January 4 - Catamount Ski and Snowshoe
Our planned location, Higley, was closed due to extensive ice storm damage; so we substituted the trails at Catamount Lodge. We explored one of the side trails, enjoying the powder snow, sunshine, and mild temperature. Then we set out for the base of Catamount Mountain where we changed to the snowshoes we had carried and ascended to the summit. This “beginner” trip featured obstacles on the trail, a number of short hills while skiing, and a major climb. Everyone enjoyed it. Supper at the South of the Rock Inn concluded the outing.
L to R at the change point: Ellie Donaldson, Jim Clarke, Tom McCulloch, Jean Fallon, Karynn von Cramon, Marianne Hebert, Andreas and Simon von Cramon.
Photo: TL John Barron.

January 5 - Mt. Marcy
Brian Baston (TL), Tom Ortmeyer, Toni Towle and Peter Blood. This trip was originally planned for December 21, but high winds prevented the group from going up that day, and indeed another one too for the same reason! On the the third try they made it! The group left the High Peaks Information Center at 6:30am under headlamps with fairly mild temperatures for a winter climb. At about 5mi the group leader had to turn back due to leg cramps. The rest of the group continued to the summit. They experienced some windy conditions but with beautiful views, returning to the start point at 5:15pm.

January 25 - Snowshoe/Hike to Nicholville’s Hidden Treasures.
Duncan Cutter (TL). Fourteen of us explored the St. Regis corridor near Nicholville and some old-fashioned sledding at a nearby sand pit for extra fun. First, we snowshoed trails high above the river gorge to the top of Eagle Rock. We then returned to the Cutters for lunch and conversation, before heading across meadowlands and down a steep bushwack to the river, there to view Jakeway Falls encased in ice. The woods trails were rutted from the earlier ice storm and deer traffic, but the 20F temperature made it feel like a “spring” outing. We were able to observe many animal tracks with great pleasure for everyone.

February 8 - Colvin and Blake via the Ausable Club
Cindy and Mike McLean (TLs), Rob Roy, Wayne Richter. Trip changed to Sunday the 9th. Wonderful winter conditions allowed a nice ski up the Lake Road and over Lower Ausable Lake as well. The Carry Trail was unbroken fluffy powder of 1-3 feet in depth over significant ice, making the 1.1 miles up last for almost 2 1/2 hours. A mostly sunny morning allowed for wonderful views along the trail to Blake. Did not attempt Colvin due to hiker fatigue. Trip down Carry Trail quite fast, as well as a wonderful ski back down the Lake road.

February 9 - Snowshoe Downerville State Forest
Jim and Marsha Akins (TLs), Bruce Fehn, Marie Fernandez de Alaiza, Marianne Hebert. An enthusiastic group participated in a snowshoe hike in Downerville State Forest. We hiked in from the DEC access road off of the Downerville Road and joined up with the Mt. Bike trail system. The trip lasting 2 hours, was approximately 4 miles in length with a stop along the North Branch of the Grasse River.

February 15 - Snowshoeing Near Upper Saranac Lake
Fresh snow the day before and pleasant weather the day of the trip led to perfect conditions. We made the short steep climb to the summit of Panther Mountain where Simon, our youngest participant, used an erratic to practice bouldering. We all enjoyed the fast, sliding descent. Some of us went on to make a circuit of the nearby Fernow Forest Nature Trail, peaceful and quiet in the gently falling snow.

At the summit of Panther Mountain are:
Back row: Simon von Cramon
Front, L to R: Bruce Fehn, Marie Fernandez de Alaiza, Jean Giblin, Andreas & Karryn von Cramon.
Photo: TL John Barron.

April 6 (Sunday) - EAP Hike to The Pinnacle
John Barron (TL), Ashley Tomei, Max Meixner, Shane Chambry.
The trip was postponed by one day because of weather. The original participants couldn’t accommodate the change and had to cancel, but a new group signed on. We didn’t have snowshoes for everyone but crossed our fingers and set out anyway. It was fine for the first mile and a half, but as it warmed we began to posthole. By the time our legs were disappearing completely in the corn snow, we decided it was time to retreat. Still an enjoyable day in the sun. We stopped to admire St. Regis Falls on the return.

