Cranberry Lake carver has 'hatched' countless fish, bird decoys By Tom French When I first saw the sign for the Wooden Fish Hatchery along the Tooley Pond Road, I was surprised. I’d never heard of it. The sign said open, so I … [Read more...] about Fish in a barrel
‘Other-worldly’ isolation along the Deer River Meadows
By Tom French The Deer River begins along the slopes of Debar Mountain and winds almost 70 miles before dumping into the St. Regis River at Helena. It’s a little river with a big personality that's mostly impenetrable above the Deer River … [Read more...] about ‘Other-worldly’ isolation along the Deer River Meadows
Paddling the Deer: Bushwhack required
By Tom French The Deer River, a pristine jewel of the Northern Adirondacks, has a long history of inaccessibility. Unfortunately, except for the hardcore, that song remains the same. Jamieson and Morris indicate in their Adirondack Canoe … [Read more...] about Paddling the Deer: Bushwhack required
Bridges of the Ausable River
By Tom French Depending on how you count, over three dozen bridges cross the Ausable River from its headwaters in the high peaks to its mouth at Lake Champlain. The first was built in 1810; the oldest, the Stone Arch Bridge in Keeseville, is … [Read more...] about Bridges of the Ausable River
In search of a hidden marker
Monument on Herkimer-St. Lawrence county line proves tough one to locate By Tom French My first attempt to find the Great Corner Monument along the Herkimer and St. Lawrence County line in the mid-1990s was a failure, and I nearly lost my … [Read more...] about In search of a hidden marker
A ride through history
Grasse River rail trail offers a trip through historic terrain By Tom French One of my favorite images of Adirondack history is the circa 1912 Laying the Rails – Emporium R.R. Cranberry Lake. The track undulates through the forest into … [Read more...] about A ride through history