Trail Log

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.

Pillsbury Mountain

On a beautiful Sunday morning, Evan and I made our way to Speculator in search of another Adirondack fire tower to hike. After hearing many good things about Pillsbury Mountain and the amazing views from its fire tower, we were excited to make the 3.2-mile round trip trek.

Sunrise from Phelps Mountain

It was a Thursday night at Clarkson University and I had no Friday classes. I wanted to go on an adventure, so I checked the weather. The forecast called for clear blue skies, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to catch a sunrise from the top of one of the Adirondack Peaks.

LOCALadk Feature: Into The Eyes Of The Wolves

Nestled at the end of a road in the woods of Wilmington, a town known as home to Whiteface Mountain, lies a 50-acre wildlife refuge and wildlife rehabilitation center. From wolves to birds of prey, many animals have found a home at the refuge