1. Sleep-easy at this old-time speakeasy

False walls, hidden closets, a secret hallway, and a bar with a one-of-a-kind New York history are just a few of the special features you will find at the Silver Spruce Bed & Breakfast. This cool post-and-beam home dating back to the 1790s was reinvented in the 1920s for the prohibition era. The past owner, Sally Miller Smith spared no expense, topping off her 17-room addition and elaborate liquor hiding places with the bar she purchased from Manhattan’s original Waldorf Astoria Hotel before it was torn down in 1930. Sally set up this unique piece in the basement, where it became the focal point of her wild parties in the speakeasy formerly known as The Tavern at The Schroon River Falls.

2. More than it seams

This quiet B&B retreat offers panoramic views of a beautiful brook, pond and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. The B&B is located along Trout Brook Stream on Trout Brook Road near the Hoffman Notch Wilderness area just to the north of downtown Schroon Lake. Here you’ll find great hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling and all your sewing and alteration needs. …Wait, what?!! Rocky Acres Inn Bed & Breakfast is home to the on-site Rocky Mountain Sewing and Alterations where you are invited to stay at the Bed and Breakfast for an Adirondack vacation and bring your sewing and alternation needs with you. Rest and relax while having your garments renewed: have your formal wear altered; get your hems, zippers fixed up; detail your uniforms and aprons; and don't forget to have your curtains, pillows, and pet needs customized.

3. 12,000 reasons you will want to visit

The Adirondacks are known for pristine beauty and untouched landscape, and at the Elk Lake Lodge you can literally get away from it all on their 12,000 private acres. The Elk Lake Lodge says, “This is a world that is unchanged in hundreds of years - a timeless place that offers a unique wilderness experience, a place to enjoy the silence, the clean air, the unspoiled natural beauty that are increasingly rare in modern life.” Ranked in Outside Magazine as one of the “Ten best wilderness lodges in North America,” this little gem in New York State is easy to get to, close to everything - yet somehow away from it all. Be a guest on its privately-owned forest preserve surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains. Run by a single family since the middle of the last century, the Elk Lake Lodge has been in operation in the same spot since the mid-nineteenth century. It is place that change rarely touches.

4. Rough it with style

The Scaroon Manor, is a New York State owned campground with a distinguished past. Notably, it was the location for filming of the movie Marjorie Morningstar with Gene Kelly and Natalie Wood in 1957 and soon became an elegant destination resort for the rich. Although the Manor was torn down when New York State bought it in 1967, the resort’s exceptional features such as the historic amphitheater, and the 1200 feet of shoreline and beautiful beach remain available to guests. Today, Scaroon Manor Campground is available for day use and overnight camping on the 240 acres of land. The current campground consists of: 60 campsites, hot showers, flush toilets, picnic areas, picnic pavilion, swimming beach, boat docks, and trailer dump station. Motor boats, rowboats, and canoes are welcome. It is also handicap accessible.

Find your Adirondack Basecamp

Discover a unique getaway of your own, the Schroon Lake Region has a variety of lodging options, from motels, cabins and lodges, to B&Bs, private rentals, and camping - pick the one that resonates with you. Perhaps pack your pic-a-nic basket, and take the family to Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks or try something offbeat like Betty's Funny Farm. Take a look for yourself and see - there is so much to be explored here.

 

The Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival will be celebrating its 20th year in 2016. This event has become known as one of the premier running events in the Northeast, giving runners breathtaking views as the run along the shores of Schroon Lake, NY.

The following is a first-hand account of what to expect on race day, and why so many runners love this great event! Read on, lace up, and join us on September 25, 2016 as we race in the beautiful autumn air!

---

Submitted by guest blogger: Alison Muse

Lacing Up In Schroon

In 2001, I ran the half-marathon of the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival as a training race for the NYC marathon. I’m not very good at maintaining long-term relationships but I have one with this race.The scenic beauty, challenging course, and incredible volunteers have brought me back to Schroon Lake almost every year since 2001.

The race is held on, or around, the last Sunday in September, within days of my birthday. Because of that timing, I have been in the same five-year age category for the last six years which can be a curse when it comes to running.

Original Color Run

This time of year in the Adirondacks is spectacular and few other races can match the incredible scenery of this locale. The half-marathon course winds around the bottom of the lake, starting in the town of Adirondack and finishing in the Village of Schroon Lake. The lake is visible almost the entire time and the autumn color of the surrounding trees will take your breath away — which may not be a good thing during a race.

The first five miles along the eastern shore are relatively flat and I always find myself thinking “this is not so bad.” The transition occurs at the Word of Life camp. The kids are amazing; they are out in force, cheering enthusiastically, and offering encouragement and Cheerios. (Cheerios stick really well to sweaty palms!)

When I leave the Word of Life camp, I know I am about to enter the pain cave. My thighs will be screaming after the next few miles. This is the challenging component of the course which is described in the brochure as long, rolling hills. It sounds bucolic, doesn’t it? I become a motivational speaker at this point, silently chanting to myself “you can do this” and I can! Conquering those hills gives me an incredible sense of accomplishment.

