all the seams. Buy seam sealer right at the outfitters, the easiest to apply has a sponge applicator. There is a seam along the top of the tub of the tent and some that might run up the side and around the windows, hit all of these. The tent also comes with a rain fly that goes over the body of the tent, seal that along the seams as well.

Putting up the tent a few times before you get in the field is also a great idea. This gets you practice and makes you more efficient. You want to be efficient especially if you are trying to put it up in ill weather conditions.

Tent protection and upkeep are two completely different balls of wax. Check back soon for more details on camping gear care and storage.

Need more information on tents, stop into a local gear shop for details and ask for a trained, knowledgeable representative. Looking for the perfect place to try out your new gear, the Schroon Lake Region has plenty of opportunities for you.

When you're looking for winter adventure opportunities in the central Adirondacks, there's a region that encompasses five towns, lakes and ponds, hills and mountains, waterfalls, and frankly a ton of natural beauty. The Five Towns area (aka the Upper Hudson Recreation Hub) is welcoming, friendly, and ready for you to safely visit. Conveniently, a few major roads make it possible to visit all five towns in a fun-filled day, weekend, or even week. Here are some of our recommendations for great things to do and places to visit in the Five Towns. You can make this loop in either direction, but FYI: if you end in North Hudson you can reward yourself with beer!

Minerva

I have a soft spot for Minerva. With more than half of the town made up of state-protected wilderness, Minerva is incredibly picturesque, rich in history, and abundant with wildlife, all year long. For an opportunity to get outside in peaceful, quiet fresh air, Minerva is ideal.

Do: Go Birding!

Ask an Adirondack birder for a hot place to see cool birds and they'll likely place Minerva near the top of the list. The scenic woods of the Minerva area are home to a number of beloved boreal birds and there are beautiful trails that make birding a fun winter activity. The southern entrance to the Roosevelt Truck Trail is a popular destination, home to ruffed grouse, black-backed woodpecker, red crossbill, boreal chickadee, and many other species that are fun to spot and hear. For an easier birding outing, we've heard that people have good luck simply cruising Route 28 and pulling off at scenic spots, including at the bridge which crosses the Boreas River.

Eat: Maple Knoll Farm

Okay, I admit, this stop isn’t a restaurant, snack bar, or even an ice cream stand. No, it’s better than all of that: it’s a sugar house. At Maple Knoll Farm, the amazing sap of the sugar maple is magically (truly) turned into flavorful maple syrup by owner and operator Eric Klippel in his handcrafted sugar house. Pick up maple cream, jelly, and the all-important syrup to make your next stack of pancakes the best ever.

Indian Lake

Indian Lake — named in honor of Sabael Benedict, an Abenaki man who is said to be the area's first permanent settler, and his descendants — is a beautiful town with fascinating history, is known for awesome whitewater on the Hudson River, and sparkling lakes that combine to a length of over 12 miles. With so much water, one of our suggestions as to what to do here in winter should be no surprise...

Do: Ice fish!

In the heart of Indian Lake lies beautiful Adirondack Lake. On it's southern shore you'll find Byron Park, a public park perfect for your ice fishing home base. The local chamber of commerce has a log visitor center close to shore where not only can you find info about what's biting, you can also purchase your fishing license (you have to have one)! The views from the ice are great, but it's also fun to be close to town and all of the gear and sweets you'll need.

Shop: Pine's Country Store

Where can you browse for books, mittens, winter boots, scented candles, cards, souvenir t-shirts, windshield washer fluid, and more, all under one roof? At a classic Adirondack country store, of course! We love stopping at Pine's in Indian Lake, because it has a little bit of everything, from things you know you want to things you didn't know you needed but now have to have. Your cousin who collects magnets? There are plenty here. Jigsaw puzzles for those cozy winter nights at home? Tons of them. You'll even find treasures crafted by hand by talented locals. You can't miss Pine's: it's the place with the gondola out front!

