Trailhead mystery solved
A few years ago I learned in reading the Explorer of a short hike that runs from Uncas Road to Eighth Lake near Inlet. I have hiked this many times, but recently to my surprise I found a tree lying across the parking area with a no-trespassing sign and a no-parking sign on the other side of the road. The state sign-in box also has been removed, yet one hundred yards in from the road the state fence and trail markers are intact. Can you shed some light as to what is going on in this area so I and others who enjoy this trail do not violate any property owners’ rights?
Bob Wilson, Frankfort
Editor’s note: The Department of Environmental Conservation responds: “The trailhead, the parking lot, and the beginning of the trail you refer to were on private lands. This spring the landowner informed us that he no longer wants the public crossing his land. DEC foresters and forest rangers are working on developing a reroute of the trail such that it will be on state land in total. Actual work on the reroute has not begun yet.”
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Mountain memories to treasure
Almost every page of the July/August issue brought back beautiful memories of my homeland.
Newcomb caught my eye in the “Ghost cats of the Adirondacks” as this is my hometown. I do believe a few cougars are out there as the habitat is perfect in so many remote areas.
Having seen as well as heard them in Florida I know how beautiful they are.
The account of the Cold River excursion reminded me of a visit with Noah Rondeau. And the article on whether the state will go forward with acquiring former Finch, Pruyn land brought me back to the years when my father worked for the paper company. My parents’ home was where the Hudson River first crosses the state road in Newcomb. So many mountains to climb!
I can’t forget the animals, not only to watch but to hunt. These are the days to treasure now in later life.
Edith Willette, North Tonawanda
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Who releases exotic cats?
I just read your column on the phantom cougars of the Adirondacks [July/August 2010]. Almost every year I see a similar article, and invariably human sightings are blown off as misidentifications or purely imagination.
Three or four years ago in May I was headed to Lake Placid for our first hike of the year. Somewhere between Chapel Pond and St. Huberts on Route 73 we almost hit a large black cat, I would guess in the fifty-to-sixty-pound range. It came out on the left side of the road and angled directly toward our car, veering off at the last second past our right front fender.
Only a full emergency brake by my friend averted a collision.
This was not an illusion, phantom, or yearning. It was clear, with no doubt as to what it was. Not a cougar but an all-jet-black leopard like you would see in a circus. Naturally we were shocked. One year later an article in a Saranac Lake paper told of a man in Keene Valley who
I think saw the same cat. I contacted the DEC and made a report but had the feeling the man I talked to was humoring me. Perhaps because of the simultaneous article or maybe because it sounds so ridiculous.
I’m sure there is not an indigenous or breeding population of cougars or leopards, but I can assure you that there is, or was, at least one. What amazed me is that a South American animal could survive an Adirondack winter.
I’ve seen enough smirks and rolled-back eyes when I have related this, so naturally I don’t push it. Maybe a future article could include some thoughts as to who would release these animals and what their chances of survival are instead of analyzing the minds of the witnesses.
Chris Worden, Rochester
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Natural beauty is economic asset
In response to your article on Fred Monroe of the Local Government Review Board (“Going against the green,” July/August): People like him are stuck in the 1950s. Does he think that any tourist is going to visit the Adirondacks and spend thousands of dollars to watch people slaughtering trees, digging mines, and letting the rich build homes that destroy the Park’s scenery?
New York has some of the highest utility rates, taxes, and payroll costs. Why would a company with many employees want to be here, especially in the Park? The region’s economy relies on scenery, hiking, camping, fishing, etc.
Ron Tauro, Syracuse
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Deafening rally spoils weekend
I suppose, since the “Thunder in Old Forge” motorcycle festival must be a big moneymaker for the village, my comments will fall on deaf ears, but I have to vent!
We have a camp on Raquette Lake, and there must have been hundreds of very loud cycles going by there in a nearly constant stream the whole weekend of June 4-6.
Anyone outdoors couldn’t hear to carry on a conversation much of the time. I can’t imagine what the wildlife thinks. But that weekend is not, by any means, a quiet time in the mountains or on the water for anyone within two to three miles of Route 28.
If my little car were as loud as these Harleys, I’d get a ticket. Why is it they don’t? It just seems downright rude to rip up the air all through the Park in order to have a good time. The excuse seems to be that loud is safe because you hear them, but I don’t see other cycles that are quiet mashed on the road. I think it’s a case of “Look at me” that compels riders to defy rules.
There, I have had my say, if there is anything else I can do to promote quiet in the Park, let me know, please!
Joan Parkes, Raquette Lake
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