Why I Love Schroon Lake

Behind every race is a group of dedicated individuals and the volunteers for this race do a masterful job. It is a small community that really gets behind the weekend of events and I am so impressed, and rewarded, by their commitment to providing a great experience for the participants.

The exposition, packet pick up, aid stations (fig newtons and M&M’s – how great is that?), post-race set up, including massage tent and homemade goodies, are really well organized.

Plus, the volunteers are friendly and supportive. Each year, at one of the water stations, one volunteer uses binoculars to spot my bib number. Another volunteer uses that info to look up my name and then the whole group becomes my personal cheering squad. It is so awesome and one more reason why I love this race.

---

Plan to join us for the annual Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival! Before and after the race we have comfy places to rest your head and fabulous restaurants ready to fill you up! Bring the whole family and plan on checking out the beautiful fall colors with a short hike or a scenic drive. Discover for yourself why Alison and so many others return to the Schroon Lake Region each year - we'll see you soon!

Save your knees and gain two extra feet

“What should I look for in a trekking pole? Do they really make a difference?”... I get questions like this a lot while out on the trail. While trekking poles are relatively simple to use, they can be confusing to purchase. Not only are there several different brands out there to choose from, but you have key features to consider like materials, basket size, suspension or no suspension, grip ergonomics, weight, etc... What I am going to attempt to do now is give you a bit of an overview and a lesson in trekking poles.

Brands of trekking poles:

There are too many brands to list, especially since every outdoor retailer and company seems to slap their name on a pair of trekking poles. Most all snowshoe makers have their own trekking poles as well, designed mainly for winter travel. For today, we will talk about a few that are truly in the limelight as being the best and most dependable. Many of these are inexpensive, heavy and very basic. Komperdell, Leki and Black Diamond create the most widely used trekking poles in the business. They are also some of the best with warranty as well. Komperdell is reasonably priced and often the company that will slap another name on the stem as advertising. Once you get into the Leki and Black Diamond brands you can drop a bit more pocket change, but you'll get a set of poles that will last a very long time if you use them as intended.

2-section vs. 3-section:

A two-section pole is much stronger three, typically made of aluminum, and better for skiing or in situations where durability is a factor. A three-section pole has the advantage of collapsing to a much smaller, portable piece of equipment. The third section however is much less durable due to its smaller diameter. I use two-piece poles for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing because I need durability for when I face plant on a downhill section of the trail. I use three-section poles when I am hiking and even bushwhacking (on occasion). If I find they are too cumbersome while bushwhacking they collapse small enough to fit in my pack out of the way.

Materials:

Aluminum – is much heavier, and much stronger, and is a great choice for skiing due to better durability. Aluminum is the least expensive option.

Carbon fiber – is much more expensive, but is super light. The durability isn’t as high, but they can take some light abuse.

Fiberglass - is similar to carbon fiber but a bit less expensive. The durability is also similar to carbon fiber and should be treated as such. You find fiberglass in cross-country ski poles quite often.

Grip:

This is a personal preference I have found to be somewhat important. While many grips are made of rubber some are made of cork. The biggest complaint of cork is how fast it gets dirty and they seem to gain an odor after many uses (I can attest to this). Some grips are slightly bent for a more ergonomic feel with less strain on the wrists. Rubber, depending on the quality, is the most popular grip. If the quality is low, you can end up with black hands after a long day of white-knuckle hiking.

Basket size:

There are two basket sizes available, and some poles come with both so that they can be switched out for different uses. The smaller one is for non-snow conditions and the large one is for winter (snowshoeing and skiing). Some hikers prefer no basket when snow is not in the mix, but with no basket you won't have a stopping point in soft terrain. The larger basket in summer can get in the way and get hung up on rocks and roots.

This may sound silly but… a common error is a hiker placing the large basket over the small one, this is not correct. One must be removed first. If one is not removed the other will fall off during the course of the day.

I prefer no basket during non-snow months and especially while bushwhacking. The basket, no matter the size, seems to get hung up on rocks, roots, and branches. In winter I highly recommend the big basket or a snow basket, the added floatation will be an immense help.

Suspension:

Many poles now have a spring suspension built into the shaft or a cushion just below the grip. This suspension helps on the descent to take a bit of pressure and shock off the arms, legs, knees and back. This is also a personal preference, but the suspension does come with a higher price tag.

On some poles the spring suspension can be turned on and off with a half twist on the body. The cushion suspension is always on. Some find that suspension on the uphill climb hinders the power production your arms give you, and often lock it off.

Locking mechanisms:

There are two locking mechanisms on poles.

Twistlock – this is the original method of adjustment. The largest downfall to this is the internal locking sleeves tend to get worn out and become smooth. To fix this you can replace the sleeve or use a bit of sandpaper to roughen it back up so it will grip. In the field, use course sand or a rock to roughen up the surface temporarily.

Flicklock – this is a simple locking adjustment where only a flick of the thumb locks down the pole section. The tightness can be adjusted in the field with your thumb nail or a dime. The flicklock simply pinches the two poles together to keep them from collapsing.

