Trail Log

Unconventional Ice Fishing

Spring is probably most commonly thought of as the least enjoyable season in the Adirondacks. Between slushy muddy trails and the black flies starting to come out, most people don’t know what to do outside. If you like to give the mountain trails a rest during mud season, you realize the need to get creative with your outdoor activities.

Winter 46 Journey | Jay Whitbourne

I have seen some of the most amazing cloud inversions during the winter and had some of the most surreal moments when the snow conditions are just right, the sky is clear, the wind is calm and the air isn't nipping at your skin. I can't say I have a favorite day precisely, but more of a series of great moments to remember.

Winter 46 Journey | Sam Perkins

Reaching the summit of MacNaughton was one of my favorite days. It’s not one of the official 46 High Peaks, but it stands at 4000’, so I wanted to get it done. It took me and Jay two separate trips, within five days, to finally reach the summit.

Local Spotlight: Barkeater Chocolates

For this feature in our Local Spotlight, we interviewed Barkeater Chocolates and the co-owners, Jim & Debbie Morris, to learn more about their business nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks. Located near the base of Gore Mountain ski area in North Creek, NY, mouth-watering gourmet chocolate truffles are handmade using a European process in small batches in a variety of explosive flavors.

Winter Weekend at Beach Point

One Friday night, after packing up Lucy and all of her gear, our snowshoes, and a whole bunch of random food left in the fridge at the end of the week, we made our way up to the Indian Lake area to check into our homestead for the weekend - Beach Point on Lake Abanakee.

Local Spotlight: ADK Canoe Company

Founded and run by Simon Gardner and Chad Smith, two canoe artisans with a combined 25 years of experience, the Adirondack Canoe Company produces lightweight and durable boats. The single person kayak-styled canoes are made of Kevlar and carbon fiber, and at twelve feet long, their first design weighs only 20 pounds!

Skiing the Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway

It was early November in the Northeast, but by the looks of the picture above you would think it was the middle of January. On November 7th my dad and I took a hike up the Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway (about 5 miles in length).

One Square Mile of Hope 2014

On September 24^th, 2011, in the small central Adirondack town of Inlet, a community came together for a great cause and broke a Guinness World Record by forming the largest raft of canoes and kayaks in the world. The “One Square Mile of Hope” event helped raise over $80,000 for Breast Cancer Research.

Mt. Arab Snowshoe

It was a brisk morning, 18 degrees with a consistent breeze out of the south. My dad and I set out for a snowshoe up Mt. Arab for the day, a peak with a 2,545-foot elevation in Piercefield, NY.

A Hike Into History

On September 12, Teddy set off to climb all 5,344 feet of highest peak in New York: Mount Marcy. I’ve done this climb myself and it’s a rigorous, full day of hiking. Now, climbing Marcy today isn’t like climbing Marcy as the Vice President did in 1901, but it does have some similarities.

Loons in the Adirondacks

Acidification of lakes and mercury contamination of water bodies is a recognized problem in the Adirondacks. Impacts from these environmental issues affect both the flora and fauna found within the Adirondack Park. The common loon is a piscivorous (fish-eating) bird, whose eerie call is often considered a symbol of the Adirondacks.

Winter Hike to Wright Peak

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With an elevation of 4,587 feet, Wright is the 16th highest peak in the Adirondack Park. Evan (the extra ambitious one of the two of us) wanted to try for a sunrise hike so after a 4am wake-up call, we made our way to the High Peaks Trailhead at the Adirondack Loj.