"At sunrise everything is luminous." - Norman Maclean

Adirondack resident Beth Melecci loves to experience the rising of the sun. For her, the regular arrival of the sun over the horizon isn't just another day, it's a new day. It has promise, both for the world around and for herself, with everything coming alive and starting fresh. Happiest and most at home in the woods, Melecci is a state-certified hunting and fishing guide, singer/songwriter, and yoga and meditation instructor. She's a great example of someone who is in tune with herself and with the magical, visually stunning wilderness that is the Adirondacks, a place she loves to call home and encourages others to explore and enjoy.

Melecci lives near Schroon Lake, although she's had the pleasure to live in some remarkable places known for wildness and natural beauty, including Alaska and Idaho. "I love wild places. I always come back to the Adirondacks and there’s something about the Adirondacks that I feel like I’m at home here." For Melecci, home is more than a building or a community. It's a feeling of comfort, connection, and euphoria. It's hearing owls in the trees and the sound of the wind in fragrant, otherwise silent woods. A frequent hiker, snowshoer, and paddler, Melecci adores being out in the woods for the sunrise. "It keeps me feeling humble to be here in the Adirondacks and be able to see a beautiful sunrise and have mountains behind me and beautiful tall trees that have been there for a hundred years."

The Schroon Lake region offers many spots perfect for the sort of early morning hikes Melecci loves. Crane Pond, in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, is a favorite for both the scenery and it's proximity to Melecci's home. Spots like Crane Pond allow her to get up early — but not too early! — and explore the woods at sunrise before heading to work in Schroon Lake. "I am lucky," she says, "that I have these hiking trails close to me. There’s so many places to go to, that are so close to me, here in the Adirondacks. That's how it is for most of us [who live here]." One of the things she likes best about living in the Adirondacks is that, unlike Alaska or Idaho, anyone can get out into the woods without having to go too far for creature comforts like yoga or cultural activities. You can get the culture along with the wild-ness.

While Melecci enjoys time spent with people in the woods or on a lake, particularly when guiding, she also savors solo time. As long as you take the correct precautions, the Adirondacks is a place where you can travel in the woods alone and do so safely. Spending solo time in the wild areas of the Adirondacks, with the sounds of birds and the wind for company, is a remarkable experience everyone should try at least once. Melecci explains, “I love to be around people, but I also like to be on my own in the woods, in a wild place with the animals. And the Adirondacks has a lot of places that you can do that, you can go by yourself and connect with nature that way, in the wild.”

"I like to choose places that are harder to get to, because of the wild-ness. Where there’s not people. Where there’s more animals." As a licensed guide, Melecci spends a lot of time thinking about animals. Tracking engages her, particularly in winter, when tracks are clear in fresh snow. A grounded person, Melecci reminds us that "...being outdoors, we’re in their home. When we’re outside, we’re in the animals' and birds' home. So, to stay mindful of that as well, and try to be quiet, and go inward, and just settle into that connection of the animal’s journey, I love that. When I see a track, I go someplace with the track. It’s like answering a mystery."

Being outside, seeing the colors of a sunrise or the sparkle of a night sky, Melecci finds inspiration for her songs and a sense of peacefulness. "You become quiet," she says, "and then you become very present and aware of where you’re at, with each step along the way." Melecci encourages others to spend time in the wild, noting that "after you do a whole beautiful snowshoe or a ski or a hike, you’re just uplifted. I'm uplifted. We’re just blessed to be able to do that in the Adirondacks.”

Melecci encourages anyone looking to spend some time outside to “treat yourself to an experience of the wildness of the Adirondacks. If you don’t live here and you’re coming to visit the Adirondacks, allow yourself to be enlightened by the wilderness here in the mountains.”

The Adirondack Hub has plenty of opportunities for you to treat yourself to your own experiences in the wilderness. Plan your own adventure by exploring where to stay, eat, and explore. As an outdoor enthusiasts' playground, there are always fun special events, too.

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The Dawn Patrol series:

Episode 1: Mark

Episode 2: John

Episode 3: Beth

Episode 4: Mitchell and Bethany

Episode 5: Ali

Episode 6: Amanda

Episode 7: Erin

Episode 8: Keith

Episode 9: Stacy

A Chance to go Camping

Last week Wren and I took a camping trip down to Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest where we explored a variety of places for birds and anything wild. After a brief stop in Schroon Lake, we drove from town up into the wild forest where we briefly explored some areas along Northwoods Club Road before stopping at the southern trailhead along Route 28N for Hewitt Eddy.

