First Winter's Snow

I went up to Pilot Knob Ridge today and was treated to beautifully snow encrusted trees for the entire day. The water fall was flowing well for this time of year and walking all the trails was a real pleasure. What is nice about this time of year with all the leaves are down you can see the Lake at a few more points than during the summer. Even when it is cold out, this little preserve is fun to hike alone or with friends.

PKR Fall 2009

Went up to Pilot Know ridge today on a beautiful fall day. I was fortunate in that the day before it rained all day so the water fall was full and running free.

Now I went up to place more markers on the orange trail as I have had reports of people loosing the trail with all the leaves down. One thing that I would like to point out, and for you to look for when you hike at the PKR. When you see a double maker, that means there is a turn or bend in the trail and you need to look ahead and see the next trail maker. This is important for the next couple of weeks as the last of the leaves are falling as there are section of the orange trail that become hard to see.

The preserve was really beautiful today and it looked like there where a few people enjoying the wonderful fall weather.

Fall Foiliage 2009

I think that although the leaves are falling, there are some still left and a hike up the PKR would be a nice way to experience it. Also, for the next few weeks before the snow gets deep, the PKR offers a nice place to go and enjoy the fall woods. It is fun watching the squirrels scurrying around hiding their acorns.

One note, while hunting is not permitted on the PKR, still wear red or orange and do not wear brown or white anywhere. In the past two years I have only seen one hunter on the PKR and he was passing through to a location off PKR property and his gun was unloaded and the breech opened. Still use caution this time of year.

Fall Foliage

For the next two weeks Pilot Knob Ridge will be a great place to view Lake George at the height of its fall foliage glory. The trails are in great shape and the trails have been remarked.

Go and hike the PKR and more.

Trails Ready for Fall 2009

Leaf peepers, I hope you visit the Pilot Knob Ridge to take in some of the views during this leaf peeping season. Right now only a few trees are changing in the southeastern Adirondacks, but the change happens quickly. The trails are in good shape and I replaced the trail markers that the summer poachers removed.

Get out hike and have fun

Trails Clear

I had a report of a tree down on the trail so I went up early today to do a quick assessment of the trail conditions and brought my ax to take care of the tree or trees. Well, there were a couple of small trees down, but nothing too bad and I was able to clear these without any trouble. So the trails are now a bit wet with all the rain, but they are clear and in good shape.

A couple of things to note. First is that the gazebo is being renovated and there is a park bench that was installed inside to help the hiker rest from the steep climb up. Also, a ways down the blue trail you will see a pine tree that was recently blown apart by a bolt of lightening. When you see it you will see the pieces of the tree laying radially around the trunk. I haven't seen that before. This tree was struck 200 yds from a where there were two trees hit last year. Must be something in the soil.

Need Time

I have not had a chance to get up to Pilot Knob Ridge to check the trails. I did hear that there is a tree down on the blue trail so I plan on getting up there to remove as soon as I can. I did restock the Kiosk with trail maps.

More Drive Work

Went up today to sidecut the drive getting it ready for a dedication ceremony the July. Finished and checked the rest of the trail network and found everything in order.

At the beginning of the blue trail the birds were very active even in the late morning. It is nice to hear the woods so active.

The falls was flowing, but even with the rain it was at medium capacity.

June Tail Work

I have finally made it back up to Pilot Knob Ridge after making it through the long weekends I have had due to work. Today, I was asked to clear out the drive that is part of the orange trail in preparation for work that is going to be done at the Gazebo. I believe that a generous patron is donating a bench and funds to refurbish the gazebo and the LGLC needs the drive clear so they can get materials up and people up for the dedication in July.

I removed two rock cairn that I placed in the drive where the drive turn off into the woods. I also removed two downed tree and a few leaning trees that would interfere with the drive up. Anyhow the drive is clear as is the rest of the orange trail as I found a couple of downed trees on the way down.

For me a good way to spend a couple of hours on Father's Day

Red Eft Sighting

Went up today after Saturday night's rain storms and high wind gusts to check and see how the new waterbar drained and to check for any blowdown. I was very pleased to find that all the trails are clear and that the new waterbar worked perfectly. I even checked the grade of the channel with a hand level and everything was fine. I was worried that a lip at an edge of a drop off would have to be cut but it is not an issue.

On the way up on a cool breezy Sunday morning I spotted my first red eft newt of the season. He looked cold, but he was out.

