A few inches of fresh snow and the potential of more in the forecast have snowmobile enthusiasts anxiously awaiting good ground cover.

I spoke with the Schroon Lake and North Hudson Snowmobile Club to learn about the trails they operate and maintain. Steve Krupski, the club’s former secretary, told me that the club maintains over 50 miles of trails in and around the village of Schroon Lake! He provided me with a good deal of information to share with you.

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Lots of connections

Trails to the north connect to the town of North Hudson and its trail system, as well as the western legs of Ticonderoga’s trails. Trails going south enter into the Scaroon Manor campsite area with a connection to trails in northern Warren County. Connections are also available to the west for the trails to Minerva.

The Schroon Lake & North Hudson Club trails serve as a great hub no matter where you want to venture or what direction you may be headed. If you're planning on getting out on the frozen water for some ice fishing with your sled, there are several connections that let you get right out onto the lake.

Pit stops

The trails are centered around the town of Schroon Lake where gas, food, and lodging are readily available at a wide variety of establishments. Snowmobilers have numerous choices of where to grab a beverage or snack, or simply step inside for a chat and a chance to warm up. South of the hamlet of Schroon Lake, trails connect to two great restaurants for some fine dining — Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Bistro & Bar.

 

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The map!

This club has produced a fantastic map loaded with pertinent snowmobiler information while providing an overview of all the trails and trail connections. It will guide you to the best parking areas, places to fuel up, and options for grabbing lunch, dinner, and refreshments.

A generous parking area is available at the Town of Schroon Lake Highway Department garage on Hoffman Road. From there, Steve said, “Trail intersections are marked throughout the system to help snowmobilers track where they are in the system."

Pick up a printed copy of the map at the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce, located on Main Street, at various establishments in town, or contact the club.

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The trails

A wide variety of trail types exist; some have incredible scenic lake and mountain views so be sure to bring your camera. Some trails travel over seasonal roads, while others are groomed banks of active roads. Some cross the Schroon Lake Golf Course, but most travel through the woods. The majority of trails are on private property, so using them is a privilege. The club asks that you respect the landowners and stay on the designated trails to ensure the future of snowmobiling in and around Schroon Lake. The club has three full-sized groomers and one snowmobile groomer to keep all trails in top condition whenever snow levels permit.

Steve provided me with more in depth trail descriptions:

“Along with 10-plus miles of club-maintained local trails, forty miles of the Schroon Lake North Hudson system are what New York state classifies as 'community connector trails.' These receive funding for maintenance and grooming from New York state, based on the money collected from snowmobile registrations. The Schroon portion of trail corridor C8 begins north of Paradox Lake near Flemings Pond. The trail follows the banks of Flemings Pond road to Lettsonville Road and then onto an unplowed section of Johnson Pond Road. A section on the road bank crosses NYS Route 9 in North Hudson and into the Jellystone Campground. The trail winds through the campground and onto the old Frontier Town property. Into a wooded area, the trail heads south, roughly paralleling and sometimes crossing Route 9. As it approaches the Schroon Lake area, the trail uses the seasonal River Road to bring you to the eastern end of Paradox Lake. River Road is an unplowed trail along the river and passes a sometimes frozen waterfall, then crosses NYS Route 74 and heads into the woods again.

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"A combination of woods and field riding brings you to the north end of Schroon Lake village. A woods trail between Rt 9 and the Adirondack Northway takes you into the village where food, gas, and lodging are available. The trail comes out of the woods at the Schroon Lake highway garage where it intersects trail S84. S84 runs south to Scaroon Manor. C8 continues into the woods again, heading mostly west. Mostly a woods trail, C8 also uses the seasonal Horseshoe Pond Road. It crosses Hoffman Road twice, then heads back into the woods. A scenic ride through the woods ultimately comes out to Charley Hollow Road. There it rides the banks again for a bit, then back to the woods until you reach Trout Brook Road. This is where the Schroon portion of the trail transitions to the Minerva Snowmobile Club — they maintain trails into Minerva and possibly beyond.

“S84 provides the connection of the Schroon Lake system with the trails of northern Warren county. S84 starts at the Schroon Highway Department garage and crosses onto the Schroon Lake golf course. From there you head across the golf course then left into the woods for the trip south. The trail crosses the Northway using a Charlie Hill Road bridge then continues south between the Northway and Rt 9; a few miles of woods riding again then travels along South Schroon Road. From there it’s back into the woods to cross over Rt 9 for the last time. Wooded trails again take you into, and through, the NYS Schroon Manor Campground. When you reach the campground main gate, the Schroon Lake trail system ends and the trail transitions into northern Warren County — the trails of the North Warren Trailblazers. These trails connect to Brant Lake, Chestertown, and into Warrensburg.”

“There are several areas in the village of Schroon where trails lead onto Schroon Lake itself. However, no part of the trail system utilizes the lake, and lake riding is always dependent upon ice conditions which can be inconsistent.”

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Membership

The club president informed me that the Schroon Lake & North Hudson Snowmobile Club now has over 170 members. New memberships are always welcome and an application can be found on their website. As Steve explained, a portion of the club member’s NYS snowmobile registration fee is returned to the club to help in the maintenance and development of their trail system. In fact, as I understand it, some form of “discount” is given to club members who register more than one sled, but you can check with the club for more information on that.

Start planning your sledding trip today! After a day of adventure you'll want to relax at one of our bars and cozy up in some warm lodging.

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This week in ADK news...

Skiing solo at Whiteface

Maple weekends in Malone

Spring events in Lake Placid

Saranac Lake ice fishing 101

Sweet traditions in Tupper

A conversation with an ice climber

Winter birds in Hamilton County

 

 

One of the most convenient communities to visit in the world is Schroon Lake, adirondacks, usa. It’s located right off Interstate 87, so if you’re headed between New York City or Albany and Plattsburgh or Montreal, you’ve got a great place to stop for gas, shopping, food, and great views.

 

On a recent trip south with friends, we decided to stop in Schroon Lake to get gasoline. Then one of them spotted Flanagan’s Pub and Grill right across the street.

