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January 1 - New Year’s Day Potluck, Clarkson Outdoor Lodge
About thirty chapter members welcomed the New Year with short, easy ski and snowshoe trips around the trails at Clarkson University, followed by a pot luck hors d'oeuvre party at the Outdoor Lodge.
l-r: Susan & John Omohundro, Eileen & Tom Wheeler, Tom Ortmeyer.
Photo: John Barron.

January 3 - Burn Mountains Snowshoe Bushwhack
Participants: John & Susan Omohundro (TL), Tom Ortmeyer, Greg Pedrick. The snow was deep so we only made it to Little Burn, but our trail attracted followers, since the official trail to Little Haystack that we departed from wasn’t broken out either.

January 8 - Ski and Snowshoe at Higley Flow State Park
Participants: Blair & Marg Madore (TLs), Cole Madore, Rebecca & Jeff Miller, Patricia Greene, Lynn Hall, Emily Smith. Fresh snowfall made the trails very forgiving and a gorgeous winter wonderland. Skiing by headlamp was a delightful experience. The cookout at the lean-to was enjoyed by all.

January 17 - Hurrican Mountain Snowshoe
A day that winter climbers can only hope for actually occurred on our climb. We all claimed this was one of the best! As we broke out of the clouds, a beautiful sunny sky melted the snow out of the trees and onto our heads. A breathtaking 360-degree view on top allowed sights of the High Peaks, Lake Champlain, and Vermont.
l-r: Dana Chudzinski, TL Debbie White, Craig Rice, Teresa Rice, Heather Kurz, Meagan Emlaw.
Photo: John Barron.

January 30 - Rock Peak Ridge Snowshoe Participants: Art Boni (TL), Gloria Daly, Susan Roe, Jane Hammingh, Gord Boston, Chris Allaway. Clear sky, -22 C, wind calm for a 6:50 start on the East Ridge Trail in New Russia. The ground cover was mostly bare ice or hard packed and crusty snow. On this day, although we carried snowshoes, we completed approximately 70% of the day wearing crampons. We took an early lunch break on Bald Peak. Gloria and Gord turned back, but the remaining four of us pressed on to Rocky Peak. It’s a tough climb. Total elevation gain was 4500’. We signed out at 5:45. The most amazing part of the day was the calm conditions - even on the summits.

February 6 - Lilypad and Long Ponds Showshoe
We had a great winter day with good trail conditions, lots of sunshine and a deep blue sky. We started at Goldmine Road, where it leaves the Joe Indian Pond Road. We snowshoed about a half mile down the Goldmine Road to the trail head. It was a bit of a scramble up and over the first ridge, and then nice conditions down to Lilypad Pond. Geri and Brian lunched there while the rest of us went on to Long Pond for our lunch. We all found a sunbeam to keep us warm while we ate.
L-R, enjoying the warm sunshine on Long Pond: Jackie Goodman, Nancy Sterniak, Marianne Hebert, Ron Sterniak, and Jay & Kathie Colarusso.
Photo: TL Tom Ortmeyer.
Not pictured: Geri Ames and Brian Baston.

February 13 - Grassy Pond (instead of Sheep Meadows) Ski/Snowshoe
Just a perfect day to do a snowshoe/ski. The nice weather and good snow conditions drew people to get out to enjoy the winter. We met many on the trails and enjoyed some company at the leanto at Grassy Pond. Duncan treated us to a snowshoe at his house exploring the trails along the St. Regis River too.
L-R, shown where the route crosses the Osgood River: Brian Baston, Duncan Cutter, TL Geri Ames, Marilyn Levitan, John Barron.
Photo: TL John Barron.

February 27 - Skiing in Gatineau Park Participants: John Barron (TL), Elly Kazai. A mixture of wet snow and rain in the morning discouraged some from coming. As it was, two of us enjoyed a circuit in the center of the park featuring a couple of the famous viewpoints and several significant climbs and descents. The trackset trails were fast and in excellent condition. The wilder, more natural backcountry trails were a hard slog in the heavy wet snow, and a short sampling of them was enough for us.

