The

Cloudsplitter

Vol. 74 No. 4 October-December 2011

published by the

ALBANY CHAPTER

of the

ADIRONDACK

MOUNTAIN CLUB

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The Cloudsplitter is published quarterly by the Albany Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club and is distributed to the

membership. All issues (January, April, July, and October) feature activities schedules, trip reports, and other articles of interest to the outdoor enthusiast.

All outings should now be entered on the web site www.adk-albany.org .

Echoes should be entered on the web site www.adk-albany.org with your login information.

The Albany Chapter may be reached at:

Albany Chapter ADK

Empire State Plaza

P.O. Box 2116

Albany, NY 12220

home page:

www.adk-albany.org

Please send your address and phone number changes to:

Adirondack Mountain Club

814 Goggins Road

Lake George, NY 12845-4117

phone: (518) 668-4447

fax: (518) 668-3746

For Club orders & membership call (800) 395-8080 or

e-mail: adkinfo@adk.org

home page: www.adk.org

For Cloudsplitter related issues, contact the Editor at:

The Cloudsplitter

c/o Karen Ross

7 Bird Road

Lebanon Spgs., NY 12125

e-mail: kcoyross@aol.com

Submission deadline for the next issue of The Cloudsplitter is November 15, 2011 and will be for the months of January, February, and March, 2012. Many thanks to Gail Carr for the dynamic Fall cover sketch.

October 5, November 2, and December 7 (1st

Wednesdays) Business Meeting of Chapter Officers and Committees 6:00 p.m. at Little‘s Lake in Menands

Chapter members are encouraged to attend - please call Phil Seward at 527-1851

Chapter Meetings are held at the West Albany Fire House (Station #1), 113 Sand Creek Road, Albany.

Education Sessions start at 6:30 prior to the membership meeting. Programs begin following the Chapter business meeting. Refreshments are served after the meetings.

October 11 (2nd

Tuesday) MONTHLY CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP MEETING 7:30 P.M. Education Session: Outfitting a Canoe--Some of the more experienced canoeists in the area will give tips on improving the comfort, safety and function of a canoe. Both flat water and whitewater canoeing will be considered. Program: Adirondack Sky Pilots. Albany Chapter member Bill Gordon will show early movies of logging in the Adirondacks taken by Frank Reed, the last of the Adirondack Sky Pilots, the traveling ministers who walked from logging camp to logging camp. Rev. Reed carried an 8 mm wind-up movie camera between 1938 and 1952 when the camps closed for good. These are probably the only movies from that era of felling trees, skidding logs, river drives and building dams such as that at Duck Hole. Rev. Reed‘s predecessor sky pilot was Bill Gordon‘s grandfather.

November 8 (2nd

Tuesday) MONTHLY CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP MEETING 7:30 P.M. Education Session: Backcountry Ski Forecast--Rich Macha, owner of Adirondack Paddle'n'Pole, will give us some tips on skiing equipment and some of his favorite outing locations for the coming season. Program: The Catskills’ Highest 100. Albany Chapter member and former Outings Chair, Alan Via, will present photos and tell stories about places and people he has seen in his ascents and ramblings in the Catskills. The ADK is publishing his new book, The Catskill 67—-A Hiker‘s Guide to the Catskill 100 Highest Peaks under 3,500‘. He figures he is one of a small group of folks who have climbed the highest 100 peaks in both the ‗Daks‘ and the Catskills.

December 13 (2nd

Tuesday) MONTHLY CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP MEETING 7:30 P.M. Education Session: GPS Basics--This session will be a "GPS For Dummies", offering some practical tips for using the device while hiking and paddling. Program: The Other 54 High Peaks: Spencer Morrissey, a native of Long Lake, proprietor of Inca-Pah-Cho Wilderness Guides and author of The Other 54: A Hikers Guide to the Lower 54 Peaks of the Adirondack 100 Highest, will take us on a tour of the Adirondack high peaks that don't grab all the attention and glory--those ranked as 47 to 100 to be more exact. Just as beautiful and quite possibly more challenging? Come and see what all the fuss is all about.

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ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE

PARTICIPANTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES FITNESS: Know your level of fitness and limitations. The trip leader will ask questions about your experience, fitness, equipment, medical condition, expectations, etc. Be Honest! TRIP RATINGS: Understand that the level of effort is not the same as the level of difficulty. Trip ratings are for level of effort. Realize that ―moderate‖ for a physically fit person may mean outrageously strenuous for a novice and/or unconditioned person.

HIKERS RATING

EFFORT LEVEL

ELEVATION GAIN (FEET)

MILES TIME (HOURS)

A+ Very Strenuous 4,000+ 10+ 10+

A Strenuous 3,000+ 5 – 10 8 – 10

B+ Moderately Strenuous 2,000+ 5 – 10 6 – 8

B Moderate 1,000+ 8 – 10 5 – 7

C+ Fairly Easy 1,000+ 5 – 8 4 – 6

C Easy Under 1,000 Under 5 Under 5

Not all trips fit cleanly into one of these categories. Some leaders may use A- or B- designations. Whenever you are unclear about a rating for a trip, leaders will be happy to explain what their designated rating means.

PADDLERS MILES PORTAGES WATER CLASS

A 12+ Long (½ mile+) II – Whitewater

B 6 – 12 Short I – Moving

C Under 6 None Flat

BIKERS MILES TERRAIN

A 30+ Moderate to steep

B 15-30 Moderate

C Less than 15 Flat to Moderate

Please Note: Unless otherwise stated, please sign up with the leader for all Chapter activities. Do not simply show up at the designated meeting place. Arrive at the carpooling site before the stated departure time. Please pay the driver to offset the costs of driving. Do not bring a pet unless the trip leader agrees that it is okay, and bring a leash. Please stay with the group or ask to proceed and stop at the first intersection and wait for the entire group to re-assemble. You are expected to carry adequate equipment, water and food. If in doubt about what to bring, ask the trip leader! Suggestions for all seasons: Water: 2 - 3 Quarts Layered Clothing (NO cotton) Extra Socks Hat Shell (wind & rain) Extra Sweater or Jacket Headlamp Gloves Sturdy Boots Sun Glasses/Screen (SPF 15) First Aid Kit Food

Map & Compass Waterproof Matches Emergency Blanket Winter Add-ons: Skis or Snowshoes Crampons Ski Pole or Ice Axe Extra Food Warm liquids Extra layers

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Although the weather is still very summer-like, I noticed recently that I needed a headlamp just to take the dog for an evening walk. That means that the summer sun is waning and the beautiful but sometimes unpredictable season of autumn is just around the corner. The fall issue of the Cloudsplitter is full of opportunities to get out in the woods and play. Along with this playtime however comes a little work. The chapter runs on volunteerism and I am happy to announce that we have filled three of the positions that were open as of last spring. Marie Rosenblatt has volunteered to be the Membership Chair, Karen Zanni the Banquet Chair and Mike Geroux, the Trails Chair. I would like to thank Marie, Karen and Mike for jumping in and volunteering their time and effort. The chapter has a number of membership drives lined up for the fall and we are coordinating efforts with the Club's trails crew to do some trail work in the Heart Lake area; so the new volunteers are already hard at work making things work for the general membership. And of course, the Banquet is always a significant undertaking by the committee, and we are happy to have Karen to coordinate the effort. The Albany chapter has also been very active in the club's support of the legislation the State is enacting to place strict controls on hydraulic fracturing (Hydrofracking) of the Marcellus shale to extract natural gas. A bill to control withdrawal of water from surface waters has passed both houses and has been signed by the governor. The bill to control the drilling and hydrofracking itself is still under review. Many of our favorite hiking areas may be affected by this activity, so we encourage club members to write to your state legislators in support of the Club's position. More information can be found on the Conservation Notes section of the Albany Chapter website and here in this issue. We will again be holding our monthly chapter meetings at the West Albany Firehouse at 113 Sandcreek Rd. in the town of Colonie. There are a number of great informational sessions and presentations planned so it‘s a fun and informative way to spend the one Tuesday evening a month. New members especially would benefit from these meetings. It‘s a nice informal way to meet people and learn what the club is all about. I hope to see you there. John Sheehan Fall 2011

THE CLOUDSPLITTER

October-December 2011 Vol. 74 No. 4

ALBANY CHAPTER - ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB October-December 2011

COMBINED ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE Month Day Destination or Event Leader Rating Oct 1 Sat Hunter & SW Hunter B+ Mueller 1 Sat East Dix (Grace) via Spotted Mtn. A+ Scaife 1 Sat Storm King Mtn. B Prewencki 3 Mon Goodnow Mtn. & Interpretive Ctr.-Newcomb C+ Breslin 4 Tue Evening Paddle – Hudson River Albany B/C Murray/McGuire 4 Tue Cascade & Porter B+ Antonio 5 Wed Alander Mtn. C+ Traver 6 Thu Club Day at Adirondack Paddle 'N Pole 10 Mon Vanderwhacker Mtn. B Henrikson 11 Tue MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETING-Adirondack Sky Pilots 12 Wed Brace & Frissel Mtns. B Sheehan 12 Wed Hudson River Paddle - Big Boom C Breslin 12 Wed Evening Paddle - Mohawk Moonrise/Sunset B Luchsinger 14 Fri Owl Head Lookout & Gilligan Mtn. B+ Antonio 15 Sat Kaaterskill High Peak B Mueller 15 Sat Phelps Mtn. A Janey