Long Lake

A truly long — 14 miles — lake to play on, a cool town to play in. That's Long Lake. It's the sort of town where you might see a moose crossing the road in front of the ice cream stand the same day you spot a celebrity or two at the bar. It's been known to happen. It's an awesome place to play, full of winter adventures for all ages and abilities, from sledding to ice fishing, snowmobiling to snowshoeing. With so much to do, it's hard to choose one activity, but the great news is that you don't have to!

Do: Play at Mt. Sabattis Recreation Area

For snowy fun for all ages, the Mt. Sabattis Recreation Area overlooking Long Lake has awesome views and even better fun. Grab your sled or plastic tub and speed down the sledding hill or ice skate at the outdoor rink, which is conveniently right next to the hill. Don't worry, sledders and skaters don't collide, we promise! Get really serious about winter by building a snowman with the kids. You'll have so much fun it will be hard to leave! For the best views, make your way to the top of the hill. You'll love sliding down and if you need a sled or tube, nearby Hoss's Country Corner can help you out.

Newcomb

For a small, attractive town, Newcomb has a lot going on! Newcomb has beautiful views of the High Peaks, rich history, even a nearby ghost town! The town is also home to the Adirondack Interpretive Center, an expansive, 200-plus acre area with trails of varying lengths and educational opportunities, a mountain with a historic, hike-able fire tower, and so much more, offering activities year-round.

Do: Ski to Great Camp Santanoni

Part of the history of Adirondacks is how the area came to be a much-adored place to vacation. In the 1800s, people started to spend time away from the crowded heat of the cities in summer, escaping to the cool, fresh air of the Adirondacks. Among the vacationers were wealthy families who built elaborate second (or third) homes on secluded lakes. Great Camp Santanoni is an example of such a home. The camp complex is now owned by the state of New York and is accessible in winter by cross-country skis (or snowshoes) on the original gravel carriage road. Enjoy the 5-mile road (each way) through snowy woods, past the farm complex, and to the lodge on the shore of Newcomb Lake.

Eat: Lake Harris Lodge

Hungry for great food? Eager to take in wonderful Adirondack views? You can do both at the Lake Harris Lodge, and in spectacular fashion. Lake Harris Lodge is a newly built lodge with a mouth-watering menu of Italian-inspired food with an Adirondack twist, fireside dining, and views of Lake Harris. From dinners for two to pizza for the whole family, the food at Lake Harris Lodge is scrumptious and the views are even better.

North Hudson

For a time, North Hudson was known as the home of Frontier Town, a Wild West-themed children's amusement park. Frontier Town may be no longer, but North Hudson is still known for fun and adventure outdoors. Amazing winter hiking and snowshoeing is all around, including access to some of the state's highest peaks, plus more relaxed activities such as visiting a buffalo farm (really!). On the ride from Newcomb, be sure to stop at Blue Ridge Falls, a gorgeous spot on the river that can be viewed from the roadside parking area.

Drink: Paradox Brewery

For some, a tasty treat isn't a cupcake, or even a dish of poutine: it's a cold craft brew. If you're one of those people, then Paradox Brewery is the stop for you and a great way to wind up your day or weekend road trip! This local brewery has been successful thanks to great flavors and innovation that lures in dedicated customers. Try a New England-style IPA, a malty pilsner, or a tasting flight at Paradox's indoor and heated outdoor tasting rooms. Find something you like? Take a growler or two to enjoy at home! Even non-beer lovers will have fun here, thanks to games and a dog-friendly atmosphere perfect for relaxing.

Hopefully, by now you've decided to plan a visit to the Upper Hudson Recreation Hub, where there are plenty of great outdoor activities for visitors of all ages and abilities, plus flavorful dining options. Whether you visit this winter or next, you'll find snowy fun. If you're looking to take on part or even all of this itinerary, check out the matching Adirondack Wayfinder trail! We've mapped everything out for you; all you have to do is get ready for adventure.

