April
9, 2005 Slide Lake Loop
TL John Barron Participants: John
Omohundro, Susan Omohundro, John Barthelme. We had perfect conditions-
warm sun and dry trails. Interesting geology, many kinds of birds,
good views over still frozen lakes and plenty of history (both on the trail
and on the drive). The rough terrain gave us a good workout. Supper
at The Mill in Brockville on the way home finished a good day.
April 22, 2005
Earth Day Picnic
TLs John and Susan Omohundro Participants:
Helen
Harrington, Carrie, Sabrina and JoAnn Whitford, Jonathan Barney, Joyce Chambers,
Ann and Armond Spencer, Tom and Ann Ortmeyer. A washed out road and occupied
lean-to caused us to walk farther than planned on to find a new picnic
spot further east on Huckleberry Lake’s shore. Some walked on to
Moon Lake while others prepared a cook fire. After our gourmet picnic
we took turns reading aloud from nature writings. On the way out, we
picked up a lot of litter.
Saturday, April
30 Blue Ledges of the Hudson
TLs Ann and Armond Spencer.
Participants: Eileen and Tom Wheeler. Because of the weather, and
the interests of the participants the Blue Ledges trip was replaced by a birding
trip on the Sabbatis Road and a hike on the railroad from Sabbatis. Saw
a lot of birds and got very wet.
May 7, 2005
Everton Falls Cleanup
TLs Duncan and Lois Cutter. Participants:
Ann and Tom Ortmeyer, John Barthelme, Bruce and Rosalie Smith, Armond
and Ann Spencer. Jim Bullard showed up to take some pictures. .Trash
got all picked up, lunch got eaten up, canoes got paddled up, and then
we drifted down. Sunny skies, lots of smiles, at Everton Falls
.One fun day. P.S. The first aid kit was initiated. We patched
up one participant who latched onto something sharp in the course
of trash pickup.
May 8, 2005 Whiteface
TL
Bill Romey. Participants: John Omohundro, Susan Omohundro, Linda
Moerschell, Nancy LaBaff, Ken Coskran. The six of us took off from Potsdam
on a sunny, warm Mother’s Day. We left the trailhead at 9 A.M and got
into packed snow within an hour. It was a good chance to compare types
of crampons. Heard Winter wrens and saw much damage to fir trees caused
by insects. Near the top, there was a lot of rime ice and up to four feet of
snow on the trail. Had a nice lunch at the top socked in by mist and clouds,
most of the time in 30-degree temperature reminding the Omohundros of the Maine
coast.
May 14, 2005 Lampson
Falls Cleanup
TLs Cliff and Gloria Daly. Participants: Armond and Ann
Spencer, John and Niall Barron, John Barthelme. Our spirited party of
seven showed up on this overcast, showery day to find the usual litter souvenirs
populating the nooks and crannies of the Lampson Falls surround. Afterwards
we headed to the Spencer’s home where we enjoyed refreshments on the
backyard veranda among the swooping rose breasted grosbeaks, hummingbirds and
finches.
May 15, 2005 Red
Sandstone Trail Work Day
TLs John and Susan Omohundro. Participants: Ann
and Armond Spencer, John Barron, DL Thomas, Sandra McCloy, Blair Madore,
Darrell Rimbert, Daniel Romlein, Daniel, Andrew, Dianne, Nathan, Peter and
David Brouwer, David Trithart. The sun came out and so did 17 people
to build bridges, clear blowdown, put up signposts, hack back weedy bushes
and remove troublesome obstructions in the footpath. A productive afternoon.
May 21, 2005 Bird
and Flower Walk
TL Betsy Tisdale Participants: Elaine
Kuricana, Alexander Brehn, Bobbie Hawks, David Tisdale. A rare beautiful
day, violets, bellwort, centaria, unfolding ferns, rattlesnake plantain, musical
streams, along an exquisite old woods road. Two immature bald eagles
soared right in front of us on our perch overlooking Snake Den Harbor
above Lake Champlain. A truly divine day.
May 28, 2005 Massawepie
Mire Bird Walk
TLs Peter O’Shea and Eileen Wheeler. Participants: John
Barthelme, Sheila Cerwonka, Mary Jo Whalen, Carolyn and Gene Kaczka, Ann and
Tom Ortmeyer, Ann and Armond Spencer, Harold Ellington, Mary Beth Warburton,
Tom Wheeler. We joined forces with the High Peaks Audubon group (who
had scheduled an outing at the same time) for several enjoyable hours of birding
as we walked the old railroad bed and the Mountaineer Trail at Massawepie. 59
species were heard or seen, including 12 warblers and 4 raptors. Peter
pointed out an unusual butterfly, the Jutta Artic, and the blooming bog laurel. On
this beautiful day, the bugs weren’t too bad – although it was
obvious the birds had plenty to eat!
