Events

Events, 2018

Mon, Jan 1: New Year's Day Potluck and Outing Spend the afternoon walking, snowshoeing or skiing at the Clarkson Adirondack Lodge with Laurentian Chapter members. Outdoor activities start at 2:00pm and continue all afternoon until dark, snacks about 4:00pm. Details forthcoming. Contact Tom Wheeler at 315-386-2482 or northflow@gmail.com.

Sat, Jan 6: rescheduled to Jan 7 Robert Moses State Park A highlight will be the brand new Eugene L. Nicandri Nature Center which opened this year. Trails suitable for both skiing and snowshoeing and we hope to do a little of both. Bring lunch to enjoy indoors at the Nature Center. Beginners and children welcome, and beginner-level instruction available. Snowshoes and skis available for loan on site. 3 miles, Level 1. Very easy. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sun, Jan 7: rescheduled from Jan 6 Robert Moses State Park A highlight will be the brand new Eugene L. Nicandri Nature Center which opened this year. Trails suitable for both skiing and snowshoeing and we hope to do a little of both. Bring lunch to enjoy indoors at the Nature Center. Beginners and children welcome, and beginner-level instruction available. Snowshoes and skis available for loan on site. 3 miles, Level 1. Very easy. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sun, Jan 21: Outdoors - Indoors: Potsdam - A Climate-Smart Community Potsdam Civic Center Community Room (above the police station), 7:30 PM. The town and village of Potsdam recently passed a resolution to become a Climate Smart Community. CSC is a program that is managed by NYS DEC. Villages, towns, and counties can pledge to become a certified Climate Smart Community. The commitment involves 10 elements including goal setting, decreasing community energy use, and supporting a green innovation economy, all dependent on informing and inspiring the public. Alex French, Sustainability Coordinator for Clarkson University, will discuss how the climate is changing in Potsdam; specific ways Potsdam and similar communities might fulfill the 10 elements needed to achieve a CSC certification; ways Clarkson will be involved; and the general process that the Town and Village of Potsdam might take to move forward.

Sat, Jan 27: Snowshoe Wellesley Island State Park We will explore the trails and visit the newly renovated Nature Center (if it is open). Bring lunch. 3-6 miles RT depending on the will of the group. Level 2-3. Contact Marianne Hebert at 315-265-0756 or hebertm@potsdam.edu.

Sun, Feb 11: Rescheduled to Mar 11 Great Camp Santanoni 10 miles round trip over mostly flat ground. We’ll ski this classic route to the Great Camp where we’ll cook a hot lunch on our backpacking stove. Level 4, strenuous, for length and remoteness. Contact Blair Madore at 315-261-0751 or madorebf@potsdam.edu.

Sat, Feb 17: Skiing on the Peavine Swamp trail This famous old ski trail near Wanakena is more scenic than its name suggests. Several possible loops allow us to adapt the route to the weather and snow conditions. Easy to moderate, Level 3. Joint outing with North Woods Chapter. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sun, Feb 25: Snowshoe Hike to Harper Falls We’ll do an early afternoon snowshoe hike into Harper Falls on the Middle Branch of the Grass River, enjoy the falls, and explore some of the trails downstream from the Falls. Four to six miles round trip, and mostly flat. Fairly Easy. Contact Tom Ortmeyer at 315-244-3707 or tortmeye@gmail.com.

Sun, Feb 25: Outdoors - Indoors: Cycling Routes of the St. Lawrence River Valley and Northern Adirondacks Potsdam Civic Center Community Room (above the police station), 7:30 PM. After several years of work and revisions, Tom Ortmeyer and John Barron’s cycling guidebook to St.Lawrence County and neighboring areas of the North Country and Canada was released this summer by ADK Publications. Tom and John will describe the growing cycling program in the Laurentian Chapter, how the many varied routes suggested the idea of a guidebook, and the process of developing a manuscript and having it published in the digital age.

Sat, Mar 3: Postponed High Rock Ski This level trail in Wanakena, in the Cranberry Lake Wilderness area, follows an old truck road to a pleasant lunch spot on rocks overlooking the Oswegatchie River. 7.8 miles RT. If no snow, we’ll hike the Moore trail nearby, which also follows the Oswegatchie River. 4 miles RT, Level 2-3 depending on conditions. Joint outing with North Woods Chapter. Chapter members only. Limit 12. Contact: Leaders: John and Susan Omohundro, adknwoutings@gmail.com.

