Backtracks

New Year at Higley Flow State Park, Jan 1, 2023
About 20 Laurentian Chapter members celebrated the New Year at Higley Flow State Park with a hike (too little snow for skiing or snowshoeing), a fire (courtesy of Higley staff), food (courtesy of Marg Madore and others), and presentation of 2022 photo contest winners.

Upper and Lower Lakes WMA, Jan 7, 2023
We had to move the venue from Dewey mountain, as warm weather and lack of snow made it unfavorable for a snowshoe. We opted to walk the access roads of the Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area north of the Indian Creek Nature Center. Nine of us turned out for a cold but fun exploration of the road and side trails. It was icier than expected due to the December holiday blizzard. We saw two swans and met some pheasant hunters and their hunting dogs.
Group Photo, L-R David Katz, Rita Lewis, Anne Csete, Jane Khondker, Brenda Curley, Ellie Menz, Jane Subramanian, Carol Rossie-Fries, Jeanna Matthews, photo TL Marianne Hebert
Boardwalk, Kiosk Photos Jeanna Matthews

Southville State Forest Snowshoe, Jan 14, 2023
We were lucky to get fresh snow the day before, leaving us with just enough snow to actually snowshoe. Fresh snow also meant we were enveloped by the atmosphere of lovely snowy branches. Some participants were snowshoeing for the very first time and all were excited to be able to get out on the snowy trails. We hiked about 3 miles including a lovely stretch along the West Branch of the St. Regis River. This was a joint ADK and Potsdam Public Library Event led by Blair Madore and William Eckhart.
Participants: Blair Madore, William Eckhart, Andrew & Tracy Robinson, Eudora Watson, Marianne Hebert, Rita Hyunh, Sara Poisson, Sarah Coupal, Emily Reinhardt, Erin Wiggins, Gabrielle Smith, and Olivia Briggs.
Photos: Blair Madore. More photos at flic.kr/s/aHBqjAoe2u.

West Parishville Snowshoe, Jan 22, 2023
We had a cloudy but not too cold day for a snowshoe walk of 1.4 miles that ended with some snacks in our warmed-up cabin. It was a nice way to celebrate another stage on the path to completing this little structure. We hope to do it again.
Present for this event: Tom Ortmeyer, Joan Trivilino, Marianne Hebert, Debra Mitchell, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Bob Josephson, Rose Rivezzi, David Trithart.

Grass(e) River Snowshoe, Jan 29, 2023
We had a good bit of fresh snow on our start from Rte. 3 and broke trail along the old Grass River Rail line. We got out to the kiosk, and then went down to the first and second put-ins, enjoying the winter scenery throughout. We had a brief (and wind blown) snack at the second put-in, and then decided to head back along the snowmobile route for a bit of a change. We had great conditions, and all enjoyed the hike.
Participants: TL Tom Ortmeyer, John & Susan Omohundro, Sarah Coupal, Dana Chudzinski
Photo: Snowshoeing down the old Grass River rail line. Photo Tom Ortmeyer

Azure Mountain Snowshoe, Feb 5, 2023
Because of extremely cold weather we moved this hike from its original date of February 4th. Our crew was smaller – five of us set off to conquer the mountain. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Despite good conditions we were forced to turn back half way, when one of our hikers got an emergency phone call from home. The mountain will be there is the future – family comes first. This was a joint ADK and Potsdam Public Library Event led by Blair Madore and William Eckhart.
Participants: Jeff Miller, Blair Madore, William Eckhart, Massooma Pirbhai, and Thea How Choon.
Photo: Blair Madore. More photos at flic.kr/s/aHBqjAuxqc.