May 29, 2005 Silver
Lake Mountain and Bog
TL Sandy Hildreth Participants: John
and Sue Omohundro, Holly and Ron Chorba, John and Niall Barron, Ann and Armond
Spencer, Mary Ann Hebert, Jane Subramanian, Dick Mooers. 12 hikers
summited this easy mountain, saw the first pink lady slippers of the season,
enjoyed a great panoramic view, and after descending, walked the trail through
the Nature Conservancy’s Silver Lake Camp Bog – with just a little
bit of rain and hail.
June 11, 2005 Two Country
Bike Trip
TL John Barron. Participant: Tom Ortmeyer. We acknowledged an extreme heat warning
by starting an hour earlier than planned. The circular route was quite level and easy. Both border
settlements were scenic gems. We checked out a Canadian National Wildlife Refuge ten minutes from Fort
Covington and decided it was worth a return visit, bringing canoes instead of bikes.
June 19, 2005 Bear Mountain Hike
and Swim
TL Nancy Skiff. Participants: Paula Skiff, Robin Einbinder, Russ Mastling, Michael
Tessier, Elaine Tessier, Marc Tessier, Lorraine Chapman, Kenneth Williams. The hike to Bear Mt. was
sunny and bright, the trail was wet and muddy in spots. The views of Cranberry Lake were brilliant.
Marc (5 years old) and his family enjoyed a cool swim. It was a great day.
July 10 Catamount
TLs David Trithart and Rose Rivezzi. Participants: Ken Williams, Karin Snyder, Elizabeth Snyder, Marko Bitene, Albert Trithart. With the original date a total rain-out we waited for the sunny day that came on Sunday. Catamount is definitely a challenge with the extensive exposed rock and the scrambling that is required. But the views are definitely worth it. A parade of hikers followed the intrepid ADKers to the top.
July 10 Star Lake - Streeter Lake Hike
TLs Eileen Wheeler and Peter O’Shea. Participants: John Barthelme, Bernie Carr, Tom Wheeler. We enjoyed an easy bushwhack up an esker to look at two remote unnamed ponds which are gradually filling in. Interesting dragonflies were abundant. In addition we identified many butterflies, birds, and bog plants. Next it was on to breezy Streeter Lake for lunch on this warm day. John and Bernie cooled down with a swim in Crystal lake, our final destination. Great company; lots to observe and learn.
July 13 Madawaska Pond
TL Sandy Hildreth. Participants: Pam and Rick Abell, Tom and Ann Ortmeyer, Peter and Marilyn Gillespie. A lovely evening paddle. We saw two loons and one leech. Note that boats must now be carried about a quarter of a mile from the parking lot to the launch site.
July 25 West Branch of the St. Regis River
TL Geri Ames Participants: Lois Rader, JoAnn Den Bleyker, Susan Omohundro, John Omohundro, Alison Charles, Morgan Perkins. For a short paddle, our trip took five hours! The scenery was beautiful with Cardinal flowers along the shoreline and a nice sandy bottom allowed us to stop and swim three times. The water temperature was delightful. You could swim without moving an inch due to the current and that was fun. Rocks in the river also provided us a place to perch and sun ourselves and talk. Good company, beautiful scenery and perfect weather added up to a delightful trip. Oh, the ice cream stop in Winthrop made the day.
July 22 Giant Mountain
TLs Linda Moerschell and Nancy LaBaff. Participants: Chuck Tracy, John Barron, Ken Coskran. On a sunny day the five of us made our way to the summit of Giant via the Zander trail. Giant took our breath away, not only because of the ascent of 3050 feet in 3 miles, but for the frequent and spectacular views. We enjoyed our lunch at the top but were soaked by a sudden hail storm early in the descent. Soon we were viewing the storm in the valley to the East below us and it wasn’t long before we were descending in sunshine and dry rocks again. A torrential downpour hit just minutes after we were in our cars on the way home.
July 24 Baker Mountain
TLs Blair and Margaret Madore. Participants: Cole Madore, Kurt Terrance, Jake Whitecrow, Kyle Delormier, Angela Thivierge. After a beautiful, short, steep climb we enjoyed blueberries, tree climbing and great views. A picnic and swim at Lake Colby rounded out the trip.