Do you have more questions on trekking poles? Go online to get them answered or stop into a local gear shop, maybe while you’re there, pick up a set. Many places rent trekking poles, so you do have the option to try before you buy. Need a good place to use them? The Schroon Lake Region has a ton of places to go.

The Adirondack Hub is full of four great communities including Schroon Lake, North Hudson, Newcomb, and Minerva. With so many places to explore and adventures to be had, we’re narrowing it down to how you can spend one day in the Adirondack Hub. 

Start your day right and grab a coffee at 9 Mile Coffee Co. They recently moved their business across the street into a newly-renovated building. The owner, Andrew, did most of the work himself to transform this building into a beautiful modern style coffee shop.

Pro Tip: If it’s a hot day try the frozen lemonade or a frozen coffee. Add a flavor shot like maple, vanilla, or caramel for an added pick-me-up. 

After you’ve got your morning coffee fix, take a walk down Schroon Lake's Main Street to browse some of the shops. If you’re looking for a special gift to take home, stop at The Pine Cone Mercantile. It's full of unique Adirondack gifts, but there is also a market section stocked with local produce and other goods. And if you need a sweet treat, head to the back of the store to North Woods Bread Co. for some homemade bread or baked goods. It’s like three different experiences in one store! 

Barkeater Outfitters is another new addition to Schroon Lake. They have custom Schroon Lake and Paradox apparel, along with some general Adirondacks-themed apparel. There is also a new classic-style candy store, Pit Stop Sweet Shop, with lots of fun sweets that will remind you of your childhood (and make your kids super happy). The Towne Store down the road has you covered with Adirondack decor, books, and gifts, jewelry, camping supplies, toys, and more. 

You’ll need lunch to refuel, and Pitkin's Restaurant is the perfect spot right on Main Street. Owner, Adam, and his wife also recently purchased and renovated this building. Pitkin’s has been a classic in Schroon Lake for years. It now just has a new and improved look. They also just added an outdoor patio area, which is perfect for the warm but crisp days of autumn.

Our recommendation: The Paradox Panini. This grilled sandwich has roasted turkey, swiss cheese, apple slices, bacon, and cranberry mayo on sourdough with a side of soup, coleslaw, or fries. 

Next, head to the Schroon Lake Beach! Everyone loves the Schroon Lake Beach with its wide, sandy beach area and amazing views. The swimming area is roped off and lifeguards are on duty until 6 pm. You’ll see sailboats, paddlers, and other boaters go by as the day goes on. The playground is nearby, or you can pick a bench and sit in the shade. Stewart’s is within walking distance, and so is the rest of Main Street, but sometimes you might even find the food truck at the beach with hot dogs and snow cones. 

Travel just outside of Schroon Lake, down route 9, to North Hudson where you’ll find Paradox Brewery. The only brewery in the Adirondack Hub, it’s a favorite among community members and travelers alike. Paradox recently moved to a much larger location just outside of the new Frontier Town Campground. Their tasting room will hold roughly 90 people, but they’re operating outdoors right now. They built a new pavilion, and there is a wrap-around, covered deck on the outside of the tasting room with beautiful mountain views. Owner Joan and her husband Paul are the greatest happy hour hosts. On the weekends they have food trucks, but during the week you'll find Joan whipping up delicious soft pretzels. 

Pro Tip: Try the Beaver Bite IPA or the Overbite Imperial IPA to pair with your mountain views. 

Nothing ends the day like a sunset adventure. Grab your canoe, kayak, or SUP and head to one of the many bodies of water in the Adirondack Hub for a sunset paddle. Schroon Lake allows for easy access and amazing views. The water is as refreshing as the vibe in this small town. Take a deep breath and enjoy it as the sun sets on a great day in the Adirondack Hub. 

 

It's About Thyme for pumpkins

Pumpkin picking is the event of the season. While there may not be a red carpet, the pumpkins this year take the spotlight! It's About Thyme Farm includes a pumpkin selection that is off the charts, with red, green, yellow, and even white pumpkins to decorate your home or carve into! While the pumpkins are hard to miss, the farm also has an ample amount of apples on the property, ready to be picked. Venture across the farm's sprawling acres and search for the perfect patch, or the perfect treat! Not only is the farm a little oasis for the season’s best produce, their farm store is healthily stocked with the tastiest treats and merchandise of the season. As if you didn’t need more of a reason to visit It's About Thyme Farm, the farm is offering free donuts and cider Saturdays and Sundays all throughout the pumpkin picking season. Munch as you peruse the fields of pumpkins, or treat yourself once you’ve collected your pumpkin army! 

I pick, u-pick

When you arrive at the farm, you’ll find glorious fields dotted with pumpkins all over! Combing through pumpkin patches is a must during the fall season, so roll up your sleeves and grab your loot. Think of all the pumpkin treats you can make at home! And what's better than your own homemade pumpkin pie? Your own homemade apple pie! Luckily, the farm also has plenty of delicious apples for everyone to take home, perfect for pies, crumbles, or maybe just a snack with lunch. Picking apples and pumpkins is a great way to help support local farms, and a sure way of knowing exactly where your food is coming from. Pretty neat!