March 13 - Hike to Lampson Falls Marg & Blair Madore (TL), Jeff, Cheryl and Rebecca Miller; Fred & Luke Hanss, Rainbow, Autumn & Dharma Crabtree, Robert Drake, Lila & Charlie Hunnewell, Mary Terrance, Kiera & Kode Jacobs. A multigenerational group of hikers explored Lampson Falls and the surrounding area on a mild but beautiful day. The remaining snow and ice on the rocks and trails made hiking slippery but it was still manageable. Some used snowshoes and some used yaktrax for safety. After hiking a small ways downstream we returned to the beach below the falls to roast hotdogs and marshmallows. It was nice for young and old to share some time together in this most beautiful, even spiritual, place.

April 11 - Red Sandstone Trail Work Day
We built a new piece of trail about 500 yards long just south of the sandstone quarry, which keeps walkers on the scenic shore of the Sugar Island Flow and off the quarry’s truck road. We built a bridge over a creek, set up an interpretive sign, cleared brush, and nailed up trail markers. All done!
Photo 1: Tim Schwob, Armond Spencer, and Kieran Perry of Colton (l-r) build a bridge spanning a creek flowing into the Raquette River.
Photo 2: Kirke Perry, Blair Madore and David Trithart (l-r) set a trail marker overlooking the Hannawa Power Station.
Photos: TL John Omohundro
Not pictured: TL Susan Omohundro, John Barron, Bill Mueller.

April 17 - Wilderness Navigation Using Map & Compass
Spirits ran high throughout the entire session, turning the rainy day into sunshine for the leaders. Many thanks to Dick and Joan Kepes for converting their home into a comfortable classroom for our group! In spite of the weather, the participants aced the course, locating all four landmarks designated on the topo map.
L-R: Marianne Hebert, Craig Chepeleff, TL Cliff Daly, Kate Chepeleff.
Photo: TL Gloria Daly.

April 17 - Hike to the Tooley Pond Road Waterfalls Blair and Cole Madore (TLs), Joel & Gretchen Foisy, Gaetan & Sylvain Koehler-Foisy, Jeff & Rebecca Miller, Ed Clark, Carin, Kevin & Jordan Hotte, Elizabeth Snyder, Michelle Leroux, Evan, Isabella, Ben & Joel Menard, Mary Terrance, Kiera & Kode Jacobs, Haylee Sunday, Kirke & Kieran Perry. The Tooley Pond Road is a seasonal road 17 miles long between Degrasse and Cranberry Lake. High water levels from snowmelt make spring the ideal time to visit waterfalls - the raging water is truly awe-inspiring. Unlike a mountain top hike, spring rains don’t spoil the view of the waterfalls. We visited Basford and Sinclair Falls then ate lunch at Twin Falls. After visiting the thunderous gorge at Rainbow Falls the little ones headed home tired and wet. A few families finished with a quick hike along the very impressive Copper Rock rapids and falls.

April 18 - Rideau Trail Hike in Frontenac Park
We spotted cars at the western and eastern boundaries of Frontenac Park. The commonly-used driving route between those points is very long, but in our case John O. devised a shorter shuttle drive using a very obscure and rough, but scenic, cottage road. The hike carried us past many high ridges, lakes, and beaver ponds, and over the top of Flagpole Hill which, despite being not very tall, offers an amazing 360 degree view. The weather was ideal - sunny, breezy, and mild.
L-R, on a ledge of Flagpole Hill near the midway point: Marianne Hebert, John & Susan Omohundro.
Photo: TL John Barron.

April 24 - Everton Falls Work Day
We cleaned roadside trash (not much) and brushed out trails, including the neglected canoe carry around the falls.
L-R: Doug Munro from The Nature Conservancy and Paul Cutter from the Laurentian Chapter at the foot of Everton Falls.
Photo: Duncan Cutter (TL)

April 25 - Mud Season Potluck
The Mud Season Potluck featured a presentation by Kate Williams, Executive Director of Northern Forest Canoe Trail. This not-for-profit organization promotes and encourages the use of the 740 mile long canoe route of the same name. Chapter members enjoyed an evening of inspiring photos and accounts about the Trail, which starts in Old Forge, NY and crosses parts of New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire, and Maine before reaching its end point at Fort Kent, ME.
Photo: John Barron.