 

Have I mentioned that I’m easily influenced by friends (and sometimes by subliminal advertising)?

 

It was nearly the end of January, and I was quite proud of myself for refraining from eating anything that could be categorized as “pub food” so far this new year. It wasn’t an official resolution, but a sort of…guideline.

 

So, we decided to go in to check the place out.

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The place is warm and inviting, and obviously popular. There were lots of folks there taking a break from ice fishing or snowmobiling, as the gear and helmets would indicate.

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We bellied up to the bar, a phrase I’ve never before typed, and asked the bartender if they had any beer on tap.

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She quickly listed off more options than I could absorb, but I remembered seeing something on the way in...

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So even though I’m on a sort of an IPA kick, I ordered a Guinness. My cohorts each chose different options from the long list.

 

We chatted with the bartender, and noticed that the bar and many of the walls were lined with dollar bills with messages on them.

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Of course, we added to the collection. Our bartender had a sharpie and stapler at the ready.

 

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It was a quick visit; we took a look at the menu for future reference. As we were headed to an event, we refrained from ordering food, despite the enticing fact that the menu said “The Best Wings in the Adirondacks.”

On the way out, we saw a number of ice fisherpeople pulling their gear off the lake for the day, and guessed where they were headed.

 

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And again

The very next day, headed north this time, I found myself feeling somewhat famished just as we approached exit 27. I didn’t need gasoline this time, but I remembered seeing something recently…

 

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So I stopped in Schroon Lake near the grandstand in the town park, which happened to be full of snowmobilers who DID need gasoline. I followed a few of them to their destination.

 

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And broke my resolution.

 

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I went for the medium-level hot wings, and was provided with two accompanying glasses of water. It was. So. Good.

 

I’m guessing I’ll find myself conveniently parked in front of Flanagan’s again in the future. Of course, there are a number of great eateries in the region, so be sure to explore them all - I mean, there's always breakfast at Pitkin's and dessert at Sticks and Stones, and...

I’m sure some of them would even take an order for salad and water, but do feel free to follow your instincts.

 

And don't forget to find a place to stay!

 

 

-Kim Rielly is the director of communications for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism

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This week in related break-your-resolution news:

Tappin’ our reserve

Resolution's last stand

Taking one for the team

Just one little piece

Sweet confections and warming libations

Stay at home — not!

Poutine and a cold one

Stay here, play here!

Staying in Schroon Lake this winter? We know you love the lake, the snowmobile trails, and our awesome eats. Now, may we suggest a side trip to the slopes?

Picture yourself at Gore Mountain this season!

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Ready to plan your stay?

 

12,000+ Acre Playground with a National Historic Landmark

With the Adirondacks blanketed in fresh snow, don’t we all look for opportunities to get out and play a bit? I was recently inspired by a blog from our archives that talked of cross-country skiing into Camp Santanoni. I have to admit, I have yet to go there. I knew it was one of our Adirondack cultural treasures; an historic great camp complex situated on over 12,000 wooded acres surrounding Newcomb Lake. I have since learned that it is not only a NYS Historic Site, but it is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a National Historic Landmark as well.

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Camp Santanoni was a private undertaking when first built in the late 1800s.There was a surge during that era for many prominent and wealthy families to construct rustic, yet somewhat elaborate, get-aways in the Adirondacks.They have become known as Adirondack Great Camps and several dozen are still in existence.

The first owner/builders were the Pruyn family of the Albany area. Camp Santanoni was indeed rather elaborate, and considered one of the grandest of the Great Camps, in that at one point over 40 buildings were included on the extensive grounds. The structures were clustered in 3 groups or complexes: the Gatehouse Complex, the Farm Complex, and the Main Camp/Lodge Complex itself. In the 1970s New York State acquired the property and incorporated it into the State Forest Preserve. Over the last few decades this Great Camp complex has been gradually preserved and restored by a partnership of Adirondack Architectural Heritage, the Town of Newcomb and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

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Winter Weekends Open House

Though the grounds are open for exploration year round, the buildings generally are not open to the public during the winter months. A few years back AARCH, NYS DEC, and the Town of Newcomb began hosting Winter Weekends, an open house of sorts, where the public is invited to cross-country ski and snowshoe as well as visit the Gatehouse and Main Lodge. There the public can view displays about this Great Camp and learn more from interpretive staff.

The upcoming 2017 Winter Weekends include: January 14-16, Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend; February 18-20, Presidents’ Day Weekend; and March 18-19. The media sponsor for these weekends is North Country Public Radio.

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To me this sounds like the perfect winter adventure — an opportunity to get out and play in the snow while exploring a National Historic Landmark. You can bring your own equipment, or get outfitted with snowshoes at the Gatehouse.The trip is about 5 miles from the Gatehouse into the Main Lodge, but I understand it is gently rolling terrain; no steep hills to climb. I was told to plan on about 4 to 6 hours for the round trip. But, once at the Main Lodge Complex, the Artist’s Studio building will serve as a warming hut. If you carry in your own cup, you can sip hot chocolate, tea, or coffee by the woodstove. I could see myself lingering there for a while. In addition, you'll want to allow adequate time to explore the open buildings, admire the architecture and scenic views, check out the interpretive signs, and hear from the AARCH interpretive staff. Six hours may be more realistic.

It’s anticipated that more than 300 people will visit during these Winter Weekends (that was the number of visitors last year), so even those who may be a little antsy about venturing off into a snowy wilderness preserve in the middle of January can be assured of some company. Cell service will be spotty — and probably only available if Verizon is your provider — but aside from posting a pic on your favorite social site, it's kind of nice to unplug for a few hours and step back into history (besides, it's hard to juggle ski poles & a phone!).

Newcomb’s Winterfest - January 14, 2017

It appears that Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend may be the ideal time to make a visit to this part of the Adirondacks. There is a lot going on in Newcomb on Saturday, January 14, as the town will be hosting its annual Winterfest. All activities will be free and there will be signs to guide you around the community and direct you to what is happening. Everyone is invited to come, watch, and participate in every kind of winter outdoor activity imaginable.

