Backtracks

New Year at the Nicandri Center, Jan 4, 2020
This year our annual New Years get-together moved from Potsdam to Massena and from late afternoon to mid-day. Fourteen chapter members gathered at the Nicandri Nature Center at Robert Moses State Park, but since there was no snow on the ground, we walked the Center’s six miles of trails instead of skiing or snowshoeing, accompanied part of the way by the Center’s trails manager. Afterward we were introduced to the resident turtles by the Center’s director and naturalist. Potluck snacks, plus refreshments coordinated by Mary MacKinnon, topped off a fine afternoon.
Participants: Anne Csete, Marianne Hebert, Andrew Hou, Bradley Hou, Daqing Hou, Danielle Jerry, David Katz, Mary MacKinnon, Tom Ortmeyer, Bob Platte, Rose Rivezzi, David Trithart, Xiaoli Wang, Rod Woodin
Photo, L: An unusual hop hornbeam tree
Photo, R: Meeting the turtles
Photos David Katz

Snowshoe Catamount Mountain (South Colton), Jan 25, 2020
We had a small turnout but a lovely, slightly overcast day. Fresh snow made for a picturesque climb. We paused for animal tracking along the way, and skirted the dam on the return back to the trail head. The quilt show and hot cocoa at the Catamount Lodge made for a perfect ending.
At the summit: Peter Biesemeyer
Photo: Marianne Hebert (TL)

Lilypad and Long Ponds, Feb 1, 2020
We started off February on a nice day, with a late cancellation there were two of us on the trail to Lilypad. We had a good walk down the Goldmine Rd, then scrambled up to the highland. We were breaking trail from there, Beautiful day with the wet snow on the trees (and trail markers). We crossed over a small ridge, and then couldn’t find the trail. Stopped for lunch, and then headed back-- and agreed that it was a good hike even though we didn’t make our objective.
Photo: Marianne Hebert on the trail by TL Tom Ortmeyer

Snowshoe at Paul Smith’s VIC, Feb 23, 2020
Cancelled due to lack of participants

Parc Guindon Ski, Mar 7, 2020
We had perfect weather: bright warm sunshine and temperature around freezing. Following a week of rain and freeze-thaw cycles we half expected to find a sheet of ice and brought hiking boots, snowshoes, and microspikes just in case. In the end the snow conditions were good too, and we enjoyed our ski tour of the park. Scenic highlights included small wetlands and distant views of a dike of the Robert Moses - Robert Saunders power dam which forms the St. Lawrence River shoreline of the park. Coffee and a snack at Tim Horton’s afterward.
L-R: Tom Ortmeyer, Marianne Hebert, Jean Giblin, TL John Barron. Photo by a passing skier.

Church Pond Bushwhack, Sep 19, 2020
Five of us set out on a frosty morning to explore the State Forest Preserve parcel leading to Church Pond from Route 56, up the road a few miles from Catamount.
Bushwhacking always leads to a greater appreciation of trails and this hike was no exception. We headed west and then south, around the head of Fox Marsh to cross over from sphagnum moss to drier forest. This is a forest dating back to an 1877 tax sale according to The Adirondack Atlas. Climbing over fallen hemlocks and yellow birch trunks waist high made us realize how old this forest is. Many of the standing trees were just as big, some larger than two of us could wrap our arms around. Skirting a large hill, then another sphagnum crossing and another hill, we decided one mile of this walking equals maybe three on a trail.
At the pond we found a high bluff overlooking the south end and Anne pointed out some delicious wintergreen berries. We also discovered a hillside of massive boulders, more large trees and an overlook on a different route back. We confirmed our route with a map, compass and GPS. It would be easy to get lost here.
One of our “trails” was made by deer and bear who left their scat along the way. And at every stop we spotted new mushrooms, ferns and even a quiet wood thrush. All of us agreed we’d appreciate trails more now, but will not likely forget the challenge of exploring where few others go.
Left: One of many big trees
Center: Finding a way through the woods
Right: Snack break at Church Pond
Participants: TL Tom VandeWater, David Katz, Anne Csete, Rita Lewis, Barb Quirk

Harpers Falls from the confluence of the Grass River, Oct 3, 2020
Our hike started near the confluence of the Grass River North Branch with the Main Branch. We hiked upstream along the North Branch through a scenic fall forest to the Falls. We enjoyed a snack by the falls and explored them a bit before heading back downstream with new vistas on the return.
Participants: Debby Nikkari, Tom Ortmeyer (TL).

Stone Valley Trail Maintenance, Nov 7, 2020
Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic a small crew carried out maintenance on the East Side River Trail. Starting from the fire station in Colton they worked downstream. Shown improving the bench cut near Lucy’s Hole are,
L-R: Crew leader Mark Simon, Steve Dilger, Jim Williams, and Eileen Visser
Photo setup: Eileen Visser