Backtracks

New Year at Higley Flow State Park, Jan 1, 2022
About 20 Laurentian Chapter members and 1 dog enjoyed a New Year outing at Higley Flow State Park. There wasn’t enough snow for skiing or snowshoeing, so we settled for walking several of the trails. Cupcakes from Big Spoon Kitchen (Potsdam) around the fire topped off the afternoon.
Photo Joan Trivilino

Snowshoe to Church Pond, Jan 22, 2022
At 20 below zero with good snow cover, we crossed Fox Marsh finding wet spots and flowing water along the edges of the marsh. Fortunately we navigated around the water, through the tamarack and black spruce to the big trees on the hill before Church Pond. We explored along the edge of the lake following otter tracks and fresh beaver chews. Slush under the ice turned us around by the inlet and we retraced our path by the big yellow birches, hemlocks and spruce. One foot got wet on the return crossing, but Bill Hill, author of “Hiking the Trail to Yesterday” saved the day with a quick hand to the sinking traveler. By the time we emerged at Route 56, the temperature had risen at least 20 degrees. A wonderfully sunny adventure.
Participants: TL Tom Vande Water, Betsy Kepes, David Trithart, Rose Rivezzi, Bill Hill, Tom Ortmeyer, James Lynch

Beginner's Snowshoe at the Nicandri Center, Feb 5, 2022
We began by working with the Nicandri Center staff to outfit a wide range of foot sizes with snowshoes, plus a pull behind sled for one participant. Once were all set with our ‘shoes and got them on, we headed out on the River Trail. We all enjoyed the hike through the woods and along the top of the riverbank, and enjoyed the winter scenery and the critter tracks through the snow. Post-hike, we gathered in the Center and enjoyed the fire and cookies.
Participants: co-TL’s Tom Ortmeyer and Jeanna Matthews, Saied, Norah, Abdullah and Laneem Alshahrani, Esma Noli, Mohammed Ali, Mahnoor Ali, Hareem, Zabra Nahyan and Mohriz Zarrin, and Breyne Moskowitz.

Catamount Mountain, Feb 12, 2022
The weather in South Colton was predictably changeable. We started with blue skies and clouds and 35 F, and ended with clouds spitting snow and 28 F. The trail was mostly broken, until the last quarter mile. Thanks to Tom Lawrence for leading during the last snowy bit.
L-R at summit: TL Marianne Hebert, Jane Subramanian, Tom Lawrence
Photo: Brenda Curley

Stone Valley Snowshoe, Feb 19, 2022
We met by the Colton Museum, checked conditions, and decided on microspikes for the hike. The winter scenery was great as we headed down the west side, the ice formations on upper Stone Valley were amazing. The weather was alternating between snow flurries, sunshine, and gusty wind, and gave us never ending changing vistas. We crossed the new Browns Bridge at the halfway point, and then continued up the east side dealing with some drifting from the west wind on top of black ice in places. We enjoyed the river views from the east side, and rewarded ourselves with food and drink at the Raquette River Pub 7.7 miles into the hike before completing the final 0.1 miles to the trail head.
L-R on Brown’s Bridge: Dana Chudzinski, Jeff Miller
Photo: Tom Ortmeyer (TL)

Orebed Creek State Forest Wildflower Walk, Apr 16, 2022
Spring was just starting to arrive at Orebed Creek: many wildflowers had not yet emerged, and those that were up had not yet flowered. Which was just as well, because the overnight snow was hiding everything. We started out under cloudy skies with temperatures around freezing, bushwhacked upstream from the bridge to the property boundary, and walked back along the road under blue skies and temperatures warm enough to melt most of the snow.
Along Orebed Creek: Brenda Curley, Gina Willette, TL Anne Csete, TL David Katz
Photo: Marianne Hebert

Downerville State Forest Wildflower Walk, Apr 23, 2022
A balmy day with no bugs was perfect for a walk along the North Branch Grass River from its confluence with the Main Branch upstream to a snack break at Harper Falls and back. The woods was a carpet of wildflowers: spring beauties, both lavender and white hepatica, plantain-leafed sedge, Pennsylvania sedge, blue cohosh, bloodroot, marsh marigolds, yellow wood violets, coltsfoot were all flowering. Toothwort, red and white trillium, and wood bettany all had buds and will be flowering soon.
At Harper Falls: Marianne Hebert, Brenda Curley, TL Anne Csete
Photo: TL David Katz

Outing Leadership Clinic, Apr 30, 2022
Six of us turned out for a fun day of learning the ropes to be an outings leader. It was a bluebird day at Higley Flow State Park and participants had a fun day hearing about the funniest and worst outing experiences, and how to prepare for the unexpected.
Photo: David Katz, Joan Trivilino, Ellie Menz, Marianne Hebert, Debra Mitchell, Blair Madore (Photo by B. Madore)

Glenmeal State Forest Spring Mud Hike, Jun 12, 2022
Rescheduled from May 22 due to weather. June 12 was a cloudy day, with many mosquitos to keep us company. We explored several of the loops and everyone helped with wildflower identification. We found that the trails were a bit overgrown, and we all agreed that this would be better as an early Spring walk. It is certainly a fine snowshoe destination.
Photos: Blue-marked loop at Glenmeal State Forest; Beth Denny, Joan Trivilino, Marianne Hebert. (Photo by M. Hebert)

Tooley Pond Road “Clarksboro Trail”, Jun 25, 2022
The Clarksboro trail was slightly overgrown, and the views of Twin Falls were obstructed by foliage, but the vistas from the top of the cliffs were lovely and we had a surprise visit by a Coopers hawk. We proceeded to Rainbow Falls which were spectacular as usual, and then to Copper Rock Falls for lunch on the rocks.
Participants: Tom Ortmeyer, Susan Omohundro, Deb Mitchell, John Omohundro, Carolann Jacobs and her mom, Donna.
Photo: TL Marianne Hebert

Hike to Huckleberry Lake, Wolf Lake State Forest, Jul 25, 2022
We had a great, sunny 4.4 mile RT hike to the Huckleberry Lake DEC lean-to through the hemlock, beech and maple forest and past the huge boulders and bedrock of the Laurentian Shield. What, this isn’t Canada?
Participants: Carole Evans, Marianne Hebert, Ellie Menz, Tom Wheeler, Peggy Mooers, Joan Trivilino, TL Dick Mooers, and Carole and Joan’s two very well behaved dogs.

Kring Point Bike Ride, Jul 31, 2022
Joint outing with the Black River Chapter. We started from the Oak Point Scenic Turnout, and took two pleasant frontage roads beside Rte. 12. We took a break in Chippewa Bay, then headed inland for several miles on town roads through farm fields. We then crossed Crooked Creek and head to Kring Point State Park. We took a lunch break near the beach, and then explored Morgan Island before heading back downstream along Route 12. It was a beautiful day, and the ride was enjoyed by all.
Participants: Cindy Steward, Diane Covell, Ray Spahn, Brenda Curley, Cyndi Grover, Greg Smith, and Tom Ortmeyer (TL).

Hannawa Pond Evening Paddle, Aug 3, 2022
We started from the cartop boat launch on Lenny Road, and enjoyed the camps and the forest on the paddle downstream. We took a supper break on the Kaczka’s deck, including generous portions of Strewart’s ice cream courtesy of Gene and Carolyn. We then paddled back upstream, greeting those enjoying their camps in the evening twilight along the way.
Photo: Diane Goodrow, Brenda Curley and Kent Goodrow approaching the Lenny Road Boat Launch. Photo: TL Tom Ortmeyer