About Gwendolyn Craig

Gwen is an award-winning journalist covering environmental policy for the Explorer since January 2020. She also takes photos and videos for the Explorer's magazine and website. She is a current member of the Legislative Correspondents Association of New York. Gwen has worked at various news outlets since 2015. Prior to moving to upstate New York, she worked for a D.C. Metro-area public relations firm, producing digital content for clients including the World Health Organization, the Low Income Investment Fund and Rights and Resources Initiative. She has a master's degree in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She has bachelor's degrees in English and journalism, with a concentration in ecology and evolutionary biology, from the University of Connecticut. Gwen is also a part-time figure skating coach. Contact her at (518) 524-2902 or gwen@adirondackexplorer.org. Sign up for Gwen’s newsletter here.

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  1. Brian says

    The OSI’s trailhead plans are, at the moment, the only permanent toilets planned for the trail until the Tupper Lake Junction and the only accessible parking lot to access the trail in Lake Placid (there have been no updates on the status of the Saranac Lake Depot). The Adirondack Rail Trail Association is working to raise money for portable, accessible toilets along the trail at locations where parking will occur, but the first 9 miles of the trail will open later this year and we as a community need to band together to ensure that the trailhead and the organizations leading the effort have what is needed so that individuals of all ages and abilities have the means to enjoy the trail. Interested in donating to the Open Space Institute?

    https://www.openspaceinstitute.org/donate?_ga=2.235648258.249348282.1676390691-1331526066.1676390691

    • Boreas says

      From the Rail Trail website:

      Q: Is camping allowed along the trail?

      A: Camping and campfires along the corridor are prohibited. There are a range of camping opportunities nearby on both undeveloped state land and campgrounds. Nearby State Campgrounds: Fish Creek Pond Campground & Day Use Area, Rollins Pond Campground, Saranac Lake Islands Campground & Day Use Area, and Wilmington Notch Campground & Day Use Area. Nearby Primitive Camping Areas: Bog River Complex – Tupper Lake, Saranac Lakes Wild Forest – Saranac Lake, St. Regis Canoe Area – Saranac Lake, Lake Clear, Santa Clara, William C. Whitney Wilderness & Round Lake Wilderness – Tupper Lake

      • Boreas says

        Now this being said, how is “along the corridor” defined? Is within 100 feet considered “along the corridor”? 100 yards? 1/4 mile? Simply out of sight? The corridor does go through certain state lands after all, where primitive camping is NOT prohibited except in proximity to water. IIRC, the limit along backcountry trails is 100 feet (yards?). I would certainly assume some people will use the corridor for “backcountry” 4-season primitive camping, and I also envision designated camping spots to minimize damage from informal camping.

        • Marc Wanner says

          Camping is prohibited within 150 feet of any road, trail, spring, stream, pond or other body of water except at areas designated by a “camp here” disk.

          Groups of ten or more campers or stays of more than three days in one place require a permit from the DEC Forest Ranger responsible for the area.

          Do not use soap to wash yourself, clothing, or dishes within 150 ft of water.

          Dispose of human waste by digging a hole 6″-8″ deep at least 150 feet from water or campsites. Cover with leaves and soil.

          Use only dead and down wood for fires. Cutting standing trees is prohibited. Extinguish all fires with water and stir ashes until they are cold to the touch.

          Carry out what you carry in. Practice “leave no trace” camping and hiking.

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