P.S. While you’re scooping your pumpkin, don’t forget to harvest the seeds and throw them in the oven for a tasty snack that’ll last until Halloween, or maybe just a few days.

Fall florals

Mums are what makes fall sparkle. In all different colors and sizes, mums are the perfect addition to your front porch, the end of the driveway, or your business’s fall display! The farm is fully stocked with all your mum needs. Choose from a variety of colors, and watch them bloom again and again! Mums look especially beautiful next to a nice pumpkin arrangement, so picking these guys up together is probably best. Some advice: as the nights get colder, you’ll want to cover your outdoor mums at night in a blanket or towel, as fall nights are getting colder by the day!

Halloween is here

Break into the spooky season this year with the Farm’s Scarecrow Walks! Follow a trail full of mystery, spooky legends, and Halloween mishaps! You’ll never know who you come up across. An adventure awaits full of scary skeletons and ghouls on your trail. Don’t forget to get a picture at the end with the Farm’s giant hay bale mascot. When you’ve made your way back from the land of the undead, check out the farm store for all your costume needs. Halloween is fast approaching, and what better way to prepare than with a costume, fast and simple!

Gift shop

When you’re all pumpkin'd out, explore the farm’s gift shop. Find the season’s best in jams, baked goods, and locally made gifts! Every year you’ll find new locally-made creations. This season explore blown-glass masterpieces! Choose from driftwood and glass sculptures, to intricately designed jewelry and dishware. Get lost in the intricate designs and unique shapes that each piece takes. These beauties are made right at the farm and are ready to become a part of your family! Prepare for the upcoming Christmas season with hand sculpted ornaments that’ll light up the tree and the rest of your home!

 

Visit today

Gather your fellow pumpkin lovers, or apple lovers, or even donut lovers, and visit the farm today! You'll find everything you need for the fall season, all in one place. While you're in the Adirondack Hub, make sure to visit our neighboring towns, festive eateries, and gorgeous lakes! Take in all the fall season has to offer today.

To a lot of people, winter is not a season for fun. But maybe... you just haven't gone to the right place, or tried it in the right way.
Sometimes, it can be amazing to simply shift your perspective.

Fun bundling

There's a saying in the Adirondacks that goes, "There's no bad weather, only bad dressing for it." I have found this to be very true.

A warm coat that covers your whole torso, attention to shutting down drafts with proper scarving and gloving, boots with thick socks, and a flattering hat does a lot to keep us warm and cozy — while still allowing you to enjoy the invigorating air and gentle sounds of winter.

In addition, a lot of our winter weather is much less chilly than it looks. The alpine climate has dry air, which does not conduct the cold. A sunny day with no wind means coat open and sunglasses on, in great comfort.

Don't look at the temperature number. Look at what the trees are doing. The still air of winter keeps the chill enclosed, just as the moisture in the air has been locked into the frost, snow, and ice.

See what you're missing by lurking indoors during the chill?

There's a special diamond brightness to the Adirondack winter landscape. To see bare trees sparkling against a clear blue sky is something we can only truly experience by getting outdoors and taking it all in.

Add the right elements to your wardrobe choices and you might be surprised by how warm and happy we can be, to the point where you can loosen up and shed layers as your bodies adapt.

Find out more about dressing for the weather with the blog Sledding Fashion.

Consult an expert

Another good tactic to get started is to attend a fun event designed to get the most out of winter. For instance, you can attend Newcomb's Winter Fest to enjoy guided activities with a bunch of great people.

Gore Mountain is a great place to get started. Even if that is from the very beginning.

Rent the gear you need, from easy snowshoeing, to exploring trails on cross-country skis, to racing down the mountain. There are all kinds of levels to try.

There are places to warm up, eat, and socialize all over the complex. By moving from one activity to another, from indoors to outdoors, you never push comfort boundaries. It's ideal for a mixed group of enthusiasts.

The ones who are already involved in winter fun can indulge as much as they want, and the ones who want to enjoy snacks and a good book by the fire, can indulge as much as they want. Everybody can have a good time at their own speed.

Even something like ice fishing is a lot warmer than you might think. The winter days that are great for ice fishing create a kind of balanced weather where it's actually warm, out there on the ice. The bright sun of February and March and the insulating qualities of ice make for a lot of comfort along with the fun activities.

Another fantastic winter outing is also easy to learn, and that's snowshoeing. Cloudsplitter Outfitters, the Adirondack Interpretive Center at Newcomb, and Natural Stone Bridge & Caves have snowshoes available and many groomed and well-marked trails to explore.

Once you are comfortable on snowshoes, most trails that can be explored in the summer becomes a whole new trail in the winter.

Another Adirondack motto is to not let the weather stop us.

Take it easy

There's another enjoyable aspect to having a fun time in the winter. I'm talking about hearty food and lots of it.

There are some wonderful diners, bistros, and pubs to satsify that special winter appetite. It's not only the fun activities that are burning up our energies, it is also our body keeping us warm. This creates a demand for fuel, and a happy, questing, appetite is the result.
It's a very special, very alive, feeling to pile into a booth and see that everything on the menu looks so good. That winter meal, where you're enjoying your body warming up while having so many options to build a new fire in your internal furnace, is one of the delights of this season.