Snowshoe Catamount Mountain (South Colton), Feb 11, 2023
We had a perfect bluebird day for our climb with bright sunny skies and temps rising in the mid-20s. It was a fairly easy walk to start out along the groomed ski trail. About midway, as we left the red trail, we were surprised to find that no one had been to the summit recently. We each took turns breaking trail until we reached the summit where we located the remnants of the fire tower and observer’s cabin.
Participants: John Barron, Jeff Miller, Ruth Baltus, Kevin Ball, TL Marianne Hebert
Photos by M. Hebert

Jones Creek Trails, Thousand Islands National Park, Feb 18, 2023
A weather sequence including warm weather, heavy rain, freezing rain, some snow, ice pellets, and a cold day in the days leading up to the trip threatened icy conditions for skiing in Murphy’s Point, as originally planned. The plan was revised to a hike in Thousand Islands National Park near Brockville. We used microspikes and had a fine time exploring the trails. First came the eastern part of the system, about 2 miles of well-marked trails with a number of scenic views. There remained enough time for a short drive and another short excursion in from the western entrance for another 2 miles of hiking. Red Adirondack chairs have become a popular unofficial symbol of Parks Canada, and are found at scenic locations in national parks throughout the country.
L-R TL John Barron, Marianne Hebert
Photo Jean Giblin.

Clear Pond Snowshoe, Mar 5, 2023
We postponed this trip by one day because of snowfall but that did not stop people from coming out. There were 9 of us who snowshoed the 2 miles into Clear Pond together, then explored some of the shoreline and even a few ventured carefully onto the ice of the frozen pond. Warm temperatures (32-40) over the course of the trip plus a bit of sunshine and blue sky made things even more pleasant. This was a joint ADK and Potsdam Public Library Event led by Blair Madore and William Eckhart.
Participants: Jeff Miller, Blair Madore, William Eckhart, Massooma Pirbhai, Thea How Choon, Alanna Gillis, Ruth Baltus, Kevin Ball, Lynn Crump, and Sarah Razis.
Photo: Blair Madore. More photos at flic.kr/s/aHBqjAuwXo.

Whippoorwill State Forest Snowshoe, Mar 11, 2023
The sun peeked through the clouds and the day warmed up nicely for an exploration of the trails at Whippoorwill SF. The pine trail was a nice diversion through an old pine plantation, and we had a chorus of crows to escort us along the way. The Plumb Brook trail had many sapling stumps from all the beaver activity.
Participants: Ling Zhang, TL Marianne Hebert

Spring Road Walk, Cemetery Rd, S Colton, Apr 22, 2023
We had a gorgeous warm and sunny day. We explored many of the side trails along Cemetery Rd for a total of 3 miles. The beach and water views were lovely. We saw beaver activity and wildflowers. All-in-all a perfect outing!
L-R: Marianne Hebert (TL), John Dewar, Gabrielle Smith, Pete Biesemeyer, Sandy McCloy. Photo by Linda Moerschell

Chaffey's Lock, Apr 29, 2023
Due to forecast rain and several difficulties of ground conditions the route was shortened and simplified to be entirely on the Cataraqui rail trail. Despite the rain we had five participants and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. There was plenty to see including cottages, the natural channel between Indian and Opinicon Lakes, the old rail trestle, many wildflowers, an old cemetery, the Opinicon Hotel, and Chaffey’s Lock of the Rideau Canal (pictured). We even found a small but adequate roofed picnic shelter to have lunch out of the rain.
L-R:TL John Barron, Marianne Hebert, Toni Towle, Marie-Reine Fournier. Photo Jean Giblin.

Orebed Creek State Forest Wildflower Walk, Apr 30, 2023
Wildflowers were everywhere. We tramped through the woods, up an un-named stream to three increasingly large beaver ponds, then down Orebed Creek for the walk back to the road. Spring at Orebed Creek is a bit behind spring in the lowlands, but we were able to identify about two dozen species, some in bloom, some still thinking about it. Anne Johnson’s encyclopedic knowledge of St Lawrence County wildflowers was an added treat.
Participants: Anne Johnson, Pete Biesemeyer, Jane Khondker, TLs David Katz & Anne Csete

Monitor My Maple, Apr 30, 2023
We had a small and enthusiastic group who visited a sugar bush in Parishville to learn how to identify maples. The rain held off long enough for Nature Up North Project Manager, Kayla Edmunds, to teach us how to distinguish maples from other native trees. We learned how to measure and observe seasonal changes in maples, and how to record data for the citizen science project.
Photo by M. Hebert: Have the leaves fully unfolded?
L-R: Kayla Edmunds, Ellie Menz, Marnie Salisbury Becht, and Leo.