Hiking to Hewitt Eddy

From the southern trailhead it is just under a mile to the Eddy itself and Wren and I made quick progress in the late afternoon through a beautiful mixed forest on the snaking pathway, brushing bracken ferns as we went. While the warm afternoon was largely quiet, we still heard and saw quite a few birds including Magnolia and Black-throated Blue Warblers, as well as Hermit Thrush, White-throated Sparrow and Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos. We eventually made our way to the water where the Boreas River cuts along the northern access trail. There we found the wide, slowly turning Eddy of the otherwise rocky and bubbling stream and Wren plunged in to cool herself off.

Her splashing may have aroused the interest of the local beaver which suddenly appeared and slid quietly over towards where she stood on shore. Then with a mighty thump, it splashed its tail and dove in an effort to chase us away. It was soon back, lurking near where Wren had jumped into the water, and remaining much closer than I usually see beavers do when we are out hiking. I tried to take advantage of this by snapping photos of it while attempting to keep Wren away from spooking or agitating it. After a few minutes of this we left to explore part of the northern arm of the trail along the Boreas River before retracing our steps to the southern trailhead. For folks with two cars, they can hike the short two mile trail straight through.

Birding Along the Roosevelt Truck Trail

The day was cooling to evening by this point but there was still time to explore along the Roosevelt Truck Trail, so we drove a short distance north on Route 28N to the somewhat hidden trailhead which marks the southern access to the trail. We hiked the grassy road perhaps a mile each direction, I was listening to the quiet woods while Wren was busy sniffing the ground. In a low, thicket of balsam fir, a family of White-throated Sparrows began to scold us – I could see that a few of the birds were recently fledged young which were looking rather ungainly and awkward as their feathers grew in an unbecoming manner and pushed out their natal down. Young birds always look funny at that stage.

I decided to encourage their scolding by calling for a Barred Owl and the sparrows responded by doubling their chirps. Soon other birds were responding too, as the forest formed a posse to chase the unseen owl away. American Robins, Swainson’s and Hermit Thrushes, Hairy Woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Black-capped Chickadees, an Ovenbird, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Magnolia Warbler, and both Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos flitted this way and that and scolded me from the trees. After a few minutes and having satisfactorily disturbed the neighborhood for long enough, I stopped calling and watched as the birds quietly slipped back to hidden perches, presumably content that the owl was gone for now. We turned and walked back to the car.

Finally Getting to Camp

Our final stop of the day was to find a campsite on Moose Pond Way, back south along Route 28N and directly adjacent to the bridge over the Boreas River. We made slow progress on the rough and rocky road, but we finally found a few open campsites, chose one, and I pitched the tent while Wren explored our environs. White-throated Sparrows, Red-eyed Vireos, and an Ovenbird called and sang from the growing shadows, but the evening choir was dominated by Swainson’s Thrushes and Hermit Thrushes whose ethereal songs are the perfect backdrop to any Adirondack camping experience. I fed Wren, and cooked in the twilight, listening to them until they finally became quiet with the night. I cleaned up our things, and Wren and I crawled into the tent early, as we generally do when camping.

It was a beautiful night for camping as temperatures cooled in the darkness. Wren lay with her face pointed towards the door in order to keep watch, with me lying beside her, sleeping, but listening to hear the sounds of the night around us. At one point – and I don’t know at what time - a Barred Owl called. I lay listening to it before turning and falling back to sleep. The following morning arrived, much as the prior day had ended – with the songs of Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes leading a chorus of birds as our natural alarm clock. I listened to them before finally getting up, and as I moved around camp on the chores of breakfast and breaking down the tent, we were treated by both a flyover of a Red Crossbill and a short visit from a Boreal Chickadee. It was going to be a great day to be in the woods.

It's a great time to plan a camping trip to the Schroon Lake Region. Check out our camping, dining, and outdoor recreation pages for more information!

 

I happened to be in Schroon Lake on a cold March afternoon, traveling through squalls of snow - a sure sign that spring is on the way. When you visit the Adirondacks, I highly recommend making Schroon Lake a stop on your tour. Drop by the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce to get the lowdown on all the sights to see. Besides the scenic namesake lake, and beautifully preserved historic architecture, there are many fun shops to explore… and if you happen to be into bread making as much as I am, have I got a treat for you!