July 30 Debar Pond and Baldface Mountain
TLs Duncan and Lois Cutter. Participants: Paul Cutter, David Brouwer, John Barron, Susan Omohundro, John Omohundro. A perfect day to paddle, bushwhack and then swim. Chicken wire covering the slippery planks on the carry in gave our feet a secure grip. Good, clear panoramic views from the Baldface rock ledges.
Baldface Mt. Photo, l to r: Lois Cutter, David Brouwer, John Omohundro, Duncan Cutter, Paul Cutter, John Barron. Photo Susan Omohundro.
Debar Pond Photo, l to r: Duncan, Lois, and Paul Cutter. Photo John Barron.
July 31 Mount Arab
TL Robin Rhodes-Crowell. Participants: David Crowell, Emma and Naomi Crowell, Grace Sawyko, Elise Franck, Leon Sawyko, Maggie Willette, Gene Willette, Joel Foisy, Gretchen Koehler, Lee Francis, Jean Fallon, Sylvia and Gaetan Foisy. We enjoyed the summit of Mt. Arab on a perfect summer day. The view was clear all around and many of us ventured up the fire tower. All the children did well on the hike and we were blessed to have a variety of ages along.
Photo, l to r: Lee Francis, Sylvain Foisy, Gretchen Koehler, Gaetan Foisy, Joel Foisy, Elise Franck, Carol Franck, Leon Sawyko, Grace Sawyko, David Crowell, Emma Crowell, Robin Rhodes-Crowell (leader), Naomi Crowell, Regina Willette, Jean Fallon and Maggie Willette.
August 6 Cat Mountain
TL Bill Mueller. Participant: Armond Spencer. Great day for a beautiful hike. Clear skies, cooler weather, good company. Hope more folks come next year. A unique view from Blue Mountain to the East and a full panorama South to West over the Five Ponds Wilderness.
August 7 Pitchoff Mountain
TL Lyle Montgomery. Participants: Shirley White, Megan White, Nancy Skiff, Paula Skiff, Butch and Caroline Durant, Nancy LaBaff, Alka Srivastava. Nine enthusiastic hikers climbed Pitchoff Mountain on a clear sunny day and were captivated by the views and sparking Cascade Lake below us. Wild blueberries, and bright red bunch berries were abundant. A brown snake was spotted on the ridge. We couldn’t resist a quick dip in Cascade Lake following our descent.
Photo, l to r: Nancy Skiff, Caroline Durant, Butch Durant, Lyle Montgomery, Nancy Labaff, Megan
White, Alka Srivastava, Paula Skiff, Shirley Whitewas. Photo by Nancy Labaff.
August 13 Black Pond
TL David Trithart. Participants: John Barron, Jean Barron, Lee Francis, Rose Rivezzi, Niall Barron, Fiona Barron. A nice day made the fine trails seem all the more pleasant. An easy stroll, a few ripe berries and water warm enough to entice a few swimmers.
Photo, l to r: David Trithart (Potsdam), Jean Giblin (Ottawa), Lee Francis (Hannawa Falls), Fiona
Barron (Ottawa), Rose Rivezzi (Potsdam). Photo by John Barron.
August 14 Haystack Mountain from Rte 86
TL Nancy Skiff. Participants: Carolyn Durant, Butch Durant. A cloudy day meant cloudy views at the top The rains came a mile and a half from the finish. The day was spent identifying trees, looking at old water sources, exploring a small dam, and enjoying friendships.
August 17 Paddle in the Upper and Lower Lakes
TLs Ann and Armond Spencer. Participants: Tom and Ann Ortmeyer, Alison Charles, John Omohundro, Don and Betty Peckham. We had a nice paddle, and saw quite a few birds on a windy but pleasant evening. We enjoyed some fine food at our picnic, but the high point of the evening was when a great horned owl landed in a tree very close by and sat for a while before continuing on its way.
August 24 Canoe at the Flat Rock Site
TLs John and Susan Omohundro. Participants: Bob and Janet Wakefield, Dick and Alison Charles, Tom and Ann Ortmeyer, Ann and Armond Spencer, Sheila Cerwonka. A fine quiet evening exploring the long areas of this Oswegatchie flow. We especially enjoyed the jumbled rock formations, waterfalls, and flowers along Skate Creek. A cool dusk overtook our picnic supper.