I understand. I didn't used to be a winter fan. And then I moved to the Adirondacks.

If you haven't enjoyed winter before, maybe you should try our version. It is so much better.

Choose cozy lodging. Pick some indulgent dining. Enlist the help of a guide.

The beautiful area around Schroon Lake serves as the backdrop to an unexpected delight. There's a whole summer season of musical shows in this very special place.
Drawing from a talent pool from far and wide, Schroon Lake is home to the Seagle Music Colony, the oldest summer singer training program in the country.

Brainchild of Oscar Seagle

The Seagle Music Colony was created by, and named for, Oscar Seagle. In the year of its founding, 1915, he was a world-renowned baritone who had made concert tours in the United States and Europe. He also recorded albums for Columbia, like his World War I hit, “Dear Old Pal of Mine.”

“There is about the name of Oscar Seagle a glow of brilliant years and extraordinary musical associations. His relationship with the immortal de Reszke and his own position as a master of many singers have made him unique among American artists.” (New York Morning Telegram)

He had ended a long teaching relationship in Europe with his own mentor, the great Polish tenor Jean de Reszke, and was seeking to establish a similar position for himself in the United States. A teaching engagement at the Brown Swan Club drew him to Schroon Lake. By 1922, he had established, and expanded, his teaching duties into an entire Adirondack complex of learning and performing, attracting highly regarded teachers and talented students, including his own son, John.

John Seagle, in his position on the staff of WRGB in Schenectady, frequently used Colony singers, who were one of the first groups to perform in front of television cameras. In 1941 they formed a Colony Opera Guild, performing at the Wikiosko Barn Theatre on Lake George. Even today, the colony is still in the family, continuing under the stewardship of John’s son Peter, his wife Dodie, and their three sons.

It is now considered the “Best Summer Vocal Training Program in the United States” according to Classical Singer Magazine in the year 2000. Over 500 applicants vie for the opportunity to attend the Colony.

Today, the tradition is thriving as a new season of theatrical delights is planned.

The 2017 season

Seagle will kick off their 102nd season with two shows in June. First, there is a Community Concert at Schroon Lake Central School on June 17, at 7:30 pm. Four of their emerging artists will perform a revue of past shows and a mini-preview of the summer season. Second, their traditional opening concert is scheduled for June 24 at 8 pm at the Colony. The program, "Old Friends & New," will feature songs and arias from all 32 of the artists, and will be followed by a reception where audience members can meet and greet the singers. This one is very popular!
Their main season of July and August will take place at the Oscar Seagle Memorial Theatre. They will be staging "The Light in the Piazza,"a stunning 2005 Tony and Drama Desk winning musical by composer Adam Guettel and based on the novella by Elizabeth Spenser.

The above photo from the 2016 production, "The Elixir of Love."

Next up will be "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead," a hilarious new comic opera with a score and libretto by composer Herschel Garfein, based on the play by the renowned Tom Stoppard. This piano-vocal premiere will showcase a tuneful musical style with lots of comedy.

Mozart classic "The Magic Flute" will be featured in August, with memorable arias, mystical characters, dramatic moments and much humor. It will be sung in German with projected English supertitles and English dialogue.

This is followed by a different kind of classic, "My Fair Lady," one of the most beloved and well-known musicals of all time, in mid-August.

This still is from the 2016 production, "Roscoe."
Check our Events Calendar for details of these performances.

There is more

The Boathouse Theater is a performance space on the shore of Schroon Lake, and will be the venue for "Little Red’s Most Unusual Day," a children's opera which is John Davie’s take on the traditional Little Red fairy-tale, only with Dudley the forest ranger and a man-crazy grandma. Thirty minutes of fun for any age!

There will be the Patrice Munsel Gala which is Seagle Music Colony’s largest annual fund-raising event. A full evening including an elegant dinner, drinks, dessert and dancing, which includes entertainment by the Seagle Music Colony Emerging Artists.

This still is from the 2016 production, "The Music Man."

Another fine fundraiser is the Piano Duo Concert with local pianists Milton Farbstein & Suzanne Fremon. For the Seagle Music Colony Guild Scholarship Fund.

The Guild Scholarship Luncheon is held at The Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing, NY. A highlight of the summer social season in the North Country!

There will be two Vespers Concerts, a program of sacred choral music and vocal solos. This has been a Schroon Lake tradition for most of Seagle Music Colony's over 100-year history.

The featured evening of song will be called "A Revue" and will close out the season with the fall outreach artists. Let them take you on a journey through memorable songs made famous by Broadway and Hollywood.

Hope to see you there!

Find some charming lodging. Enjoy our dining. Explore all of our performing arts.

In the Adirondacks, the past and present are intertwined.

The remnants of old logging camps peek out from under decaying leaves, which provide nutrients for new forest growth. Old buildings lean alongside our winding roads, while the tools used to build them are on display in state-of-the-art museums here.