 

A few doors down from the Chamber office is the North Woods Bread Company. They have been providing delicious artisan breads to the region since the summer of 2015. Lisa and Edward Marks run the bakery in the same space as their other endeavor, the Pine Cone Mercantile. When I was there, Lisa was cheerfully welcoming shoppers to their unique home furnishings store while Edward was manning the bread shop, but don’t let that fool you, both Lisa and Edward are master bakers. Stop in on the weekends to try Lisa’s scones!

Country farmer hearty white, wheat with flax seeds, and multi-grain are all tempting choices. Black pepper and fig? Hmmm, that is simply too intriguing to pass up.

Sunflower seed sourdough! I’ll take it!

This white bread would make a mighty fine sandwich.

Those loaves of caraway seed rye are just crying out for some pastrami and sauerkraut.

The bread store is a cozy space, smartly appointed with antique display cabinets, subway tiled walls, and small schoolhouse pendant lights that are perfectly proportioned for the room.

Besides all these wonderful breads, there are also cookies and granola made in-house to consider. How yummy would yogurt and granola be as a quick and healthy breakfast? They also have seasonal selections of local cheese AND are the drop off point for Mace Chasm Farm's CSA.

The North Woods Bread Company offers freshly roasted fair trade coffee in three different roasts. OK, now you have my undivided attention.

Edward was kind enough to let me have a peek at the kitchen. Clean and spacious with lots of natural light, there is plenty of room here for all the dough that has to rise. Two propane ovens carry the work load now, but there is a third in the plans to keep up with the demand for their bread.

Just look at the magnificent ear on this sourdough loaf. It is a sign of moist dough expanding rapidly in high heat, and also a very good indication that we are in for quite a treat.

The sunflower sour dough is sliced and ready for sampling. It was tasty and the sunflowers in the bread gave it a mildly nutty flavor and hearty texture.

The black pepper and fig was hands down the favorite with its soft texture and the winning sweet and savory combination.

Is there anything in this world better than freshly roasted coffee beans? Opening the bag to a rush of intense aroma, I poured out a serving of beans. After putting the bag immediately into the freezer (these are too good to let sit on the shelf), I examined the roast marks and delicate coating of oil left on the beans by the rolling heat of the roaster. This is going to be a memorable pot of joe.

Coffee of this caliber deserves to be brewed in a vacuum coffee pot to draw out all of the flavor. First, hook up the 1921 cast iron grinder to the 1927 mixer. What, you don’t have an antique mixer? Have you stopped to ask yourself “why not”? Set the right grind for a vacuum pot, that being coarser than espresso and finer than for percolating. Just slightly coarser than flour. Turn it on and let the machine do all the work needed for the best cup of coffee you can get.

 

Throw the grounds into the top chamber of your vintage vacuum coffee pot, a device I couldn't live without, and turn on the heat. The hot water will rise to the top chamber automatically when it reaches the right temperature. Some sunflower seed sourdough french toast is cooking nicely in the foreground.

Almost coffee! Once the water is in the top chamber, remove the pot from the heat. As it cools, the brewed coffee is drawn down into the bottom chamber.

Here is Andrea pouring lots of maple syrup over slabs of buttery french toast made from our loaves from the North Woods Bread Company. When I asked her how they were, she replied, “Nom, nom, nom, can’t talk- eating.”

Everybody line up for a hot cuppa!

Yes, this deep black cup of java heaven was every bit as delicious as it looks.

All in all, we enjoyed our visit to North Woods Bread Company immensely, and will stop in everytime we are in the neighborhood. I highly recommend you do the same!

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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.

 

 

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

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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…

 

 

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.

 

 

And broke my resolution.

 

 

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

 

I have two pieces of advice regarding the Morningstar Bistro & Gifts in Schroon Lake: 1. go there, and...2. well...ok, just one piece of advice.

My coworker and I were in town this week for a meeting, which ended conveniently at quarter to lunch.

It's a treat to sample some of Schroon Lake's fare JUST before the summer season takes off and there are more people milling about. We walked down the largely quiet Main Street for just a few moments before we happened upon the colorful facade of Morningstar Bistro. I had never been there, so we walked in.

We were quickly welcomed by the woman behind the counter, and encouraged to just choose one of their eclectic group of tables; our server will be right with us. So, we chose the circular one with the tiled top.

