Backtracks

Beginner Snowshoe at Sugar Island., Feb 7, 2025
This event was jointly organized with William Eckert of the Potsdam Public Library on the Outside (PPLO) program. We had perfect weather for a beginner snowshoe - low 20s with blue skies and sunshine. After helping everyone get their snowshoes on, we tramped along the Racquette River to Sugar Island. We took a short pause for homemade fruit leather snacks. We proceeded a short ways on Sugar Island when we decided to bushwhack from the center trail to the eastern trail. This gave everyone the feeling of what it’s like to snowshoe in deep snow, and they all survived to tell the tale! When heading back one of the adults commandeered the sled carrying the youngest participant to do an impressive hill slide! I think they may be going back for more sliding in the future.
It was a great time for all, and fun to be part of such a large and varied group.
Participants: Brett Lloyd, Jeff Miller, Blair Madore, Marianne Hebert, Leigh Ann Allen, Sebastian Hemingway, Gabrielle Leavitt, Rivka Eckert, William Eckert, Fiona Eckert, Barret Hall, Erica LaFountain, Juno Gonzalez, Kayla Riley, Demian French, Lynx French.

Skiing at Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Feb 15, 2025
Two days before our trip a winter storm dumped a foot of fresh powder snow on the region. One day after our trip another winter storm dumped another foot of snow on the region. On the day of our trip we had thin clouds, pale sunshine, little wind, and pleasantly cold winter temperatures. We enjoyed about 3 miles of skiing on partly wooded and partly open trails, with views of the St. Lawrence some of the time. The visitor centre was a pleasant location for lunch. And yes there were birds: blue jays.
L-R: Marianne Hebert, Tom Ortmeyer, TL John Barron. Photo Jean Giblin

Carry Falls Road Walk, Apr 6, 2025
We expected a mostly cloudy day with mild temperatures in the forties, so we were somewhat surprised by a chillier day with spitting rain and a short blizzard which did little to dampen our spirits. The walk along the reservoir provided some nice views of wetlands, and the split glacial rock made for a nice photo op. We found an abandoned foundation, discovered some fungi, and saw many beech trees exhibiting marcsecence. We also saw signs of a pileated woodpecker who made a big mess leaving wood chips scattered about. After about 5 miles we called it a day and had a much-deserved lunch at Robideau’s Mahogany Ridge in S. Colton.
Photos by M. Hebert (TL):
- Exploring the Split Rock: L-R Linda Moerschell, Carol Budd, Kim Baxter, Ellie Menz, John Barron
- Road Walks make for good conversation
- Pileated woodpeckers are messy!

Tooley Pond Road Waterfalls, Apr 13, 2025
We had a pretty large group of waterfall enthusiasts both young and old, longtime ADK members and non members too. Most of us lasted through visits to Basford Falls, Sinclair Falls, Rainbow Falls and Copper Rock Falls. The water was high and the falls were spectacular. One car even stayed for a walk to the Clarksboro Cliff and the sound and view of Twin Falls. One can never get enough of appreciating waterfalls – we’ll be back again next year!
Participants: Marianne Hebert, Jim Curtis, Karen Curtis, Jessica Decarlo, Joe Decarlo, Mikalyn Decarlo, Debbie Harvey, Paul Harvey, Bev Patchin, Susan Hughes, Paul Spaulding, Tom Hardiman, Jeffrey Miller, Tom Wheeler, John Barron, Jean Giblin, Sandy Tyler, Dave Walsh, Christine Sitts
Photos: Base of Clarksboro Cliffs:Sandy Tyler
View from Clarksboro Cliffs:Blair Madore
Group at waterfall:Blair Madore