Sat, Mar 10: Bear Mountain Snowshoe or hike This will be a loop beginning at the gate of the Cranberry Lake campground. Nice views of Cranberry Lake. Approximately 5.5 miles RT, leisurely pace. Elevation gain 677 feet. Level 3, Moderate. Contact Marianne Hebert 315-265-0756 or hebertm@potsdam.edu.

Sun, Mar 11: Rescheduled from Feb 11 Great Camp Santanoni 10 miles round trip over mostly flat ground. We’ll ski this classic route to the Great Camp where we’ll cook a hot lunch on our backpacking stove. Level 4, strenuous, for length and remoteness. Contact Blair Madore at 315-261-0751 or madorebf@potsdam.edu.

Sat, Mar 17: Snowshoeing to Trombley Landing 3.5 miles RT to a lean-to beside the Raquette River near Tupper Lake. Small hills but little change in elevation. Beginners and children welcome. Level 2. Joint outing with North Woods Chapter. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sun, Mar 25: Tupper Triad Join us as we attempt to snowshoe all three small mountains (Goodman, Coney and Arab) that form this challenge. Together, that is 7.6 miles and about 1700 feet of ascent. Of course, participants can opt out after the first or second hike, as they see fit. (There’s no guarantee the leader will make it through all three either). Contact Blair Madore at 315-261-0751 or madorebf@potsdam.edu.

Sun, Mar 25: Outdoors - Indoors: Environmental Effects of Roads in the Adirondack Park and St. Lawrence Valley Potsdam Civic Center Community Room (above the police station), 7:30 PM. Roads and road traffic have a dramatic impact on the surrounding environment. Road ecologists work with transportation engineers and transportation departments to mitigate the negative effects of roadways. Tom Langen, Chair of Clarkson University’s Biology Department, will discuss how roads affect environmental quality in the Adirondack Park and St. Lawrence Valley and ways to improve road design and management.

Sun, Apr 8: Spring Pot Luck Bring a dish to share and your own tableware. First Presbyterian Church, Potsdam. Arrive at 5 PM for supper at 5:30 PM. Guest speaker Brian Hoody, president of the Adirondack 46ers, will give us insight into what the 46ers are doing to help manage the rapidly growing demand for hiking in the High Peaks. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sat, Apr 21: Landon Bay Easy hike in Canada’s Thousand Islands National Park. Features wetland views, historic features, and a high viewpoint overlooking the Thousand Islands. Optional early supper at the Stonewater Brew Pub in Gananoque. Joint trip with Black River Chapter. 5 miles, Level 2. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sun, Apr 22: Climb and cleanup of Pinnacle on Earth Day Celebrate the 48st Earth Day by climbing this little mountain and sharing some poem, prose excerpt, art, or other nature-related or conservation-related item with the group during lunch. The walk is five miles round trip and the elevation gain is about 700 feet. Bring a kitchen-sized garbage bag and gloves for handling litter. Contact: Leaders: John and Susan Omohundro, adknwoutings@gmail.com.

Sat, Apr 28: Everton Falls Clean-up Meet at 28 Port Kent Road, Nicholville at 10:00am or at the canoe launch parking on the Red Tavern Road at 10:30am. We will check the hardwood and softwood trails for blowdown and pick up any trash along the roadside. Picnic lunch beside the river. Canoeing if water levels are safe. We will provide trash bags. Level 1. Contact Duncan Cutter 315-328-4675, or cut57@twcny.rr.com.

Sun, Apr 29: Tooley Pond Road Waterfalls Visit multiple waterfalls during spring runoff for astounding views and photos. A total 2-3 miles of walking split over several trails. Level 1. Contact Blair Madore 315-261-0751 or madorebf@potsdam.edu for details.

Sat, May 5: Bicycle Trip Canton to Upper and Lower Lakes Bird Conservation Area This is a 20 mile ride, with multiple stops to view the Grass River, Indian Creek Nature Center, and the conservation area to look for birds, wildflowers, etc. Contact Tom Ortmeyer, 315-244-3707, tortmeye@gmail.com.