Our server came right out to take our caffeine - er - drink order, and gave us our menus. Seems like it's a lot more difficult to choose when you're starving, but we both decided to select one of the gourmet sandwiches listed in the first section, under the tagline: "Good enough to serve in Schroon Lake's Most Prestigious Hotels of Yesteryear."

Well, that made sense to me. I'd find out about the "Prestigious Hotels" later. I ordered The Brown Swan, which is a smoked turkey sandwich with their own cranberry spread, lettuce tomato and red onion on our choice of bread, and set about surveying the landscape. The restaurant is both a retail space (ergo the "& gifts" on the sign) and an eatery. Looking around, the walls are attractively adorned with shelves with a variety of trinkets, from handmade wooden signs and framed photographs to greeting cards. 

Our sandwiches arrived swiftly, along with Terra chips a side of homemade marinated vegetables. It was delicious, but would have created a doggy bag situation on a typical day. Today, though, it was just the right amount of sustenance for someone in my starving condition.

We finished up, paid and made our way back out to our car just as three more tables were filled. So I DO have a second piece of advice: whenever possible, get ahead of the crowds in May by showing up just before noon.

And the origin of the tagline "Good enough to serve in Schroon Lake's Most Prestigious Hotels of Yesteryear?" I called my go-to resource for all things Schroon Lake Region at the visitors center on Main Street, just doors from the Bistro. Turns out the gourmet sandwiches are all named after children's camps and grand hotels from the past.

And in the future? I'll be back to try The Leland.

Check out all of the Schroon Lake Region dining opportuntiies!

 

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

The Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area is a gorgeous, 46,283-acre region that’s chock full of trails, lakes, mountains, and wildlife. It can be accessed from 11 parking areas, so there are lots of options available. That’s great for people who like to explore, but it can make it difficult for first-time visitors to decide where to go. Read on for three of our favorite Pharaoh Lake adventures!

Out and back: Crane Pond trail

This is a relatively easy 1.7-mile hike to a lovely pond, and there’s plenty to see along the way. The first part of the path is actually a dirt road, and while some people try to drive it, this is not recommended because the road is not maintained. That’s OK, though, because the views of the ravine and waterfalls on Alder Creek are worth walking for. 

The first 1.2 miles rises about 160 feet. Shortly after that it levels off and skirts Alder Pond. Take a right at the three-way intersection and Crane Pond will appear in a few minutes. If you’re the camping type, explore the shore to find several designated campsites. 

Getting there

Crane Pond parking area: Follow Route 9 north from downtown Schroon Lake and turn right on Alder Meadow Road. After about 2 miles continue straight onto Crane Pond Road and follow that for 1.4 miles to the end.

Peak bagger: Pharaoh Mountain

There are two pharaohs in this wilderness area — Pharaoh Lake and Pharaoh Mountain. We’ll get to the lake in a minute, but first let’s talk about the mountain. At 2,556 feet in elevation, Pharaoh is certainly not the biggest or the hardest hike in the Adirondacks, but the view from its mostly open summit is phenomenal. 

Like any destination in this area, there are several directions this peak can be approached from. A favorite is to set up camp at Crane Pond, then ascend 1,405 feet over 2.6 miles from there. Alternately, the mountain can be approached from the south via the Pharaoh Lake trail. It’s more than 4 miles to the Pharaoh Mountain trail, and from there it’s a 1,355 foot elevation gain in 1.2 miles to the top, but there are lots of campsites around the lake to choose from so you don't have to worry about rushing back to beat the setting sun.

Getting there

Crane Pond parking area: See directions above.

Pharaoh Lake Road parking area: From downtown Schroon Lake, follow Route 9 north, turn right on Alder Meadow Road, then take another right on Adirondack Road. Follow that for about 8.5 miles and turn left on Johnson Road, which is also County Route 15. Follow that for a little over 2 miles, then take a slight left on Beaver Pond Road and follow that for about 3 miles to Pharaoh Road. Turn left and follow that for about a half mile to the parking area.

Speaking of Pharaoh Lake

Not only is this 441-acre waterbody an excellent place to camp, it’s also the centerpiece of a fantastic 6-mile loop. Follow the Pharaoh Lake trail for 3.3 miles to the outlet for the lake, then pick a direction and have fun exploring the shore. There are 14 designated campsites, some of which are on little peninsulas, that make great waypoints for the journey. Go on a clear night — there’s nothing like seeing the Milky Way over the water.

