Mid-Summer

It has been hot and humid (and wet), but that has not stopped many of you from visiting the Pilot Knob Ridge preserve. I took a spin up there this weekend and everything looks great.

With all the rain that we have had lately, the waterfall at end of the blue trail will be flowing for a couple of days after the last storm.

Enjoy the view and the wildlife and thank you for helping me keep the trash off the trails.

A little Maintance.

Before I headed out for a short camping trip on Lake George I took a spin on the PKR trails (7.1.2008) and did a little work. I removed a tree that crossed the trail on the upper blue trail and I cut a little of the brush growing around the gazebo that was blocking some of the views. With a thunderstorm approaching I had to leave a couple of trees. I have removed most of what I set out to do...just enough to open the view to the lake from the gazebo. I left a lot of the other growth that is growing in the clearing. We have to remember that this is a Nature Preserve and any cutting is to the bare bones minimum.

So while you are there enjoy the view for a while at the gazebo, then go hike the blue trail, being very quiet and take pleasure in the wildlife that is all around you and the true gift that this little piece land gives us.

An Appreciation of the Nature Conservancy and Adirondack Mounatin Club

I hiked Algonquin Mountain yesterday. To read about the experience click on this link Bakers Outdoors Page. One thing that I would like to briefly mention here is my increased appreciation for the Nature Conservancy. Volunteering for the LGLC I see first had the effort and the commitment that the Nature Conservancy has for preserving out natural resources. On top of Algonquin Mountain they, partnered with the DEC and the Adirondack Mountain Club have worked to restore the extremely fragile alpine environment that exists on this and other mountains in the Adirondacks. What I like about the Nature Conservancy and Adirondack Mountain Club is they provide a conduit to channel many people's desire to help into action. Not only by directly reseeding and working on the top of the mountain, but even in the simplest of ways by asking hikers to bring up a couple of fist sized stones. These stones are then placed by the more experienced volunteers and professionals in critical locations to create barriers and paths, that direct people where to place their feet and stop the erosion of valuable soil. The Nature Conservancy and The Adirondack Mountain Club pay to have a Summit Steward hike up and stand on the top of that mountain to educate people about the alpine environment, the Adirondacks and to generally help people, while politely keeping people off the delicate alpine fauna. Simple but a task that is gargantuan in execution and impact.

I checked on the Pilot Knob Ridge Preserve today after the storms we had the beginning this week. The trails are clear. There is one tree down on the blue trail above the falls, but it really is not obstructing the trail. I will take care of it the next time up. I may be able to use the tree as part of a water bar that I need to install near where it fell... nature provides.

Although I brought a camera with me I didn’t take any pictures. I was too caught up enjoying the sites, sounds and smells that fill the air. There was, however, an orange newt that was all but begging me to take its picture, but Jake, my dog and trail companion was a little over heated and I had to hurry off the trails at that time.

I hope that you came up and enjoy the sites and sounds at the PKR.

Went to Cat and Thomas again!

I only went up to he PKR this weekend only to check on the kiosk. I didn't walk the trails. I had another urge this weekend to go back to Cat and Thomas mountains to attempt and finish what I began two weeks ago dealing with all the blow down on the orange and blue trails.

Let me say that I overestimated and underestimated some things. I overestimated how in shape I am (for 45 I am ok), and I underestimated how much wood I had to chop. I know have a little cheese with that whine.

I decided that I would work up the orange trail to the cabin and try and clear the road so hikers can walk in unhindered. I should have realized what I was getting myself into when the first log was a 14 " oak that I had to make two axe cuts in to clear. My first chop from my new razor sharp Snow Neally axe bounced off. I eventually (20 min later finished what I was set out to do) and lets just say that I was all warmed up. Fortunately, the rest of the dozen or so trees that blocked the path to the cabin were either pine or maple, both woods cut well and many were one cut removals.

I took a water and food break at the cabin and decided that even though the temp was about 88 and humid, that I had a little more to give and started down the blue trail. This is where the blow down was the worse. Many small trees and tree tops down across the trail, blocking the treadway. About 2 hours later, with only 0.5 mile left to clear I had too call it a day. It was real hot, I finished my fourth qt of water and was out and I was literally drenched in sweat. I thought that before I got hurt or sick that I had to give this one to the mountain. On my way to that point I even passed by some larger trees that can easily be stepped over and one that you have to duck under unhindered in order to save energy to remove those trees that blocked the tread. These I will get after the last half-mile is cleared.

Anyway, I was happy with the work that was done and I think that other then a couple of snags, that the blue trail will be more enjoyable for the hiker.

Time for Pilot Knob Ridge

I made it up to Pilot Knob Ridge today and was very happy to see from the trail logs that a lot of people came and visited this lovely place. Today I was not only checking the trail conditions, but I also added and replaced some trail markers. The post at the intersection of the blue and orange trails is marked correctly for as long as the trail marker poachers stay away.

The weather was warm, but comfortable, and all and all I had a very slow and enjoyable hike.

One sad note: As it has been a little dry, the waterfall has slowed to a trickle, but even so, walking up and viewing the rock formation at the falls is worth the trip.

For you birders out there. Any place along the blue trail would be an excellent spot to sit with binoculars and watch birds. I am not up on my bird song identification, but I can tell that there are a lot of different birds out there. I did see a pair of scarlet tanagers; the male was a gorgeous, brilliant red.

This is an example of some of the diverse habitat on the blue trail. This kind of open woods coupled with some of the fringe areas around this habitat provide a huge variety of food sources that supports a high diversity of plants and animals. This photo does not do it justice.

A view of Sandy Bay from the Gazebo. Summer is here as indicated by the boats moored there. You know the water temperature in 54 degrees Fahrenheit, so I bet that nobody is swimming...except a few brave souls.

This is my trail partner. His job is to keep me company, greet fellow hikers and watch over me. He preforms all his jobs flawlessly every time. By the way he really is not a bear, he just looks like one.

I know it is a spider with and egg sac, but it was big and interesting so I decided to photograph it.

This is grass growing out of the pavement of the drive that is part of the orange trail . Why oh why would I take such a boring picture? This ties into my essay on the positive points of the drive entailed A different look at the Driveway trail. This patch of grass demonstrats nature's resilience and strength, as simple as it is, this patch of grass will soon break up this section of pavement allowing larger plants to take root.

Had a great time today and it was nice to run into people along the trails.

Trail Work in Progress

I went up onto Cat Mountain very early this moring and cut blow down for nine hours. I was able to clear the yellow trails and only 1 mile into the blue trail. There still is about 1.25 mi left on the blue trail. I am not used to swinging an axe, so at 2:00 when I just finished cutting a large pine this dozer ran out of diesl. My legs got heavy and I started to get a headach in my forhead. With 3 miles to the van I decided enough was enough and finished for the day.


To some up the day...I had a blast!!!


Here are some pics from the top of Cat.

Don't forget to touch the disk when you climb the mountain