Backtracks

New Year at Higley Flow State Park, Jan 1, 2024
About 30 folks showed up for a fun New Year’s Day outing of hiking, bonfires (courtesy of Higley stff), hot cocoa, and donuts. There wasn’t enough snow for skiing, but the trails were open and had only a dusting of snow. At three o’clock we convened in the lodge for a potluck snack-fest (courtesy of Marg Madore and others). Tom Ortmeyer presented the awards for the photo contest, and everyone oohed and aahed as copies of the photos were passed around. Many thanks to Higley Park staff for allowing us to stay late and to the photo contest judges who help make this annual event so successful. --Marianne Hebert, TL. Photo by M. Hebert

Lampson Falls, Jan 20, 2024
This outing was advertised as a beginner snowshoe in partnership with the Potsdam Public Library on the Outside (PPLO), headed by William Eckert. Bitter cold wisely persuaded interested families with young children to stay home. There were four participants: Bret Lloyd, Jeff Miller, John Wilson and Blair Madore (TL). Snow fell lightly during much of the outing, but thankfully it wasn‘t very windy. As long as we kept moving, the temperatures were tolerable – even short stops were enough to chill you.

The ice build-up on and below the falls is always impressive. After some glorious views of the falls, downstream at the first small rapid a large circle of ice spun in the current. It is always a surprising phenomenon. The weather and unbroken trail gave us a real feel of remoteness and a sense of the majesty of nature. Love the large pine trees in that forest!
Photo by Jeff Miller

Riverside Trail Snowshoe, Jan 28, 2024
After a soggy week, we were rain free for the Saturday hike on the Riverside Trail, off the Sylvan Falls Road above Parishville. Based on conditions, we had both snowshoes and traction devices in use. There were a good number of wet spots to cross and some downed trees to scramble over or around. Still, it was a great hike from the bluff down to the St. Regis River and then on a scenic stretch along the river. There was a lot of open water due to the warm weather. A few snowflakes at the end of the hike made for a scenic climb up the bluff.
L-R: Tom Ortmeyer (TL), Dana Chudzinski, Kathleen Fitzgerald, John Wilson, Bob Josephson

Snowshoe Stone Valley Trail West Side Trails, Feb 3, 2024
Four of us gathered for a late-morning exploration of the trails along the river. We met a polite hunter in the parking lot; both parties agreed to stay away from each other’s paths. We spotted cars, starting from the power station by Browns Bridge and ending at the dam in Colton. The snow was pretty icy, so we switched from snowshoes to micro-spikes after a half hour of noisy crunching. There were many elevation changes and spectacular river views, which made for an exhilarating hike. The sun even came out for a short appearance!
Participants: John Wilson, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Tom Ortmeyer, Marianne Hebert (TL).
Photos by M. Hebert

Hiking on the Rideau Trail Near Merrickville, Feb 10, 2024
Poor ground conditions for skiing and a forecast of rain at Robert Moses State Park led us to cancel the originally planned ski trip there and substitute a hike on the Long Bush segment of the Rideau Trail near Merrickville, Ontario. We had warm, sunny, springlike weather. The first half was easy walking on a snowfree gravel road with signs of the long history of subsistence agriculture in Lanark County. The second half was a micro-spike hike through wet crystalline snow on an old woods road lined by cedar trees. Our consensus was that the best approach for the snow conditions might have been backcountry skis, but hiking was pleasant too.
Near old homestead, L-R: Tom Ortmeyer, Marianne Hebert. Photo TL John Barron
On snow-covered trail, L-R: Tom Ortmeyer, John Barron. Photo Marianne Hebert.

Indian Creek Nature Center, Feb 17, 2024
It was a sunny and not too cold winter day. There was at least four inches of fresh snow and no one had been out on the trails. We had the area all to ourselves! This was advertised as a beginner snowshoe event in partnership with the Potsdam Public Library on the Outside (PPLO) headed by William Eckert. Participants, all from Potsdam, were Bret Lloyd, Ling Zhang, Thomas “TJ” Johnson, William and Rivka Eckert, and their kids Barrett and Fiona. This was TJs first time on snowshoes and it was an ideal experience. Fresh snow means fresh tracks and TJ led for a good portion of the trip. While traversing the Woodland Succession and Lowland trails we encountered a lot of animal tracks, enjoyed the sunshine, and marveled at the big sky views of the Upper and Lower Lakes.

Goodman Mountain, Feb 24, 2024
We had a beautiful bluebird-sky day for our hike. It was cold to start, and the trail was well packed and a perfect climb on spikes. We enjoyed the view of nearby mountains from the top and of Tupper Lake through the trees on the way down. Hikers were Marianne Hebert, Neil Woodworth, and Holly Woodworth (TL).
Photo by H. Woodworth.

John Brown’s Farm Trails, Mar 2, 2024
The unusually warm weather turned our planned snowshoe walk into a hike with micro-spikes. It drizzled as we were driving to the trailhead, and on the way home, but no rain while we hiked. The wind was chilly and blustery, but we were well protected in the forest. The wooded trails passed a few open fields, revealing lovely views of the surrounding mountains mostly hidden by clouds, so we’ll have to return on a sunny day. We ended the day with a short picnic lunch and a visit to the John Brown’s Farm visitor center and grounds.
Participants: Kathleen Fitzgerald, Janice Brown
Photos: TL M. Hebert

Long Tom Mountain, Apr 27, 2024
Seven of us headed out for Long Tom, only to find the gate near Horseshoe Lake still locked. But with perfect weather and no blackflies, we headed for Lows Ridge but, checking the map found a peak connected to Silver Lake Mountain that looked like an enticing bushwhack. We crossed an esker, followed a compass angle, switchbacked around a cliff and arrived at a rocky outcrop with views south to Blue Mountain for lunch. Then, descending north, we reached the eroded road into Lake Marion and a rushing stream, headwaters of the South Branch of the Grasse River. The walk back to Horseshoe made a good loop.
Participants: Joe & Jaxon Brant, Tom Ortmeyer, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Bonnie Gardiner, Marianne Hebert, TL Tom VandeWater

Indian Creek Wildflower Walk, May 4, 2024
Not too warm, not too cold, not too cloudy, not too clear: the weather was good for wildflowers and wildflower viewing. We identified about 20 species in bloom, as well as several others still waiting their turn. It was also great weather for birds, some visible, some hidden by the woods. The avid birders among us identified about 30 species.

St. Regis Mountain Hike, Jul 14,2024
We set out bright and early for St. Regis Mountain, and hit the trail after a brief stop at Paul Smiths VIC. The day was warm and humid, but in good shape only 4 days after Hurricane Beryl had created havoc in parts of the Adirondacks. On the hike in, we were treated to several points of interest by Hike Amateur Mycologist (HAM) Jeff Miller, who introduced us to sightings and lore of the Hemlock Varnish Shelf and Silky Rosegill mushrooms as well as the unique Ghost Pipe. After conquering the last, steep section, we arrived at the summit to spectacular views of the St. Regis Canoe Area and High Peaks. The hike out was highlighted by our introduction to the Eyelash Cup Mushrooms and a brief stop to cool our feet in a small and refreshing stream.
On St. Regis Mountain (L-R): Jeff Miller, TL Tom Ortmeyer, Jane Khondker
Silky Rosegill Mushroom