Getting there

Pharaoh Lake Road parking area: See directions above.

 

Hike, paddle, and fish in the Schroon Lake region!

An Adirondack Hat Trick

As you may have read in this recent blog, I took a spring trek up Moxham Mountain. And, because of that hike, I got the idea to see what else this region’s mountains have to offer. We had this plan to do a two-car traverse through an area none of us were familiar with, so we left nothing to chance and got a bit of an early start. For once I was not the one running late, using my internal alarm clock as an excuse, it was odd being on the other side of that conversation. Corenne and I were sitting on the corner of Northwoods Club Road as Jim went racing by in his ghost white S-10, we smiled wondering how long it would take him to realize what he'd done (it wasn’t toooo long before he pulled in behind us). We drove down a bit further to a very deep col between Venison and Kellogg Mountains to park Jim’s truck as best we could on the side of the road, trying to avoid a sinking feeling in the generating mud layers. We found a spot near the culvert for Bullhead Brook, which saved us having to cross it later in the day; it had become a river with all the snowmelt during the recent weeks. Then off we were to the other side of the range.

We parked our second car off 14th Road just south of Minerva, which happens to be the same road as Moxham Mountain. We drove past that trailhead and continued for a bit over a mile to a convenient spot across the swollen creek and on Forest Preserve Land. Much of this area is private property but there are a couple of parking spots that accessed us to state land. We found the western most access point which was perfect because this placed us on the friendly side of Deer Creek.

Dutton Mountain

Now we would be off, and yes, we left our snowshoes in the car - I had no desire to wear or even carry them. Worst case scenario we wallow through what snow was left, and it couldn’t be much, the ground as far we could see was bare. Immediately the ground was soft under our feet, we loved it, even the slight amount of standing spring water was great to see for a change. After a short steep climb to get above the brook, we were on a very mellow hike through some very open forest. With Dutton Mountain just under a mile away, it quickly came into sight on the horizon. We could see from afar that it had ledges with possible viewing opportunities just below the true summit, we couldn’t wait to be there. Then yet another pleasant find, it was a spring beauty popping up through the decaying oak leaves; still closed from its overnight slumber, it would surely be open before day’s end, maybe we would see more after mid-day.

We climbed the steep slopes of Dutton with loose rocks jumbled under us. While many stayed put, others were sent astray by me toward Jim and Corenne. The rocky slopes opened up to a unique red pine forest, not seen as much in the Adirondacks as I would like. An open ridgeline offered up views toward Moxham in the foreground and in the distance the quiet snowy slopes of Gore Mountain; the fire tower glistened in the sunlight. We were yet a quarter-mile from the summit as we worked through an oddly mixed forest of spruce, red pine, white pine, and birches - a mixture of species not commonly seen together. The summit would offer us nothing for additional views and quite honestly it would have to be pretty darn good to trump where we just were.

Venison Mountain

We quickly dropped off the north side of Dutton in search of Venison - no it’s not hunting season, that’s the name of the peak. This would be the longest portion of this today's trip and at that, just 1.3 miles or so. Venison Mountain was nearly the exact same height as Dutton making the actual summit tough to see once we dropped lower in elevation. The descent was gradual and eventually we found ourselves in a very thick pole stand. Actually not even pole diameter trees, they were obviously older, just not spread out enough to grow properly. The ground was very dark sand, almost like it was mixed with ash from a fire, were we in a previous fire zone? As we exited from this unique forested area we came to several small pools of muck in a semi-liquid state, which we had to navigate around or become part of.

Finally we could ascend Venison; the approach was filled with undulating hills, just teasing us of a climb. Again we could see a rocky shelf just below the summit, this one just to the left of the actual top along with what looked to be an open ridge approach. As we climbed higher I chose a ridge I felt was the one we saw, although several other small shelves also looked welcoming. We pushed through the rubus that was growing in pretty thick fashion in the lightly treed areas, but I had jumped too soon, we needed the next semi-open ridgeline (but that was OK since we were aware of my error). Jim decided to go right and see what he could find and Corenne and I went left in the direction I felt was more promising. After a bit of side-hill hiking I spotted the ledge that had prompted us to be so diligent. I hooted and hollered to Jim, and eventually he heard my attempt to locate and we rendezvoused near the base.