April 19 (Saturday) - Tooley Pond Road Waterfalls and Hike
Tom & Eileen Wheeler (TLs), Carolyn Kaczka, Marylin Denesha, John Barron, Jean Giblin, James Griswold, Ann & Armond Spenser, Marcia Button, Rajir & Yectika Narula, Mary Jane Nichols.
A cool, cloudy April day, perfect for hiking, we experienced high water on the Grass River, spectacular falls, a lingering build-up of ice and snow in places, and a delightful climb through an early Spring woods up Tooley Pond Mt.

April 26 (Saturday) - Everton Falls Cleanup
Another successful and fun clean-up - a bit of snow, but NO BLACK FLIES!
We have the chores down to a pleasurable routine on this annual event: Fallen trees and limbs on the Hardwood trail were cleared and the trail brushed out in prep for summer hikers, all supervised by Nature Conservancy rep Doug Munro, and policing the canoe launch, falls and parking areas for litter. After two hours the job was complete and we sat for coffee and lunch on the ledge above the falls, and to share tales of the kinds of trash discovered this year, such as a coffee maker, and enough beer cans to establish beyond any reasonable doubt preferred brands in this part of the north country.
Left: Spence steadying Paul.
Right, L to R: David Cutter, Armond Spencer, Paul Cutter, Doug Munro.
Photos: TL Duncan Cutter.

April 27 (Sunday) - Gould Lake Conservation Area
The last snow of a long winter had finally vanished. Rugged terrain as we expected. Not too much mud. Cool and cloudy. Wildlife highlights included a mallard that said “Quack!”, turkey vultures that soared overhead, a loon that dove for fish and a beaver that slapped its tail.
L to R, at Blue Lake: Marianne Hebert, Marie Fernandez de Alaiza, Michael Minthorn.
Photo: TL John Barron.

May 4 (Sunday) Clarkson Woods Wildflower Walk
Tom and Ann Ortmeyer (TLs), Marianne Hebert, Joanne Ferris.
On a slightly cool, somewhat rainy day, we toured the woods and found red trillium, spring beauties, colt’s foot, hepatica, white violet and early meadow rue in bloom, and several more varieties just waiting for a bit of sun to pop open.

May 17 (Saturday) - Trail Maintenance Day at Lampson Falls
Sunshine dispelled threatened rain for the day. The day was lovely and the falls awe-inspiring! The trail along the Grasse River below the falls showed the effects of winter’s wrath, as we encountered numerous downed tree limbs blocking the trail. Our three hand saws got quite a workout. But the trail to the old bridge site is now open again. Of the four trail bridges built by the chapter in 2010, three remain in place. This most satisfying day culminated in ice cream cones from Stewarts.
L to R, at the falls: Niall Barron, Jean Giblin, TL Gene Kaczka, John Barron.
Photo: TL Carolyn Kaczka.

May 24 (Saturday) - Algonquin and Iroquois
This was a strenuous and exciting trip. The weather was mostly very good - sunny and cool, but there were wildly changing clouds all around us, and squalls kept sweeping through, one of which briefly drenched us on Algonquin. The new boardwalks are a marvel. We got new perspectives on many peaks, and several of us added one or two peaks to their climbing lists.
At the summit of Iroquois with Algonquin in the background are
L to R: Edward Walker; Marie Fernandez de Alaiza; Christian (holding Simon), Karynn, and Andreas von Cramon; Sean Ellison.
Not pictured: Marianne Hebert.
Photo: TL John Barron.

