Upcoming Events

Sun, Jan 26: Outdoors-Indoors - Mapping the purple menace: Investigating an invasive plant in Northern New York 7:00 p.m., in the Potsdam Civic Center Community Room. Dr. Jess Pearson. Purple loosestrife is beautiful, but this invasive species has also begun a march to replace native vegetation along roadsides and in wetlands. This becomes a threat to both local and transient wildlife, particularly waterfowl that frequently use our wetlands on their migrations. A well-studied biological control limits this invasion: An introduced leaf-eating beetle that feeds exclusively on purple loosestrife. While purple loosestrife is listed by the NYS DEC as a regulated and prohibited plant, until 2017 it had not been well studied or documented within the St. Lawrence Valley ecosystem. Understanding new mapping techniques to monitor the spread and investigate targets for intervention is crucial in limiting the effects of this invasion. Dr. Pearson will talk about how she’s been mapping this invasion, growing beetles, and studying removal techniques.

Thu, Jan 30: Weekly Walk, Red Sandstone Access Roads 7:30 a.m. We will walk the dirtaccess roads for approximately 2 miles, 1 hour round trip. If the roads are icy, traction devices such as microspikes are recommended. Meet at the Red Sandstone trailhead, north entrance parking lot off Back Hannawa Road (CR59) between Potsdam and Hannawa Falls. From Potsdam, at the intersection ofRt. 11 and Clarkson Ave (CR59), drive south for 2.5 miles. The access road is on the left just past Sweeney Road. A brown “trail parking” sign marks the entrance. Leaders for each week will vary. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu or 315-265-0756. Level C.

Sun, Feb 2: West Parishville Walk and Talk Depending on conditions we will snowshoe or walk the trails in the woods behind our cabin on Pumpkin Hill Rd. in West Parishville. Total distance is about 2 miles. Afterwards, we will warm up in the cabin. This outing is limited to 10 people. Call ahead to join and to get details: David Trithart, 315-244-8875. Level C.

Thu, Feb 6: Weekly Walk, Red Sandstone Access Roads 7:30 a.m. We will walk the dirt access roads for approximately 2 miles, 1 hour round trip. If the roads are icy, traction devices such as microspikes are recommended. Meet at the Red Sandstone trailhead, north entrance parking lot off Back Hannawa Road (CR59) between Potsdam and Hannawa Falls. From Potsdam, at the intersection of Rt. 11 and Clarkson Ave (CR59), drive south for 2.5 miles. The access road is on the left just past Sweeney Road. A brown “trail parking” sign marks the entrance. Leaders for each week will vary. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756. Level C.

Sat, Feb 8: Snowshoe Red Sandstone Trail. This is a beginner snowshoe hike along the Raquette River and around Sugar Island. If you don’t have equipment, contact us in advance and we should be able to help you. 2 miles with an option to extend to 3.5 miles. Meet behind Potsdam Library at 10:00 am or 10:15 am at the northern trailhead. Contact Blair Madore, 315-261-0751 or madorebf@potsdam.edu. This is a joint event with Potsdam Public Library Outside (PPLO). Level C.

Thu, Feb 13: Weekly Walk, Red Sandstone Access Roads 7:30 a.m. We will walk the dirt access roads for approximately 2 miles, 1 hour round trip. If the roads are icy, traction devices such as microspikes are recommended. Meet at the Red Sandstone trailhead, north entrance parking lot off Back Hannawa Road (CR59) between Potsdam and Hannawa Falls. From Potsdam, at the intersection of Rt. 11 and Clarkson Ave (CR59), drive south for 2.5 miles. The access road is on the left just past Sweeney Road. A brown “trail parking” sign marks the entrance. Leaders for each week will vary. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756. Level C.

Sat, Feb 15: Skiing at Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Between Cornwall and Upper Canada Village, about 3 hours of easy skiing on level terrain with possible views of the St. Lawrence River. Roughly 3-4 miles. The trails are groomed and trackset, so we can hope for excellent surface conditions. Contact John Barron, 613-828-2296 or johnbarron@sympatico.ca. Level C.

Thu, Feb 20: Weekly Walk, Red Sandstone Access Roads 7:30 a.m. We will walk the dirt access roads for approximately 2 miles, 1 hour round trip. If the roads are icy, traction devices such as microspikes are recommended. Meet at the Red Sandstone trailhead, north entrance parking lot off Back Hannawa Road (CR59) between Potsdam and Hannawa Falls. From Potsdam, at the intersection of Rt. 11 and Clarkson Ave (CR59), drive south for 2.5 miles. The access road is on the left just past Sweeney Road. A brown “trail parking” sign marks the entrance. Leaders for each week will vary. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756. Level C.

Sat, Feb 22: Snowshoe or Hike Henry’s Woods This trail system near Saranac Lake offers a nice mix of hardwood and conifer trees, moderate hills and occasional mountain views. 2-4 miles, elevation gain 377 ft. Fairly easy. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu or 315-265-0756. Level C.

Sun, Feb 23: Outdoors-Indoors - Hiking in Utah and Arizona Marianne Hebert and Jane Gatta Subramanian. In September 2024, Marianne and Jane traveled to the Southwest to explore Utah’s Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. They took side trips to visit the Valley of Fire State Park in Arizona, Utah’s Red Canyon SP, and the Hoover Dam Historic Rail Trail. They learned about the unique geology of the Southwest, native cultures, and petroglyphs, and saw a few big horn sheep and lots of interesting trees and flowers.