Recently I spoke with Dave at Cloudsplitters Outfitters located on Newcomb’s main street. He told me they had a great snow base already and good forecast predictions; anything coming between now and January 14 should only make conditions better.

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Winterfest attendees can go for a snowmobile or dog sled ride, and watch fat bike, Hok ski, and ice fishing demonstrations directly on Lake Harris at Rockwoods Bay. A big bonfire will be there from noon until 4 pm to keep you warm.

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Dave also told me they have 10 fat bikes for rent if watching a demo encourages you to try one for yourself. They also rent cross-country skis including the Hok skis from the demonstration. Dave told me these are backcountry-type skis and a bit more maneuverable. They are shorter than regular cross-country skis, and have steel edges for turning. One of their significant features is that they have integrated synthetic mohair bottom surfaces. He says that allows for a lot of gripping when climbing any incline; no more sliding backwards!

Skaters are not overlooked. Winterfest will include an ice skating rink across from the Emergency Squad and skaters are welcome from 11 am to 4 pm.

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Aside from Santanoni’s trails into the Winter Weekend open house, during Winterfest snowshoe trails will be open at the Adirondack Interpretive Center from 10 am to 4 pm. There are over 3.5 miles of trails on the AIC's 200+ acre property, and a connector trail to the Camp Santanoni main trail in case you want to swing by on your way in or out of visiting the Main Lodge. Also at AIC on January 14, you can join naturalist Peter O’Shea for a guided snowshoe walk at 1 pm and learn winter animal tracking as well as some local natural history. Word has it there could even be a snowman building contest at AIC that day — that may depend upon conditions and interest.

The High Peaks Golf Course in Newcomb will welcome snowshoers on the 14th with incredible High Peak vistas and captivating views of the upper Hudson River. From 11 am to noon tubing and sledding will be available at the Ski Slope. Downhill skiing and snowboarding begins at noon and runs until 3 pm.

All this outdoor activity is bound to make you hungry. Chili and hot dogs are available at the Newcomb Fire Hall from 11 am to 2 pm. Later you can plan on attending a Spaghetti Dinner back at the Fire Hall from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Beginning at 7 pm, you can listen to live music by the Lightning Rods and join in some sock-footed square dancing at the Newcomb Central School Gym.

You may want to make this a two-day adventure since there is so much going on that weekend! Why not find some comfortable lodging and plan to stay?

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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?

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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.

 

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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!

 

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Historic crown jewel

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. In 1892 Robert and Anna Pruyn of Albany, New York, began construction of their dream retreat deep in the Adirondack wilderness. Pruyn was president of Embossing Company, a major toy manufacturer of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. Pruyn also served as a member of the NYS Board of Regents and for 46 years was also President of National Commercial Bank of Albany, now known as Key Bank. He and his staff became very successful investors in that time period. He was a member of the extended family of the famed Finch Pruyn paper company, holders of vast tracts of land around Hamilton and Essex Counties, a large portion of which have been purchased by New York State and added to the Adirondack Park landholdings. The Robert Pruyn family enjoyed the Santanoni Preserve for well over 50 years.

Prior to its purchase by a land conservancy group and ultimately New York State in 1972, the Pruyn’s Santanoni Preserve included nearly fifty structures on almost 13,000 acres of land. After leaving the Gate-house just off route 28N in Newcomb, the 5-mile dirt road leading to the main camp traverses some of the most beautiful forestland in the Adirondacks and crosses several streams, ultimately ending at the main compound on the shore of Newcomb Lake. The compound included an experimental farm located approximately 1 mile into the road leading to the main house. The farm provided most all of the food served at Santanoni, including bacon, ham, milk, beef, and a wide array of vegetables and fruit. Many of the original farm buildings are still standing and in relatively good condition and are slowly being stabilized and preserved. They include a creamery and smokehouse as well as farm foreman’s residence and others. The cattle barn burned to the ground on July 13, 2004, in what was suspected to be an arson fire.
Here's what's left of the cattle barn:

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The main complex

The central lodge is a grouping of six separate buildings—the main living and dining lodge with two bedrooms upstairs; four sleeping cabins with a total of seven bedrooms; and a kitchen and service building with seven staff bedrooms. All these were connected by a common roof and porch. The porches alone occupy 4,000 square feet of space. 1500 spruce trees were used in the massive log structures. Santanoni is an amazing example of rustic Adirondack Architecture and classic log construction.
Surrounding the main lodge on the lake shore are a boathouse and an artist's studio. In the woods behind the main lodge was another caretaker's home, a workshop, an ice house, and an assortment of service buildings. A little farther away, on the road from the farm, were two more staff houses and another horse and carriage barn. Many of these structures are unfortunately no longer standing.

Santanoni is designated as a State Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) has been directly involved with its restoration and protection as well as interpretation of the preserve. AARCH offers several tour opportunities with interpretive guides throughout the year, including three during the winter.

AARCH tours

In September, as part of the Teddy Roosevelt Weekend, AARCH offered a weekend of guided tours. We jumped on board for the Sunday morning wagon ride and tour. The best part — it was free this weekend! If you’ve never been, it’s a great way to get to the camp if you aren’t inclined to hike, bike, or ski the approximate 10-mile round trip on the road. The rather large group gathered on Sunday morning at the Santanoni Gatehouse, just off route 28N. We were greeted by none other than Teddy Roosevelt!

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(Greetings by none other than Teddy Roosevelt!)

Two wagons soon arrived, one drawn by two imposing Belgian draft horses, the other by a spectacular trio of Haflingers — an Austrian breed, the smallest of all draft horses. To arrange your own wagon ride into the preserve you can contact Newcombe Farm at 518.639.5534.

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As we loaded in the wagon, everyone was excited at the prospect of a quick way to get to Santanoni Great Camp. My husband and I had ridden our bikes in several years before. It was a great ride, although if you’re out of shape be advised … there is a long downhill on the way in that is just so much fun. However, when leaving on the return, that long downhill becomes a looooooooong uphill!! It’s not so much steep as it is long - about a mile or two. Once we got going in the wagon we hadn’t realized that the horse-drawn wagons go a LOT slower than a bicycle does. In reality it took nearly two hours to get to the main camp. Given that the average human walking speed is 3.1 miles an hour, one could conceivably walk those 5 miles a bit faster than riding in a wagon. Don’t get me wrong, the wagon ride was pretty cool, but if you are capable of walking the 12 miles round trip, and you don’t really want to sit for two hours, it might be faster. We did stop at the location of the farm buildings for about 10 or 15 minutes to explore that area, so that added some time to the trip in.