Spring is here! Kinda… I know it’s hard to believe that the season has changed from winter to spring already, but it has! Warmer weather is coming up right around the corner. What better way to spend spring than outdoors, soaking up all the fresh air and enjoying watching mother nature wake back up. It’s finally time to put away those snow boots and snowshoes and grab your hiking boots for a new adventure that doesn’t involve the snow, hopefully! 

If you’ve been experiencing cabin fever, trust me you’re not alone. We’re here to get you out of the house and enjoy the warmer weather outdoors with or without the family. Some of our favorite hikes are listed below, and some you may have heard of, and others maybe not. Regardless it’s always a great idea to get out and enjoy the fresh air.

The Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb is a great option for you and your family to enjoy, with miles of trails to choose from, each making for the perfect and easy trek with the kids. Follow along the wooded paths over bridges and along the lake to enjoy wildlife firsthand! Plus, you can stop into the interpretive center on the weekend from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and enjoy the exhibits! 

Another hidden gem located in the Adirondack Hub is the Blue Ledges on the Hudson in Minerva. A trail that leads to a very scenic section of the Hudson River, towering over the river are the cliffs, Blue Ledges, hint the name! The river makes a large bend and is filled with large boulders that make for a spectacular scene. There's also a soft sanded part of the river that folks often like to wade into, if it's not too cold of course! The 2.5 miles one way out and back trail is located just before Huntley Pond and is perfectly marked with blue trail markers, thank you DEC! The hike is rated moderate, but very doable for folks of all ages! 

If you're looking to be the only person within a 20-mile radius Bailey Pond is the trail for you! The trail itself is not heavily trafficked but is perfect for those looking to hike in the wilderness, Bailey Pond is located in the Town of North Hudson within the Hoffman Notch Wilderness. This more challenging hike leads you to Bailey Pond and continues up to Marion Pond. Now, the trek towards Bailey Pond isn't necessarily difficult terrain-wise, but it can be difficult to find at first, as signs that indicated Bailey Pond existed have been washed away. Once in the woods, you'll see the trail itself is still marked and makes for an exciting adventure in the wilderness. If you choose to continue on to Marion Pond be prepared, the terrain is much more rugged and the trail is much more of a herd path.  The ponds themselves are situated right at the base of the mountains and give a crystal clear reflection of the wilderness with its untouched beauty. This trail is slightly more challenging and we would recommend being slightly more comfortable with the outdoors before adventuring toward Bailey Pond. Nevertheless, it's still an amazing hike that is 100% worth it. 

Mt. Severance in Schroon Lake comes highly recommended as the perfect family-friendly mountain for everyone to enjoy. With beautiful views of our region and surrounding mountains, you really can't go wrong. Plus, you get to walk through tunnels under I-87 which oftentimes people find pretty cool. This 2.4-mile hike offers views of both Schroon Lake and Paradox Lake. Grab your bag, and maybe lunch, and head up the mountain to enjoy the perfect picnic spot with the family. But remember, if you carry it in you carry it out.  Leave No Trace is a very important part of hiking in the Adirondacks, remember to leave it better than you found it! 

The Adirondack Hub is filled with outdoor adventures perfect for everyone! So grab your boots and your hiking stick and shed that winter shell, and hit the trails for that perfect outdoor hiking adventure. For more hikes check out our page here! 

I recently had the chance to meet 9 Mile Coffee's owner, Andrew Gushee, this past summer and see the shop's newly renovated building. The renovation that has been made to this space is absolutely incredible. The interior is trendy and welcoming, and the exterior stands out on Schroon Lake's Main Street. It's definitely a space worth spending time in with a cup of coffee or a latte. 9 Mile Coffee Co. used to be across the street from the space it is in now. I wanted to know the story behind this business with all of its recent and exciting changes and upgrades. I asked Andrew some of the questions I had, and the story is a true testimony to setting a goal and achieving it. Even during a pandemic. 

Where are you from? If you are not originally from the area, what made you decide to move here? 