August 27, Dix
TL: John Barron. Participants: Chuck Tracy, Alicia Schantz, Lorrie Wemett. Billed as a classic, and it was. Bright
sunshine showed the scenery to best advantage. Lorrie deserves honorable mention for adapting so well to the rigors of
mountain hiking, living, as she does, in Palm Harbor, Florida.
August 28 Bicycle the Red Tavern Road.
TLs Ann and Tom Ortmeyer. Participants: Ann and Armond Spencer, Ken Williams. We had a great day for this nice 14 mile RT bicycle trip from St. Regis Falls to Everton Falls. We snacked at the falls with a cedar waxwing, but found the ice cream shop already closed on our return to town.
Sept 3, Jay Range
TL: Tom Wheeler. Participants: Ann & Armond Spencer, John & Susan Omohundro, Eileen Wheeler, Marsha Akins, Chris Lafty,
Darcy Derouchie, Alicia Schantz, Lorrie Wemett. The Jay Range did not disappoint: cliffs, open rock ledges, forests. The
ridge line led us to ever changing scenery, from the high peaks to Lake Champlain, and the mountains of Vermont. The weather
was excellent for hiking and the mountain rewarded all who came on this spectacular hike.
Photo: Tom Wheeler
Sept 10, Lake Lila and Mt Frederica
We couldn’t have had a better day to be out on the Lake Lila and up on the stone cliffs of Frederica Mt.
A group of four canoes and one kayak paddled directly across the lake to the trail up the mountain.
After enjoying the views from the top (and lunch), we all took leisurely routes back to the put-in.
A good day. TLs: Ron Johnson and Nikki Coates. Participants: John & Sue Omohundro, Rich Paolillo,
Nick Pavone, Cris Winters, Duncan & Lois Cutter, Jeannette Costello
Oct 1, Rideau Canal
TL: Dick Mooers. Participants: Marilyn Fayette, Mary Jane Watson. This paddling trip on 12 miles of the historic Rideau Canal was
completed in sunny, breezy weather. We launched at Upper Brewers Lock, which we portaged around and saw loons and osprey. We are
eager to return to paddling in the Rideau Canal System’s two rivers and its many rock-bound lakes.
Oct 2, Big Slide
TL: Lyle Montgomery. Participants: Shirley White, Nancy Skiff, Vasily Cateforis, Marsha Akins. We climbed over the Brothers to the
summit of Big Slide, enjoying clear panoramic autumn vistas at every turn, and leap-frogging with another group of exuberant children,
dogs, and mothers. The cascading waters of Slide Mt. Brook and the gentle Phelps trail made for a very pleasant return hike to the
Garden.
Oct 9, Tooley Pond Mt. & Rainbow Falls
The weather was cloudy but no rain. There was a nice view from the summit with good fall colors. Rain had made the Copper Rock Falls
trail muddy so we went on to Rainbow Falls which was quite impressive. John led a chorus of camp tunes on the way out.
TL: Tom Ortmeyer of Potsdam (far right). Participants (from left): Niall Barron, Jean Gilbin, Fiona Barron, Rosalie Campbell, Ann
Ortmeyer. Photo: John Barron.
Oct 15 & 16, Stone Valley Trail Maintenance
Trail work this fall involved more than 25 volunteers during two rainy, but very productive days. Projects completed include:
A new 28 foot bridge over O’Malley Brook, two new bridges on the west side of the trail, four bog bridges that traverse muddy areas,
and a new section of trail that traverses the northwest side of the river. In addition to ADK volunteers, there was a strong
contribution from the SUNY Potsdam Wilderness Education Program, the Clarkson Mountain Biking Club, and the International Mountain
Bikers Association (IMBA)).
Special thanks go to Chad Crosby, Phil Bridgeman, Bob Dowman, and Wes Lampton (Coordinator of the ADK trails program)for the many
hours they spent organizing the projects, recruiting volunteers, and leading crews during the weekend. TL: Mark Simon.
Chad Crosby (foreground) and Lucas Monroe install planking on a new bridge during a volunteer trail
maintenance weekend at Stone Valley near Colton in mid October. Photo: Tom Ortmeyer.
Oct 23, Owl’s Head Mountain (Keene)
TL: John Wood (Thanks John for stepping in to lead the trip, since the original trip leader was ill) Participant: Donna Parisi.
Snow!! We found two inches of heavy, wet snow on the ground in the morning. Branches were down and wet snow was dripping so we
opted to walk to Roaring Brook Falls.