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Month Day Destination or Event Leader Rating Oct 15 Sat Indian Head & Fish Hawk Cliffs B Seward 18 Tue Evening Paddle - Mohawk River Rotterdam B/C Mapes/Kolanach 18 Tue Vroman's Nose, Mine Kill Falls, Schoharie C Breslin 22 Sat Fred Schroeder Memorial Trail C Schaller 22 Sat Saratoga Battlefield Bike Ride B Berens 22 Sat Seymour A+ Warren 22 Sat Nun-Da-Ga-O Ridge B Klinowski 23 Sun Hudson River Paddle A Macha 25 Tue Phil Fountain Memorial Hike B+ Ross/Traver 25 Tue Evening Paddle - Mohawk River Lyons Park B Macha/Murray 29 Sat Windham High Peak & Blackhead Range A Mueller 30 Sun Schodack Island Paddle B Pisaneschi Nov 1 Tue Evening Paddle - Hudson & Mohawk Rivers B McGuire/Macha 2 Wed Peaked Mt. B Sheehan 3 Thu Plotterkill Walk C Breslin 5 Sat Siamese Ponds Trail Work B Pisaneschi 5 Sat Santanoni, Panther & Couchsachraga A+ Berens 8 Tue Black Dome Mtn. B Henrikson 8 Tue MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETING—Catskill Highest 100 9 Wed Gore Mountain B+ Antonio 10 Thu Huyck Preserve C+ Traver 11 Fri Taconic Crest Trail - Trail Work B Pisaneschi 12 Sat Fir & Big Indian A Mueller 12 Sat Wright, Algonquin, Iroquois A+ Scaife 12 Sat Shelving Rock & Falls B Seward 18 Fri Rooster Comb & Snow B+ Antonio 19 Sat Southwest Hunter, Hunter, Rusk, West Kill A+ Warren 19 Sat Sawyer & Chimney Mtns. B Klinowski 22 Tue A Fred's Favorite – Hopkins B+ Ross/Mccarron 26 Sat Halcott B Mueller Dec 2 Fri Moreau State Park B Antonio 3 Sat Dial & Nipple Top A+ Berens 6 Tue Shelving Rock & The Knapp Estate C+ Breslin 8 Thu NEW & PROSPECTIVE TRIP LEADERS WORKSHOP Traver 10 Sat Mount Colden A Scaife 10 Sat Graham & Balsam Lake B Mueller 10 Sat Moreau State Park B Prewencki 11 Sun Vermont XC Ski B Macha 12 Mon CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING Pisaneschi 13 Tue MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETING—The Other 54 High Peaks 14 Wed Snowy Mtn. B+ Sheehan 17 Sat Leader‘s Choice Snowshoe or XC Ski B Seward 17 Sat Crane Mtn. B Klinowski 23 Fri Giant & Rocky Peak Ridge A+ Warren 31 Sat End of Year XC Skiing C Wright Leaders Leaders should now use only the website for submitting both Outings and Echoes. Members can now do targeted searches for outings, selecting for area, type of outing, difficulty level, or a time period. Members are encouraged to opt out of receiving the printed Cloudsplitter to help the Club cut down on printing costs. You can do this easily at the website at www.adk-albany.org.

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ACTIVITIES DESCRIPTIONS

All outings are listed online at www.adk-albany.org.

Note: Many Albany ADK outings car pool from the Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride. This car park is located on the east side of the Northway on Fire Rd., which is directly across Rt. 146 from the northbound off ramp. It is on the west side of Fire Rd. across from a USA gas station. If you enter this destination into your GPS, you might be directed to another Park and Ride at “The Commons,” also at Exit 9, but on the west side of the Northway. Please be alert for this and use the East side P&R on Fire Rd.

General Information for Evening Paddling

Trips On most Tuesday (some Wednesday) evenings from May thru October the ADK Albany Chapter paddles various

waterways in the Capital District area. There are at least 2 groups. The slow group ("Lily-Dippers") goes as slow as the slowest paddler and may be best for short wide boats or less skilled paddlers. The moderate group is for most everyone else and goes about 3 to 3.5 mph. If there is enough interest, a fast group will be formed. Expect to paddle for about 2 hours. Scheduled trips launch rain or shine. Send Rich Macha apnp@prodigy.net a request to be included in the ADK Paddlers Email List for reminders of upcoming

events and updates (ADK Members only). It is suggested that you obtain a good roadmap of the Capital District or use www.mapquest.com for directions to the launch site locations. It is customary, after the paddle, for the group Leader to pick a nearby restaurant and convene the Paddlers Committee Meeting (PCM) to socialize, plan future

trips and enjoy a meal with old and new friends. Everyone who paddles is automatically a Committee Member and is invited to participate. The following are the Albany Chapter guidelines to participate in the Evening Paddles: 1) Respect Other Users of the Waterways -- Steer clear of

fishermen. Don‘t forget their fishing lines go well out into the water. Stay close to shore when motorboats are out. Red & Green Buoys mark the deep water channels - stay between

the buoys & shore. Paddle in a tight group when crossing large bodies of water. 2) Launch on Time -- Please be in your boats on the water and congregated near shore before the launch time. People launching after start time are not officially with the group. The leaders will conduct a short On-the-Water Meeting with

the group to discuss the water, weather conditions and plans for the paddle. 3) Duty of the Paddler -- It is the responsibility of the

paddler to stay with the group and know who the leaders are - If you don’t know, ask someone. 4) Leaving the Group - The leaders take a headcount at the

On-the-Water Meeting. Therefore, please notify one of the leaders if you need to leave the group for any reason. ADK is not responsible for paddlers who choose not to paddle with the group. 5) Required Gear -- All paddlers must bring along a white

light (a headlamp is good), a whistle (a pealess one is best) and must wear a PFD (Personal Floatation Device aka life jacket). There are no exceptions to these requirements. It is

also a good idea to bring raingear, water, bug-dope

(mosquitoes are quite active in summer at dusk) and an extra set of clothes in the car. 6) Clothing -- Other than in July & August all paddlers

should not wear cotton clothing - if you must wear cotton, bring along a full change of clothing in a dry bag. Expect to have your feet in the water when launching. Some of the launch spots are slippery and have underwater debris. Waterproof footwear (most experienced paddlers use neoprene booties or mukluks) is highly recommended in the cooler months. 7) Guests - You may bring a guest. He/she is your

responsibility and must adhere to all of the Evening Paddle Guidelines.

Oct 1 (Sat) HUNTER AND SW HUNTER (B+) This outing will be a moderately strenuous trail hike of approx. 10 miles with an ascent of approx. 1900 feet. There is a fire tower on the Hunter summit where we will get some nice views. These peaks are on the Catskill 3500 Club List with elevations of 4040 ft. and 3740 ft. respectively. Contact leader by September 28th for details. Leader: Norm Mueller, peakfreak64@yahoo.com (518) 731-2762. Oct 1 (Sat) EAST DIX (GRACE)

via SPOTTED MTN. (A+) One of my favorite hikes, this strenuous route takes us up and over a series of rocky bumps on the ridge leading to East Dix. Views abound as we bushwhack through open deciduous forest and ascend the open summits of Elizabethtown #4, Spotted, SW Spotted and E. Dix. 12 miles, 4000 feet of elevation gain. Meet 4:00 a.m. Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride. Leader: Bob Scaife, (518) 439-7322, bobscaife@nycap.rr.com Oct 1 (Sat) STORM KING MOUNTAIN (B) This Hudson Highlands peak should offer some great views and fall colors. The length will be 6 pleasant miles with an elevation gain of 400 feet. Meet at 7:30 a.m., Elm Avenue Park and Ride, Delmar. Respond by Thursday, Sept. 29. Leader: Cliff Prewencki, (518) 768-2907, cprewencki@aol.com Oct 3 (Mon) GOODNOW MTN. & NEWCOMB ADIRONDACK INTERPRETIVE CENTER (C+) We will start by hiking Goodnow Mountain to a fire tower with 360 degree views of fall foliage. This part will be 3.8 miles with a 1000 foot elevation gain. Then we'll checkout the Adirondack Interpretive Center nearby and explore another 3-4 miles of nature trails as well as the displays in the Center. The drive to Newcomb is about two hours. It'll be a great leisurely fall outing! We'll meet at the Clifton Park Park and Ride at Exit 9 across Rt 146 at 8:00 a.m. Leader: Paul Breslin, (518) 783-9154, pbreslin@nycap.rr.com

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Oct 4 (Tue) EVENING PADDLE— HUDSON RIVER ALBANY (B/C)

Be on the water by 5:30 p.m. We will paddle from the Corning Preserve boat launch and past the Port of Albany. Driving south on I-787 into Albany, take the Colonie St. exit and take the 1st left into the parking lot. We will be returning after sunset so make sure you have a white light with you (this is a legal requirement). No need to sign up -just show up. See General Info for Evening Paddling Trips. Leader: Celia Murray, (518) 225-9902, celiaam@aol.comLeader: Tom McGuire, (518) 391-0508, tommcg1@gmail.com Oct 4 (Tue) CASCADE & PORTER (B+) Cascade is about 5 miles round trip with a 1,940 feet vertical rise. Porter adds another 1.4 miles with an additional 330 feet ascent. Let's hope for a clear day; the vistas from these mountains are "nothing short of magnificent." Meet 7:00 a.m. at Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride. Leader: John Antonio, (518) 462-2765. Oct 5 (Wed) ALANDER MTN. (C+) We'll try this one more time! I have scheduled this hike twice recently and been rained out, but it's a favorite and worth the perseverance. Fall colors should make this a gorgeous outing of five miles with 800 feet elevation gain. Meet 8:30 a.m. at the Defreestville routes 4 and 43 Park & Ride. Cancellation decisions due to inclement weather will be made 24 hours in advance. Email contact preferred. Leader: Virginia Boyle Traver, (518) 322-0950, virginiabt28@hotmail.com. Oct 6 (Thu) CLUB DAY AT ADIRONDACK

PADDLE 'N POLE Club members get 20% off xc skis and everything in stock (15%-20% off canoes and kayaks) and most special orders. Proof of membership required. Store is at 2123 Central Ave in Colonie. Open 11am-8pm.Leader: Rich Macha, (518) 346-3180, apnp@prodigy.net Oct 10 (Mon) VANDERWHACKER MTN. (B) Vanderwhacker, in the southern Adirondacks, has great views of the High Peaks on a clear day. We should also see some fall color on Columbus Day. The drive into the trailhead is also fairly exciting, almost 3 miles off the highway. We will hike 5 miles round trip, 1650 feet of ascent. Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Northway Exit 9, Clifton Park, Park and Ride. Leader: Katie Henrikson, (518) 439-4308, khenriks@nycap.rr.com