May 30 - June 1 (Friday - Sunday) - ADK Spring Outing at Cazenovia College
We counted at least eight participants from the Laurentian Region, and there was a very good turnout overall. The weather was ideal. The campus of Cazenovia College is beautiful, and the food was excellent. Entertainment included a Friday evening slide presentation about climbing the Seven Summits and Saturday evening dancing to the music of a local band. There was a wide selection of outings in hiking, paddling, and cycling.
On Erie Canal towpath: Far left, TL John Lang of the hosting Onondaga Chapter. Second from right, Tom Ortmeyer.
Photo: John Barron.

June 14 (Saturday) - Biking the New Stone Valley Mountain Bike Trail
Eleven eager riders came out for the ADK Beginner-Intermediate Mt. Bike Ride of Lenny’s Loops at Stone Valley. The 2.5 mile trail that winds through a mostly pine forest was designed by ADK member and Saint Lawrence Mountain Bike trail coordinator, Ben Yandeau. Even after a heavy rain that measured nearly 4 inches of rain, the trail rode amazingly well, thanks to a well thought out design that allows for proper water run off.
L to R: Bailey Bohl, Gaetan Foisy, TL Jim Akins, Eric Boldt, Eric Hewitson, Doug Bohl, Ron Morrow, Scott Boldt.
Not pictured: Robert & Roberta Dowman.
Photo: Phil Bridgeman.

June 21 (Saturday) - Cycling Quebec’s Route Verte
L to R beside the Soulange Canal: Tom Ortmeyer, Toni Towle, Peter Blood, Marilyn Levitan.
We had perfect weather - clear and cool. Our route followed a lightly-travelled residential street along the St. Lawrence and long stretches of an excellently maintained bike path along the historic Soulange Canal. There were attractive parks, broad views of Lake St. Louis near Montreal, and even distant views of the northern Adirondacks.
Photo: TL John Barron.

June 28 (Saturday) - Tour de Howe Island
L to R: John Barron, Sherry Chamberlain, Terri Persons, Marilyn Levitan, TLs Toni Towle and Peter Blood.
Photo: Holly Doughty.

June 29 (Sunday) Mt Marshall
Dana Chudzinski (TL), Marrianne Hebert, Brenda Bennette, Edward Walker, Marie Fernandez de Alaiza. The climb started from the Upper Works trailhead, heading down the Calamity Brook trail shortly after 8:00 a.m. under skies that remained clear all day. At the foot of Marshall the real climbing began. A few sections of “trail” were a little tricky to follow, but we got to the summit and were rewarded by a great view from a sidetrail just shy of summit. Long day, great day, great group.

July 2 (Wednesday) Evening Picnic-Paddle Blake Flow, Raquette River
John & Susan Omohundro (TLs), Peggy & Dick Mooers. The first of the Wednesday evening paddles on this upper Raquette flow reminded us why we liked this time of day. The wind calmed down and the sun eased up, so we paddled with all our senses alert. Saw sheep laurel and iris, heard ovenbird and white-throated sparrow, tasted dark chocolate peanut butter cups, smelled balsam and spicy grasses, and felt sand in our swimsuits after a pre-dinner dip.

July 9 (Wednesday) Wednesday Walk in the Woods (WWW)
Dick Mooers (TL), Kathy Batson, Sheila Cerwonka and Marianne Hebert. After a wildly windy night, there was plenty of tree damage to negotiate on the two mile loop walk. Wildlife sightings included green heron, great blue heron, eastern phoebe, oven bird, Canada goose and, by ear, red-eyed vireo and hermit thrush. Frogs were seen in a tiny trailside pond. There were a few plants blooming, especially sheep laurel in the wetland. No heron nests were seen on the large beaver pond, which is showing signs of eutrophication. On August 13 there was a repeat walk with Marianne Hebert and Dick Mooers enjoying a shower-refreshed stroll, finding little changed in the wetland. Birds observed, included some very active belted kingfishers, eastern phoebes, and a hairy woodpecker drilling overhead.