The wilderness itself boasts a varied landscape where the past and present collide with dizzying force: Landslides carve new paths on steep slopes, revealing ancient rock. Young red maples sprout from cracks in the crumbling stone fences and walls that decorate the backcountry. The forest reclaims its own.

There is no better place to walk through this heritage than the difficult and 10.3-long hike from the Upper Works trailhead to the summit of Mount Marcy. Where else can you see a ghost town, the site of a fatal accident, the place where a former vice president embarked upon a midnight ride, and the top of the highest mountain in New York state all in one hike?

The trek begins on the outskirts of Newcomb. Take Exit 29 off of Interstate 87 and head west on Blue Ridge Road for 17.5 miles, then turn right on Tahawus Road. After 6.5 miles, bear left onto Upper Works Road.

Blast from the past

 

The first stop along the tour happens before you even leave your vehicle. As you drive along Upper Works Road, you'll soon come to a real-life ghost town. This is Adirondac, an old mining town that was once booming with activity.

In the 1939, National Lead bought the mining operation from the McIntyre Iron Company, then rented the 30 vacant Tahawus Club cabins that were on the property to its employees. Those homes comprised Adirondac, and the neighboring mining town was called Tahawus.

The mining industry hit a boom when World War II started in 1939, and things were great in the Adirondack mining communities. The people in the bustling little towns even kept things lively with friendly competition that emerged in summertime softball games, a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. When iron ore and titanium were discovered under Tahawus in 1963, the town and its people were literally moved to get at it. Houses were jacked up, loaded onto flatbed trucks, and transported to nearby Newcomb, where many still remain today.

In 1964, National Lead higher ups decided it was time to get out of the landlord business, so the people of Adirondac were also relocated to Newcomb. Their houses stayed put, and the now-abandoned buildings are open for exploration. Take some time to wind through the once-beautiful homes, where trees now stand in place of furniture and the scuttling of animals is more frequently heard than the stomping of feet.

There are other remnants of the mining operation to discover there too, like the enormous stone blast furnace. Cold, tall, and dark, it remains as a silent testament to a bygone era.

An upper workout and a calamity

 

Once you've finished exploring Adirondac, continue down Upper Works Road, park at the Upper Works trailhead, and head toward Mount Marcy and the Flowed Lands. You'll follow an old logging road, cross the beautiful Calamity Brook on an impressive suspension bridge, and ascend to the edge of the Flowed Lands at 4.7 miles.

Before reaching the Flowed Lands, take care to follow the side path that leads off to the left. It goes 60 feet to the shore of Calamity Pond and the Henderson monument, which memorializes an accident that occurred here 170 years ago.

As the story goes, David Henderson was searching for a water source to power the blast furnaces at the iron works when he accidentally shot himself and died on this spot. The inscription on the monument reads:
"This monument, erected by filial affection to the memory of our dear father, David Henderson, who accidentally lost his life on this spot, 3rd September, 1845."

After the monument you'll soon come to the Flowed Lands, a gorgeous spot where mountains seem to rise from the surface of the water. There are several desirable lean-tos and campsites along the shore, but be forewarned: If you decide to camp here, a bear canister is not a recommendation, it's a necessity.

If you're doing this trip as a day hike, it's best not to linger too long as there are still 5.5 miles of climbing left to reach the top of Marcy. If you do camp, make the half-mile side trip to Hanging Spear Falls. It's worth it.

Marcy bound

Follow the edge of the Flowed Lands, cross the bridge over Lake Colden Dam, and turn right at the trail register to follow the rugged and scenic Opalescent River toward Mount Marcy. At about 8 miles from the parking area, turn right to begin the long, steep climb to the summit. It's uphill all the way from here on out, so make sure you have enough water or a reliable water filter.

Lake Tear and the midnight run

 

After hiking 9.2 miles and climbing 2,700 feet from the parking area, you'll come to a small, secluded body of water called Lake Tear of the Clouds. At 4,346 feet in elevation, it's the highest pond source of the Hudson River. The rocky dome of Marcy rises behind the pond, and it looks deceptively close even though there's still about 1,000 feet in elevation to go.

The end is in sight, but take a minute to consider the history of this place. On Sept. 14, 1901 then-Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was at Lake Tear after summiting Marcy. It was there that he received a message that President William McKinley — who was shot a couple of weeks prior but was expected to recover — was dying.

Roosevelt made haste to Tahawus, then took a 40-mile midnight stagecoach ride to North Creek, where he learned McKinley had died. Roosevelt boarded a train for Buffalo and was sworn in as president there.

Summit fever

 

After leaving Lake Tear, you'll soon come to a four-way junction. Straight descends into the wild and remote depths of Panther Gorge, right goes to the summit of Skylight, the fourth highest mountain in the Adirondacks, and left goes to the top of Marcy.

As you leave the forest and enter the moonscape-like alpine zone of the mountain, take care to avoid the vegetation there by staying on the rocks. Many of the plants here are rare and incredibly fragile, so all it takes is a misplaced hiking boot to kill them. Great efforts have been made by the Adirondack Mountain Club's summit stewards to revegetate and protect alpine zones in the region. Please respect their work and gently enjoy this unique ecosystem.