Oct 11 (Tue)MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETING 113 Sand Creek Rd., Colonie. Educational Session at 6:30 p.m. prior to the meeting on "Outfitting a Canoe." Some of the more experienced canoeists from the area will give tips on improving the comfort, safety and function of a canoe. Both flat water and whitewater will be considered. Program at 7:30--- A brief business meeting will be followed by a presentation, "Adirondack Sky Pilots". Albany chapter member Bill Gordon will show early movies of logging in the Adirondacks taken by Frank Reed, the last of the Adirondack sky pilots, the traveling ministers who walked from logging camp to logging camp. Rev. Reed carried an 8 mm wind-up camera between 1938 and 1952 when the camps closed for good. These are probably the only movies from that era of felling trees, skidding logs, river drives and building dams such as at the Duck Hole. Rev. Reeds‘ predecessor sky pilot was Bill Gordon's grandfather. Oct 12 (Wed) BRACE & FRISSEL MTNS. (B) I have been hooked on the South Taconics lately, but I have not yet experienced them during autumn foliage season. We will start in Dutchess county NY, hike over Brace Mtn. and over the shoulder of Frissel, the highest point (but not the highest peak) in Connecticut. Then it's on to the peak of Frissel in Massachusetts. Not bad--3 states over 6.6 miles and 1500 ft. of climbing. Meet at the Defreestville Park & Ride at 8:00 a.m. Leader: John Sheehan, (518) 674-8121, jgsheehan01@yahoo.com Oct 12 (Wed) HUDSON RIVER PADDLE— BIG BOOM TO FEDERAL DAM (C) There are lots of nice areas to explore in this section of the Hudson, and there should be some nice fall foliage to see. The water will be colder, so make sure you have non-cotton clothing and dry clothes to change to if needed. Bring a lunch and water. We will paddle at a leisurely pace- about six to eight miles in all. We will be on the water around 10:00 a.m and off by 3:00 p.m. Contact leader for meeting location and time. Leader: Paul Breslin, (518) 783-9154, pbreslin@nycap.rr.com Oct 12 (Wed) EVENING PADDLE--MOHAWK RIVER FULL MOONRISE/SUNSET TOUR (B) The moon rises at 6:16 p.m. and the sun sets at 6:18 p.m. We will head upstream on the Mohawk River. Be on the water by 5:30 p.m. From the Latham Circle drive north on Rt.9, take a right just before the Crescent Bridge and launch at Freddie's Park; you can also launch on the other side of the river and meet on the water

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by Freddie's Park. We will be returning after sunset so make sure you have a white light with you (this is a legal requirement). No need to sign up - just show up. See also General Info for Evening Paddling Trips. Helping to lead the trip are Jim Wilson 292-1762 and Neil Cherkosly 383-7800w.Leader: Ellen Luchsinger, (518) 235-5526, kayakerl@yahoo.com Oct 14 (Fri) OWL HEAD LOOKOUT

& GILLIGAN MOUNTAIN (B+) "The spectacular summit view, reached with relatively little effort gives this trip one of the best effort-to-reward ratios in the Adirondacks." It's 5.4 miles round trip with an elevation change of 1,200'. Having done the first leg, we will shoot up pretty little Gilligan Mountain, a 1.2 mile, 770' elevation gain. Meet 7:00 a.m., Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride.Leader: John Antonio, (518) 462-2765, Oct 15 (Sat) KAATERSKILL HIGH PEAK (B) This outing will follow the Long Path from Platte Clove to the snowmobile trail that circles the base of Roundtop Mtn. and Kaaterskill High Peak. We will then follow a primitive path to the summit. We will be approaching the summit from the more challenging and picturesque southwest side. Unfortunately, there is no canister to be found. However we will be able to find a U.S.G.S benchmarker giving our exact elevation at the summit and we may be able to locate a small bit of wreckage from an old plane crash. Total trip is approximately 8 miles with a total ascent of about 1750 ft. This peak is on the Catskill 3500 Club list with an elevation of 3655 ft. Please contact leader by October 12th for details. Leader: Norm Mueller, (518) 731-2762, peakfreak64@yahoo.com Oct 15 (Sat) PHELPS MTN. (A) This is one of the easier High peaks. We'll start at the ADK Loj and take the Van Hoevenberg trail. It's around 9 miles and 2000 ft elevation gain. We'll meet at 7:00 a.m. at Exit 12 Park and Ride. Leader: Mark Janey, (518) 899-6086, markjaney@gmail.com Oct 15 (Sat) INDIAN HEAD

& FISH HAWK CLIFFS (B) I did this hike in July and loved it and the fantastic view from the cliffs, so I thought it would be great to see it in the fall with all the colors. This rocky outcrop rises 750' above Lower Ausable Lake and offers excellent views of the lakes and much of the Great Range. The hike is about 9 miles with about 1500' elevation gain. Leader: Phil Seward, (518) 527-1851, flipsbliss17@yahoo.com

Oct 18 (Tue) EVENING PADDLE - MOHAWK RIVER ROTTERDAM (B/C) Be on the water by 5:30 p.m. We will go downstream and around Dalys Island and/or upstream past the Mabee Farm (the Mabee House dates back to 1670 and is the oldest standing building in the Mohawk valley) to Lock 9. Take Exit 1A off I-890 to Rt.5S in Rotterdam and take a right into Kiwanis Park soon after leaving the highway ramp. We will be returning after sunset so make sure you have a white light with you (this is a legal requirement). No need to sign up -just show up. See General Info for Evening Paddling Trips. Leader: Alan Mapes, aamapes@nycap.rr.comLeader, (518) 817-1512,: Mike Kolanach, (518) 366-4338. Oct 18 (Tue) VROMAN'S NOSE

& MINE KILL FALLS (C) The fall foliage should still be colorful in the Schoharie Valley. Vroman's Nose is an easy 1.6 mile round trip to a commanding view. After that we will proceed to the Blenheim-Gilboa Visitor's Center to check out some of the exhibits and the view of the dam. From there, we'll hike the Long Path through Mine Kill State Park to Mine Kill Falls--about a 3 mile round trip. There are additional trails within the park if there is interest. Meet at the south entrance to Penny's in Crossgates at 9:00 a.m.Leader: Paul Breslin, (518) 783-9154, pbreslin@nycap.rr.com Oct 22 (Sat) FRED SCHROEDER MEMORIAL TRAIL, THACHER PARK (C) The Red Loop Trail in Thacher Park North has been re-named in honor of our late hike leader and mentor, Fred Schroeder. On this relatively easy hike we'll explore the main portion of the loop trail and as well, extend the hike over parts of the Yellow "Perimeter Trail," Hang-glider Road (to Hang-glider Cliff), and the Long Path to High Point. We'll enjoy views from the two overlooks and traversing through woods, open fields and among rock formations. The hike is about 6.8 miles with mostly level walking except for a few short ups and downs. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Elm Ave. (Rt.32) Park and Ride in Delmar, or at 9:30 a.m. at the Nature Center off Ketchum Rd. in Thompsons Lake Park.Leader: Jim Schaller, (518) 861-7452, jims2999@yahoo.com Oct 22 (Sat) SARATOGA BATTLEFIELD

BIKE RIDE (B) Let's try to squeeze in a fall foliage ride before the snow flies. This will be a ride of about ten miles on the rolling hills of Saratoga National Historic Park during the same October week that Burgoyne surrendered in 1777. The rolling pace

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will average under 15 mph and, with frequent stops at the historical markers, the elapsed-time pace will be closer to 10 mph. No one will be dropped. Only if all participants want to do more than ten miles might we add a few miles to the Saratoga National Cemetery. Bring snacks, water and a spare tube on the bike. You must wear a helmet. A forecast of heavy rain will cancel. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Saratoga National Historic Park visitors parking lot off Route 32 in Stillwater. Leader: Don Berens, (518) 783-1302, 50peaks@nycap.rr.com Oct 22 (Sat) SEYMOUR (A+) This remote, rugged, trailless peak makes a beautiful fall hike. Approximately 13 miles and 2500 feet elevation gain. Meet at 4:00 a.m. at Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride. Leader: Claudia Warren, (518) 731-6446, cldwr@hotmail.com Oct 22 (Sat) NUN-DA-GA-O RIDGE (B) The last attempt at this hike got rained out. Hopefully there will be better weather this time. We should have some nice autumn views. It's a round trip of approximately 6 miles. Please call by 9:30 p.m. Thursday, October 20th. Meet at 6:30 a.m. at Northway (I-87) Exit 9 Park and Ride lot. Leader: Carl Klinowski, (518) 274-8410, cklinowski@nycap.rr.com Oct 23 (Sun) HUDSON RIVER PADDLE (A) We will paddle from Athens and head upstream with the incoming tide, passing varied shores - marsh, cliffs, beaches, islands, etc.-- with little development. Fall colors should be in evidence. In previous fall trips here we have seen migrating brant and a red-throated loon, and bald eagles are common. We might get as far north as Coxsackie before heading back with the outgoing tidal current. If the weather is nice expect to be out for 5-7 hours and paddle 15-18 miles. Leader: Rich Macha, (518) 346-3180, apnp@prodigy.net Oct 25 (Tue) PHIL FOUNTAIN MEMORIAL HIKE ON THE TACONIC CREST TRAIL (B+) We wanted to pay tribute to Phil's devotion to the Taconic Crest Trail and in particular his love of this section. This joint ADK and Taconic Hiking Club hike will celebrate Phil's trailwork on the Crest Trail, his leadership over many outings on these paths, and his joy in the creation and documentation of this ridge and its access points. We'll want to toast and hail Phil from the 360° view on Berlin Mtn. We'll spot cars at the trailhead in Southeast Hollow and start from Petersburg Pass, heading south over Berlin Mountain (2818') and continuing to the Southeast Hollow access trail. One option hikers

have is to do a shorter segment out and back, hiking just Berlin Mountain and returning to Petersburg Pass. The whole distance and elevation to SE Hollow is 7 miles and about 1300' vertical, and to do just Berlin Mtn. would be 5.5 miles RT and 1000' vertical. These are short days, so meet Virginia at the Defreestville Park and Ride at 7:30 and Karen at Cumberland Farms at the intersection of Rts. 22 and 43 in Stephentown at 8:00. Leaders: Karen Ross, (518) 794-7474, kcoyross@aol.com, Virginia Boyle Traver, virginiabt28@hotmail.com (518) 322-0950, Oct 25 (Tue) EVENING PADDLE—