May 8 - Hike Around Black Pond Geri Ames (TL), Marianne Hebert, Toni Senter, Brian Baston, Matthew & Alex Burg, Cash Feeley. Despite threatening skies our hike around Black Pond was great! The cool temps kept the black flies away and the sun came out too. Two loons were spotted but never heard their haunting calls. It was a great way to spend a mostly cloudy day.

May 15 - O’Malley Brook Falls and The Tubs
A partly sunny day, we walked down to the edge of the Racquette River and the Stone Valley Trail, through Colton County reforestation, starting at the bottom of Lenny Road. Thence we traveled along the thickly wooded river trail enjoying giant pines, hemlocks, bigtooth aspen and soft pine needles underneath, reaching lovely O’Malley Brook Falls. After a snack break there (and a site cleanup spontaneously initiated by the crew!) we continued on up river to ‘the gut’, a mysterious and unusually narrow, deep formation in the Racquette River; thence out to the road and our vehicles.
L-R:, crossing above O'Malley Brook Falls: Geri Ames, Toni Senter, Cash Feeley, Kieran Perry, Alex Burg, Kirke Perry, Matthew Burg, Brian Baston, TL Bill Mueller.
Photo: John Barron.

May 22 - Baldface Mt. near Debar.
Geri Ames (TL), Kathy & Joe Colarusso, Gabe Hickey, Brian Baston, Matt & Alex Burg. Great views but the black flies were out in full force.

May 29 - Lampson Falls Work Day
John Omohundro and Cliff Daly (TLs), Armond Spencer, Susan Omohundro, John Barron, Dick Mooers, Dan Romlein, Art Boni, Tom Ortmeyer, John Wood, Gloria Daly (TL), Toni Senter, Derek Weston. As the first project in a new partnership with DEC to improve recreational spots in St. Lawrence County, we worked with John Wood of DEC to build four bridges over tributaries into the Grasse River along the path on river right from the glorious falls to the old washed-out bridge over the river. Gloria, Toni, and Derek picked up litter. Cole and Blair Madore pre-cut the planks. We finished by noon and capped off with snacks on the deck at the Kepes’ house.
More photos are at http://picasaweb.google.com/ADKLaurentian/LampsonFallsMay2010TrailWork

June 5 - Paddle the St. Regis from Santa Clara Flow
The river was like glass the whole trip. Great weather made this trip very enjoyable for all. Lunch was at the first camp site after the river turns, a beautiful spot that led to many pictures taken of the trees and river.
L-R: Darielle Dartt, Carol La Due, Johnathan La Due, Brian Baston, Karla Flynn, and Toni Senter
Photo: TL Geri Ames.

June 19 - Giant’s Nubble and Washbowl Participants: Eileen Wheeler (TL), Marianne Hebert, Dong Yeub You, Jaheon Koo. We had a beautiful day for this hike. The breeze kept insects away and temperatures moderate. We walked to the bottom of Roaring Brook Falls and then to its top before climbing steeply to the Nubble, our lunch spot. There we had great views of many of the High Peaks and below us, the Washbowl, our next stop before completing the five mile loop back to our car.

June 23 - Evening Paddle on the Oswegatchie We launched at the River Road put in above Heuvelton, and paddled upstream to Beaver Creek, with two short carries. We picniced on the bank opposite the creek, did a bit of exploring and then drifted back downriver. While it did rain earlier that day, we paddled under clear skies.
Participants: John and Susan Omohundro, Joe and Kathie Colarusso, Armond and Ann Spencer, Jo Den Bleyker, TL Tom Ortmeyer.

June 27 - Cycling along the St. Lawrence, Grasse and Raquette Rivers
We postponed the trip by one day, trading pouring rain for very good weather conditions. Our route took us from Potsdam to Madrid, then along a road following the Grasse River to the St. Lawrence, thence to lunch at Wilson Hill, on to Louisville, then Raymondville, Norfolk, and back to Potsdam. One scenic highlight was a wetland near the end where eastern kingbirds and cedar waxwings were much in evidence.
Participants: John Barron (TL), Jim Murray, Ann Ortmeyer, Jim Scancarello, Tom Ortmeyer