The final pitch of Marcy is a steep, wonderfully open climb to the 5,344-foot elevation mark. The mountain was named after former New York state Gov. William Marcy, who authorized an environmental survey to explore the area in the 19th century. The first recorded ascent of the mountain was August 5, 1837.

The view from the top of Mount Marcy is one of the best anywhere. The surrounding topography bears evidence of the geologic forces which created this region, the plants growing between the rocks serve as living relics of the last glacier's retreat, and plaques bolted to the anorthosite grantie speak to the recent, but no less compelling, history of human involvement in the area. It's a lot to take in. Oh, and there are mountains, lakes, and forests stretching in every direction.

After your hike, why not grab a bite to eat and rent a room to relax in for the night John Brown lives.

I found the trail to Crowfoot Pond by driving a back road at about thirty miles an hour. The trail leaves the Tracy Road in Moriah at the northern end of the Hammond Pond Wild Forest. At a spot where the road takes a sharp turn to the left, a DEC trail sign on the right marks the turn to an ample parking area.  (44.04.335'N, 73.37.778'W)    

The trail along Crowfoot Brook begins with a disheartening washed out bridge but that should not deter anyone. Judging from the river debris hanging in the trees at a height of about six feet, I suspect Hurricane Irene was to blame. A short detour brought me to a crossing upstream. The new ice on the cobbles looked tricky but proved safe. It's probably not so safe with more water. 

 

Beginning from my first step on the far shore I found myself loving this trail. Starting out into a hemlock forest the trail heads uphill close enough to the brook to hear it's chilly gurgling. Funny in November to see so many summer plants. Many stay green under the snow -- goldthread, partridgeberry, wintergreen, foamflower, pipsissewa, and the different club mosses. The true mosses look like miniature forests--very festive with the morning's snowflakes.

     The Crowfoot trail crosses back and forth over the brook on nice wide bridges that are open to snowmobiles in winter according to the DEC maps. There's a hunting lease that crosses the trail about two-thirds of the way to the pond. It's well marked and I had no problem respecting the line, especially since it's still hunting season technically. The yellow state trailmarkers are clearly hung.

Crowfoot Pond itself was completely black and white on Tuesday. There is a new cover of snow on what is obviously still very thin ice. The open water is black and clear. Soon to be black ice for backcountry skating we hope.

Why hike this trail? Low elevation, wide trail, varied forest, soft ground, falling water, woodpeckers and otter tracks. Views down into dark pools pouring pristine water over prehistoric rocks. There was scat from a very well fed coyote, mushrooms that have the texture of soft suede shoes and dark, cool pools to quench the dog's thirst. The soundtrack is excellent: running water and that lively near-silence of wild places.  

  2.5 miles one way.

 

 

---

Another adventure in the wild

There has been a bit of a hiatus between me and the Vanderwhacker Wild Forest, so I felt it was about time I try to refamiliarize myself with the area and check out a couple of trails and a couple of peaks whose names just drew me in. I set my sights on Little Beaver and Beaver Mountains, located just south of Vanderwhacker Mountain. Seeing as how I am not a fan of hiking by myself due to my inability to hold a meaningful conversation with myself, I wanted to find someone interested for such an adventure. Luckily it was Sunday and most people have weekends available for recreation, so the question was whether I could get someone to take the hook. The answer is yes. Yes I did. Melissa is a new hiking compadre of mine and a newbie to bushwhacking, and by new I mean this is her second bushwhack. The interesting thing is her first bushwhack was also with me and I didn’t scare her off.

So the day of the hike came and I arrived early. It took me a half an hour less to get there than I had anticipated so I burned up a bit of time hiking along the Hewitt Eddy Trail, just down the road. I didn’t have time to make it all the way through but I did manage to take in a short scenic walk along the Boreas River. Our meet-up time had come and gone, and so had the next half hour. I got to thinking maybe I was supposed to meet her at the actual trailhead, not the corner of Moose Pond Road. With that thought I drove the nearly 3-miles of rough, rocky, puncture-your-oil-pan road back to the trailhead, but she wasn’t there. By the time I got back out it was 45-minutes past our meeting time, and now I was wondering if something happened or maybe she had to cancel, but with my cell phone comfortably at home on the counter it was to be a waiting game.

I decided to delay a bit longer and gave her to the top of the hour before disappointingly venturing out alone. Melissa showed up not long after, in a panic that I had gone without her. Apparently her cell phone GPS works about as good as mine. Well, it is what it is and I was happy to have her along, and I now had ammunition for some ribbing later on.

Off to the Beavers

For the second time that day I had to drive the rock mine of a road back to the trailhead, which can be done in a low-clearance vehicle, it just takes time and a bit of dodging. Now underway we started along the Vanderwhacker Mountain Trail with a couple of groups ahead of us. We immediately passed by three hunters standing along the trail waiting for an elusive black bear to just come up and raid their lunch pail. As busy a trail as this is, and on a holiday weekend, I couldn’t imagine too many bears would come wandering by.

What we were looking for was not a walking rug but an old snowmobile trail which, according to the map at the trailhead and other topo maps, is still a designated trail to follow. We would see. I remembered seeing the trail nearly five years ago, but only out of pure luck as it wasn’t too apparent back then.