I am a native of Schroon Lake. I spent the first 19 years of my life in Schroon Lake. My parents were always pretty active in the community. My dad was the captain of the emergency squad for many years. My mother worked as the receptionist at the doctor's office for a long time. Many, many people knew my family. My parents moved from Schroon Lake in 2009 because of my dad’s cancer. In 2013 my family and I moved back to the area. We actually live in the house that I grew up in. When we moved back, I spent two seasons working for a construction company out of Troy. After two years I decided it was time to start my own caretaking and construction business. Small business ownership was the best choice I could have made but it also is the most stressful. 

What made you want to open a business in Schroon Lake? 

In late fall of 2017 the owner of the previous coffee shop in Schroon Lake, a friend, came to me and said that he wasn’t going to reopen. After 15 years he was ready to be done. He offered to sell the business and the building or some combination of it to me. I am not the coffee geek sort of guy. I do like quality things but I have never been a coffee guru. I have always been extremely passionate about Schroon Lake. I realized that Schroon Lake needs a place, a place to hang out and chill, a safe inviting place where community can happen. I longed for that place. The previous coffee shop owner near the end was only open for 2-3 weeks out of the summer and that was it.

What made you decide to open a coffee shop? 

I teamed up with a friend, a friend who was much more the coffee geek. That is where the idea of 9 Mile was formed. We wanted a cool inviting place where community and camraderie can happen. We asked the previous owner if we could rent his space and some of his kitchen equipment. That is how we started. In June of 2018 we opened up 9 Mile. In case you don’t know, 9 miles is the length of Schroon Lake. We rented the space from the original owner in hopes of building one of the buildings on Main Street and moving into it.

At that time, not much had happened on Main Street. Lisa Hess at the Pine Cone Mercantile was the only one who did anything to a building on Main Street. I would say that Lisa is the pioneer. She started the trend whether she believes it or not. 

I was sick of everyone talking about revitalization but no one ever did anything. All through the years it has been all talk, but no one other than Lisa had done anything. I decided it was time to put my money where my mouth was and do something about the revitalization of Schroon Lake. After 9 Mile was opened and rolling, we went looking for a building. It was Lisa’s contact with the owner of the old Red Horse Antiques business that let us know the building was an option to buy because it wasn’t even on the market. We looked at another building, but really liked the option to be directly next to Lisa. I believed that the pairing of both businesses side by side would maybe spur on a movement in Schroon Lake. 

In September or 2018 we bought the building. The renovations began right away. Shortly after we started in the fall, Stewart's began their store redo. I was excited that more life was being given to the town through some new cool things.

Where do you get your beans?

All of our coffee comes from Kru Coffee in Saratoga Springs. It is roasted right there in their Saratoga location. This year we worked with them on creating our own 9 Mile Coffee Co. blend, which we introduced early this last summer.

What makes 9 Mile Coffee special?

We bring the upscale big city coffee shop feel into a small town environment. Great customer service is a very high priority. From the first experience of entering our shop to the drinks you leave with, quality drives all that we do. For us, it’s more than just a business exchange; we exist to serve the community. #servepeoplemakecoffee is our motto.

What is your favorite part of operating a business in the Adirondacks?

We love watching the seasons change and being able to adjust to each one by varying our offerings. The small town feel in Schroon Lake is a fun environment to be able to participate in as well.

What do you offer besides a regular cup of coffee?

We offer lattes, Americanos, cortados, breves, nitro drinks, and just about any type of coffee you would find at an upscale coffee shop.  We make all of our flavored syrups from scratch. We also carry loose leaf teas and chai for the non coffee drinkers as well as hot chocolate. We offer a variety of pastries baked in house each morning. We also offer breakfast sandwiches and a few different lunch options. To deal with the heat of the summer we offer frozen lemonades, frozen coffees, and our most popular summer option: cold brew.

How has the community response been since you opened two years ago?

The response has been encouraging. It is fun to see a diehard Stewart’s coffee drinker come in for the first time and to watch their reaction to the first few sips of our coffee. Summer brings a boom to the business but it is the locals who help us keep the doors open throughout the rest of the year. We are grateful for our community’s support.

How long did your renovation take and what was your inspiration for it?

