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

Arkon Lake Loop in Frontenac Provincial Park, Apr 26, 2025
A forecast of rain led to several participants’ cancelling out. In the end we received only a few showers, and the three of us who did take part were in agreement that the conditions were very pleasant. Water levels in the lakes, ponds, and streams were at springtime highs and the lack of leaves made for good views. We encountered a number of groups and individuals out hiking and in many cases equipped for backcountry camping.
Above Arkon Lake, L-R: Anne Youlden, Toni Towle. Photo TL John Barron
On the bridge, L-R: TL John Barron, Anne Youlden. Photo Toni Towle

Bear Mountain, Jun 7, 2025
Four of us enjoyed a Pride Outside hike up Bear mountain. It was a bit hazy from the fires in Canada, and the bugs were scarce. The highlight of the day was a scarlet tanager who visited during snack time, and the wood thrushes that serenaded us throughout the day. New trail work along the steep sections was greatly appreciated. We saw many native plants and stopped often to ID specimens. We found several pink lady slippers, wild sarsaparilla, squirrel corn, jack-in-the-pulpit, and tasted some wood sorrel.
Photos by TL Marianne Hebert:
Bear Mountain trail work
Bear Mountain hazy view
Participants Kathleen Fitzgerald, Tom Lawrence, Rebecca Donnelly

Ampersand Mountain Hike, Jun 28, 2025
There was rain in the forecast and rain on the drive down, but it was gone before we set out to climb Ampersand Mountain. We quickly got past the first flat section of trail, and started to climb. We all admired the steps as we struggled up them, with frequent rest stops. We scrambled over the sections of bedrock at the last steep section, and then enjoyed seeing the varied rock formations on the walk along the ridge toward the summit. Clouds rolled in as we clambered up the final stretch. We emerged on the summit to find ourselves immersed in a cloud with a stiff wind. We enjoyed both, and then retreated from the summit for our lunch. Fortunately, the clouds cleared, and we were treated to great views of the Saranac Lakes before heading down.
Photo: Lunch from near the Ampersand summit
Participants: Tom Ortmeyer (TL), Jane Khondker, Greg Smith, David Craft, Tom Lawrence

Munter Trail Bird Walk, Aug 2, 2025
Five of us joined trip leader Harold Ellingson for a morning stroll on the Munter Trail to see what bird species we might find. We were not disappointed. It was a cool, sunny morning, with lots of activity on the trail (birds, humans and a few dogs). We identified 35 different species. Highlights of the day included two young cedar waxwings being fed by their parents, an oven bird skittering along the creek and two great blue herons perching on the shore. We also identified an Eastern king bird, a yellow warbler, a chestnut sided warbler and a yellow bellied sapsucker. All in all, we ID’ed 90 individuals.
Photos:
Cedar waxwing babies being fed by their parents. Photo by Liz Eno
Wood Duck Photo by Bob Crandall
Participants Harold Ellingsen, Bob Crandall, Eileen Wheeler, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Lis Eno. Photo by Marianne Hebert

Hurricane Mountain Hike, Sep 18, 2025
It was the perfect fall day to hike Hurricane, almost cloudless with an intense blue sky and temperatures in the high 60’s. The elevation gain began right as we went into the forest and continued for a quarter mile, then moderated somewhat. Within a mile we had crossed a beaver pond and encountered the first outlook that gave a hint of the view to come. Then more uphill followed by a second outlook that gave us an idea of what we were about to see. As we emerged from the treeline, we followed the yellow blazes indicating the best path on the boulders to the actual summit and the firetower, and admired the well built navigational cairns (that have a sign explaining why they exist and why they should not be altered) as the amazing display of the High Peaks came into view. We were able to identify Marcy, Algonquin and Giant among many others. We had good views of the Champlain Valley and Vermont. We tried signalling Neal Burdick with mirrors, but had no success. The foliage had barely started to turn, so that is still in the future. Coming down we enjoyed seeing various mushrooms, and appreciated the late summer breeze in the green leaf canopy.
Photo: Greg Smith, Tom Ortmeyer (TL), Jane Khondker (TL), Brenda Curley and Stacie Davis at the base of the Hurricane Mt. Fire Tower