 

After about a mile of trail we were where the trail should have been according to the GPS and the map, but the trail was nowhere to be seen. I backtracked a bit to assure we didn’t walk right past it but I felt a tenth of a mile was far enough to scope out. We continued up the trail and in the woods ahead I could see a snowmobile trail disk on a tree. If it were not for that disk, I think we would have passed it right by; deadfall had covered the actual intersection and a dense layer of fallen leaves masked the ground around it.

Now finally on the trail we could walk a bit freer and just keep the trail under us. The trail is all but in good shape, in fact I would say it was abandoned many years ago and the lack of maintenance had left Mother Nature to do her job and recover the scar, and she was doing a mighty fine job. I felt as part of the food chain as I was getting swallowed up by seedlings and seeps. The old metal trail markers still remained on the trees, but they were becoming few and far between. After only a quarter of a mile or so, we lost the trail. It had been absorbed by forest and even after a bit of scrambling we couldn’t make out its course. I made the quick decision to just head for the mountain and maybe, just maybe, we would happen upon the trail again.

We walked freely through the open hardwood forest and I was a bit frustrated that we didn’t have the ease of the trail before us to help with the shorter days’ time restraints, but we would make due. We did pop back out on the trail and at this juncture it actually was in pretty decent condition overall; not passable by snowmobile but noticeable enough for foot travel. We remained on this snowmobile route as it passed through thick undergrowth, under and over deadfall, and through deep spring-fed mud pits. Eventually we were where we needed to be to start bushwhacking toward Little Beaver Mountain.

Little Beaver Mountain has two summits, but it is unclear which one is considered the true top. I presumed it was the higher one, but was that just a shoulder of Beaver and not Little Beaver? We decided to check them both out for customary sake. We dropped from the trail and quickly came to a crossing of Wolf Creek. Wolf Creek was not quite as big as I was led to believe but it was widened in areas by beaver activity. I mean, what are the chances? Crossing in that area was very easy. We started to climb slightly as we passed through a ring of thicker spruce growth, typical for a wetland. Soon we emerged into an open hardwood forest and then we came to the crossing of Moose Pond Brook. This outlet of Moose Pond was also easy to navigate, nothing a well-placed fallen tree couldn’t fix.

Unexpected views

It was flat for a bit longer as we again went through a band of thicker spruce, but the climb was soon before us. The lower summit of Little Beaver Mountain was to our west and through several maneuvers to cut down on the steep terrain we made our way to the summit. The hardwood forests were very welcoming and even the crown of the summit was not a struggle to overcome. We had climbed up Little Beaver from the Newcomb side of the mountain and we ended up with great, colorful autumn views of the Indian Lake region and some of the smaller High Peaks. As we looked out over the Hudson Gorge area we could also see the taller summit of Little Beaver and Beaver mountains casting their shadows a bit further off on the horizon.

We made our way off of this summit under easy, albeit steep, conditions. We found ourselves in the high col standing atop what I call a bootleg trail. This trail laid out and maintained by a private party ran up and over the col, but not in the direction we needed to go, which was too bad. But wait — about 100 feet into the forest we were upon another bootleg trail that led uphill along the ridge. We welcomed it. While a bit tough to follow in spots it was a clear route over the summit, without which would require us to push through thick balsam growth. With seldom small views through the trees we moved along rather timelyand crested the high point of Little Beaver Mountain before starting our descent toward Beaver Mountain. The bootleg trail started to fall off the opposite side of the mountain away from our planned destination, so we exited it before we got sucked too far in the opposite direction. We located a welcoming part of the hardwood forest below to make that jump. We descended moderately to another high col, which seemed even shallower than the last. In our state of solitude we started our climb. We tediously picked our way up the mountain, step after step. A few tree slaps sparked some foul language from my vocabulary, under my breath, of course. We finally summited in a forest of open, old growth balsams. The floor covered in a deep green moss and a field of pickup sticks was in our path. We hoped for a view, but it wasn’t in the cards.

From here we decided it would be best if we made our way back though the boneyard of trees and back onto the bootleg trail. It was rather fast and easy to reach that point and that path aided quicker travels through the forest as the sunlight became diluted by darkness. Yes, it was getting late and shadows of the Beaver Mountains behind us made dusk even earlier in the day. We just wanted to at least be back on the snowmobile trail by dark, but being back at the car was even more preferable. Our descent was fast; we made it such, and quickly we were upon the first and then second brook crossing. A flagged hunters' trail on the way down helped with the ease of return. We crossed the hunters' path on the way up, but didn’t realize it would have aided our ascent.

The crossing of Wolf Creek came next and then we were upon the snowmobile trail, in plenty of time to finish the hike before dark. We only hoped we could keep the snowmobile trail under us all the way. We nearly lost it again in the same location where we lost it that morning, but luckily we realized where we were and we made the correct choices. Once back on the trail we made haste and returned to the car in plenty of time, even early enough to see the final minutes of the sunset on our ride out of town.

Exhausted, all I could think about on the way home was a hot drink.