I quickly realized that this building renovation was going to be far more involved than it seemed. We now had the oldest standing building on Main Street. What that means from those that told me is, it wasn’t the oldest building still in existence, but it was the oldest one still standing that had not been rebuilt after a fire. The building was built in the 1860’s. 

Our renovation quickly turned very extensive. We removed one of the old additions completely off the back of the building including the foundation. We found major structural problems in multiple areas of the walls. Looking back, I should have torn the entire building down and started fresh. It would have saved me time and money in the end, but we wouldn’t have maintained some of the cool old character. 

We essentially have a brand new building. What was left of the original structure was stripped clean to the wall studs. None of the existing mechanicals were kept. The entire exterior was rebuilt. The attic and roof structure is all new. I could have cut some corners and saved some money. That philosophy goes against every fiber of my being. I would rather take the time to fix or build something correct the first time, or not do it at all. 

In the end of September of last year, our lease was up for 9 Mile. We had to close because the new space was not completed yet. January of 2020 saw some major changes in business ownership. I essentially took over ownership of 9 Mile and the building entity entirely. In the end of April of this year we finally opened in our new space. Throughout the renovation process, we faced every single surprise and challenge you can imagine. The process almost killed me. We found every problem that you could find in a very old building minus mold thankfully. There were times where I wondered about how the building didn’t collapse on its own over the years. We faced massive renovation issues. We faced financial issues. We faced business philosophy differences leading to great turmoil. Then right before we were ready to reopen 9 Mile after a 7 month hiatus, a global pandemic hits. We laughed at that point. Seriously, my wife Taylor, who is our manager, and I just laughed. We had been through every other challenge and overcome them, what was a global pandemic anyway but just another challenge. 

We now have been open for almost an entire season in the new space. 9 Mile is becoming that space we envisioned for it. There has been a lot more new and exciting things happening since we started our project. I had hoped that the trend in town would begin by our being inspired by Lisa Hess at the Pine Cone Mercantile to do our own thing. In turn, I had hoped it would encourage others to continue that trend.

Do you work with other local producers, such as artists, farmers, or bakers? 

Once the virus stuff passes, we are looking forward to doing some fun things with our neighbors Pine Cone Mercantile and Northwoods Bread. We have a few collaborations with other local groups and businesses in the works.

What is your favorite off-work activity?

Spending time hanging with the family, mountain biking, and snowmobiling.

Plan a trip to the Adirondack Hub by exploring great outdoor adventures and of course, great food to go along with the great coffee.

 

 

The snow is melting away now that the weather has turned more spring-like. All that snowmelt is running into the rivers and creeks and there are waterfalls everywhere. Tristan and I headed to North Hudson to search for waterfalls in Black Brook.

The Hammond Pond trailhead is on Ensign Pond Road (Route 4) in North Hudson. Follow the arrow to the left, but keep right when the logging roads branch to the left a few steps down the trail. The trail forks further on. Stay left at the fork to follow the brook.

There are lots of little waterfalls in the brook, and they got bigger as we neared Hammond Pond. The pond itself has a man-made dam and the water spilled over in a choreographed dance. The day was spectacularly sunny and the water sparkled.

Tristan amused himself by tossing leaves and sticks into the water and following their trip downstream. We worked our way around to an open spot by the pond and sat down for a snack. If there is one hard-and-fast rule for hiking with kids, it is "bring snacks." While we were munching on trail mix and chocolate, I pulled out the trail map and showed Tristan how the trail to the right lead to Bloody Pond and asked if he would like to continue.

After convincing himself that the woods would provide enough large branches to defeat the skeleton warriors at Bloody Pond (a nine-year-old imagination is an amazing thing), Tristan declared he was ready to try and we backtracked to the fork in the trail, this time heading to the right. We walked for awhile until the trail ended at a swamp. Turning around, we spotted Bloody Pond through the trees, but never found the path to it. The journey, of course, is more important than the destination, and Tristan didn't mind missing the pond, distracted as he was by the possibility of fighting reanimated skeletons.

