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Phil Brown

Phil Brown edited the Adirondack Explorer from 1999 until his retirement in 2018. He continues to explore the park and to write for the publication and website.

All Stories by Phil Brown

Exploring the Sable Highlands

By Phil Brown

More than a decade ago, New York State planned trails and other improvements for the conservation easement it bought on the Sable Highlands. Not much of it has materialized, though the land has strong recreation potential.

Liberty Road

Biking a rarely traveled loop in the Sable Highlands

By Phil Brown

Although the state Department of Environmental Conservation released its interim recreation plan more than a decade ago, in 2009, the agency has yet to implement much of it, and the lack of signage means visitors may not know where they can go and what they can do.

A disappointing bike route, with potential

By Phil Brown

We’ve waited 11 years already, and there’s no word on when DEC will get these trails built.

Norton Peak offers sweeping views, but no trail

By Phil Brown

If DEC builds a trail, Norton Peak no doubt will attract more visitors. As much as I’d like to keep the mountain to myself, that’s a good thing.

A moose hangs out near the Saranac River in July 2019.

Moose on the trail

By Phil Brown

It’s one thing to stare at a moose; it’s another to have a moose stare at you.

Tourists or no, Adirondack towns suppress insects

By Phil Brown

Bti is a soil-dwelling bacterium first discovered in Israel in 1976. It kills the larvae of mosquitoes as well as those of blackflies.

Moose evidence piles up on Norton Peak

By Phil Brown

I had read that this region—dubbed the Sable Highlands—has the largest concentration of moose in the Adirondacks, but I still was astounded by the abundance of scat.

Climbers ticketed for ignoring falcon protections

By Phil Brown

Poke-O-Moonshine is one of the premier rock-climbing destinations in the Adirondacks, with more than 300 routes, but DEC usually closes part of the cliff in the spring to allow peregrines to nest undisturbed.

New “Wildflowers of the Adirondacks” is more home reference book than field guide

By Phil Brown

It’s a little too bulky and too prosy to take into the field.

Busted on the uphill at Whiteface

By Phil Brown

Whiteface should be able to develop a sensible policy that allows skiers to skin uphill throughout the day without putting downhill skiers in jeopardy.

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