The ride in

At any rate, the wagon ride was beautiful and we actually got to look around more because we weren’t speeding along on our bikes watching the road for bumps that could land us in the ditch if we weren’t alert. The primarily deciduous forest was awash with sunshine on this spectacular mid-September day, causing dappling and dancing starburst lighting on the trees and little brook that follows the road. As we approached the main camp area, we crossed a stone bridge, allowing us views up into the Duck Hole (great for paddling we are told - if you can get your boat there), and out onto Newcomb Lake on the other side. Along the road in that area were a couple of very nice grassy campsites (first-come, first-served, and free) complete with stone fireplaces and picnic tables.

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Put this on your bucket list

Visiting Great Camp Santanoni should be high on everyone’s list of things to do. The ongoing restoration and stabilization is, of course, a work in progress. The buildings are open round the clock all summer until around Columbus Day, when they start closing and shuttering them for winter. You can walk through and see the buildings any time you arrive there. The main floor of the main house, the boathouse, the artist studio, and two of the buildings at the farm location are all open for exploring. Yes, there are rules for visiting - respect the historic buildings and treating them as an historic site should be treated. The big one is you can’t sleep in the buildings. There are other guidelines as well that you can find on the AARCH web page about Santanoni Preserve.
If you go, bring a lunch and drinks as it’s a pretty full 6-hour (or more) trip to fully explore and enjoy the experience. There are picnic tables on the main lodge porches for enjoying a meal in shade and comfort. Take time to wander through the buildings and imagine yourself enjoying a summer vacation here in the early 1900s. Skiing the road in winter offers a completely different perspective. Read this blog about the winter ski experience.

The boathouse

One of the best parts of the compound is the boat house, which was restored in recent years from very poor condition. Inside the boathouse are several canoes, a rowboat, and a single kayak that are available for use by anyone -— again, first-come, first-served. There are life jackets and paddles at the ready for exploration of Newcomb Lake. Definitely take advantage of this wonderful amenity! We didn’t have time to do so on our visit, but we’ll go back for this. Exploring Newcomb Lake by boat is not easy without these boats - it’s a very long carry to get your own boat in there.

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(Inside the boathouse - the small fleet of boats available for anyone to use on a first-come, first-served basis.)

Our AARCH guide clued us in to the fact that the westerly-facing location and design of the house utilizes the late afternoon sunlight, which lights up all the rooms facing the lake in the late afternoon. So that’s a great time to visit just for that reason. Many design features were created based on observations Robert Pruyn had made of Japanese architecture while traveling in Japan with his father when he was 14. The experience influenced his lifetime fascination with Japanese culture and art and influences many aspects of the Preserve structures.

Below are several photos from around the main camp area, both inside and outside the buildings.

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(Looking at the main camp from the shore of Newcomb Lake)

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(View of Newcomb Lake from the front of the main camp)

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(Fireplace in main lodge of Santanoni)

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(The expansive porches of Santanoni occupy over 4,000-square feet - this is only a small portion!)

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(Refrigeration and walk-in cooler. Room on left was the smoked meat storage. It still smells like bacon!)

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(DEC Historic Preservation employee Jennifer Betsworth (green sweater) gave the tour and history of Santanoni)

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(This corner of the front porch is dedicated to painting restoration by summer interns)

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(The upper porch roof construction allows sunlight in to bathe the interior and porch areas in late afternoon light)

A sad ending to private ownership of Santanoni

The history of private ownership of Camp Santanoni has a sad ending. A family by the name of Melvin, from Syracuse, NY, purchased the estate in 1953. In 1971, the Melvin and extended family members were gathered at the estate for one last time before the property was to be sold to New York State. On July 10th some of the family, including 8- year-old Douglas Legg, a grandson of one of the Melvins, set out on a hike. Douglas was supposedly improperly dressed for the outing and was sent back a couple hundred yards to the camp to put on long pants and proper shoes. He was never seen again. One of the biggest manhunts in New York State history ensued, with no results. To this day, there has been no trace of Douglas Legg found.

For a complete history of the Santanoni Preserve, visit the AARCH website. There you can download a pdf file: “A Visitor’s Guide to Camp Santanoni”, which includes a detailed history of the compound. The AARCH site also has a map for you to explore.

If you plan a winter trip to Santanoni, read this blog about skiing the wagon road to the camp. It's just as beautiful in the winter. AARCH conducts winter tours on three weekends during winter: Martin Luther King, Presidents' Day, and mid-March.

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(Skiing the wagon road to Santanoni is a beautiful way to spend a day in winter!)

Plan a weekend or weekday overnight to visit the rich historic destinations in and around Newcomb. Explore the area's lodging options and make your plans soon!

 

Tough week at work? Stressed by something totally out of your control? Need a break from the everyday? Talk to Mother Nature she can help with all that. Taking that famous road less traveled can be a great start. Breathe in the cool air of a mountain peak or stroll through open forests to a peaceful back-country pond. Take a nap in the sun as a warm breeze washes over you from the south, or take a dip in the cool mountain waters to wash away the worries. Maybe even a bit of mountain yoga is in order, but no matter your stress relievers just get out and about. Here are a few locations you might want to consider that I have felt made a great impact on my escape from reality.

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THE MOUNTAINS

Treadway Mountain

Treadway Mountain is by far the most popular destination on this short list of escapes, but even with plenty of visitors you can still find relaxation on the summit. This rocky summit is loaded with views and rock outcroppings all along it. Explore a bit and step off the trail to find “your peace” of earth to claim.