July 27 (Sunday) Raquette Falls Paddle
Jo DenBleyker, Harry Doelger, Mary Mackinnon and Martha Orologio joined Dick Mooers (TL) for the 12 mile paddle from Axton Landing to Raquette Falls and back on one of those hoped for days when the National Weather Service gets a bad forecast dead wrong. We enjoyed the sunshine and dramatic cumulus clouds, the scenic falls, the adult and young mink crossing the river, the clutch of common mergansers sunning on a rock, the numerous mallards, the many great blue herons, the flock of four belted kingfishers, and each other’s company. Jo enjoyed the river swims - very much and very often. We also thank the NWS for giving us the river pretty much to ourselves. Can we go again?

August 6 (Wednesday) Picnic and Paddle at Higley Flow State Park
The draw of The Black Lagoon? Exotic goodies at the picnic? Whatever the reason, there was a good turnout with Diane Dowe, Charles and Lila Hunnewell, Tom Ortmeyer and Janet Wakefield joining Dick and Peggy Mooers (TLs) for the picnic and the paddle. We enjoyed the fun of the lagoon and Stump Bay’s very real beauty - a lovely body of water in spite of its name.

August 9 (Saturday) Potsdam-Canton Bicycle Loop
Tom Ortmeyer (TL), Carolyn Kaczka, Lila Hunnewell, Charlie Hunnewell, Ann Ortmeyer. Bikers Carolyn and Tom left Potsdam on a very nice summer day. We went out the Bagdad Road, and then explored several roads (some unpaved) before coming into Canton on Park Street. We met Lila, Charlie, and Ann for a nice picnic lunch at Heritage Park in the middle of the Grasse River. We then returned on a scenic route that included the Finnegan and Flat Rock Roads to get back to Potsdam.

August 16 (Saturday) - Nun-da-gao Ridge and Weston Mountain
It was a chilly morning, and cloudy most of the day, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. The group had a great day and enjoyed all the attractions Nun-da-ga-o has to offer.

Left - L to R on the ridge: Ken Macgillivray, Michael Minthorn, Marie Fernandez de Alaiza, Megan Macgillivray, Abby Smith, Bill Juda, Carol Gable.
Right - L to R at Lost Pond: Carol Gable, Abby Smith, Bill Juda, Ken Macgillivray, Marie Fernandez de Alaiza, Michael Minthorn, Megan Macgillivray.
Photos: TL Marianne Hebert.

August 23 (Saturday) - Hurricane Mountain
L to R at the trailhead: Carol Gable, Lucas Hanss, Cole Madore, Rebecca Miller, Jeff Miller.
Photos: TL Blair Madore.

August 23 (Saturday) Hurricane Mountain
Blair Madore (TL), Cole Madore, Carol Gable, Lucas Hanss, Rebecca and Jeff Miller. We started about 9:30 from Route 9N and leisurely walked the first mile. This area was recently worked by an ADK teen trail crew that included our own Lucas Hanss. Luke was able to point out in detail the work they had completed and the techniques involved. He also observed work recently completed by other groups including a prison detail and we all saw materials waiting to be used by further volunteers. The ranger had put a request for volunteers right on the pile of wood! The rest of the trail was in horrible shape as it was in parts muddy, steep and rocky. The views on top raised our spirits, and lunch our energy levels, for the walk down. We topped off the hike with dinner at Tail O’ the Pup on the way home. A perfect Adirondack day.

August 27 (Wednesday) Picnic and Paddle on the Grass River
Tom and Ann Ortmeyer (TLs), Ann and Armond Spencer, Alison Charles, Dale Pondysh. The week delay brought us much improved weather and a good group. The paddle down the Little River included cardinal flowers, blue heron, and cedar waxwings. On the way up the Grasse, we passed rope jumpers and backyard sitters. We dined at Taylor Park, drifted back down the Grasse, and had a close encounter with a young heron on the way back to the launch site.

