Several years ago we skied two High Peaks in spring with Ron Konowitz. We did a few laps in the bowl on Algonquin Peak, climbed over Wright Peak, and descended the Wright Peak Ski Trail. The Wright Peak trail is one of the few trails designed for down-mountain skiing in the Adirondacks. It was built in the 1930s, fell into disuse, and then was restored in 1980s by volunteers, including Tony Goodwin, the longtime executive director of the Adirondack Ski Touring Council. But there was a problem. After a mile or so, the ski trail converged with the Algonquin hiking >>More
DEC proposes put-ins along upper Hudson
Soon after the state purchased the MacIntyre East Tract, Brian Mann and I explored it by paddling the Hudson and the Opalescent rivers. We launched our canoes beneath a bridge over the Hudson and took out at a spot where the river abuts the Tahawus Road. From the bridge we paddled down the Hudson through Sanford Lake (a widening of the river) for a mile to the confluence with the Opalescent. We then went up the Opalescent, enjoying a great view of Allen Mountain, one of the remotest of the High Peaks. After lunch, we drifted back down the Hudson >>More
Tupper Lake woman critical after being hit by tree while camping
A 60-year-old woman from Tupper Lake is in critical condition after being hit by a tree early Saturday morning at Rock Pond near Putnam Pond Campground. The woman was rescued by forest rangers and local fire fighters who removed the tree that had pinned the woman, according to a state Department of Environmental Conservation. Storms raged through the North Country Friday night. High winds knocked down trees and caused widespread damage, including power outages. Three forest rangers responded after DEC Dispatch received a call asking for assistance from the state police at about 1 a.m. Unable to drive to the >>More
DEC proposes parking area for Chapel Pond Slab
Chapel Pond Slab is one of the most popular rock-climbing venues in the Adirondacks, in part for its long, moderate routes, in part for its easy access. However, parking can be a problem. Most climbers park just off the shoulder of the often-busy Route 73. The state Department of Environmental Conservation aims to fix things. In a draft amendment to the High Peaks Wilderness management plan, DEC proposes to build two twenty-car parking areas along Route 73 and expand the Round Pond parking area located just down the road (to twenty-five cars). DEC says climbers will be able to use >>More
Skiing Goodman Mountain in Tupper Lake
Conditions were optimal for skiing in the Adirondacks on March 15, when Explorer editor Phil Brown and I hit the trails near Tupper Lake. The area had received a series of snowstorms over the prior days and weeks, meaning the snowpack was a few feet deep. We started off the morning by skiing Coney Mountain, then hit Goodman Mountain at about noon. Phil then continued on to ski Arab Mountain, finishing off the Tupper Triad, three mountains promoted as part of a local hiking challenge. All three mountains are pretty small, but they aren’t skied very often. This day, it >>More
Skiing Coney Mountain
Explorer Editor Phil Brown and I skied Coney Mountain yesterday as part of a daylong ski trip. Phil went on to ski all three mountains of the Tupper Lake Triad (Coney, Goodman, and Arab), while I skied the first two, before heading home for a family event. The skiing on the 2,265-foot mountain was outstanding due to the recent snowfalls we’ve received in the past couple of weeks. Roughly a foot of fresh powder fell on the mountain in the prior 24 hours. That was important because normally you can’t ski Coney Mountain without being concerned about hitting some of >>More
Avalanche Warning Issued For Adirondacks
The National Weather Service in Burlington has issued an avalanche warning for the Adirondacks as a result of recent weather patterns. “Recent heavy snowfall combined with previous warm ups have created the potential for avalanches in the exposed backcountry of the Green Mountains in Vermont and the Adirondacks in northern New York,” according to National Weather Service statement. “Several small avalanches have already been reported.” The High Peaks region has received one to two feet this past week. The weather service warned that “steep, open slopes will have the highest potential avalanche risk.” State Department of Environmental Conservation spokesman Dave >>More
Have you skied Old Mountain Road?
Old Mountain Road in the Sentinel Range Wilderness is known as a popular section of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail during the winter months. But since 2003, it has also been the center of a controversy over whether it’s also legally a town road. Most recently, a state court ruled that the ski trail has retained its status as a town road because it was never legally abandoned. That ruling took place on March 1. The next day, with snow falling, Explorer Editor Phil Brown and I visited the road to shoot some photos and a video to give readers an >>More
Giving winter a hand at Mount Van Ho
Mount Van Hoevenberg manager Kris Cheney-Seymour said the short ski season goaded the center to find a way to stay open longer in warm winters. By the following winter, Van Ho had installed a snowmaking system known as the Snow Factory. The result: it stayed open 137 days last season.
Skiing Mount Marcy: a skier’s rite of winter
Starting from Adirondak Loj, it’s 7.4 miles to the 5,344-foot summit, which affords a spectacular panorama of the High Peaks and beyond. It usually takes me about five hours to reach the top, but some do it in less time. The descent typically takes me two to three hours.