Hiking at Massawepie Lake, Sep 20, 2025
A cool morning evolved into a warm sunny afternoon. Massawepie trails never cease to amaze us. We started out from the wrong parking lot, which extended our hike, but the easy road walk atop a steep esker only added a pleasant mile. The hike along the lake led past some big white pines then across an expanse of board walks to the edge of the Massawepie mire. We stopped often to enjoy the flora: club mosses, sheep laurel, bunch berries, winterberry, wood sorrel and lots of mushrooms. We crossed the bridge over the Grass River, and enjoyed a lunch at the lean-to at Four Points. The highlight of the day was our encounter with two curious gray jays looking for a handout, or something.
Photos:
Grey Jay at the source of the Grasse River
Massawepie Lake from Four Points
White Trail along Pine Pond
Participants at Four Points, L-R: Gary Parker, Jane Khondker, Tom Lawrence, Gina Hazen. Photo by M. Hebert, TL

Fall Color Tour on St. Regis Mountain, Oct 4, 2025
It was a warm day, and the trail was dry in places that are usually wet and muddy. (If you know you know!). The hike is relatively moderate for the first 2 miles until the creek with the bridge. At that time it becomes more steep for the rest of the hike. The fall foliage was bright as seen from the summit and the fire tower. There were many ladybugs (unfortunately the invasive kind) swarming and landing on people. There was also a very small flea sized flying insect that was biting people on bare skin. We had a nice discussion with Aubrey the summit steward, as we were trying to figure out if Cascade was visible in front of Giant, using PeakFinder. On the hike back several of the party took off their shoes to cool their feet at the bridge.
Photo, L-R: TL Jane Khondker, Rui Suzuki, Rike Droescher, Clemente Ecke, Wolfgang Gunther, Tom Ortmeyer

Robert G. Wehle State Park, Oct 11, 2025
We had sunny, pleasant fall weather for our exploration of this scenic and historic park on the shore of Lake Ontario. The property was formerly owned by the late Robert Wehle, of the wealthy family that founded Genesee Brewing Company. That gave Wehle the financial means to devote many years to breeding pointer-type hunting dogs here. It was also used earlier as a training camp by the US Army before and during World War 2. Now as a park it has a fine network of trails and other amenities.
Photos:
- Shoreline cliffs. Photo John Barron
- Coastal pillbox used for military training. Photo John Barron
- Bronze sculpture of Elhew Snakefoot. The last of Wehle’s line of pointers, whose name was given to the trail we hiked today. Photo John Barron
- Participants, L-R: Jane Khondker, Ellie Menz, TL John Barron. Photo Jane Khondker

Stone Valley Trailwork, Oct 17, 2025
Eight SUNY Potsdam students worked with Mark Simon to inventory the Tool Shed; sharpen, paint, and repair tools; put up stronger shelves to hold the tools; fix the shed steps; replace rotted boards on a bog bridge; and screw down chicken wire on the repaired bog bridge.
Participants: TL Mark Simon, Adam Wheeler, Garrett O’Hara, Hailey Gomez, Eliza Smith, Finn Boyle, Porter Ross, Trevor Rheaume, Jack Luck
Photos:
- Trevor Rheaume measures boards for the bog bridge
- Tool Shed after inventory and maintenance
- Eliza Smith removes rotten boards from shed decking
- Group, L-R: Mark Simon, Trevor Rheaume, Eliza Smith, Jack Luck, Garrett O’Hara in their new Laurentian ADK shirts!

Birding on the Munter Trail, Oct 18, 2025
We were a small but dedicated group who met on a beautiful Fall morning to look for migrating and permanent resident birds. We were not disappointed: we saw 130 individuals, and 18 species. The highlight of the day was a bald eagle who passed directly overhead. We also spotted 2 mallards, a common merganser, a pied-billed grebe, a northern cardinal, several dark eyed juncos, two white-throated sparrows, 4 cedar waxwings and three white-breasted nuthatches. We also IDed many common species: blue jays, black-capped chickadees, 12 American goldfinches, 30 ring-billed gulls and of course many Canada geese.
Photos by TL Marianne Hebert:
- Participants Harold Ellingsen, Bradley Mathews
- Migrating Geese

Huckleberry Lake Hike, Nov 11, 2025
Participants:Jon Montan, Nancy Alessi, Anne Csete, John Barron, TL Dana Chudzinski