August 30 (Saturday) - Cycling the Long Sault Parkway From Cornwall we cycled west on bike paths past the Robert Moses - Robert H. Saunders power dam, skirted some parkland, and arrived at the Museum of the Lost Villages of the St. Lawrence where we spent more than an hour admiring the buildings and exhibits. Then onward to the Parkway, a scenic ride through the islands. We stopped for lunch and a swim on East Woodlands Island. On the return we checked out a dive site at a submerged and abandoned lock, the site of the Lost Village of Moulinette, and the new power generation museum. A cold beer was a perfect ending to a varied and interesting day.
L-R: Jeanna Matthews, Toni Towle, Peter Blood, Tom Ortmeyer.
Photo: TL John Barron.

September 6 (Saturday) Hike Low’s Ridge
Tom Wheeler (TL), Marianne Hebert, Eric Birkland, Eric Birkland II. Predictions of rain limited our group to four. The trip into the Upper Dam went well as did the ascent. The heavy rain began just as we attained the summit and we enjoyed the most limited views from this ridge that I have experienced. Descending, we visited Hitchens Pond before our return to the car as the rain gradually diminished. A very wet but enjoyable hike.

September 30 (Tuesday) - Mont St. Hillaire (Quebec)
The weather was ideal - sunny and cool, with a slight mist. We hiked on well-groomed paths through a stunning climax forest of towering sugar maple, beech and red oak, up the inside of this igneous intrusion, that gave us the impression we were in a wood-covered volcanic crater. We scaled three summits along its edges - Pain de Sucre, Dieppe, and Rocky. On the return we hiked along the shore of Lac Hertel, a central lake surrounded by the summits. The mist precluded seeing the St. Lawrence river from the peaks, but we had excellent views of the Richelieu River that originates in Lake Champlain and flows north to Sorel near Montreal.
L-R: TL John Barron, Marianne Hebert, Bill Mueller.
Photo: Hiker from another party.

Saturday October 11 - Essex Chain Lakes Paddle
Dick Mooers (TL), Claire Pospisil, Ellie Menz, Frank Fisher, Gretchen Gedroiz. Laurentian Chapter’s first exploration of the small lakes of this new Primitive Area was made by on a cool, cloudy bright fall day with mirror smooth water, very little other boat traffic and still lovely color in the trees. We paddled with the loons on six of the eight numbered lakes plus Deer Pond, driving 190 miles round trip from Potsdam, carrying 1.5 miles in four easy-to-wheel carries and paddling about 8.5 miles. The carries were mostly over good dirt roads that see little or no vehicular traffic. Short sections of rough trail connect the roads to the lakeshore landings that are more suitable for canoes than kayaks. This recent state acquisition is very good for day trips but would be excellent for short camping trips with ultra light canoes. Once on Third Lake there is a lot to explore without carrying, including a passage through a culvert between Fourth and Fifth Lakes. Deer Pond, which is often mentioned as an inconvenient short paddle to the longer carry, and which can be simply bypassed by road carry, is well worth inspection if only for the unique water level rock pillars and caves on the south shore. We saw several common mergansers in two groups, a number of common loons including nearly half a dozen second brood juveniles that we worried might not develop enough to fly south, as well as belted kingfisher and great blue heron.

Sunday October 12 - Hoffman Notch
Sunny weather and bright fall leaves. Although this route is a maintained DEC trail, it receives so little use that following it needed concentration and encouraged us to pay attention to the terrain. Good views upward at several high ridges. The narrow exit between extremely steep slopes on both sides showed how the Notch got its name. An adventure. Supper at the Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake on the way home.
L-R: Marianne Hebert, TL John Barron.
Photo: Brian Baston.

Sunday October 19 - Cycling the Amish Loop
We delayed a day due to weather (rain), and had a dry but cold day to bicycle this loop from Rensselaer Falls through Depeyster and Heuvelton. The forecast periods of sunlight never happened, but we had a scenic and pleasant ride apart from a few brief sections where we had a head wind. We enjoyed Stewart’s famous chili in Heuvelton for our lunch break, and then headed back to Rensselaer Falls, some by car and others biking.
L-R: John Barron, Marilyn Levitan, TL Tom Ortmeyer, Jeannna Matthews.
Photo: Ann Ortmeyer (Logistics Support).