On the way back we paused at a small pond to listen to many frogs singing in chorus and watch them swim around. It was about noon and the sun was warm enough to wear short sleeves. On the day we hiked the temperature increased 40 degrees during the morning and was almost 70F by the time we left the trail. If you hike in spring, dress in layers and leave room in your pack for the clothes you will be sure to discard later in the day.

The Schroon Lake Region is as gorgeous in spring as it is in summer. Hit the trails for the day, explore our secret ponds, then head back to town for some cozy lodging and great dining.

---

 

 

If you're into fishing, the name says it all: Schroon Lake.

The region is located just south of the Adirondack High Peaks, an area typified by jagged mountains and rugged, tumbling brooks. But while Schroon Lake has its share of rivers, including the mighty Hudson, it's also dotted with a seemingly endless amount of waterbodies.

To a fishing layman like myself, it might seem like streams and ponds are interchangeable as fishing destinations, but a good guide will beg to differ. Ruth Olbert, an avid fisherwoman and owner of Cloud-Splitter Outfitters, explained that each offers specific species and styles of fishing that appeal to different people for different reasons.

The most obvious difference is probably accessibility.

"People that are stream fishing are probably a little more physically able, versus someone who goes from a beach or a dock and into a boat to sit all day," Olbert said. "Anybody can get out in that capacity."

Ability certainly plays a role, as does personal preference. A large lake affords views of the surrounding mountains, and there's something nice about being surrounded by open water. In a stream, that open feeling is swapped for a more intimate fishing experience.

"With my husband and I, he likes being in the center of the lake no matter what lake we're on, and I'd always rather be by the edge," Olbert said. "A lot of people just like being on a boat, with the motion of being on the water while looking at big vistas, instead of being in tight little wooded areas."

The tight, wooded areas around streams have the advantage of an up-close perspective on the fish and their habitat. Someone fly fishing has to be careful not to spook their quarry, whereas someone in a boat won't likely see the fish hit their lure, but they'll certainly feel it.

"It's really preference and what they're after," Olbert said. "If they really want to catch a big pike, they're definitely going to be on a lake."

A lake has more room for fish to grow, so someone fishing there might expect a bigger fight. Adirondack rivers, by nature, are shallower. Smallmouth bass like to congregate in pools and rainbow, brown, and brook trout like the increased oxygen levels present in moving water.

In lakes you'll find cold-water-loving species like pike, walleye, and lake trout. Many species hang out in the cooler, deeper sections until evening, when they venture to the surface to feed.

It's a lot of information to absorb, and that's without getting into different types of lures. If you're new to fishing, a seasoned guide can help you make the most out of a fishing trip to the Adirondacks. Olbert also recommends hiring a guide if you're new to the Adirondacks, even if you've been fishing elsewhere for years. That's not a business plug — it's advice she wishes she had taken.

"A guide's knowledge of the different ponds, and the depths and species are an invaluable tool," Olbert said. "I went to Alaska and didn't hire a guide, but I should have because I didn't catch anything. The style of fishing over there is completely different and I wasn't familiar with it."

That Alaska trip wasn't a reflection on her fishing skills. An eighth-generation Adirondacker, Olbert has been fishing these waters since she can remember, often in friendly competition with her brothers. Much to their chagrin, she often claimed the first trout of the year. They weren't the biggest of the season, but bragging rights are bragging rights, and she won them hook, line, and sinker.

Despite her first-catch successes, Olbert said none of those count as her favorite fishing story. When I asked her for a "one that got away story," she countered with a "one that made my day" tale instead.

Olbert recently went fishing on a night when countless fingerling trout were jumping out of the water all around her boat. She is a novice at fly fishing, and her goal was to catch a native brook trout on a fly rod.

"That night, I caught two," Olbert said. "One was about 5 inches and one was about 3. It was just thrilling. That was my magic, and it'll probably make me smile for another three or four years. It was that perfect."

The Schroon Lake Region is an ideal base camp for an Adirondack adventure. Book a stay, hire a guide, and get out there!