Atop the ledge we were in awe of the views before us, it felt as though we were in an apple orchard, but really we were in a mountain ash orchard with a grassy undertone. We spent well over a half-hour here relaxing and having a nice lunch. The true summit was only a few hundred feet away. At the summit we found a cairn marking the top as well as a small whitetail deer statue and some names scribbled on a piece of birch bark; quaint, yet not terribly out of place. A wooded summit on a rocky spine was where we were at and a crazy steep descent in front of us down to Northwoods Club Road. The terrain was steep, but not as bad as we had anticipated. We found a narrow drainage path which we jumped into with no delay, although eventually we had to leave it in order to stay on state land. We hit the road right at the culvert adjacent to where we parked, it was a near perfect descent.

Kellogg Mountain

 

We were now looking up at Kellogg Mountain, which we figured to be a 500 foot climb in less than a quarter of a mile; it was going to be steep and relentless. We found a flagged route up the mountain, unsure of its purpose or destination, we followed it as it took a fall-line approach to the summit. As we neared the apex of the hillside we had to do a bit of hand-over-hand scrambling with small saplings as our support guides. We didn’t see too much promise here on this 2100 foot peak, but we were still hopeful. The true summit had slight views through the leafless trees, but as soon as they blossomed the views would be gone. Jim and I had to poke around, we wanted a view of the High Peaks that we knew were so near. And, then, there it was. We found a small open slope where we could see the entire upper Great Range from Marcy to Gothics and even the teeth of Sawteeth serrated the blue sky. We spotted the entire MacIntyre Range, and then in the other direction was the Dix Range. Sure they were off in the distance but we could find them all, and still quite snow-covered I might add.

It was now time to go; what a sobering note to a wonderful day; but what comes at the end of a day is the ideas that flow for the next trip into the wilderness. Who knows where I will be, but I assure you it will be some remote peak nestled away in the wonders of our beloved park.

Ready to plan your next hiking, biking, or fishing trip in the Schroon Lake Region? We've got great places to stay and friendly folks to guide your way. See you on the trail.

There are many ways to enjoy fall in the Adirondacks. The outdoor opportunities are endless. We’ve picked our top five ways to enjoy the foliage in some of our favorite Adirondack communities. Try one, or try them all. 

1. Have a picnic by Schroon Lake

The Schroon Lake Beach is a favorite among locals and visitors alike in the summer, but the area surrounding the beach is absolutely beautiful. Maple trees change from green to red, orange, and yellow. Benches on the grass provide a spot to sit and enjoy the view of the lake. Grab takeout from one of your favorite restaurants and walk over to the beach area for a picnic. Enjoy the fresh fall air, the view of the lake, and fall foliage. 

2. Take a scenic drive down Blue Ridge Road

Blue Ridge Road is a long, scenic stretch of road connecting North Hudson and Newcomb. The road is just over 19 miles long and is lined with trees and hiking trailheads. Pick a day when the sun is out, grab a coffee, and get in your car to enjoy a wonderful display of fall foliage. When you make it to Newcomb, make sure you grab lunch at the Lake Harris Lodge or the Newcomb Cafe. You can eat there, or take your meal to go.

3. Go for a hike in Minerva

Vanderwhacker Mountain is a great fall hike with a fire tower for the ultimate fall foliage viewing vantage point. It’s about a six mile hike past several wetlands, leading you up to the fire tower overlooking the High Peaks. This is a moderate hike with an elevation of 3,386 feet. Remember to recreate responsibly and respect the outdoors. 

4. Have a beer at Paradox Brewery

Fall and beer go hand-in-hand. Paradox Brewery is North Hudson’s beloved brewery. Located near the Frontier Town Campground, this brewery recently moved and upgraded their facilities. Their beers are award-winning, and so are the views. The wrap around deck off of the building has a beautiful view. Pair your beer with a view, and you’ve got the ultimate fall experience.

5. Go glamping at the Lake Harris Lodge

The Lake Harris Lodge is a beautiful new restaurant located in Newcomb, NY, but there are also glamping tents on site. There is currently only one, but there are plans to add three more in the future. The tents are decorated with an Adirondack flair and each comes with its own restroom. The tent that is currently there sits right on the shores of Lake Harris. Picture waking up overlooking the lake and the fall foliage, with the crisp mountain air, and the call of the loons.

As you can see, fall in the Adirondacks is spectacular. There are a number of ways to get out and enjoy the fresh air, and some really unique experiences to try this fall. 