MOHAWK RIVER LYONS PARK (B) Be on the water at 5:15 p.m at Lions Park by the old train station in Niskayuna. From the Northway drive west for 3.1 miles and take a right on Rosendale Rd. which goes downhill and then curves left, and soon after that turn right into a parking area. We will be returning after sunset so make sure you have a white light with you (this is a legal requirement). No need to sign up - just show up. See General Info for Evening Paddling Trips. Leader: Rich Macha, (518) 346-3180, apnp@prodigy.netLeader: Celia Murray, (518) 225-9902, celiaam@aol.com Oct 29 (Sat) WINDHAM HIGH PEAK

& BLACKHEAD RANGE (A) This outing will be a strenuous trail hike of approx. 14 miles with a total ascent of approx. 3,500 feet. A shuttle will be necessary and expect an early start. Please contact leader by October 26th for details. Leader: Norm Mueller, (518) 731-2762, peakfreak64@yahoo.com Oct 30 (Sun) SCHODACK IS. PADDLE (B) Plan to meet at the boat launch on the Schodack Creek side at Schodack Island State Park. We'll paddle around the island and into the river, taking advantage of the morning high tide. Plan to be in the water and ready to go by 9:00 a.m. We will paddle and explore until about 4:00 p.m. It's best for touring kayaks, but strong canoers are welcome. Leader: Dave Pisaneschi, (518) 459-5969, dpisanes@nycap.rr.com Nov 1 (Tue) EVENING PADDLE—

HUDSON & MOHAWK RIVERS (B) Be on the water by 5:00 p.m. We will paddle up the Hudson to the Lock 1/Campbell Island area where bald eagles are often seen and/or visit the falls next to Peebles Island. In Waterford from Broad St. turn South onto First Street and drive to the end at the boat launch or launch from Lansingburgh at the end of 123rd Street off of Second Ave/Route 4 and meet near the

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Waterford boat launch. We will be returning after sunset so make sure you have a white light with you (this is a legal requirement). No need to sign up - just show up. See also General Info for Evening Paddling Trips. Leaders: Tom McGuire, (518) 391-0508, tommcg1@gmail.com Rich Macha, (518) 346-3180, apnp@prodigy.net Nov 2 (Wed) PEAKED MTN. (B) The last time I scheduled this hike we got to the peak and had a great view of the cloud that had settled over the mountain. Let's hope for a clear day, with the spectacular views that the mountain offers. Over 7.2 miles we will climb about 1000 feet. Meet at the Clifton Park Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride at 7:30 a.m. Leader: John Sheehan, (518) 674-8121, jgsheehan01@yahoo.com Nov 3 (Thu) PLOTTERKILL WALK (C) There still should be some good fall color. This 632 acre preserve is a gem in western Schenectady County. It includes three waterfalls. There are several trails and distances to choose from to explore this area. We will plan to hike about six miles and spend about four hours looking around. This area does have some steep terrain. We can be selective on our travel depending on conditions, but having hiking sticks may make steep terrain easier to negotiate. Bring a lunch and water. Meeting place and time will be determined by participants. Leader: Paul Breslin, (518) 783-9154, pbreslin@nycap.rr.com Nov 5 (Sat) SIAMESE PONDS

TRAIL WORK (B) We'll hike in from the Rt. 8 trailhead to the leanto and finally to the ponds. Activities will include trail work (brushing out, water bars, etc.) and trash removal. Nothing is going to be difficult or physically demanding, but this is a work trip. This is your chance to join the Wilderness Committee on a work trip into the Chapter's adopted wilderness area and give something back to the mountains. Round trip distance to the leanto is 8 miles; 12 miles if we decide to continue to the ponds. Minimal elevation gain. Leader: Dave Pisaneschi, (518) 459-5969, dpisanes@nycap.rr.com Nov 5 (Sat) SANTANONI, PANTHER,

& COUCHSACHRAGA (A+) We'll hike about 18 miles and climb about 4,600 feet to three herd path summits. Bring seasonal clothing for this changeable time of year, traction devices for any early season ice, lots to eat and drink, a headlamp with fresh batteries, and a

persevering spirit. Meet at 5:00 a.m. at Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride. Leader: Don Berens, (518) 783-1302, 50peaks@nycap.rr.com Nov 8 (Tue) BLACK DOME MTN. (B) Black Dome is the center of the three Catskill Mountains that can be seen from high points around the Capital District. We will go up the Black Dome trail from the Big Hollow parking lot and return the same way. A side trip over Blackhead is possible if the group wishes. There are great views north and south along the trail. 4.0 or 4.5 miles round trip, 1780 ft of ascent. Meet at 8:00 AM At the Delmar Rt 32 Park and Ride. Leader: Katie Henrikson, (518) 439-4308, khenriks@nycap.rr.com Nov 8 (Tue) MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETING W.Albany Fire House 113 Sand Creek Rd., Colonie. 6:30--Prior to regular meeting education session. The topic is "Ski & Snowshoe Forecast". Join us for some tips on winter equipment and locations for the upcoming season. 7:30--Brief business meeting followed by a presentation on the Catskill's highest 100. Albany chapter member and former outings chair Alan Via will present photos and tell stories about places and people he has seen in his ascents and ramblings in the Catskills. The ADK is publishing his new book, "The Catskill 67 - A hikers Guide to the 100 Highest Peaks under 3500'." He figures he is one of a small group of folks who has climbed the 100 highest peaks in both the Adirondacks and the Catskills. Nov 9 (Wed) GORE MOUNTAIN (B+) Which tower summit requires the greatest ascent? Gore Mountain! Taking the Schaefer Trail, we will climb 2,533' to the 3,585' summit of Gore. Total distance is about 9 miles and trail books call it a "long hike with significant elevation gain and intermittent steep sections." Meet 7:00 a.m. at Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride. Leader: John Antonio, (518) 462-2765, Nov 10 (Thu) HUYCK PRESERVE (C+) The Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville has added 4.5 miles of new trails. We should check these out! This outing will include the original walk up along the waterfalls and Lake Myosotis making a total distance of about 7 miles with 500 feet of elevation gain. Meet 8:30 a.m. in the Slingerlands Price Chopper lot. Cancellation decisions due to inclement weather will be made 24 hours in advance. Email contact preferred. Leader: Virginia Boyle Traver, (518) 322-0950, virginiabt28@hotmail.com

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Nov 11 (Fri) TACONIC CREST TRAIL (TCT) TRAIL WORK (B)

We'll cover the section of the TCT from Robinson Hollow to Mattison Hollow. This will involve blowdown removal and drainage work. Distance is 6 to 8 miles round trip with minimal elevation gain. Leader: Dave Pisaneschi, (518) 459-5969, dpisanes@nycap.rr.com Nov 12 (Sat) FIR AND BIG INDIAN (A) This outing is a moderately strenuous combination trail hike and bushwhack. We will be covering a distance of approximately 10 miles round trip with a total ascent of about 2200 ft. These peaks are on the Catskill 3500 Club list with elevations of 3620 ft and 3700 ft respectively. Please contact leader by November 9th for details. Leader: Norm Mueller, (518) 731-2762, peakfreak64@yahoo.com Nov 12 (Sat) WRIGHT, ALGONQUIN,

& IROQUOIS (A+) We'll climb above the trees and stay there for hours to enjoy the dramatic weather of late fall on this traverse of a magnificent mountain ridge. Our return will be through the always lovely Avalanche Pass. Be prepared for snow, ice, blustery winds and awesome views. 12 miles, 4800 feet of elevation gain. Meet 4:00 a.m. Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride. Leader: Bob Scaife, bobscaife@nycap.rr.com (518) 439-7322 Nov 12 (Sat) SHELVING ROCK & FALLS (B) We will first visit the Falls then hike the mountain for beautiful views of Lake George. We can also hike down to the lake for added mileage if all agree. Approximately 5 to 7 miles with 650' gain. Contact Leader for details. Leader: Phil Seward, (518) 527-1851, flipsbliss17@yahoo.com Nov 18 (Fri) ROOSTER COMB

& SNOW (B+) We'll head up Rooster Comb, with a side trip to Snow, and return along the Flume Brook. Round trip will be 7 miles with about 2,200' elevation. "Great views are abundant." Traction devices will probably be necessary at this of year. Meet 7:00 a.m., Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride. Leader: John Antonio, (518) 462-2765, Nov 19 (Sat) SOUTHWEST HUNTER,

HUNTER, RUSK, & WEST KILL (A+) These four peaks offer great variety. Hunter has a fire tower. Southwest Hunter is trailless with a pretty well established herd path. Rusk, another trailless peak, without a herd path, offers unique views of the west side of the Hunter Mountain ski area. West Kill is a trailed peak with great views both to the north and the south.