July 3 - Silver Lake Mountain Hike
Worries about a hot day were allayed by a brisk refreshing wind. We started up together but soon divided into smaller groups on this steep climb. Luckily it was short (1 mile) and had many fantastic views along the way to inspire us onward. We lunched at the top while soaking up the sights of Taylor Pond and Silver Lake with hills rolling off into the distance.
Back row, l-r: Dick Mooers, Tim Berger, Peggy Mooers, Rich Sharp, Derek Habermas, Benjamin Greenberg, Rob Silversmith, Debbie Simmons, Tom Simmons, Alex Murray, Molly Simmons, Cole Madore and TL Marg Madore.
Middle row, l-r: Hannah Mooers, Oscar Perez-Gomez, Natalie Sharp, Nick Rapczynski, Citlalli Zamora-Mejia.
Front row, l-r: Mariana Sharp with Isabel, Julie Rapczinski, and Sarah Rasco.
Not pictured: Sarah Mooers.
Photo: TL Blair Madore.

July 10 - Long Sault Paddle
L to R: Brian Baston (TL), Marilyn Levitan, Ron Dumoulin, Carol LaDue and Ann and Tom Ortmeyer pause below Long Sault Dam in Massena.
Photo: TL Geri Ames.

July 14 - Parishville Paddle and Picnic
Participants: John & Susan Omohundro (TLs), Carolyn, Richard, & Jonathon LaDue, Geri Ames, Alison Charles, Brian Baston, Gabe Hinkley, Tom Ortmeyer. The summer heat had finally let up a bit, so we paddled upriver to the riffles and back, and after a cooling swim dug into a potluck picnic, finishing with lemon meringue pie. Not a calorie-deficit day, but no one was complaining.

July 17 - Paddle the Santa Clara Flow Participants: Geri Ames (TL), Darielle Dartt, Carol & Johnathan La Due, Brian Baston, Karla Flynn, Toni Senter. The river was like glass the whole trip. Lunch was at the first camp site after the river turns--the beautiful spot led to many pictures taken of the trees and river.

July 17 - Stone Valley Trails Seven eager hikers led by TL Duncan Cutter enjoyed the beautiful scenery in Stone Valley during Colton Country Day. The water hit the lowest mark all summer, leaving us room to rock-hop up the bed to several delightful pools below the waterfalls. Great for swimming, and we met lots of friendly folks, kids and adults, including people working on publicizing the Raquette River Corridor.

July 31 - Red Sandstone Trail Participants: Blair & Marg Madore (TLs), Cole Madore, Jeff, Cheryl, & Rebecca Miller; Lynn Hall, Emily Smith, Benjamin, Isabelle & Joel Menard; Sylvia Broer, Sharon Ryan, Rich, Mariana, Isabel & Natalie Sharp, Martha Chew, Paloma Venn-Chew, Citlalli Zamora-Mejia, Oscar Perez-Gomez. Our treasure hunt was for letterboxes along the trail hidden by Wyvern. Each one contained a hand carved stamp of an imagined dangerous plant. Mother Nature turned on her charms for our young naturalists: they ate ripe blackberries, chased frogs and collected as many acorns as they could carry. The adults enjoyed the history, the scenic views and the blackberries, too.

August 4 - Paddle the Colton Reservoir of the Raquette Participants: Tom Ortmeyer (TL), Mary Beth Rosenfeld, Tom Lockridge, John & Susan Omohundro, Mary Jane Watson, Dick & Peggy Mooers. We circled the Colton Reservoir counter-clockwise from the Gulf Road boat launch with a stop at the Colton boat launch for a picnic. Though thunderstorms were a possibility, the skies cleared as we launched and we had a very nice paddle on what was a warm and humid day for those on land.

August 7 - Blue Mountain Weather conditions were ideal - cool and sunny - and so there were a great many people on this very popular trail. The views from the summit are limited, except by climbing the restored fire tower which affords an amazing 360 degree view. John, Armond, and Ann stopped for a swim at Long Lake and an exploration of a Raquette River access point near Jamestown Falls. We paid special attention to our relationship to the Raquette throughout this trip, in recognition of Raquette River Awareness Week.
L to R: Ann and Armond Spencer, Kirke Perry, and Rusty.
Photo: TL John Barron.
Not pictured: Sandra and Jim Wright.