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This hike is a bit on the longer side, but you can count that as an extension of your time in the out-of-doors. Find the trailhead at the Putnam Pond Campground located east of Schroon Lake off Route 74. The hike is a moderate trail that will bring you over rolling hills and babbling brooks all while breathing in the fresh air and the sweetness of the evergreens. Short side trails allow access to the shore of Putnam Pond where you can dip in the cool waters collected from the streams of the mountainous terrain around you.

Grizzle Ocean Mountain

Grizzle Ocean Mountain, interesting name wouldn’t you say? This mountain is Treadway’s neighbor to the south and will require a bit more effort to climb, but I can almost guarantee you will have the summit to yourself. This 1800-foot peak is a bit off the beaten path and requires a bit of navigation to reach the summit ridge.

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Starting from the Putnam Pond State Campground you will follow the same trail as you would for Treadway, but rather than heading north to Treadway go south toward the shores of Grizzle Ocean. The mountain with the same name towers over the small pond and in no time you can climb the steeper slopes to a ridge packed with diverse views. You don’t need to summit to enjoy tranquility here, just find a nice spot to kick back and relax.

THE WATERS

Rock Pond

Possibly my favorite pond in the region! This trip has everything to do with the rocky peninsula you'll find yourself lounging on as you gaze at the beautiful mountains coming down all around you. Nap time is here, and the rock gives you the perfect setting.

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You can find Rock Pond on the opposite side of the Putnam Pond State Campground. The trail that touches the shore is picturesque in its own right. The peninsula can be found on the north side of the pond — accessible from whichever direction you choose to venture. And, actually, both ways are a good choice. I highly recommend doing this trail as a loop.

Gull Pond

This is a short trail back to a small jewel in the Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness. Because of its length this trail gets a lot of attention but don’t let that worry you — I have a secret that I want to share. Once you trek the easy trail back to the pond you will see that it is well-matted and stomped out by the many visitors each summer. Stand here and look at the pond for a few moments, but if you are feeling adventurous, don't stop here. Look across the waters and gaze at the cliffs. The base of the cliffs is jumbled with boulders, you should go there.

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There is a herd path leading around the pond to the south (or to your right); locate this and stay on it. The path actually goes to the top of the cliffs, which is also a wonderful place to visit, but the boulders give a great spot to relax, nap, and even go for a refreshing dip, and the chances of sharing this location are greatly reduced.

THE TRAILS

Short Swing Trail

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This trail is located off Route 74 just east of Schroon Lake and is ideal if you just want a nice stroll in the wilderness. If you are looking for a bit more of a payoff try taking a detour onto one of the many short spur trails that area available. You may find yourself at Tubmill Marsh, Honey Pond, Lilypad Pond, or you could even eventually reach Rock Pond which is mentioned above. This trail sweeps through the forest over undulating hills and past streams so clear you can see yourself. It also hooks in to many other trails allowing you to create a lovely walk to the feed that craving for harmony.

Bass Lake’s West Trail

This seldom used trail from the west brings you back to Bass Lake, where seclusion and quiet is deafening. The trail itself is a relaxing walk in the woods and the stream it passes has a neat little dam that rarely gets visitors. This trail doesn’t get the use that the eastern trail gets, so expect to have it all to yourself as the sounds of the forest move in around you.

Visit the Schroon Lake Region and find your own peace trail - and then tell us what makes it so special! We'd love to know what your favorite piece of your adventure was!

Where should we eat?

What's for dinner?

In my family, that's probably one of the most repeated phrases I hear, running in close competition with: "What's for lunch?" and "Can we eat now?" Really. We love to eat out, try new places and new dishes, and visit old favorites.

When hitting Schroon Lake, it's always a debate on where we'll dine. It honestly depends on who I have in tow, what outdoor activities we have in mind, and if we're staying the night. If it's my little guy, we'll probably hit Main Street; if it's my big guy, we're more apt to hit the Brewery. Sometimes we'll head out for pizza, sometimes seafood, sometimes simply a picnic lunch complete with a locally-made beer pretzel and a tasty sno-ball gathered from the beach food truck.

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Right now I'm pretty hungry, and it's a toss-up of where I'd like to go. I probably shouldn't have started browsing these pics from a few of my favorite past blogs - mmm homemade family recipes and delicious pies or inventive wood-fired creations and sassy drinks, where shall I head next? Check out these highlights to get your tastebuds watering!

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Home is where the heart is

I love to eat out. Possibly because, contrary to my son's belief that I am the 'world's best baker,' I am a horrible cook. (Oliver is 6, so I figure I can get away with holding my title for just a few more years before he discovers the truth.) However, I am not a solo diner by nature. I like the social aspect of a restaurant experience — I want to chat about life issues, debate hot topics, and sample my companions' meals. If I am alone, I usually opt to grab something quick and snack on the go. So, as I head to Pitkin's Restaurant in downtown Schroon Lake, I am a wee bit out of my element. But I am on an adventure, and my 2016 bucket list includes overcoming my shyness. So today I can, and will, eat alone. Dang it.

Of course, here's the thing about Pitkin's: Every time I walk in the door, I feel welcome. If you adhere to the old saying "home is where the heart is," Pitkin's slogan could easily be "Welcome to Marie's home."

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Breakfast of my (childhood) dreams

Honestly, whenever I drive past Pitkin's I am instantly transported back to my youth. Growing up I spent at least six to eight weeks each year at our primitive camp on Hoffman Mountain. As a child, after two or three days without running water or electricity, I was always ecstatic to hear my dad announce we were going into town for breakfast. This meant one thing, and one thing only — Pitkin's. The family-run restaurant was our favorite place, and the fact that we were always greeted with a smile was probably one of the reasons.

After years of doing breakfast here, we had our 'usual' down pat. My dad would order eggs over easy and sausage with a side of wheat toast, and coffee light and sweet. I waffled (not literally) — my choice was either the delicious pancakes with crispy bacon or a bacon and cheese omelet with a side of hash browns. And that last side, my friends, I have never been able to find better anywhere else. Hash browns -— not home fries — shredded, browned delicately and oh, so good. I still randomly order them when I see them on a menu, but never have they lived up to what Pitkin's served up for the formative years of my childhood.