Approximately 18 miles, much of it off trail; approximately 6000 feet elevation gain. Meet at 5:00 a.m. at the Park and Ride at exit 21 of the Thruway, (Catskill). Leader: Claudia Warren, (518) 731-6446, cldwr@hotmail.com Nov 19 (Sat) SAWYER & CHIMNEY MTNS. (B) These two peaks are close to each other. Sawyer Mtn. is in the Blue Ridge Wilderness Area, and Chimney Mtn. is in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area. The trailhead for Sawyer is located between Indian Lake and Blue Mountain Lake off Route 28/30. It is a 2.2 mi round trip with 630 ft. of ascent. Down the road, the trailhead to Chimney Mtn. is off Route 30. This is a 2.0 mi. round trip with 760 ft. of ascent. Chimney Mountain is a unique area and offers some interesting geological features, including caves. Plan on an early start. For reservations, please call by 9:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17th. Leader: Carl Klinowski, (518) 274-8410, cklinowski@nycap.rr.com Nov 22 (Tue) A FRED'S FAVORITE—

HOPKINS (B+) Fred said Hopkins offered the hiker "the whole Great Range sprawled out in front of you," so we'll hope for clear views. It's 6.3 miles and 2120' vertical on "soft forest duff" (Fred 2005) as we "yo-yo to the summit" (Fred 2004) through the old hemlocks that line the Mossy Cascade Brook Trail to the 3183' top. Winter footgear required. Meet at the Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride at 7:30 a.m. Leaders: Karen Ross, (518) 794-7474, kcoyross@aol.com and Lori McCarron, mmccarr2@nycap.rr.com (518) 587-1957 Nov 26 (Sat) HALCOTT (B) This outing will be a moderate bushwhack hike of approximately 2.5 miles with about 1700 ft. of elevation gain. Summit elevation is 3537 ft. Please contact leader by November 23rd for details. Leader: Norm Mueller, (518) 731-2762, peakfreak64@yahoo.com Dec 2 (Fri) MOREAU STATE PARK (B) It's close to home, has an abundance of trails, great views and enough variety to keep us happy for at least 4 to 6 hours of hiking. There is a good chance traction devices will be needed at this time of year. Meet 8:00 a.m., Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride. Leader: John Antonio, (518) 462-2765, Dec 3 (Sat) DIAL AND NIPPLE TOP (A+) We'll hike about 14 miles and climb about 4,300 feet to two trailed peaks. Bring seasonal clothing, traction devices for any early season

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ice, lots to eat and drink, a headlamp with fresh batteries, and a persevering spirit. Meet at 5:00 a.m. at Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride. Leader: Don Berens, 50peaks@nycap.rr.com,(518) 783-1302. Dec 6 (Tue) SHELVING ROCK

& THE KNAPP ESTATE (C+) If there is enough snow (doubtful), this will be a snowshoe trip. I have not explored this section of the Wild Forest on the southeast side of Lake George before. There are numerous trails and interconnections that align with the carriage roads which were part of the Knapp Estate. We will spend about five hours hiking about eight miles. Maximum elevation change will be less than 800 feet. We'll leave the Clifton Park Park and Ride at Exit 9 across route 146 at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Paul Breslin, (518) 783-9154, pbreslin@nycap.rr.com Dec 8 (Thu) NEW & PROSPECTIVE

TRIP LEADER WORKSHOP Leading trips is easy and fun--you can pick your favorite places to share with others. Come join us for a casual gathering to find out what leading ADK trips entails. We will discuss guidelines for being a trip leader, share experiences, and brainstorm ideas and concerns. Meet 7:00 p.m., location to be announced. Email contact preferred. Leader: Virginia Boyle Traver, (518) 322-0950, virginiabt28@hotmail.com Dec 10 (Sat) MOUNT COLDEN (A) This has been a very lovely winter warmup snowshoe in both of the last two years, and I couldn't resist repeating it. The Lake Arnold approach to Colden is pleasantly scenic, and the summit views can be awe-inspiring. Though mid-December isn't yet winter, conditions are likely to be wintry. It‘s 12.8 miles with 2850' of ascent. Meet 4:00 a.m. at Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride. Leader: Bob Scaife, (518) 439-7322, bobscaife@nycap.rr.com Dec 10 (Sat) GRAHAM & BALSAM LAKE (B) This outing is a moderate hike with a total distance of approximately 10 miles and a total ascent of approximately 1,650 ft. Balsam Lake has a fire tower and nice views. Both peaks are on the Catskill 3500 Club list. Full winter gear is required, and expect an early start. Please contact leader by December 7th for details. Leader: Norm Mueller, (518) 731-2762, peakfreak64@yahoo.com Dec 10 (Sat) MOREAU STATE PARK (B) This popular state park is a short drive up the Northway and sports good views and interesting

terrain. This could be a snowshoe or a hike, depending upon the weather. Be sure to bring some type of traction device--Stabilicers or Microspikes--as it could be icy. Meet at Exit 9 Park and Ride at 8:00 a.m. Call or email by Thursday, 12/8. Leader: Cliff Prewencki, (518) 768-2907, cprewencki@aol.com Dec 11 (Sun) VERMONT XC SKI (B) The area of the Green Mountain National Forest in the vicinity of Woodford is over 2,000' in elevation, has a long snow season and is not too far of a drive from Albany. The exact route is TBD depending on conditions. It will be easy intermediate skiing for 7-10 miles over 4-6 hours. Leader: Rich Macha, (518) 346-3180, apnp@prodigy.net Dec 12 (Mon) CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

MEETING Among the issues for discussion will be hydrofracking, Lows Lake and the Finch Pruyn and Follensby Pond acquisitions. All chapter members who have an interest in conservation issues are invited and encouraged to attend. Call Dave for directions, or to find out more about the Conservation Committee. Meet at 7:00 p.m. at Little's Lake. Dave Pisaneschi, (518) 459-5969, dpisanes@nycap.rr.com Dec 13 (Tue) MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETING W. Albany Fire House 113 Sand Creek Rd., Colonie. 6:30--Education Session prior to regular meeting on "GPS Basics." This session will be a "GPS for Dummies," offering some practical tips for use of the device while hiking or paddling. 7:30--A brief business meeting followed by a presentation on "The Other 54 Peaks." Spencer Morrisy, a Long Lake native, proprietor of Inca-Pah-Cho Wilderness Guide, and author of "The Other 54: - a Hikers Guide to the Lower 54 of the Adirondacks Highest 100," will take us on a tour of the Adirondack high peaks that don't grab all the glory. These are the mountains ranked 47 to 100 to be more exact, but they are just as beautiful and sometimes more challenging. Come and see what all the fuss is about. Dec 14 (Wed) SNOWY MTN. (B+) Snowy Mtn. only misses high peak status by 101 feet. We will climb 2106 ft. over 7.8 miles, probably on snowshoes. Although this is not a long hike, with the winter solstices rapidly approaching, we will need a somewhat early start and a headlamp just in case. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Clifton Park Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride. Leader: John Sheehan, (518) 674-8121, jgsheehan01@yahoo.com

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Dec 17 (Sat) LEADERS CHOICE— SNOWSHOE HIKE OR XC SKI (B)

Depending on the amount of snow we have at the time we will do a Snowshoe Hike or XC Ski. Any suggestions will be considered. I'm thinking of doing Buck Mtn. in Lake George for the Snowshoe hike or the Jack Rabbit Trail from the Rock and River Lodge for the XC Ski. Contact Phil for details. Leader: Phil Seward, flipsbliss17@yahoo.com (518) 527-1851. Dec 17 (Sat) CRANE MOUNTAIN (B) Get an early workout on your snowshoes. Do those snow dances so we have good snow conditions. This will be a late autumn/early winter visit to this popular southern Adirondack peak. Plan on an early start. Please call by 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15th. Leader: Carl Klinowski, cklinowski@nycap.rr.com (518) 274-8410. Dec 23 (Fri) GIANT AND

ROCKY PEAK RIDGE (A+) We'll start and end at the New Russia trailhead. We‘ll climb Blueberry Cobble and Bald

Mountain, hike along Lake Mary Louise and head on to Rocky Peak Ridge and then Giant. We'll return by the same route. Approximately 16 miles and 4500 feet elevation gain. Meet at 4:00 a.m. at Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride. Leader: Claudia Warren, (518) 731-6446, cldwr@hotmail.com Dec 31 (Sat) END OF YEAR XC SKIING (C) We'll go wherever there's enough snow. Garnet Hill near 13th Lake often has the earliest as does Lapland Lake. Meet 8:00 a.m. at the Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride unless leaders specify otherwise. Bring lunch. Leader: Ted Wright, (518) 280-8016, Wrightt@gleneddy.com Many thanks to the volunteers who helped make this issue possible: Virginia Boyle Traver for notifying the leaders and monitoring outings and Barb Northrup for her excellent organization skill and help with the outings. Their efforts are appreciated.

The Albany Chapter of ADK, along with other hiking, biking, and kayaking groups, mourns the loss of long-time member and leader Phil Fountain. Phil died on July 29 doing what he loved best—helping others enjoy their favorite outdoor activity, in this case, biking. Phil will be lovingly remembered for generously volunteering his time in teaching classes at HVCC on hiking, offering to help beginners try out his beloved sports or aspiring 46ers conquer their hardest peaks, serving as a Loj campground host, maintaining the Taconic Crest Trail, and for making any outing he led or participated in a delight. With his great good humor, gentle laughter, and winning smile, Phil was a beloved presence. He will be so missed on trails, bike routes, lakes and rivers, and we extend our sympathy to his family.