While I was up there I also did a little sidecutting to make the trails easier to follow.

Remember if it is cool and breezy the bugs will stay away...well unless they are real hungry.

The waterfalls was gushing today with all the rain that we had. I had to stop a moment and just watch.

Kiosk Full

I did not have time to hike today, but I stopped by and refilled the kiosk with newsletters and a bunch of trail guides. Enjoy the hike and please contact me if you notice any problems

Matt kinghtbaker63@yahoo.com

Thanks

Cool and Breezy Mother's Day but...

...No bugs!!!!! Got up early today and cruised the PKR to check on the new waterbar I installed earlier in the year. I needed to hurry to get home in time to make breakfast for my wife. The trails look great and the waterbar seems to be doing what it is supposed to, so a good day.

Besides a spring day without black flies the wild flowers are more prevalent and I saw an owl take off in from of me for an added bonus. I saw him on the last switchback to the right as you head to the falls on the B tr.

The waterfalls is flowing nicely with the recent rains so take your mother for a little hike today.

Beautiful Day to be Out

If you were not hiking today in the southern Adirondacks all I have to say is What's Wrong With YOU!!!!!!!! Today I went up to the PKR to remove a downed tree and to put a stone water bar in place to help with water drainage.

Hiking through the trails up to my work zone I walked between a pair of wood peckers pecking away. I also flushed a ruffed grouse on another part of the blue trail, with the warm weather and with the leaves still in bud it is easy to see all the birds fliting around. Great time to go bird watching.

I stopped both when on the way up and on the way down, at the gazebo and looked at the beautiful view. There was not a boat on the lake and the lake itself was a deep clear blue.

So all in all it was a good day to be on Pilot Knob Ridge.

The Adirondack Almanack is four years old this week.

The Adirondack Almanack is celebrating it's fourth anniversary this week.

This website has a wealth of information both current and historical regarding the Adirondack region. If you have never been to this site stop by this week and check it out.

http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/

Gull Bay

Today on another gorgeous rainy weekend day I took a spin at theLake George Land Conservancy's Gull Bay Preserve. I am happy to report that the trails are in excellent shape and that the Great Blue Heron are in their nests at the rookery at the end of the Orange and Yellow trails. Here are a couple of images from this beautiful preserve.

This is a very under used trail system with only a hand full of visitors since last August. Too bad to as this is a gem. An easy 2.25 mi. round trip. Wildlife in numbers.

Today I saw a doe, heron, wood ducks and ruffed grouse.

View from the lookout

Great Blue Heron in their summer home.

Why Rain Gear is so Important

I went up to Pilot Knob Ridge today in the rain to replace trail markers and to check a see how the water was draining off the trails. By doing this I was able to identify four locations where I will have to install a waterbar and by doing this I was able to figure a better way to fix one location that has been on my list for a few months.

A little perk of this job is you are out in the woods during some real pleasant times. The woods were quiet and the animals were actually moving and active, and since the woods are so quiet I was able to move closer to them, than I usually do. Even though it was pouring it was a pleasure to be out in the woods. You should already have some rain gear with you anyway, if you don't the predictable unpredictable Adirondack weather will make sure you have some with you. If you have some decent gear you will be able to comfortably go out on less than perfect days and see the woods from a different perspective. Always remember to watch your footing and beware of thunder...thunder bad.

Trails are clear!!

I just arrived back from a nice hike on the PKR trails and I am happy to inform everybody that the parking lot is clear, the trails are clear and there is a lot of wildlife up there to be observed. Just watch out for a few icy spots.

From the Gazebo you can watch the crazy late season fishermen still trying. You also can see all the pressure ridges and weak spots in the ice on Lake George. The ice will be leaving soon, not soon enough for me.

By the way the waterfall is magnificent!!!!!

Wonderful Winter

I went up today to check on the condition of Pilot Knob Ridge and to be honest with my mini van I could not park far enough off the road to be safe and I didn't feel comfortable pulling into the unplowed parking area. The was a 4-wheel drive in the lot with plenty of ground clearance.

So I didn't have a chance to snowshoe, I did check the kiosk and it was stocked,

Please us your head when parking. If the shoulder gets plowed there is enough room for a couple of cars to park, but please do not block any or our neighbor's driveways.

Just Back From Vacation

I just returned from a 2 week vacation to Fl that is why this blog has been so quiet. I drove so I need some time to recover. I think that I may take a run up to the PKR next week to see how the snowshoeing is. Until then...