Alamogin Road Walk, May 6, 2023
Just three of us set out to see if the wildflowers were emerging, and we weren’t disappointed. We found bellwort, Dutchman’s breeches, miterwort, bloodroot, Hepatica, trillium, saxifrage, wild blue phlox, and of course violets! We also met a Northern Leopard Frog, a snapping turtle and a few snakes. Blue skies and fair weather made for a delightful morning ramble.
Participants: Jane Khondker, Carolann Jacobs & Marianne Hebert (TL)
Photos (violets, white trillium): Marianne Hebert

Whippoorwill Corners Wildflower Walk, May 7, 2023

Read Neal Burdick’s article, Exploring Whippoorwill.

Four inches of rain in the last 2 weeks made the trail to Harper Falls a bit too wet, so we walked the upland sections of Whippoorwill Corners State Forest instead. Sunny skies, a slight breeze, and comfortable spring temperatures made for a nice walk on the Loop PFAR [Public Forest Access Road] where fourteen humans and one dog identified blue cohosh, white trillium, red trillium, miterwort, violets (purple, white, and striped), wood violets (yellow) bellwort, sedges, toothwort, dutchman’s breeches, foam flower, spring beauty, trout lily in blossom, plus several other species that were already done or not yet open. The dog, not being particularly interested in the flowers, led two of the humans around the loop twice in the time the rest of us circled once. The green-carpeted hillsides wowed us on a brief supplemental walk on the trail between CR24 and CR17.
Participants: John Barron, Jean Giblin, Regina Willette, Kathy MacKay, Chris Rediehs, Neal Burdick, Barbara Burdick, Laura Rediehs, Marianne Hebert, Jane Khondker, Eleanor Menz, Carol Rossi-Fries, TL David Katz, TL Anne Csete, and Marcy.
Photo David Katz

Grasse River RR hike, May 21, 2023
This was a joint outing with North Woods and Laurentian chapters, comprising a dozen walkers from six communities, ranging from Ottawa to Lake Placid. For most, today was a first visit to this recently-marked carry trail for intrepid paddlers on a boney stretch of the South Grasse. The trail parallels the river on the railroad bed that originally connected lumber mills in Conifer to mills in Cranberry Lake. Now the trail ends two miles in from Route 3 where a bridge once crossed the river. Old ties are still visible through the turf. The day began with a cool mist but ended in a warm cloud of black flies. Along the way we saw foam flower, painted trillium, a gravid turtle, coyote and bear scat, and evidence of deer kills. The birds were plentiful too: Northern Flicker, green and blue warblers, Northern Parula, ovenbird, and our first hermit thrush of the year.
Photo: Jerry Gnann

Massawepie Scout Camp Hike, Jun 3, 2023
Five of us set out to explore the trails of the Massawepie Scout Camp. We enjoyed the diverse habitats: the bog, the eskers, lakes and pine forests. There were still many spring flowers in bloom (Pink Lady Slippers, Starflower, Wild Sarsaparilla, Cotton Grass, Canada Mayflower, Labrador Tea, and Sheep Laurel.
L-R: Away Patel, Max Delehanty, Jane Subramanian, Ellie Menz
Photo by TL Marianne Hebert

ADK Cycle Outing, Jun 11-16, 2023
27 cyclists converged on Ogdensburg New York for five days of great bicycling in the US and Canada. We enjoyed cycling along the St. Lawrence River, the Thousand I`slands and Amish farm country. The weatherman was wrong predicting rain most days. We biked rain-free on seven scenic routes. When the weatherman was right about the rain, we ran trips to the national gallery in Ottawa, hiking in Wellesley Island State Park and kayaking on crooked Creek. Returning ADK Cycle Rally bikers applauded the upgraded accommodations at Wadhams Hall, a former Catholic seminary. We had some suites, laundry service, kitchen access, and a game room. We did not discover any pool sharks, but several of us improved our game of eight ball.