By the time I graduated high school, my father had started building his dream retirement home on our five wild acres, and before I graduated college he had permanently changed his address to Old Sweeney Farm Rd. And, while his camp was no longer primitive in nature (we even had indoor plumbing!), it was still always a treat for us to head into town for a meal when I came to visit. It was a family tradition — one I'm glad to continue today...

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Kevin, Marie's grandson, is my waiter, and the delicious smells of lunch are wafting from behind the swinging kitchen door. (I can admit I was a bit sad to have missed breakfast — why, oh why, didn't I start my trip earlier?) I quickly glance at the menu and the specials board, but again, I have spent enough time frequenting the joint to know what my order will be. I choose the turkey club with fries, and just to deviate from my childhood choice of chocolate milk, I go with some strong fresh-brewed coffee.

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Within minutes of ordering, folks of all ages are piling in. By 12:15 every booth is full, the place is full of happy chatter.

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However, there is no need to be shy; conversation flows easily at this town diner. I am soon happily chatting with my booth-neighbors, Heather and Martha. I mentioned spending many of my days at the town beach in the '70s and '80s, and Heather asked if I knew, "...it only became a public beach by one vote." Well, no, I did not know that, and I'm totally intrigued. I spend the next few minutes talking with the ladies about old family ties and a bit of lake history.

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As I look around the restaurant, I can't help but note that it's a great mix of locals and travelers. I think one of the coolest things I witnessed in my hour at Pitkin's was how absolutely friendly everyone was. I even watched diners juggle their seating so other groups could be better accommodated. Y'know... it's the little things that really make an impression and keep folks coming back!

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Everyone had an opinion on their favorite go-to meal, and they were more than willing to share (their opinion — not their meals. Those were disappearing too quickly for me to grab a taste!).

My lunch arrives, and I'm not going to lie it's simply delicious. My only regret? Not ordering the homemade split pea and ham soup. As I glanced around at my neighbor's tables, there was at least one or two cups of soup on most of them. It is obviously a favorite. Hmm, maybe I should have asked before I ordered.

Lesson learned, I ask Kevin about dessert. And yes, he assures me, "they're all made in-house by my grandmother every day!" (Did you happen to get a look at the Special's board - if not, take a moment to scroll back up & really read the writing on the board!) I also hear from the locals that her secret recipes are locked up tight - you can try to pry it out of her but thus far no bribes have worked!

I can't decide and they're so affordable, heck, I order the top two recommendations. Sometimes a girl just has to be a bit crazy.

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No regrets: I don't care if you are eating breakfast or dinner — order dessert. Eat it there, bring it home, whatever. Just do it. You will thank me, even if your waist doesn't. Oh, my. Yum.

So, now that I've had my cake and eaten it, too, I'd say it's time to go for a walk by the lake. Today just solidified my love for this Adirondack village — it's nice to know some things just get better with age!

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Fire, Pharoah & Fries...

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So, it's a random Saturday and Greg and I find ourselves near Schroon Lake. It’s early evening and we are child-free with no solid plan, so when we spy a roaring fire and a packed parking lot it's obvious we should stop for dinner. Tonight all signs point toward Sticks & Stones Wood Fired Bistro & Bar.

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We entered the restaurant and I have to admit I was thoroughly impressed with the friendly staff and cozy decor. We took a quick look around and while there were tables available in the quieter dining room, we chose to sit in a booth near the bar. There was a serious mix of customers. The bar was lined with young couples laughing, 40-50 year old men watching the game, and a group of ladies celebrating a birthday. Seated on one side of us was a family with 2 small children, and on the other was an older couple that reminded me of my grandparents as they shared their cheesecake. And, while I talked with the locals, Greg was happy to relax and catch up on sporting news - best of both worlds.

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Our waitress was super-friendly and very attentive, and we soon had our orders placed and drinks delivered. I tried one of their specialty cocktails - the Pharaoh Mountain; totally refreshing, I will be trying to replicate that at home! Greg loves eggplant, and we both enjoy a good wing, and we were not disappointed when our appetizers came out. The eggplant was delicious - seriously, order it. Seriously.

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For dinner, we went with the recommendation of our waitress: Greg order the Blackened Chicken, and I went with the Pretzel Burger and sweet potato fries. I will say this - I am a french fry snob. I love fries. Love them. Really, I can’t turn down a good fry. These were hands-down the best sweet potato fries - actually, wedges - that I have ever had. And, paired with the honey mustard that was delivered with Greg’s chicken, it was the perfect combination.

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Of course, Sticks & Stones is known for their wood-fired oven. And, while we didn’t order their renowned pizza or salmon for dinner, I would have felt remiss ordering anything but the wood-fired Apple Crisp (topped with vanilla ice cream and a caramel sauce) for dessert. And, since I hate feeling remiss… yum.

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Schroon Lake has an awesome variety of dining options! I can't wait for my next visit. Check out where to stay, and what to do, and then send me pics of your favorite meal!

Blogger's note: Last week, I decided to be a crazy mom and surprise my seven-year-old son with a day playing hooky - his first missed day of the year! We decided to extend our weekend in the Adirondacks' Schroon Lake Region with a bonus Monday meant for holiday exploring and maybe a little playing in the snow, and of course, dining out!

We felt naughty. Skipping school, what rebels we were! Of course, we woke up on Monday morning and Oliver's school was closed for the day - so instead of being rebels, we were just a mom and her kid playing in the snow!

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It did however remind me of another time in Schroon Lake, that I could definitely repeat in the near future. And this one I still feel a bit guilty about! Let's do a little rewind back two years, and my wild younger days. :)

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Guilty, Guilty, Guilty...

I don’t know that I have ever felt quite as guilty as I did when Greg and I walked into the Schroon Lake Bed & Breakfast - sans 5 year old. I mean, we had already enjoyed a fun Tasting at Paradox Brewery, and a fabulous dinner at Sticks & Stones Bistro & Bar - you can check out the details of that part of our adventure in the first installment of our Schroon Lake weekend away blog.