 

 

When you live in the Adirondacks and hunt and fish, you become a de facto guide simply by the number of friends from outside the region who want to come up and visit and experience the outdoor opportunities this spectacular place offers.

I can usually accommodate them, especially if we're talking about spring gobblers. Maybe even deer; I did, in fact, lead a Pennsylvania pal deep into the bush a few years back and he even got a crack at a big buck, the kind that tend to grow old in the backcountry and produce gnarly racks.

Lake Champlain smallmouths and ice fishing on Schroon Lake for lakers and landlocks is easily handled, as well. Ditto for trout on the West Branch of the Ausable.

But when a couple buddies from northern Pennsylvania wanted to come up and pursue varying hares – we call 'em snowshoes – I hesitated a bit. I run Labrador retrievers on pheasants, but my dogs are way too hot for the big white rabbits. And while I know a few spots (even around the house), where they regularly trip our motion detector lights at night) I'm not totally in tune with the hare hot spots.

No worries, they said. They just wanted to run their beagles on hares and see how they performed. And kill a few, as well. And how hard would this be, anyway? You look for hare tracks and turn the dogs loose.

So there we were, as the two boys rolled into town on a Friday night for a weekend of hunting. Our three Labs weren't impressed when a pair of beagles pranced into the house and made themselves right at home, but they did enjoy the pizza crust handouts from Ethan and Derek.

After a hearty breakfast on Saturday morning (something you could find at any one of these Schroon Lake establishments), we hit a promising spot loaded with the kind of low-hanging cover favored by hares. The dogs worked well, and it wasn't long before we were serenaded by a pair of bawling beagles, hot on the trail of a big-footed bunny. Conditions were ideal, even for Derek's diminutive beagle Bonnie, who would have struggled had there been any significant snow depth. Even so, the deadfalls presented their own set of challenges.

That trail ran cold, which was surprising: unlike cottontail rabbits, hares don't "hole up" and are always available for tracking.

That's the way the day went, and when it was done we were hare-less. And to top it off, one of the beagles was lame.

This guiding gig was coming unraveled.

But both dogs did take to the field the next day, and we managed a good run early. I carried my Browning A-5 but had no intention of shooting; this was the boys' hunt. So when the hare bounded past with impressive leaps, I simply watched – and listened.

It was Derek who sealed the deal, and the boys admired the hare with appreciation. We called off the day when we noticed the gimpy beagle was still struggling.

But we vowed to get together for a rematch in the big woods. 

You don’t have to own a Hobie Cat sailboat to participate in the third annual Schroon Lake Hobie Cat Regatta.

The regatta happens every Father's Day weekend — this year it’s June 15-17. Event organizer Glen Repko said about thirty Hobie Cats will take to the water. That’s thirty brightly colored sails, all traversing Schroon Lake at twenty-five knots to the delight of spectators and sailors alike. The best part is, anyone who wants to know what being on a Hobie Cat is like can hitch a ride on one during the regatta.

“People can just show up, and when the boats come in they can go for a ride,” Glen said. “It’s a safe sport. You can get out on the water, you can go fast on the water, and just enjoy the fresh air and the wind.”

The idea for the event came to Glen when some of his friends, who are part of Fleet 204, a Hobie Cat race organization based in central New York, mentioned they were looking for a new venue. He knew just the place.

“Schroon Lake has good north and south winds quite a bit of the time, and there’s an open area between the town beach and Word of Life Island, where we can set up a buoy system and run the race effectively,” Glen said. “People can sit on the banks of the lake and watch the racers as they go by. We also have long sandy beaches, so the boats can be beached easily. It makes for a nice venue.”

The cool thing about the regatta is it gets entrants from well beyond the Adirondacks. This year a team from Puerto Rico will compete, and there are always people who travel from around the U.S. Many of the competitors are racing for points, which can increase their ratings as they go from one regatta to the next. Two of this year’s entrants are national champions.

Schroon Lake Hobie Cat Regatta details

The races begin at the town beach boathouse.

Friday: Boats go in the water at the boathouse from 5-7:30 p.m.

Saturday: Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and races begin around 11 a.m.

Sunday: Registration begins at 9 a.m. and races begin around 10:30 a.m. The awards ceremony starts around 2:30 p.m.

With all of the lodging, dining, and activities around Schroon Lake, the Hobie Cat Regatta makes a great centerpiece to a weekend getaway in the Adirondacks!