August 11 - Hannawa Paddle and Picnic Participants: John & Susan Omohundro (TLs), Terry Persons, Kathy Wright, Mayme & Bill Trumble, Peg & Dick Mooers, Ann & Armond Spencer, Jane & Dave Wells, Sally & Jim Lynch, Alison Charles, Phyllis Charleston. A leisurely float/paddle from Brown’s Bridge to the picnic spot at the Red Sandstone Trailhead. Our 11-boat flotilla impressed the shoreline folk. A huge picnic and lots of conversation concluded a grand outing.

August 14 - Ranger School Trails and Cathedral Rock
Participants: Bill Mueller (TL), Pat Mueller, John Barron, Tom Lockridge, Joy Williams, Fred Russell, Kirke & Rusty Perry. A perfect day for walking in a sun-studded woodland, covering five of the many Ranger School trails. On our return we enjoyed what one participant called “dessert”: a visit to a beautiful bog known as Esker Pond where we saw, among other boggy plants and trees, bug-eating pitcher plants in full array! A spontaneous and refreshing swim in the Oswegatchie River off the Ranger School dock ensued upon our return.

Aug. 28 - Climb Arab Mt. A spectacular weather day enjoyed by Rose Rivezzi (TL), Jennifer Henry, and her six year old daughter Catherine, who exclaimed from the fire tower, “You can see the world!” The wonder of a first mountain climbed.

September 4 - Hike around Massawepie Lake Participants: Ann & Armond Spencer (TLs), John & Susan Omohundro. Since the four of us had done this hike a couple of years ago, we abandoned the planned route and explored some new trails and ponds in the area. Had a great time. Once again we just escaped a drenching by getting back to the car shortly before the rains hit.

September 11 - Mt Seymour Bushwhack
We had the best weather in a week for our hike - clear, sunny, and mild. This was a first ascent of Seymour for all our participants, but all are strong, experienced hikers and none had any difficulty with this long and challenging route. There were terrific views of the Sawtooth Mountains, the Santanoni and Seward ranges, Long Lake, Ampersand Mountain and Lake, and distant views of the central High Peaks.
Back row, l-r: Nora Lanigan, Enico Gilbert, Marya Furnia, Meagan Emlaw, TL John Barron, Dana Chudzinski, Fred McLaughlin.
Front row, l-r: Marianne Hebert, Monica McLaughlin.
Photo: TL Debbie White.

October 2 - Bog River and Low’s Ridge - Nikki Coates and Ron Johnson (TL), Jonathan Brown, Marilyn Fayette, Chris Murphy, Jim Plumley, Dick Mooers, Chuck Guy, Anna Hendrickson, Dave West, Pam Kennedy, Mark Martin. The weather couldn’t have been better for a leisurely paddle (with a pause to watch a bald eagle in the trees along the bank) on the Bog River from the Lower Dam into Hitchens Pond, where we stopped for lunch near the Upper Dam, and then hiked the trail to Low’s Ridge. The views of the pond, river, and mountains beyond were spectacular. We lingered at the top, took many photos, and Jonathan recorded an audio postcard for NCPR, and then we returned to the water and made our way back to Lower Dam.

October 3 - Sawteeth John Barron TL, Alicia Schantz, Marianne Hebert, Dong Yeub You (Youbie). We had perfect sunny fall weather, and the fall colors were near their peak. The climb of the Scenic Route was much harder and more time-consuming than we expected, but the views were eye-poppingly, jaw-droppingly gorgeous. The descent was faster than we expected, and although we paused to appreciate Rainbow Falls near the end of the trail, we beat our most-optimistic prediction by reaching the cars before the last daylight had faded.
L-R: Youbie, Alicia, Marianne
Photo: John Barron

October 10 - Catamount Hike
A perfect day with beautiful views of Whiteface Mt. The climb started in birch forests with gold colored leaves and ended up in the pines and went from hiking to rock climbing.
L-R: Sylvia Haq, TL Brian Baston, Carol LaDue, TL Geri Ames

October 13 - Scarface Mountain Marianne Hebert (TL), Robert Glassburn, and Brian Baston set out on a chilly day to summit Scarface Mountain. A sprained ankle and missing medication forced the group to return at halfway, but it was a lovely hike. The fall foliage was a beautiful contrast to the newly fallen snow. On November 13th, Marianne and Brian tried again and made a successful summit on a beautiful day.