But… there are a few things Oliver absolutely loves, and the fact that I am about to enjoy one of them without him - a stay away from home - makes me feel fairly sneaky, wicked guilty, and more than a tad bit naughty. I feel like I am about to get caught cheating on a test - if I still took tests. Of course, I am too old for most tests, and I am consoled by the fact that there is no indoor pool (the real reason he likes to go away), and like many Bed & Breakfasts children under 16 are not permitted - we soon understand why.

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A Welcome Light On A Chilly Night

It’s a late-fall evening in the Adirondacks, meaning a brisk 35 degrees or so. The Schroon B&B is a welcome sight - lit up in a soft glow and just beckoning us to come in and stay for the night. Unfortunately, we are poor planners - we have not made reservations and so we show up unannounced; luckily a sign indicates there is, indeed, room at the inn. We knock on the door and are greeted by our potential hosts-to-be, Sharon and Mark. As we are ushered into the large living room, I am immediately enveloped in warmth - not just from the beautifully blazing fireplace.

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The decor is from an older day and age, I feel at home - well, maybe not my home - I could never keep my house this well-appointed! Antiques, flower arrangements, knick-knacks… that’s all it takes. With a huge sigh of relief, I am glad Oliver has been left at home - his tornado-esque ways would have already destroyed a keepsake or two, I am sure.

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Sharon assures us there is room available and asks Mark to give us the tour, "he’s the better tour guide." From the entrance door, to our right is the living room - complete with fireplace, sitting area, books, and dozens (possibly hundreds) of movies. Off to the left is a formal dining room including a grand selection of teas, cocoa, and coffee (I’m sold).

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We head upstairs. To our left is a luxurious king suite (reserved), to our right an intimate queen room with a sitting room across the hall. And then, at the end of the hallway, we enter the Pine View. This is, of course, my pick. We enter the suite and to our left a grand bedroom opens up before us, complete with an electric fireplace adding to the romantic ambiance. There is a private bath - I realize most lodging has private bathrooms, but when discussing B&Bs this is a question I always ask - I’ve stayed in some lovely properties in Maine, all with shared baths - not particularly to my liking. To the right is a private sitting room complete with fridge, couch, and television - also notable when discussing B&Bs. I open the closet and spy the luxurious bathrobes. This will be our room for the night. I’ve decided.

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Back downstairs we fill out paperwork, grab our luggage, and find out the specific etiquette for this lovely establishment. Guests are welcome to come and go - a key is provided for the front door, but quiet is encouraged. We are welcome to take any of the DVDs to our room, and while coffee and baked goods are available around 7:30am, a full breakfast will be served after 8:30am. And, this is pretty cool: Sharon actually asks if we like eggs or have any allergies as they try to accommodate their guests needs. For the record, if it’s made for us, we will eat it. What a treat!

Out And About

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Since it’s a Saturday evening and we’re on our own little spontaneous Adirondack vacation, we decide 7pm is too early to call it a night. We head down to Flanagan’s Pub and Grill on Main Street. Now, the last time I was in this Irish Pub was almost 20 years ago. So, wasn’t I surprised when we opened the doors!? I won’t lie, I was expecting a little old-fashioned, hole-in-the-wall, locals spot. Flanagan’s new look (well, new to me) was shocking. Beautiful wooden booths, an open - yet intimate - layout, still the feel of a great locals spot. Clean, welcoming, and a great selection behind the bar; I couldn’t wait to pull up a stool and have a draught (or two). But wait! There was a backroom with a pool table - the night just keeps getting better and better. We grab a couple of sticks and play a few games before the day finally catches up with me.

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As we head back to the car we remember there is a fridge in our room. Obviously we should pop into Stewart’s and grab a pint of our favorite ice cream (chocolate peanut butter cup - as if it could be anything else). The thing I love about Stewart’s - no matter the town - is that there are always a few friendly locals enjoying coffee or a snack and looking to strike up a conversation. Tonight, football is the subject at play - and although I have little to contribute, Greg is quickly debating the day’s results. And, I am soon fantasizing about a hot shower, plush bathrobes, and watching a good movie complete with plastic spoons and shared tub of ice-cream.

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Sleep It Off

While I manage the first part of my plan, we are soon curled up in a huge bed dozing off as the flames in the fire flicker at our feet. Tonight, there would be no movie. After thinking about this long day which started with a stint outside in the frigid air watching a High School football play-off game, followed by a scenic Adirondack drive, a bit of education and tasting at Paradox Brewery and a dinner out, I can justify falling asleep by 10pm.

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We wake to the smell of fresh coffee brewing and something delicious baking. While I would love to lounge here all day, I am also looking forward to talking with Sharon and Mark before exploring a bit more of Schroon Lake and heading home. After an hour or so of procrastinating - because we could, we finally motivate and start our day.

Sharon meets us as we enter the dining room and immediately offers us coffee - a woman after my own heart. There are a variety of juices, and a lemon-zest muffin that I could happily eat every day. Bowls of fresh fruit are proffered before Mark pops out from the kitchen in full chef mode. As he places our plates in front of us, I am overwhelmed. THIS is way more than I had imagined. As an avid hotel-traveler, I was expecting a serve-yourself, family-style breakfast; not a made-to-order plate of edible artistry. Mark gives us the rundown of what is being served, and where the local products came from. I could try to describe the meal in detail but you know that old saying about a picture saying a thousand words, so here you go…

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Sharon and Mark are an amazing team. Seamlessly bustling back and forth while simultaneously working, keeping the conversation lively, answering our many questions, and pointing out the many types of birds at the feeders.

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We learn about the history of the B&B, how its clientele varies from couples looking for a romantic evening as they pass through town to groups of fisherman visiting for tournaments. The property acts as a welcoming home-base for family reunions, weddings, group events, and athletes and adventurists. And, after staying here, I can confirm the repeat customers are proof that they are offering a great service to the region.

We discuss town and all it has to offer - Sharon is a wealth of knowledge. We learn about the thriving arts community. Mark is a musician and hearing my background in the arts, he immediately lets us know about the monthly Open Mic Nights that happen right down the street and draw a great deal of local talent.

