New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people from the Adirondack backcountry. What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers in the Adirondacks. Essex County Town of Elizabethtown Wilderness Rescue: On July 2 at 1:43 pm, Essex County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from hikers on Owls Head Lookout in the Giant Mountain >>More
Archive for the ‘Outdoor Recreation’ Category
Two New Maps of Blue Mountain Lake
Divers, amateur geologists, anglers and anyone with curiosity about what lies beneath the waves, will enjoy the new water depth map of Blue Mountain Lake. The printed contour map reveals dramatic underwater terrain. Sharp cliffs tumble into cavities, giant glacial erratics are scattered about, and unseen underwater ridges link some islands while deep holes separate others. Blue Mountain Lake straddles the divide between the Saint Lawrence and Hudson watersheds and is ringed by mountains whose slopes continue below the surface. An enormous northeast to southwest glacial groove runs under West Bay and includes the lake’s deepest spot. That low point >>More
Fishhook Waterflea Infests Lake Champlain
Anglers returning from the waters of Lake Champlain at Shelburne Bay have reported large quantities of invasive fishhook waterflea fouling their gear. Boat launch stewards with the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) noted this week that nearly all fishing boats returning to the Shelburne Bay and Converse Bay launches had downriggers infested with the tiny organisms. LCBP stewards removed, treated, and disposed of the fishhook waterfleas. The alarming news for anglers and lake ecology comes during the busy holiday period of Canada Day on July 1 and the July 4th holiday in the U.S. Like the » Continue Reading. View >>More
Featured Hike: Independence River Area Trail Network
This trail system, located in Independence River Wild Forest, consists of just over 11 miles of trails. Beach Mill Trail extends 5.3 miles along the north bank of the Independence River from a trailhead at the end of Beach Mill Road. Panther Pond Trail extends 1.1 miles to the Panther Pond Lean-to from a trailhead at the end of Smith Road, and extends another 3.2 miles to the Independence River where it meets up with the Beach Mill and Fish Trails. Fish Trail extends 1.7 miles to the Independence River from a trailhead at the » Continue Reading. View original >>More
Searches, Rescues, Hiker Dies At Shelving Rock Mountain
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people from the Adirondack backcountry. What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers in the Adirondacks. Franklin County Town of Santa Clara Wilderness Rescue: On June 24 at 2:42 pm, Franklin County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from two hikers in their late 60s on Saint >>More
Be Informed About Harmful Algal Blooms
New York Sea Grant is reminding the public to be informed about harmful algal blooms (HABs), how to avoid exposure of oneself and pets, and where to report potential HABs. In a statement to the press, Jesse Lepak, Ph.D., Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Health Specialist with New York Sea Grant said: “Not all algal blooms are harmful, but some dense populations of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that can have serious effects on liver, nervous system, and skin of humans and their pets.” Toxic HABs can develop in less than 24 hours, so pet owners >>More
Tupper Lake Woodsmen’s Days Event Grows
Tupper Lake Woodsmen’s Days is set to return to the village’s Municipal Park July 12-14 for a celebration of the region’s heritage of logging and lumberjacking. This year the New York State Lumberjack Association (NYSLA) will be on hand for the first time. Members of the organization pay dues to compete in similar events around the state. NYSLA contests will being at noon on Saturday in the grandstand and continue throughout the afternoon. Events include the axe throw, women’s bow saw, men’s springboard, and Jack and Jill fire building. Admission to the competition is free for kids » Continue >>More
Old Forge 4th of July Holiday Events
The annual Old Forge Fourth of July Celebration and Forge Festival of Arts & Crafts have been set for Thursday, July 4th. This year the Forge Festival of Arts & Crafts will be held at the Adirondack Bank parking lot, across the street from Slickers and the Old Forge Visitor Center, from 9 am to 6 pm. The Festival hosts over 55 skilled vendors and features an extensive assortment of food and hand crafted items. Admission is $3. This event is sponsored by VIEW, Old Forge’s Art Center and Adirondack Bank. Thursday’s celebration includes a free lakefront concert performed by >>More
Adirondack Park Boat Wash Stations Open for Peak Season
Free boat inspections and decontaminations are being offered at more than 60 locations across the Adirondack region to help the public stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Decontamination stations and boat inspection locations are also located at popular boat launches throughout the Adirondacks. Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute (PSC AWI) is working to implement the state’s Adirondack Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Program and help the public be in compliance with new invasive species regulations. The invasive species spread prevention law prohibits invasive plants and animals on boats launching into New York State lakes, ponds and rivers. The >>More
Ausable Paddling Nature Trail Guided Tours Offered
The Ausable River Association (AsRA) is set to offer guided community paddling and hiking programs in the Ausable watershed this summer. Paddling trips will utilize the Ausable Paddling Nature Trail on Lake Everest that AsRA helped establish in 2010. The full length of the trail is about two miles long and includes seven stops along the way, with each stop discussing some aspect of the natural history of Lake Everest. An accompanying booklet includes hand-drawn illustrations of birds, plants, and other wildlife commonly found on Lake Everest. AsRA staff will accompany paddlers providing information on the various stops in » >>More
