The only independent, nonprofit news organization solely dedicated to reporting on the Adirondack Park.
By Phil Brown Perhaps you’ve heard of Richard Louv’s best-selling book Last Child in the Woods, in which he laments that modern kids grow up cut off from the natural world. Makes you wonder who that last child in the woods will be. I think I found him. His name is Eli Bickford. He’s twelve…
Volunteers create scenic loop that’s ideal for winter fun. By Tom Woodman The trail reaching into the Siamese Ponds Wilderness from near Thirteenth Lake can be a bustling, merry place on a good weekend in ski season. Residents of the homes around the lake and visitors to nearby Garnet Hill Lodge augment the supply of…
Is it possible to hike to the top of a mountain without climbing? I started to ask myself that question while trying out the new trail on Coney Mountain south of Tupper Lake. By Phil Brown
We were all happy to be on our first backcountry ski trip of the season, but none of us was as excited as Ella. By Phil Brown
By Phil Brown
Region 5 of the state Department of Environmental Conservation released today its Ranger Activity Report for November and December. The region covers the eastern two-thirds of the Adirondack Park. The report follows verbatim. Clinton County Town of Champlain, Private Lands On Thursday, November 4, at approximately 11:45am, State Police in Plattsburgh requested DEC Forest Rangers…
By Phil Brown
I’ve done several ski trips in the Saranac Lake region with my daughter Martha over the past week. Conditions are excellent if you choose the right trail. Two that I can recommend are the Hays Brook Truck Trail in the Debar Mountain Wild Forest and the Fish Pond Truck Trail in the St. Regis Canoe…
By Phil Brown
Backcountry skiers can contribute to a good cause by participating in the Camel’s Hump Challenge in Vermont on February 13. At 4,083 feet, Camel’s Hump is one of the highest mountains in Vermont. In the annual Camel’s Hump Challenge, participants ski around the mountain on trails not normally open to the public. Each skier must…
By Phil Brown
The owner of the Hudson River Rafting Company has been indicted on five misdemeanor charges accusing him of endangering clients on whitewater trips. The defendant, Patrick Cunningham, pleaded not guilty to the charges last week in Hamilton County Court, according to the office of District Attorney James Curry. Cunningham is charged with two counts of…
By Phil Brown
This afternoon I took a short walk to check out the new section of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail created recently by the Adirondack Ski Touring Council. Not surprisingly, I ran into Tony Goodwin. The ASTC executive director, Tony was working with a pick-ax and chainsaw to remove large roots from trail. A helper, Bill Dora,…
By Phil Brown
A few days ago, the Brandreth Park Association filed a lawsuit against me, alleging that I trespassed when I canoed through private land last year on my way to Lake Lila. As part of the suit, the association is asking the New York State Supreme Court to declare that the waterways in question—Mud Pond, Mud…