Pack Your Bags

What can I say… at 10:30am we know we need to say goodbye. We have had a great time in Schroon Lake so far, but there are still places to see, mountains to climb, people to meet. We offer Mark our sadly-untouched ice cream which he enthusiastically accepts (did I mention it’s the best flavor, ever?) - it’s the least we could do after such a relaxing night away.

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While we stayed at the inn for maybe 16 hours, I feel like we snuck away for a week. And, hey, you know what? There’s nothing naughty about taking a little time for yourself, right? And it should be noted: I didn't even try to sneak out with my robe. Now, eating that third lemon muffin — which was packed by our hosts in a to-go bag for the 5 year-old — well, that might be a bit naughty, but hey, we’ll call it our little secret, ok?

Want to ditch the kids and plan a romantic stay in Schroon Lake? Looking for a taste of the local brews? Hit the trails, then hit the town - Adirondack hospitality is absolutely where it’s at!

 

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THE GIFT OF ADIRONDACK ADVENTURE

 

Here in the Adirondacks, we’re a hearty bunch. Those of us who have staked out a path to live here year round consider ourselves fortunate to reside in the most healthy, beautiful landscape in the east. We thrive on the creativity it sometimes requires to prosper throughout the bustling, fast-paced summer and fall seasons AND the crisp, clear months of winter.

 

This spirit of creativity was on display on a recent visit to Schroon Lake; a visit that happened to occur during the season of giving. While I was there, I thought that it would be terrific if I could just package up that spirit and give it to someone who isn’t as lucky as I am to live here.

That thought led to the following shopping list. This is no Amazon wish list — it’s a list of a real, tangible, authentic experiences. For you.

 

DIVERSIFY AND CONQUER

My list is called the "Schroon Lake 2-in-1 Shopping Sampler." I’ll explain.

Part of that famous Adirondack ingenuity that has evolved to counter the economic seasonality of the region is the incorporation of a bit of diversification. Schroon Lake is chock full of the creative application of that theme.

 

Bird Feeders and Wine Slushies

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My first stop in town is often The Towne Store. You can’t miss it. It’s a more than 130-year-old general store located right on Main Street, and they have a HUGE assortment of, well, general everything. The first floor of this historic building is brimming with miscellany ranging from jewelry to camping supplies to rugs and decorations for your camp to kids clothing. They offer gift certificates, too, in case you can’t decide.

The second floor is home to Vine & Barley, open in June through the summer, where one can sample wines from more than a dozen different local wineries, plus craft beer, cider, and lemonade and enjoy a lite fare menu that includes locally-sourced cheeses and ingredients. Word has it that the wine slushy is a favorite must-try.

 

Mercantile and Muffins

The unmistakeable aroma of fresh baked bread accompanies the visual sensory overload as one walks in the door of the Pine Cone Mercantile, also located right on Schroon Lake’s quaint Main Street.

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Owner Lisa Hess-Marks, a skilled shopping guide, can usually be found inside chatting with customers and neighbors who stopped in for a loaf of bread and/or a gift selected from the fun, eclectic display of home furnishings, including furniture, candles, porcelain dishes, and of course, wall-mounted stuffed animal trophies.

Her husband Edward is to blame for the store’s delicious fragrance. He has perfected the science of baking and offers fresh baked rustic breads and organic coffee, and more five days a week at the North Woods Bread Co. located in the back of the store. I’d bet they’ll pack and ship both gifts and bread if we ask.

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Yoga and Massage

Just a few steps away, one will find the True North Yoga and Schroon Lake Massage and Wellness. These two businesses share a space just a few steps away on Main Street, and offer a number of programs that serve as an ideal enhancement to the pure, calming experience of being immersed in the calming mountains and lake surroundings of the Adirondacks. Insider’s gift idea: A gift certificate to join a Restore and Renew Gentle Yoga class, or arrange a couple's massage!

 

Fine Art and Microgreens

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Across the street, I visited the Giant Mountain Art Gallery for the very first time. (I have no idea how it could possibly have escaped my notice before, as there’s a BIG sign in front that marks its location.) And now I’m recommending that everyone go there when in town.

When I arrived, I was greeted by Tony Kostecki, general director at Seagle Music Colony, who introduced me to the gallery owner Anthony Ruiz.

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I was treated to a guided tour of the gallery and was able to peruse some of the fine art displayed for “The Holidays – Naturally” invitational group exhibition. More than 30 Adirondack artists’ work is on display, and most is for sale. Notably, a series of Japanese fish printings by local Stephen DiCerbo. It’s a method called Gyotaku, using a real fish to make ink printed images either directly, with paint on the actual fish, and indirect, where material is adhered to the fish and the ink is applied to the material, capturing intricate details of the scales etc.

The exhibit also features landscape paintings by my friend Sandra Hildreth of Saranac Lake, and acrylic, watercolor and hybrid display of Anne Diggory, and several pieces of rustic furniture, and custom guitars made from Adirondack sinker wood (pieces from long ago logging found at the bottom of the lake) by Eric Bright.

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Anthony has another artistic venture based out of this location, too - Samurai Virtual Tours, which created 360-degree virtual tours for all types of businesses. His umbrella biz, Giant Mountain Studio, includes website design, the 360 tours and the gallery.

But wait, there’s more: this gallery has another surprise facet - it’s also a distribution point for Gather It Up Farm’s microgreens. Microgreens are young, nutrient rich, and flavorful vegetables and herbs usually harvested when they are only about a week or two old. They are for sale at the gallery as well as on the menu at some local restaurants.

 

Food & Drink

There are a number of culinary choices year-round, and some of my 2-in-1-named favorites include Flanagan’s Pub & Grill and Sticks & Stones, where you’ll definitely find a draft from the local Paradox Brewery and some of those microgreens, too.

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Bed AND Breakfast

There are plenty of rooms, too, but in keeping with my 2-in-1 theme, there’s always one of the many Schroon Lake area Bed and Breakfasts!

 

Mountains and Lakes

Of course, no Schroon Lake experience would be complete without an adventure on the Lake itself, or on the trails and ponds in the surrounding Hoffman Notch and Pharaoh Lake wilderness tracts for hiking, paddling, snowshoeing, skiing or fishing!

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