Paddle Wanakena to Cranberry Lake, Jun 13, 2023
Four of us put in at the Wanakena beach and headed toward the Lake. It was cloudy but the rain had let up. We had a quiet paddle past the camps and Ranger school and into the wild part of the river. The wind came up when we reached the lake so we enjoyed lunch at the picnic table at Hawks Nest Beach. We were happy to be early in the season with no motor boats. It was a lovely day with great people. Participants: Janet Wakefield, Diane Dowe and leaders Holly & Neil Woodworth.

Ampersand Mountain Hike, Jul 8, 2023
We enjoyed the initial walk through the forest to the base of Ampersand, and were ready to climb once we got to the mountain. We admired (and used) the steps on the climb up, and were happy when we reached the ridge trail to the summit. We had a short but challenging clamber, and were greeted by awesome view on the summit. Both humidity and smoke had cleared for the hike. It was warm enough that we all enjoyed a swim on Middle Saranac Lake afterward.
On Ampersand Summit: Brenda Curley, Marianne Hebert and TL Tom Ortmeyer

NY Annual Loon Census at Higley Flow State Park, Jul 15, 2023
Four of us participated in the annual loon count hosted by the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. The census was one hour from 8:00 to 9:00am, so we arrived early to review procedures and launch the boats. We signed up to survey Warm Brook Flow and set out with high hopes. The morning was beautiful and calm, but we struggled to see any loon activity, though early on we saw a mallard female with three chicks and a white tail deer grazing on the riverbank. A kingfisher kept us company for some time with its noisy chatter. Just as we were winding down our paddle, we spotted an adult loon in the distance at 8:57am, just under the wire!
Pictured: Cara and Steve Coffin, Sara Sharlow
Photos: Marianne Hebert (TL)

Annual Chapter Potluck Picnic and Outings, Jul 16, 2023
Thirty-plus chapter members enjoyed paddling, birding, hiking, good food, and good company at the annual Laurentian Summer Picnic and Outings at Potsdam’s Sanstoner Park Pavilion.
Sugar Island Hike: We had a nice but buggy hike on Sugar Island, and enjoyed the riverside walk on the east side and met a father with his daughter who had paddled over to the dock and were taking a swim. We then made our way to the Chapter picnic, and enjoyed the the food and company.
Participants: TL Tom Ortmeyer, Jean Giblin, John Barron, John Wilson
Racquette River Paddle We launched canoes & kayaks at Potsdam beach and paddled upriver toward the Potsdam dams and the remains of Potsdam Falls.
You can’t see this from the road; there is a rock shelf below the Eastern dam the last remains of Potsdam Falls. We went back in history to when the river was dammed up to generate power for lumber mills and the large Clarkson workshop that cut and chiseled Potsdam Red Sandstone. The railroad that brought sandstone slabs downriver from Hannawa was right over there!
Then we headed downstream and circled two islands. Chatting it up, you could not have guessed - we had two former music teachers and two large systems computer experts. Returning to the beach, after our 3-mile circuit, paddlers conferred to identify the unusual flora before retiring to the picnic shelter for a tasty potluck.
Participants: Holly Chorba, Cyndi Grover, Carolann Jacobs, Dallas Shannon, Brenda Curley, Kris Vaska, Gabby Smith, Marianne Hebert, TL Greg Smith

Frontenac Provincial Park, Sep 16, 2023
We enjoyed a sunny, warm, late-summer day on the trails of the west side of Frontenac out of the Kingsford Dam trailhead. We viewed Clearwater Lake from several vantage points and walked out to a backcountry campsite on Birch Lake where we had lunch before returning. Most of the dozen-or-so people we saw on the trails were backpackers who had spent at least one night in the backcountry.
Hiking, L-R: Toni Towle, Ann Youldon
Lake: Clearwater Lake
On the bridge, L-R: Ann Youldon, Toni Towle, TL John Barron
Photos: Marianne Hebert

