Stone Valley Signs

Redesign of Stone Valley Interpretive Signs, 2023-24

In the Spring of 2023, a Laurentian Chapter working group began working to update the interpretive signs along Stone Valley. Of the ten original signs installed in 2006, six had disappeared, and the four remaining signs are weathered, mildewed and pretty much unreadable.

The new interpretive signs will help visitors appreciate some of the hidden assets of the Raquette River trail system. They highlight Colton’s industrial history along the river, such as the log drives, the tannery, the dams, and hydroelectric power. They also focus on the unique geologic features and some of the spectacular characteristics and beauty of the river. There is a kid-friendly section on each sign to engage our younger hikers and the young at heart.

Over the Summer of 2023, the interpretive sign working group (Mary Jane Watson, Tom Vande Water, Jeff Chiarenzelli) wrote the content for ten new signs. Marianne Hebert and Tom Vande Water walked the trails to determine the location for each interpretive sign and to document the GPS coordinates. Jeff Chiarenzelli, geology professor at St. Lawrence University, did the graphic work and layout. The signs will be printed by the women-owned company, Northeastern Sign Corporation in South Colton. Installation is expected to begin early in the spring of 2024 as soon as the ground is thawed enough to start post hole digging. We will be looking for volunteers to help with post-hole digging and carrying supplies.

The Laurentian Chapter is very grateful to the Raquette River Advisory Council (RRAC) for their financial support for this project.

Click on the signs below to enlarge.
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