Sat, May 19: Rescheduled to Sunday, May 20 Cycling in Ottawa The Tulip Festival will be in progress. Very slow speed with many scenic stops along the Ottawa River, the Rideau Canal, and Dow’s Lake. 25 miles, Level 3. Contact John Barron. 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sun, May 20: Rescheduled from Saturday, May 19 Cycling in Ottawa The Tulip Festival will be in progress. Very slow speed with many scenic stops along the Ottawa River, the Rideau Canal, and Dow’s Lake. 25 miles, Level 3. Contact John Barron. 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sat, May 26: Haystack of Ray Brook One of the Saranac 6. Good views of the High Peaks. Pace slow. 6.6 miles, 1200 feet of gain, Level 3 plus. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sat, Jun 2: National Trails Day Details to be announced.

Sat, Jun 2: Hike around Massawepie Lake Approximately 6 miles with a few short climbs and descents but no significant elevation gain. We will traverse dramatic eskers, visit the source of the Grass River. We will have lunch on one of the peninsulas, and hopefully we will see lots of birds and wildflowers along the way. Level 3, moderate. Contact Marianne Hebert at 315-265-0756 or hebertm@potsdam.edu.

Sun, Jun 10 - Fri, Jun 15: ADK Cycle Outing The first ADK Cycle Outing will be held in Potsdam June 10-15. This year’s trip is full, but you can call to get on the waiting list. Also, we are looking for a few local leaders to lead a cycle trip on a route they know. Contact Tom Ortmeyer, 315-244-3707, tortmeye@gmail.com for details.

Sat, Jun 23: Paddle/Sail Carry Falls Reservoir (Canoes only) We’ll paddle from Jamestown falls north to the Carry Falls Dam (about 5 miles). We’ll bring tarps/ropes and poles to rig temporary sails if wind conditions permit. Direction of travel may also reverse depending on wind. Expect a great day of play and exploration on this large body of water. Level 3. Contact Blair Madore 315-261-0751 or madorebf@potsdam.edu for details.

Sun, Jun 24: OK Slip Falls OK Slip Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the Adirondacks, located a bit beyond Indian Lake. The trail features good views of the falls and the surrounding mountains. The trail is 6.8 miles round trip. An additional 1.6 miles rt will take you to a gorge on the Hudson River. Level 3. Contact Tom Ortmeyer, 315-244-3707, tortmeye@gmail.com for details.

Sat, Jul 14: Paddling in Newcomb Lake Harris, Rich Lake, and the headwaters of the Hudson River. Several possible points of interest including Great Camp Santanoni Gatehouse Complex and SUNY ESF Adirondack Interpretive Center. Boat rentals available. Level 2, easy. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sat, Jul 14: Fire Tower Fever Adirondack Experience on Blue Mountain Lake hosts a celebration of Adirondack and Catskill fire towers and the people who restore and maintain them. Features presentations, stories, hikes. For more information, visit the Fire Tower Fever page.

Wed, Jul 18: Evening paddle in Madrid We’ll meet at 5pm for an evening paddle upstream from the Municipal park in Madrid. Rental kayaks may be available. Level 2. Contact Tom Ortmeyer, 315-244-3707, tortmeye@gmail.com for details.

Sun, Jul 29: Azure Mountain Centennial Celebration Join the Azure Mountain Friends and community in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the fire tower. Meet on the summit at 10:00am for reading and speeches. Refreshments and raffle drawing at 2:00pm in Saint Regis Falls.  For details: azuremountain.org/ (Not an ADK event).

Sat, Aug 4: Silver Lake Mountain and Bog Silver Lake Mountain is an easy “Kids on the Trail” hike, about 2 miles RT and 700ft elevation gain. The nearby bog, includes a boardwalk though a variety of habitats and a trail to a 200 foot bluff overlooking Silver Lake, 2.5 miles RT, ~200 foot elevation gain. Total miles 5.5, elevation gain 900ft, option to do either or both legs. Level 2, Fairly easy. Contact Marianne Hebert hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756.

Sat, Aug 11: Debar Pond Paddle & Picnic with optional bushwhack up Baldface We can carry through the lodge campus, about 0.2 mi. The pond is less than a mile long so some may wish to bushwhack Baldface (less than a mile, but 1,000 ft gain) in search of blueberries and summit views. We can swim and picnic at the lodge beach. Co-listed with North Woods chapter. Members only. Limit 12 boats. John Omohundro, adknwoutings@gmail.com.