Thu, Feb 27: Weekly Walk, Red Sandstone Access Roads 7:30 a.m. We will walk the dirt access roads for approximately 2 miles, 1 hour round trip. If the roads are icy, traction devices such as microspikes are recommended. Meet at the Red Sandstone trailhead, north entrance parking lot off Back Hannawa Road (CR59) between Potsdam and Hannawa Falls. From Potsdam, at the intersection of Rt. 11 and Clarkson Ave (CR59), drive south for 2.5 miles. The access road is on the left just past Sweeney Road. A brown “trail parking” sign marks the entrance. Leaders for each week will vary. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756. Level C.

Sat, Mar 1: Clear Pond This will be a beginner/intermediate snowshoe into and around Clear Pond, south of Parishville. While still relatively close to home, the majestic forest and glorious expanse of the pond give a true feeling of remoteness. If you don’t have equipment, contact us in advance and we should be able to help you. 4-5 miles total. Meet behind Potsdam Library at 10 a.m. or at Clear Pond trailhead at 10:30 a.m. Contact Blair Madore, 315-261-0751 or madorebf@potsdam.edu. This is a joint event with Potsdam Public Library Outside (PPLO). Level C+.

Sun, Mar 2: Outdoors-Indoors - Life on a fire lookout in north central Idaho Tom Van de Water has staffed a Forest Service lookout at the edge of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness for over thirty years. Fire policy and fire behavior have changed during those years, as many photos show. Come join the discussion about life on a remote lookout and wildfires today.

Thu, Mar 6: Weekly Walk, Red Sandstone Access Roads 7:30 a.m. We will walk the dirt access roads for approximately 2 miles, 1 hour round trip. If the roads are icy, traction devices such as microspikes are recommended. Meet at the Red Sandstone trailhead, north entrance parking lot off Back Hannawa Road (CR59) between Potsdam and Hannawa Falls. From Potsdam, at the intersection of Rt. 11 and Clarkson Ave (CR59), drive south for 2.5 miles. The access road is on the left just past Sweeney Road. A brown “trail parking” sign marks the entrance. Leaders for each week will vary. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756. Level C.

Thu, Mar 13: Weekly Walk, Red Sandstone Access Roads 7:30 a.m. We will walk the dirt access roads for approximately 2 miles, 1 hour round trip. If the roads are icy, traction devices such as microspikes are recommended. Meet at the Red Sandstone trailhead, north entrance parking lot off Back Hannawa Road (CR59) between Potsdam and Hannawa Falls. From Potsdam, at the intersection of Rt. 11 and Clarkson Ave (CR59), drive south for 2.5 miles. The access road is on the left just past Sweeney Road. A brown “trail parking” sign marks the entrance. Leaders for each week will vary. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756. Level C.

Sat, Mar 15: Ski into Great Camp Santanoni This ski trip from Newcomb will be on the final winter weekend scheduled by the Santanoni Partners, Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), the Town of Newcomb, and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. The Artist’s Cabin on Newcomb Lake will be open and warm, and the Gate Lodge will also be open. 9 miles round trip, with minor elevation change. Contact Tom Ortmeyer, 315-244-3707 or tortmeye@gmail.com. Level C+.

Thu, Mar 20: Weekly Walk, Red Sandstone Access Roads 7:30 a.m. We will walk the dirt access roads for approximately 2 miles, 1 hour round trip. If the roads are icy, traction devices such as microspikes are recommended. Meet at the Red Sandstone trailhead, north entrance parking lot off Back Hannawa Road (CR59) between Potsdam and Hannawa Falls. From Potsdam, at the intersection of Rt. 11 and Clarkson Ave (CR59), drive south for 2.5 miles. The access road is on the left just past Sweeney Road. A brown “trail parking” sign marks the entrance. Leaders for each week will vary. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756. Level C.

Thu, Mar 27: Weekly Walk, Red Sandstone Access Roads 7:30 a.m. We will walk the dirt access roads for approximately 2 miles, 1 hour round trip. If the roads are icy, traction devices such as microspikes are recommended. Meet at the Red Sandstone trailhead, north entrance parking lot off Back Hannawa Road (CR59) between Potsdam and Hannawa Falls. From Potsdam, at the intersection of Rt. 11 and Clarkson Ave (CR59), drive south for 2.5 miles. The access road is on the left just past Sweeney Road. A brown “trail parking” sign marks the entrance. Leaders for each week will vary. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756. Level C.

Sat, Mar 29: Carry Falls Road Walk Avoid the mud and ice by taking a road walk. This is a pleasant route with views of wetlands, the reservoir, and a split rock (photo below). 3.5 miles RT, elevation gain 335 ft, with an option to extend the walk on the dirt road past the picnic area. Fairly easy. Contact Marianne Hebert, hebertm@potsdam.edu, 315-265-0756. Level C.

Sun, Apr 6: Outdoors-Indoors - A couple of unique hikes in the Minerva area: Blue Ledges and Moxham Mountain Peter Brouwer and Patricia Curry. In the presenters’ words, “We will describe two unique hikes in the Minerva area, both five miles round trip. The first is a relatively easy hike to the Blue Ledges on the Hudson River; if you time it right you can watch the rafters float by and stop for a lunch break. The trail up Moxham Mountain is moderate and offers wonderful views along a series of roughly a dozen ridge overlooks.”