Oct 29, Hike at the Ranger School at Wanakena
TL: Jamie Savage. Participants: Ryan Savage, Niall Barron, John Barron, Suzanne Liberty, Ann & Armond Spencer. The group enjoyed
clear, blue skies, seasonal temperatures, and a dusting of fresh snow. We hiked about 5 miles of well-maintained Ranger School
trails, learning about forest management practices and the impacts of the 1995 microbusrst as we went. The fire tower and lean-to on
Cathedral Rock Mountain offered beautiful views of the Five Ponds Wilderness and Cranberry Lake.
Nov 2, Catamount Mountain Cleanup
TL: Cliff Daly. Participants: Gloria Daly, John Barron, Armond Spencer. All were keen and able as we lopped, sawed and laughed our way up Catamount on this rare sunny and dry autumn day. During our breaks below, we admired the burnt orange of the beeches surrounding us, while up high we enjoyed the mountain views anchored by the golden hues of the tamarack clusters peppering the valley west of Catamount. A physically rewarding day worth every second of effort.
Nov 5, Stone Valley
TL: Dick Mooers. Participants: Mary MacKinnon & Elizabeth Taylor. Dick, Mary, Elizabeth and the dogs, Maple and Abbey, had a good day at Stone Valley, stopping frequently along the Raquette, and spending lots of time at the 80 foot drop of the initial cascade, the Narrows, and the Tubs. There was a great deal of water thundering down the cascades and falls, as much as in the spring. The entire Tubs ledge system was under water. We left the trail system via the County Forest near O’Malley Brook’s Cathedral Grove. There we a few hunters about but they were east of the Lenny Road and apparently not in Stone Valley.
Nov 12, Haystack Mountain (near Raybrook)
An unexpectedly beautiful
mid-November day and good company made for an excellent hike. There was a dusting of snow at the beginning, which disappeared at
higher elevations and although the trail was wet and muddy in stretches, it was very manageable. For the most part, we all stayed dry
during many creek crossings and the day was warm enough to linger and enjoy a leisurely lunch at the summit, where we met members of
the Algonquin Chapter participating in a similar hike. While they retraced the trail, we chose to bushwhack the opposite side to hit
the Jackrabbit Trail and then the Mackenzie Mt. Trail to return to the trailhead. More good food at Morgan’s 11 in Saranac
Lake, and interesting conversation on the way home: a fine day.
Photo, l to r: John Barron (TL), Ron Johnson, Nikki Coates (TL), Debby Nikkari and Allison Gamble.
Nov 20, Paul Smiths Ramble
TLs: John & Susan Omohundro. Participant: Ken Coskran. We three walked around Black Pond, Long Pond, the connector to the Esker Trail, Silviculture Trail, Heron Marsh and back. We had no map but were never totally lost. Just a little snow and mud underfoot. Very Quiet. A good way to spend part of a dull November Day.
Dec 3, Hike & Cookout at Higley Flow State Park
There was snow and it kept on snowing while we were there but only one diehard (Joel) skied the whole
way. The rest of us tromped around the Beaver Pond Trail, then up to the Warm Brook lean-to. There we
enjoyed hot chocolate, oranges, hot dogs, sausages and marshmallows all on our fire. Grandpa Armond and
Grandma Ann even provided s’mores for dessert. A great 3 generation trip. Participants,
l to r: kids in front row - Syl Foisy, Cole Madore, Rebecca Miller, Gaetan Foisy; adults in back row -
Ann Spencer, Blair Madore, Armond Spencer, Jeff Miller, and Joel Foisy.
TLs: Blair & Marg Madore. Photo: Marg Madore.
Dec 11, Avalanche Pass Snowshoe
This early wintry day provided low snow levels for the trip through Avalanche Pass. The pass and
Avalanche Lake were quite scenic, but stark, with the cliffs highlighted with ice and snow. Everyone
enjoyed this eight and half mile hike into the heart of the high peaks. TLs: Tom & Eileen Wheeler.
Backed by a cliff near a new slide on Mount Colden are, l to r:
John & Susan Omohundro, Tom Wheeler, Armond & Ann Spencer, and Joe Rosenfeld. Photo: Eileen Wheeler.
Dec 17, Whiteface Toll Road Ski
David Trithart TL, Scott Arno, Willie Trithart, David Brouwer, Bill Romey, Peter Brouwer, John Wood,
Kathleen Wiley. Rather heavy snow at the start. Cloud ceiling at about 4000 feet so no view from the
windy summit. The Wilmington turn was blown completely free of snow, but good snow conditions everywhere
else. There were many others - skiers and snowshoers - on the road.