Sat, Aug 18: Grass River Red Trail Hike We will explore the proposed red trail in the Grass River Wild Forest downstream from Lampson Falls. 6-9 miles. Level 4. Contact Tom Ortmeyer, 315-244-3707, tortmeye@gmail.com for details.

Sat, Aug 25: Hike Stone Valley One of the most popular nature walks in the North Country, the trail follows the shore of the Raquette River, offering a unique variety of rapids, waterfalls, woodlands and geological features. 3 miles round trip, a few short climbs and descents but no significant elevation gains. Families with small children should note that there are bluffs along the route. Level I Easy. Contact Kate: kate12270827@gmail.com 720-237-5059; or Marianne Hebert: hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756.

Sun, Aug 26: Gourmet Picnic Paddle Bring your best food to share on this paddle on Blake Reservoir. Meet at the boat launch on the south end of the lake at 5 PM for the pleasant paddle to Blake Campsite’s lovely beach. (No cheating by dropping off your food by car!) Eagles are fairly common on Blake, so let’s hope for a sighting. Contact TL Dick Mooers, 315-854-4186 or rmooers@twcny.rr.com.

Sat, Sep 8: Castle Rock Easy hike to a spectacular high viewpoint over Blue Mountain Lake. A Kids on the Trail destination, and children are welcome. 4 miles RT, 700 ft of gain. Level 2. Option for swimming and/or supper in Long Lake afterward. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sat, Sep 15: Postponed Portage and Paddle Boreas Ponds Rough 3 mile drive to park, then a long walk to a short paddle.  Boreas Ponds has a fabulous view of the southeast sides of Allen, Skylight, Marcy, Haystack and other peaks.  The area will be very popular once the state’s plans for improved access and parking are put into effect, but, for now, count on having a cart for the  7 mile round-trip walk on Gulf Brook Road to the dam that enlarged Boreas Ponds. There is a beautiful view from the dam, but a better view is from the main pond.  Travel and time arrangements:  TL Dick Mooers, 315-854-4186 or rmooers@twcny.rr.com.

Sat, Sep 22: Debar Mountain This lonely mountain has awesome views though some effort and persistence is needed to get there as it involves 7.4 miles roundtrip and more than 1700 feet of elevation gain. This is a Kids on the Trail hike and we will take a moderate pace suitable for kids and their parents. Possibilities for swimming or camping after the hike exist at Meacham Lake State Park.  Call Blair Madore 315-261-0751 or madorebf@potsdam.edu.

Sat, Sep 29: Postponed Circuit of Three Ponds in Wolf Lake State Forest, Talcville Hike the Laurentian Shield without going through Customs, and enjoy scenery similar to the landscape beloved of Canadian painters Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven in their iconic Fall season (see their work at the National Gallery of Canada). Elevation gain is slight in ups and downs, but footing can be rough and sometimes a bit wet. Distance totals 7.7 miles or 6.5 if you skip Wolf Lake itself. Difficulty level 3, Moderate. We will meet in Edwards, time TBA. Contact TL Dick Mooers, rmooers@twcny.rr.com or 315-854-4186.

Sat, Oct 6: "Fall Foliage Spectacular" paddle on the East Branch of the St. Regis River above Everton Falls Almost all flat water; exact itinerary TBD. Difficulty Level 2 or 3, depending on final itinerary. Rain date October 7. Contact TL Neal Burdick, nealburdick@gmail.com or 315-386-4648.

Sat, Oct 13: Rideau Trail Follows a segment of this trail in Eastern Ontario from Murphy’s Point Provincial Park to Narrows Lock. Trailhead is 1.5 hours from Ogdensburg Bridge. Short car shuttle. Historic sites include old homesteads, Rideau Canal locks, and if we can find it a ghost town. 10 miles, Level 3. Moderate. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sat, Oct 20 - Sun, Oct 21: Trail Maintenance Weekend Join Mark Simon, coordinator of the Stone Valley Trail, and many students and other supporters in a work blitz to maintain and upgrade trails in our region. Projects range from difficult and technical to easy. Areas that have been featured in the past include Stone Valley Trail System, Red Sandstone Trail, Azure Mountain, and the climbing site at Snow Bowl State Forest. Contact Mark Simon at 315-261-8644 or simonm@potsdam.edu.