ECHOES FROM THE TRAIL May 4 (Wed) PEAKED POND & MTN. Leader: Kevin Cox Cancelled hike due to rain. May 21 (Sat) REDFIELD & CLIFF Leader: Don Berens Jack Armitage, Don Berens, Karen Burka, Jackie Cordell, Roman Laba, Courtney Lester, Terry Marshall, Jeanne Michela, Pete Sage and Lisa Soeller drove through and around fog banks to gather at the Upper Works trailhead. Snowmelt and a week of rain already presaged high water. A prophet had predicted that the Rapture would occur at 6:00 p.m. EDT, and the weather forecast called for temperatures rising from the 50s to the 70s and for rain showers throughout the day. Nonetheless, when we started walking at 6:20 a.m., nothing was falling from the partly cloudy skies, and nothing in the skies was calling us heavenward. Near Calamity Pond, we first saw patches of compacted snow in the shady parts of the trail. The views of Mount Colden from Flowed Lands and of Avalanche Pass from Colden Dam were impressive. Along the Opalescent River, the snow patches were more frequent. The river displayed foaming waterfalls and roaring flumes. We left the trail at Uphill Lean-to at 10:55 a.m. to follow the herd path to Redfield along, above and in Uphill Brook. The last thousand feet on Redfield's forested north slope had wider and deeper snow patches. Although we sometimes slipped or broke through to running melt water, we - even those who carried microspikes and snowshoes - never used them. Those who did not carry them could only admire the preparedness and determination of those who had. We summitted at 12:30 p.m. and admired the views of Allen, Skylight, Marcy, Colden, the MacIntyres, and more. From the herd path junction near Uphill Lean-To, Roman, with the leader's assent, left to return to Flowed Lands Lean-To, while the other nine of us went to the aptly named Cliff Mountain. While scrambling up the snowless southeast ledges of Cliff, we saw a wide, vertical white band reflecting the sun from the wooded valley east of Redfield. Some thought it a snowfield, but closer observation revealed the motion and sound of an Uphill Brook waterfall. We reached Cliff's summit at 3:40 p.m., with fine views of Mount Colden and the MacIntyres, and soon began our descent. We met Roman at Flowed Lands Lean-To and before 7:00 p.m. were ready for the last 4.7 miles back to the trailhead. We were home free ... or were we? Although we were all understandably weary, the evening light was mellow, the peepers were singing, and the task was straightforward. We expected that with persevering spirits we would reach the cars shortly after the 8:21 p.m. sunset, maybe without using the headlamps that we had at hand. Don, who had often been the trail sweep at the back of the group, again urged those who were ready to start down the trail and said that after a bio-break he would catch up. This in fact happened. After crossing the high water bridge over Calamity Brook at 7:50 p.m., Don and three other members of the group made visual contact. They were close enough to hear shouted words, but not close enough to understand them over the sound of nearby splashing brook water. Shortly after that, Don "bonked" or "hit the wall," that is, he had a sudden loss of energy, probably due to depleted glycogen or electrolytes. He soon lost sight of the others, and his whistle blasts brought no response. All kept on going, but he fell further behind and slowed substantially. Twilight darkened to starry night, and headlamps came on. At 9:40 p.m., Roman returned from the trailhead to meet Don and to carry his pack, which enabled him to complete the last mile back to the cars by 10:20 p.m.. In the meantime, others of the group had driven to Newcomb to get cell-phone service and to call DEC for help. Don's wife had already called DEC when she had not heard from him by the pre-arranged time of 10:00 pm. The DEC ranger met all ten hikers at the trailhead at 11:15, and when he assured himself that no further help was needed, he sent us on our way..All's well that ends well. We learned or re-learned some lessons about hiking group cohesion and about the responsibility of all participants - not just the trip leader - to take care of each other. And we all survived the predicted Rapture, but it was a closer call than some of us had expected. May 25 (Wed) ALANDER Leader: John Sheehan After two false starts we finally picked a nice day to climb Alander Mountain. I have found the South Taconics a good place to hike during "Mud season" in the Adirondacks. With all the rain we had (the reason for the false starts), the trail was as dry as I would expect to find it in mid summer. I had not climbed this mountain from Bash Bish Falls before, so we had to poke around a little for the trailhead. The trail that climbs Alander from this location is the South Taconic trail. The guide book warns of a hazardous crossing of the Bash Bish Creek; however, more current information indicates that there is a newly rebuilt

bridge now carrying the trail over the stream. We found a bridge fitting that description but the real giveaway was a sign with an arrow pointing across the bridge that said "South Taconic Trail". So off we went to start our 900+ ft. climb over 3 miles to the summit. Most of the steepness was in the first half mile and everyone was glad to get that behind us while we were still fresh. After that, the climb was gradual to a ridge with numerous rock outcrops and plenty of great views. There were lots of photo opportunities from there on to the actual summit. The weather was clear and sunny with the only obstruction being a slight haze that shrouded the Catskill Mountains just across the Hudson Valley. The Mountain Laurel, the predominant undergrowth of this area, was not yet in bloom but there were plenty of other flowers, shrubs and small animals to keep us interested. At the summit we found the remains of an old fire tower where we had a relaxing lunch and where those with cameras took plenty of pictures. Joining me on this trip were Kathy Eastman, Bob Heffley, Marty Glendon, Katie Henrikson, and Padma Krishna. Jun 4 (Sat) NATIONAL TRAILS DAY--THACHER PARK Leader: Jim Schaller On this Trails Day in Thacher, and Thompsons Lake State Parks, nice weather led to a good turnout. Friends of Thacher Park joined volunteers from Albany ADK to split up into four work groups. One group covered the two new White-marked Connector Trails in Thacher's North section. Also cleared were part of the Fred Schroeder Memorial Trail and Hang Glider Trail. A second crew worked on the Perimeter and Salisbury Trails. The third tackled the Nature Center Trail and connecting Gazebo trail. Lastly, a group was directed by a Park supervisor to work on an eroded section of the escarpment trail, removing storm debris at Pear Orchard, and cleaning up at the Overlook Parking area. All completed their tasks by 1:00 p.m. and met at the Horseshoe Pavilion for a BBQ lunch provided by Friends of Thacher Park, to whom our thanks go. One last chore in the afternoon remained. Two park benches were placed, one at the Beaver Pond on the Yellow Trail and one at the boardwalk on the Meadow Loop trail. Jim Schaller led group #1, Bonnie Schaller group #2, and Winnie Balz group #3. Also attending were ADK'ers Dave Esmond, Eric and Diane Reinhart, Martha Walman, Richard Reeves-Ellington, Mark Platt, Bill Schollenburger, John and Beth Antonio, and Jim Doran. Several members of the "Friends" also helped and our thanks go out to all who participated. Jun 4 (Sat) SKYLIGHT AND GRAY Leader: Bob Scaife Flooding rains at the end of May and reports of impassable trails forced us to consider changing our route to these distant peaks. However, the weather dried with the arrival of June and we decided to stick with the plan and approach our mountains via Lake Arnold Pass and Feldspar Brook. Several participants had hiked on the previous weekend and told of floods, mud and black flies. The group pace was brisk in the freshness of the morning and we soon found ourselves climbing steadily toward Lake Arnold. Here two participants realized that the length and pace of the trip was going to be too strenuous for them and wisely turned back. The trail was surprisingly dry as we ascended and crossed the pass and, even more surprisingly, the marsh on the upper Opalescent River was also quite dry and we had no difficulty on the plank walkways through it. The Feldspar Brook was easily crossed and then conversation quieted as we began the serious aerobic business of climbing to Lake Tear of the Clouds. After a quick photo-op at Lake Tear, we began our climb of Gray. The path was easily followed and remarkably mud-free. With Gray safely packed into our peak-bag, we set out for Skylight with hopes of finding early season alpine wild flowers in bloom. We were all pleased by the abundance of flowers and views on this remote, beautifully bald summit. Lapland Rosebay, Alpine Azalea, Diapensia and Goldthread were blooming in clumps here and there among the rocks. After an enjoyable half-hour, the breeze began to chill us and we descended to Four Corners. There, after a short discussion, we decided that all of us had enough remaining energy to return via Mt. Marcy, though perhaps at a modest pace. Some of the group had never summitted Marcy, and others had done so only in clouds, so most of us enjoyed a new experience in ascending the steep slabs of Marcy's south face. Another extended stop at the summit left us rested and contented and ready for the long walk back to our cars. Participants were Jackie Cordell, Tony Ferreri, Nick Lanzillo, Mary Jo Minton, Rich and Miok Salz, John Sheehan, Sharon Shieh, Lisa Soeller, David Spangler and the leader, Bob Scaife. Photos from the trip may be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/rpscaife/GraySkylightAndMarcy_6_4_2011.

Jun 9 (Thu) HUDSON RIVER PADDLE - MOREAU STATE PARK Leader: Jim Schaller Our paddle on the Hudson River between Spier Falls Dam and Sherman Island Dam began with a clear blue sky and light winds. We began heading downriver and just before the dam reversed course to go behind a nice island and rock formations. During the morning we spotted Blue Herons, Buzzards, and possibly two Ospreys overhead. Then we headed back upriver towards the gushing waters of Spier Falls. That made a swifter current to contend with, so we got as far as we could before again turning around. We had lunch on a nice island, and a light breeze kept the bugs away. Soon we were back at the launch spot by early afternoon. It was lucky, though, as in about an hour thunderstorms quickly built up, with strong winds and rain. Paddling were Charlie Beach, Katie & Ray Henrickson, and Bonnie & Jim Schaller. Jun 11 (Sat) NIPPLE TOP & DIAL Leader: Kevin Cox We met at the Exit 9 Park & Ride at 4:30 a.m. in light rain. Once we got our gear on, we left the trailhead at 6:30 a.m. We went up the Leach trail. After hiking for an hour, light rain began to fall. We had the only good view of the mountains when we were at the lookout on the west shoulder of Noonmark. We reached the summit of Bear Den at 9:00 a.m. At Dial, we arrived at 10:00 a.m. The rain was quite steady. At 11:30 a.m., we were on top of Nipple Top. The views from the mountain were non-existent. From there, we took the trail to Elk Pass, which was a stream in some spots. We were on the road by 2:30 p.m. and in the cars by 3:30. A great time was had by all. Thanks to Mike Albertson, Matthew Boutin, Christiane Mulvhill, Linda Veraska, Richard Leight, Matthew Sweeney, Bob Scaife and Kevin Cox. Jun 11 (Sat) MOUNT GREYLOCK BIKE Leader: Don Berens Don Berens, Jack Devore, Kevin Donovan, Bill Leahey and Wayne Olinzock met at the high school in Williamstown. It was comfortably cool, partly sunny and dry in the valley, but the normal view of the mountaintop was obscured by clouds left over from an early morning shower. We did a 10-mile, 15-mph warm-up through the valley to the south end of the summit road, followed by a 10-mile, 8-mph climb of 2,300 feet. The upbound grade averaged a little over 4% but included some 20% sections and a few welcome descents. We had shade and tree drip to keep us cool, and occasional hazy views westward to the valley, before we pedaled into a cloud enveloping the upper 200 feet of the mountain. We arrived together to the cheers of some passing motorists. After a break at the summit observation tower, we did a 10-mile, 20-mph descent down the north side road, with top speeds in the upper 30's. As we rounded the lowest of the hairpin turns, we braked for a car backing up to a missed turn! We energetically made our presence known, but avoided intimate contact. At the bottom of the mountain, we had a 5-mile, 15-mph ride, mostly along the Green River, back to the high school where we now had a clear view of the summit where we had recently been. It was a pleasant ride with a pleasant group. Jun 13 (Mon) WINDHAM & THE ESCARPMENT TRAIL Leader: Katie Henrikson On a lovely early summer day we set off from the Peck Rd. trailhead to go over Windham Mountain and on towards the Burnt Knob-Acra Point trail. The trail was in better condition than earlier in the spring, since the ground had dried out from the heavy winter snow and spring rains. We enjoyed the many lookout points on both sides of the Escarpment Trail, with very good visibility. A sighting of a chestnut-sided towhee was part of the day enjoyed by Alvaro Alarcon, Cal Johnson, Padma Krishna, Lori McCarron, Kendra Pratt, Susan Roberts, and the leader. Jun 14 (Tue) FISH HAWK CLIFFS & INDIAN HEAD Leader: John Antonio A direct quote from "The King of the Mountains" - "Every hiker should do these two overlooks at least once. A proven winner." Like that potato chip commercial - who can stop there? The views from these vantage points are just awesome! This truly is one of those trips that will never get old. We started out with temps in the 50's and heavy gray leaden skies. As we passed through the golf course we were somewhat disappointed that the panoramic shot of Giant Mountain that you usually get here was mired in the clouds. At 10:25 at the "trout pool" on the road it was discovered that there were those in our group who had never seen Rainbow Falls, so naturally, we had to make a slight adjustment to our plans and add this to the trip. It wasn't long after that that we were on Indian Head looking across at the Great Range and down at Ausable Lakes. The low clouds did keep the summits of many of the peaks shrouded in various shades of pewter but, overall, there were very few complaints with the sights that were in front