October 17 - Red Sandstone Trail Workday
In about two hours we built the last bridge in the gulch beside Sugar Island Flow, moved an historical interpretive sign away from vandals, side-cut Sugar Island, and cut out some blowdown. It turned perfectly sunny, and the Watertown Times reporters showed up for a story.
L-R: Jeff Chiarenzelli, Dick Mooers, Gary Gonyea, and Tim Schwob completing a gully-crossing.
Not pictured: TLs John & Susan Omohundro, Rick Taylor, John Barron, Jean Giblin, Ariana Chiaranzelli, Don Potter.

October 23 - Haystack Mountain Ann & Armond Spencer (TLs), Tom Ortmeyer, Robert Glassburn, Brian Baston. The weather sounded chancy for the hike, but turned out to be excellent. Although the trail was a bit wet, we considered it a good day out.

October 31 - Marble Rock Hike
Marble Rock Conservation Area, near Gananoque, Ontario, lies within a larger region designated the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, to highlight the diversity of plant and animal life living on this geological link between the Canadian Shield and the Adirondacks. The trail is well-marked and features many steep climbs and descents, a number of good viewpoints, ponds and beaver meadows, and varied forest. Bill Mueller pointed out to us that we could identify many of the tree species in the forest without looking at the trees - simply by examining the distinctively-shaped fallen leaves. During lunch a heavy snow squall arrived, and created a peaceful hush that lasted half the afternoon before pale sunshine returned at the end.
L-R: Sylvia Haq, Marianne Hebert, Brian Baston, Tom Ortmeyer, Pat Mueller, Bill Mueller, Jean Giblin
Photo: TL John Barron

November 6 & 7 - Trail Maintenance Weekend at Stone Valley
Student volunteers from all four local universities, members of the St. Lawrence County Mountain Bike Association, and chapter members cooperated to accomplish an amazing amount of work in two days. Highlights included rerouting a mountain bike trail, bridge reconstruction, debris clearance on the riverside hiking trails, and installation of wire on some walking surfaces to improve traction. Thanks to Mike Klein of Wear on Earth for much support including a barbecue supper party.
Photos:
Top Left The Ledges Trail crew completes a raised section of a rerouted mountain bike trail.
Top Right The Ledges Trail crew at work on Saturday
Bottom Left Stone Valley Trail Coordinator and primary organizer of the event Mark Simon
Bottom Right Most of the Saturday participants at Mark Simon’s barn, which served as staging area for the activities.

November 7 - Loon Mountain A congenial group of hikers gathered from far and wide. We passed through the mud zone into snow and frost. The trees sparkled in the sunshine, as did nearby mountains. We enjoyed lunch and photography on the sunny summit. David and John O climbed the firetower, showering those below with ice from the railing but improving their view and impressing the crowd with their risk-taking.
L to R: Sylvia Haq, David Brouwer, TL John Omohundro, John Barron, TL Susan Omohundro, Art Boni
Photo: Brian Baston (using Sylvia’s camera)

November 13 - Wilderness Navigation Clinic Cliff & Gloria Daly (TLs), Charlotte Ramsay, David Katz, Jayson Springer. Bloodhounds wouldn’t have bettered our keen threesome as they scooted accurately from one landmark to the next in the ledges and valleys of the Grass River highlands. Even the thorny undergrowth that pecked away at us for most of the day couldn’t slow them down! Special thanks to Jayson for the many “tracking” tips that he dispensed throughout the field portion of our clinic.

December 5 - Higley Flow State Park Blair & Cole Madore (TLs), Marianne Hebert, Jeff & Rebecca Miller, Kateri Husra, Richard & Susanne Arens, Brian Baston, Sylvia Haq, Rich, Mariana, Isabel (1) && Natalie (4) Sharp. Fresh snow made this a trip through a winter wonderland. We hiked the new snowshoe trail along Warm Brook Flow and returned on the Warm Brook trail. Our charcoal failed to light so the cookout was a bust. Still, our memories of walking under the arching bows of snow-clad branches will last for a very long time.