Sun, Oct 21: Red Sandstone Hike Join us for a hike along the Raquette River starting in Hannawa Falls and heading to the Sugar Island loop and back. Moderate pace, varying terrain. Great outing before the snow falls. Opportunity to see remnants of logging on the river, current methods of water usage and wildlife. 4-7 miles round trip depending on group decision. Level 2-3. Contact Kate at 720-237-5059 or kate12270827@gmail.com.

Fri, Oct 26 - Sun, Oct 28: ADK Fall Outing hosted by the Finger Lakes Chapter Three days of hiking and camaraderie. Outings will include waterfalls, Watkins Glen and wine tours. Visit www.adk-nfc.org/ADKFallOuting/index.htm for details.

Sat, Oct 27: Outing Leadership Clinic Learn our basic procedures and relive some of our experiences in this introduction to being an ADK outing leader. A couple of hours of indoor briefings in the morning, followed by a half-day model hike at Higley Flow State Park. All members welcome, including experienced chapter leaders who may have their own anecdotes to relate. Model hike is about two miles, in easy to moderate terrain, at a very slow pace because there will be a lot of ongoing commentary. Contact Marianne Hebert (315-265-0756, hebertm@potsdam.edu) or John Barron (613-828-2296, johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sat, Nov 3: Sheep Meadows Hike (or Snowshoe) Easy terrain along a horse trail, through deciduous forest in the Debar Mountain Wild Forest. Easy pace. 7.2 miles round trip. Level 3. Contact Marianne Hebert 315-265-0756 or hebertm@potsdam.edu.

Sun, Nov 4: Annual Meeting and Fall Pot Luck First Presbyterian Church, Canton. Arrive 5 PM for supper to start at 5:30 PM. Bring a dish to share and your own tableware. Brief organizational meeting and presentation of photo contest awards. Guest speaker and ADK Outdoor Skills Coordinator Tyler Socash will recount his adventures on several of the world’s long-distance trails including the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails and New Zealand’s Te Araroa, and how it inspired him to environmental conservation activism in the Adirondacks.

Sat, Nov 10: Rescheduled from Nov 4 Oswegatchie River Walk We will walk the Moore trail along the river from Wanakena up to Inlet and return. Nice water views, including rapids. About 4 mi. RT. A joint trip with North Woods Chapter. Chapter members only. To sign up or for more info, contact adknwoutings@gmail.com.

Wed, Nov 14: New Born to Rewild: Presentation by John Davis Chapter members and the general public have been invited to a presentation by John Davis of a 30 minute version of his documentary “Born to Rewild”. It chronicles a 5,000 mile human-powered trek from Mexico to British Columbia, scouting out wild ways / habitat connectivity. Last year John made a trek on the New York segment of the Algonquin to Adirondacks corridor. 30 minutes plus Q&A. 5:30 PM on Wednesday November 14 at the Clarkson Student Center Room MPR A. Sponsored by Clarkson Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Clarkson University Outdoor Club.

Sat, Nov 17: Rescheduled to Nov 25 Jenkins Mountain We will look for a nice fall day to climb Jenkins Mountain, starting from the Paul Smiths VIC parking lot. 9 Miles round trip, 900 foot elevation gain. Contact Tom Ortmeyer 315-244-3707, tortmeye@gmail.com for details and necessary gear. Level 4: Strenuous.

Sun, Nov 25: Rescheduled from Nov 17 Jenkins Mountain We will look for a nice fall day to climb Jenkins Mountain, starting from the Paul Smiths VIC parking lot. 9 Miles round trip, 900 foot elevation gain. Contact Tom Ortmeyer 315-244-3707, tortmeye@gmail.com for details and necessary gear. Level 4: Strenuous.

Sat, Dec 1: Mac Johnson Wildlife Area Short easy walk/hike to explore this small preserve near Brockville, Ontario. Less than 3 miles, no climbing. Level 1. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca.

Sun, Dec 9: Annual Early Season Hike/Ski/Snowshoe at Higley Flow State Park Bring your kids, their grandparents, and your leashed dogs to this annual romp. We’ll ski or snowshoe or hike as the conditions permit for about 2-3 miles followed by a cookout at the Beaver Pond Lean-To. I’ll supply the hot dogs and hot chocolate. Level 1, Easy. Contact Blair Madore, madorebf@potsdam.edu or 315-261-0751.

Events Archive