of us. The Gill Brook Trail was our chosen route for coming out. The slippery moss on the wet rocks did in a couple in our group, but thankfully, the two who hit the deck got up relatively unscathed. As we signed out at the AMR gatehouse, the caretaker gave us an in-depth history lesson on the dam found at the north end of Lower Ausable Lake. This time, as we were making our turn at the tennis courts, Giant Mountain was beaming down on us in all her magnificence. Our group included Jim Coward. Klaus Sommerlette, Lori McCarron, Charlene Shafer, Emily Gallagher, John Susko and John Antonio. Jun 18 (Sat) SOUTH MOUNTAIN Leader: Cal Johnson It was a very comfortable day for a hike but views were pretty non-existant due to low cloud cover. We explored a couple of rock quarries and the old hotel sites up at North/South Lake. We ate lunch at the small pond near the old Kaaterskill Hotel site and then hiked on down to Palenville. Hikers were: Wendy Williams and Alvin DeMaria, and leader, Cal Johnson. Jun 21 (Tue) A FRED'S FAVORITE--JUG END Leader: Karen Ross and Lori McCarron The timing couldn't have been more perfect, and with Fred watching out for the weather, it was a superb day in the South Taconics in the Berkshires. After herding cats from four meeting places, we gathered at the trailhead on Jug End road after spotting a car at the Race Brook Trailhead. A couple of hardy A.T. through-hikers coming out set the bar high for endurance and good spirits. Going up to the ridge via the A.T at Jug End is a nice easy way to get up there, with many switchbacks to make it an enjoyable hour's climb. After savoring some nice views of the valley below, we turned to make our way south on the A.T. amidst the mountain laurel razzle-dazzle. These mountains have rarely been so loaded with blossoms or so incredibly lit up from all directions with the pink and white petals. If you had tried you couldn't have packed another blossom onto those bushes. It took about an hour to go the two miles along the ridge, climbing Mt. Bushnell, savoring the views again, passing the Elbow Trail above Berkshire School and then settling in for lunch at Guilder Pond. We remembered Fred Schroeder for all the times he had sought out the June mountain laurel, how much he loved it, and how he would have been ecstatic to see it this year. Before lunch several hikers took a swim in the lovely dark water, luckily before they saw a huge snake slither along the rock base into the water. With full tummies and some wet heads, it was a hard climb up Everett Mountain and then a steep descent along beautiful cool Race Brook. Another stop at the falls wowed us with the rushing cascade. All this June rain had to end up somewhere! It was a full day in the mountains, tremendously enjoyed by John Antonio, Kendra Pratt, Rita Cedar, Karen Cedar, Katie Henrikson, Blanche Nelson, Maureen Roeth, John Sheehan, canine trail guides Louie and Trooper, and the leaders, Karen Ross and Lori McCarron. Jul 2 (Sat) FISH HAWK CLIFFS AND INDIAN HEAD Leader: Kathy Pacuk The group started at 8:40 to clear skies. We followed the Gill Brook trail which has many small waterfalls on it. We reached Fish Hawk Cliffs at 11:00. You could see people in canoes on Upper Ausable Lake. From the edge of the cliffs if you look right you can see how "Indian Head" got it's name. We climbed up Indian Head by 11:20 to a light breeze and 78 degrees. We decided to hike back on the Gill Brook trail, so we enjoyed the waterfalls on the hike out too. Maria Rodrequez, Linda Acierno, David Wright, Sue Jordon, Dan Van Ulthuizen, Neil Sertott, Marvin Fine, Sue Carl and the leader finished at 2:25 to beautiful blue skies. Jul 6 (Wed) A FRED'S FAVORITE---MOUNT GREYLOCK Leader: Karen Ross and Lori McCarron We were gifted with a classic summer day--blue skies, very warm temps, and humidity--but Greylock cooled us with its soft breezes and lovely dark woods. We took one of Fred Schroeder's favorite trails, the Hopper Trail in Williamstown, up to the A.T. and then the summit, where one can't possibly stay any less than an hour. There, Bascom Lodge sits in its solid stone, welcoming star-loving overnighters and diners for three meals a day. Sitting on the 360 degree view summit with all kinds of revelers---hikers, bikers, dogs, drivers and riders--while gnawing on a frozen fruit treat from the Lodge was pretty close to heavenly. On the way down we walked out Sperry Road (where strangely enough nary a person was camping) to Stony Ledge Lookout, where one has dramatic views of the Hopper and of Greylock above. From there we descended through the fine mature woods of the Haley Farm Trail to complete our circuit. The trails were in great shape, the streams were running full, and MA DCR was installing fine new bear boxes for campers. Fred held off the forecast thunderstorms for us, but at the bottom farm we had great

sympathy for the farmer rushing to get his cut and dried hay baled and into the barn. Sweating out the toxins this day were Kendra Pratt, Keith Carey, Sandra Foley, Blanche Nelson, Jim and Candy Dolen, Jane Peck, John Antonio and leaders Karen Ross and Lori McCarron. Jul 9 (Sat) STOPPEL, NORTH POINT, SOUTH MOUNTAIN Leader: Cal Johnson It was an excellent day for the 14 mile hike over Stoppel Point. We had great views to the north, east and south along the trail. Joining the leader, Cal Johnson, were Maureen Roeth & Christina Lee Jul 16 (Sat) GRAY, SKYLIGHT & MARCY Leader: Mike Becker A group of four carpoolers expected to meet a group of three at the Adirondak Loj at 7:45 a.m. Upon reaching the Loj, I learned from Kimberly and Mark, already at the Loj, that Trudi arrived with an infected finger and would not be joining us. That was nice of her to come to the Loj to let us know. So our group of six began the trek from the Loj under cool, sunny skies a little before 8:00 a.m. It was an ideal day for a hike. Bugs were virtually non-existent. We took our first break at Feldspar Brook, which had an extremely low water level. A quick half-hour brought us to Gray's summit, where we could see many hikers on Marcy. We retreated to Lake Tear and dropped our packs at Four Corners for the ascent of Skylight. We all dutifully grabbed a rock at timberline to place on the summit, thus warding off any rain for the day. While enjoying the amazing summit, Trudi appeared, having been to Lake Placid Hospital for treatment and given the go ahead to hike. She had traversed Marcy and made it to Skylight in about four hours! She hiked with us down Skylight and back up Marcy, where we enjoyed the always amazing views. Our last stop was at Indian Falls which had barely a trickle. We reached the Loj a little after 6:00 p.m. and were pleased to be able to buy a cold drink. It was a long but fun day with a nice group of hikers: Amy Becker, Kimberly Lawrence, Mark Dimmick, Trudi Skinder, Gino Radovic, Christina Lee, and the leader Mike Becker. Photos may be seen at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2266542747218.134227.1358021705&l=dacb29649e Jul 19 (Tue) BLACK MOUNTAIN Leader: Katie Henrikson What a perfect day for a hike. The weather was warm, the sky was sunny for a change, and there was a little wind to keep the bugs away. The company was congenial. We were a large group, spread out over the trail. Enjoying the beautiful day were Judy Aronson, Reed Goossen, Ray Henrikson, Andy Janz, Anneliese Lawson, Mary MacDonald, Lorie McCarron, Susan Roberts, Claudia Rosenholz, Tom Ryan, Charlene Shafer, Anita Whalen, and the leader. Jul 20 (Wed) MOHAWK MEDLEY BIKE TOUR - EAST Leader: Don Berens George Baranauskas, Don Berens and Cathy Gilchrist had no trouble warming up for this 87-degree, 19-mile evening bike ride. But we did have a little trouble getting started, when Don had a rear flat on the Crescent Bridge just 2 miles into the ride. 21 minutes later, we were on our way again eastbound along the north bank of the Mohawk River. We biked up to the NYS boat launch above Lock 6 to admire the view and back down to Waterford, where we passed an eastbound pleasure boat approaching Lock 3. Minutes later, we watched the outflow from Lock 3 spill over the side cut of the old Champlain Canal and through the old Erie Canal lock around the current Lock 2, all without disturbing the water level in Lock 2 which was about to receive the boat emerging from Lock 3. The engineering was fascinating and the spray was refreshing. We stopped on the Peebles Island bridge to see the same boat emerge from Lock 2 and kayakers paddling from the Hudson into the Mohawk. After crossing the four channels of the mouth of the Mohawk, we pedalled west along the south bank to see the Cohoes Falls. After a week of hot dry weather, the falls were a mere trickle compared with the full flood of April. The ride continued back to the Crescent Bridge and finished with a fine hazy view of the red setting sun. Jul 26 (Tue) JAY MOUNTAIN Leader: John Antonio Once we finally found Trumbulls Road (the sign was hidden by tree branches but a very colorful local personality gave us directions), we were golden. The last time we did this range, the herd path was not obvious, and picking one‘s way along the ridge was somewhat problematic - but not today. The path now is pretty established one so we had only one minor wrong turn all day. We signed in at the trailhead register (a surprise in itself!) at 10:05 and, in short order, we were quickly knocked out with a killer view at