Clarksboro Trail, Tooley Pond Road, Sep 23, 2023
We had a great turnout for the Potsdam NY Pride hike up the Clarksboro trail of Tooley Pond road. We chatted about the history of the Clifton iron mine operation in Clarksboro, and the wooden train tracks that carried the ore to the depot in East DeKalb. Clarksboro had 600 inhabitants during the 1860s and a popular hotel! There were still a few wildflowers to enjoy and the ferns along the trail were lovely. Afterwards we visited Basford Falls, and several of us hit Sinclair Falls on the way out.
“Basford Falls Photo by M. Hebert
On the ledge overlooking the Tooley Pond Tract, L-R: John Barron, Debby Nikkari, Sara Lynch, Rebecca Donnelly, Jenelle Saliba, Deanna Saliba. Photo by M. Hebert
Clarksboro Pride Outside, L-R: Debby Nikkari, Deanna Saliba, Jenelle Saliba, Rebecca Donnelly, TL Marianne Hebert, John Barron, Seated: Celena Haase, “Hammy," and Sara Lynch. Photo by Jean Giblin

Exploring the Church Pond Forest Preserve off Rt 56, Oct 25, 2023
Traveling off-trail offers surprises and challenges, even for the most experienced woodland travelers. Read the full trip report.
Participants: TL Tom Vande Water, Jon Omohundro, Susan Omohundro

Iroquois Dam Horse Trails, Oct 28, 2023
A gloomy morning turned into a fine afternoon. It was unseasonably warm and a bit windy. Five of us explored 5 miles of trails and roads at the scenic property in Waddington. We saw several garter snakes, a toad, a hawk, a merganser and a few flocks of migrating geese.
Participants L-R: Ling Zhang, Ellie Menz, Jane Gatta Subramanian and Jim Bisbee
Photo by Marianne Hebert

Forest Therapy Walk, Nov 3, 2023
We had a wonderful walk in the magical woods at Higley Flow State Park. We were grateful for no rain and a partially sunny day with moderate temps. Five insightful women joined TL Debra Mitchell for a two-hour communion with nature. We attuned our senses deeply as we set intentions and created a threshold for the walk. We built relationships with the water elementals, trees, rhythms/motions, and textures, ending with a sit spot meditation by the beaver pond. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience and we may try to do one again!

Yellow Lake State Forest, Nov 4, 2023
Cloudy and pleasantly cool, with a shower or two. As we were getting organized at the trailhead a couple of hunters emerged from the woods and advised us that bears had been seen in the area. We saw no bears during our hike but there was plenty of interest including rough terrain, steep climbs and descents, good views over Yellow Lake and some interior wetlands, two beaver dam crossings, and occasionally tricky route finding where the path was not obvious.
Crossing Beaver Dam, L-R: Marie-Reine Fournier, TL John Barron, Christine Sitts. Photo Marianne Hebert
Ascending Cliff, L-R: TL John Barron, Christine Sitts. Photo Marianne Hebert
At Yellow Lake Viewpoint, L-R: Christine Sitts, Marianne Hebert, Marie-Reine Fournier. Photo John Barron

Nichols Trail at Wilson Hill WMA, Nov 11, 2023
A lovely sunny morning turned overcast, but that didn’t dampen our spirits as we explored the Nichols Trail at Wilson Hill. We saw no hunters or ducks, but the paths were charming, and we had great views of the wetlands. There were lots of baby white pine sprouts scattered throughout the forest. We also found a great variety of club mosses, some of which were casting powdery spores to the wind. We covered over three miles, which made for an easy but robust outing!
L-R: Jean Giblin, Jane Subramanian, John Barron
Photo by Marianne Hebert, TL

Baker Woods Preserve, Dec 12, 2023
It was unseasonably warm so that all the snow and ice had disappeared before we hit the trails. We enjoyed the great variety of habitats: the pine plantations, cedar bog, beaver pond, rocky overlooks and one short cliff climb. The Nature Conservancy has beautifully maintained trails with hand carved wooden signs. The trail maintainers are poetry lovers, so there are poems and whimsical carvings along the trails. We had plenty of time to amble and enjoy the club moss, fungi and mosses still active on the forest floor.
Participants on hillside (L-R): Holly Woodworth, Jon Montan, Anne Csete, Kathy MacKay, David Katz. Photo Marianne Hebert
Features: Carved Sign, Beaversprite Pond, Indian River, Bear Pose. Photos Marianne Hebert
Participants crossing bog (L-R): Anne Csete, Jon Montan, Holly Woodworth, David Katz, TL Marianne Hebert. Photo Kathy MacKay