Saturday October 25 - Backcountry Trail Work
Photo 1: Most participants, in front of TL Mark Simon’s Barn (photo John Barron)
Photo 2: South Colton Rock Climbing Site Crew (L-R) Lucas Canino, Alex Frame, Kevin Valentine, crew leader Kaleb Stores, Clark Soulia, Richard Romero, Ivana De La Cruz, Julia Zakaryan, Matthew Cameron, Charlie Kalet. Not pictured, Elizabeth Taurisano. Photo John Barron.

Saturday November 1 - Leader Training Clinic, Higley Flow State Park
We started with an indoor briefing about trip planning and administrative requirements and then went to Higley Flow to run a model hike. Participants took turns being on-trail leader while we staged a series of difficulties that sometimes confront leaders. All handled them with grace and good humor. Grey, humid, cold, windy weather with snow flurries made it easy to simulate a participant in early stages of hypothermia.
L-R: Lila Hunnewell, Charles Hunnewell, Mark Lowell, TL Marianne Hebert, Michael Minthorn.
Photo: TL John Barron.

Sunday November 2 - Wild Goose Chase Ann Spencer (TL), Mary McKinnon, Lila & Charlie Hunnewell, Alison Charles, Marianne Hebert, Dick & Peggy Mooers, Jo DenBlyker, Joan Howlett, Ann Beaulieu, Marsha Akins, Laura Taylor, Armond Spencer. The 15 of us waited for the snow geese to make their grand entrance and landing on Branch Brook. We took a short walk to warm up, waiting for the display. Finally, we were not disappointed. When they came in for the night it was a sight we won’t forget.

Wednesday November 5 - Jenkins Mt. John and Susan Omohundro (TLs), Gretchen Gedroiz, Lynne Hunter, Linda Roesner, Elisabeth Craven, Barbara Hollenbeck, Maggie Mortensen. Gray clouds were scudding over as we arrived at the Black Pond parking lot, but blue skies emerged over the next couple of hours. We bushwhacked on the esker for awhile, identified the herd path that led north to Jenkins Mountain trail. Then we traipsed among the “ruin’d choirs” of beech and maple to the summit. Gazing down on Spitfire and St. Regis Lakes and across at St. Regis Mountain, we snacked in the harsh wind and descended as we had ascended. We returned along the shores to the trailhead, again under lowering skies and a rumor of raindrops.

Wednesday November 12 - Wednesday Walk in the Woods. Dick Mooers (TL), Marianne Hebert and Janet Van Wehringh. This was the final walk in the seasonal series in cool, breezy but dry fall conditions. We had fun identifying quite a few tree species, watching Chickadees, bushwhacking to a small wetland, following the old Zig-Zacker single track ski trail through the cedars, and chatting with people we met, including two from the Ogdensburg United Helpers Day Habilitation Program who had come to walk with us but were a little late arriving. One of the goals of the WWW was to see the seasonal change in the woods over several months. The contrast between the October and November walks was the greatest of all. The near total leaf drop opens the woods and invites one to explore.

Saturday November 15 - EAP Trip Leadership Course
John G. presented the concepts indoors at SUNY Potsdam, after which we ran a model hike at Higley Flow S.P. Gene led off by reserving, signing out, and driving a University van to the trailhead (real, not simulated). Then everyone took turns being on-trail leader. It was great fun and the most common negative comment in the post-exercise evaluation was the cold (but sunny) weather.
Front row, L-R: John Barron & Marianne Hebert (presenters); Julia Zakaryan, Elizabeth Taurisano, Cindy Humphrey, Hannah Racette, Geoffrey Lyman (leaders by rotation)
Back row, L-R: Nick Grippe on Adam Smith’s shoulders, Gene Gaffney, Sean Dwyer (leaders by rotation)
Photo: Lead instructor and ADK president John Gilewicz