11:20. We were shortly to discover that this was only a tease, considering the great scenery that unfolded during the rest of our trek. We made West Jay at 12:04 and Grassy Notch at 12:20 and settled down into lunch - Part 1. We found that the blueberries were unbelievable - the best any of us had ever seen in the ADKs. Big! Abundant!! Best tasting ever!!! And by the bear scat left behind, we were not the only ones who felt this way. As we worked our way from one lookout to the next, we all kept dropping our jaws in the attempt to describe the magnificent vistas and also to keep shoving copious amounts of blueberries down our throats. After lunch - Part II - and approximately 6 hours from our start, we were back to our cars with a promise made - that we would all do this hike again - same time - next year - and bring along containers to bring some of those berries home. Jumpin' for Joy on Jay were John Sheehan, Anneliese Lawson, Maria Garcia, Andy Janz, Tom Hart and Molly, Lori McCarron, Claudia Rosenholz and the leader. Aug 3 (Wed) MOHAWK MEDLEY BIKE TOUR - WEST Leader: Don Berens George Baranauskas, Don Berens, Rosemary Dailey, Sandra Foley and Dave Pisaneschi gathered near the Colonie Town Park under overcast skies with temperatures in the 70's. We donned black armbands and had a moment of silence for ADK trip leader Phil Fountain who, while marking a bike route in the Finger Lakes, was struck by a car and killed the week before. Three of us who had ridden Phil's last ADK bike trip just three weeks ago recalled his enthusiasm and thoughtfulness. We resolved to ride in a spirit of fun and safety. In a light sprinkle of rain, we started westbound on the mostly flat bike path along the south bank of the Mohawk River. We surprised a deer and more than one rabbit while we rolled past views of the reedy river and Lock 7 before crossing the Rexford Bridge for a look at the foundations of the old Erie Canal Aqueduct and a pit stop at Stewart's. The rain had stopped when we turned eastbound on Riverview Road along the river's north bank. Rolling ups and downs brought us to the view overlooking the NYPA power plant and the Lock 7 Dam. We pedalled by remains of the 1840's canal in Vischer Ferry before stopping to see Clute's Drydock, where canal boats were repaired nearly 200 years ago. A climb across the Northway was followed by a steep descent back to the riverbank where we saw a blue heron take flight. We re-crossed the river on the Crescent Bridge. Above the last big hill of the day, the sun dipped below the overcast and briefly lit the underside of the now purple clouds with a brilliant orange light, before setting as we returned to the starting point. Bats chased mosquitoes and mosquitoes chased us into our cars for the drive home after a pleasant 28-mile ride. Aug 5 (Fri) ALBANY/SCHENECTADY JOINT PICNIC

Deb Reif and Herb Terns With the price of gas being so high and the many demands people have on their time, many members don‘t get out and enjoy the outdoors as much as they might want to, so a different sort of outing was offered this summer. A joint picnic with the Schenectady and Albany Chapters was held on a Friday evening at the Crossings in Colonie. It was pot-luck, so we asked people to bring something to share. The weather turned out to be warm and beautiful. With about 35 people in attendance, there was a great variety of goodies shared. The company was nothing short of fantastic and reflected the diversity of our members. Included in attendance were children, SUNY students from the Young Adults Group, people enjoying an afternoon out after a workweek, and some of the sweetest gems that we have in our club. Helen Menz, the senior of the group and ADKer No. 42, was asked to pick names for the giveaways and ended up picking her own for one of them! That a small token for all she has done for the Club. After eating plenty of burgers (veggie and other), an assortment of side dishes, and a whole variety of desserts, a few free gifts were given away and those who chose to, still had time to enjoy the park. Thank you to all who participated and contributed! It was a great opportunity to meet fellow members and enjoy the outdoors so close to home. Maybe this could be the start of an annual event. Aug 13 (Sat) SAWTEETH AND LOWER RANGE Leader: Mike Becker We had a perfect, relatively cool summer day for this long trek through the Ausable Valley. The four-mile walk to the Lower Ausable Lake dam went quickly due to fresh legs and good conversation. We opted for the shorter Weld Trail to Sawteeth, with a side trip to the always-gorgeous Rainbow Falls. We made good time to the first peak of the day, Sawteeth, and stopped briefly to contemplate the route ahead. The trail up Pyramid Peak is steep, but the reward at the top is well worth it. By the time we reached our second peak, Gothics, we had already climbed well over half of our total ascent for the day. The view from Gothics is breathtaking and one of my favorite places. The trail to Armstrong and then Upper Wolf Jaw has several steep pitches which require care and time to descend safely. We reached Wolf Jaws Notch

and dropped our packs for the quick ascent to our fifth peak of the day, Lower Wolf Jaw. We made a good choice in descending the Wedge Brook Trail with its relative lack of erosion and pretty open forest with many ferns. We crossed the Ausable River on the sturdy Canyon Bridge before returning to the Lake Road and the walk back to the cars. Participants were Yanny Hecht, Larry Landau, Amy Becker, and the leacer, Mike Becker.

CONSERVATION NOTES State's proposed rules on drilling faulted (ALBANY TIMES UNION, 7-20-11) Two environmental groups on a state panel that will study proposed state rules to allow natural gas hydrofracking criticized the proposal as flawed. Criticism came from both Environmental Advocates of New York and the Natural Resources Defense Council, which sit on a 12-member panel created by the Department of Environmental Conservation this month to review the nearly 1,100-page draft rule book for the gas drilling released this month. "If Gov. Andrew Cuomo thinks fracking can be done safely, he needs to put some regulatory muscle behind his words before he allows any drilling," said Katherine Nadeau, an analyst with Environmental Advocates of New York. Both EANY and NRDC are on the 12-member High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Advisory Panel, which must craft recommendations for DEC and other agencies to control the controversial drilling practice. The panel has yet to meet. A 60-day public comment on the proposed rules is expected to begin sometime next month, Hydrofracking involves injection of a high-pressure mix of chemicals, water and sand into deep underground wells to break rock that contains trapped bubbles of natural gas. Opponents fear the drilling could pollute water and air, while the industry says the practice is safe. Drilling companies are eyeing the gas-rich Marcellus Shale, a rock formation that extends from the western Catskills and through much of the Southern Tier. Among issues identified by the two environmental groups and others, including Riverkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthworks and Earthjustice, were the following: The state would not ban any hydrofracking chemical, even those known to be toxic and carcinogenic. The state would require drilling companies to disclose such chemicals, a requirement not in place in other states where drilling is already allowed. Drilling waste and water brought back up a well to the surface would not be classified as hazardous waste, which would allow laxer standards for treatment and transportation. In some cases, such water is mildly radioactive. Sewage plants could be allowed to treat such waste, even though such plants are not designed for the task. The preliminary rules do not analyze public health impacts, nor the impact of miles of gas pipelines needed to connect wells and distribute the gas. "On the whole, the revised draft doesn't cure the ills of gas development that are the most dangerous, so the industry's interests will win out over public health," said Tracy Carluccio, deputy director of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network Taconic Trail brings the mountains close to home (ALBANY TIMES UNION, 7-10-11) About 30 miles from Albany, Berlin Mountain is the tallest peak in the four-county region. At nearly 3,000 feet, most of the 4-mile ascent is at a 10-percent grade or more, a tough aerobic workout seemingly so far away yet only 45 minutes by car from the stairs of New York's capitol. Imagine moving up and down on a Stairmaster and balancing on a stability plank for a few hours at the gym and you'll get a sense of what the trail is like. At the bald top, a panorama of Greylock Mountain -- Massachusetts' highest peak -- the Hudson River Valley and the lower Adirondacks, is a sweet bonus. The Berlin Mountain trail is a part of the Taconic Crest Trail, which weaves its way along the border of New York, Massachusetts and Vermont, from Pittsfield to Pownal, offering an enticing range of hiking experiences often overlooked by those heading north or south to the Adirondacks or Catskills. You might find longer trails and higher peaks in those ranges, but it's hard to beat the Taconic trail's proximity, accessibility and solitude. When the days are the longest you can leave work in the late afternoon, traverse Petersburgh Pass en route to the noteworthy "snow hole" and be back before sunset. While the 35-mile trail is relatively flat, since it's on the ridge of the bulbous north-to-south mountains, it's noted for its short, sharp grades connecting access points to the higher elevations. But there are plenty of easier sections, too. With a little planning, you'll find what you're looking for. New this year is a set of colorful topographical maps that make researching often difficult-to-find access points much easier. A trail guide has been available for several years. Both can be

purchased at The Bookhouse at Stuyvesant Plaza or by contacting the Taconic Hiking Club. "It's so close and really quiet," said Colin Campbell, a longtime member of the club. "One of the reasons it's been under the radar is that its jurisdiction is covered by three states. During the past several years there has been a concerted effort by us and state officials to maintain the trails, improve access and provide better marking." The trail has been around for years, but its modern life began when advocates whacked overgrown sections decades ago. With more attention these days, trail conditions are generally very good, particularly with the state Department of Environmental Conservation strictly enforcing rules against illegal ATV use. "They can dig up ruts and keep the trail wet and muddy," Campbell said of the motorized vehicles. "So it's been a priority." Five trips this year and last revealed very little damage, or obstacles like downed trees. With all the rain this year, there were some muddy spots, but that's probably due to the trail's heavy shade, one of its attributes. Off the Potter Mountain Road access, a blistering hot summer day last year was at least 10 degrees cooler. The Taconic's heavy overgrowth makes it feel more secluded than its distance from area cities would suggest. Some of its trails are quite remote, with moose and bear sightings reported lately now that more registries are at trailheads for Mattison and Robison Hollows along Misery Mountain, a more southern portion straddling New York and Massachusetts. It's the most remote of all. The most popular and easiest trailhead to find is the "Snow Hole" at the Petersburg Pass. On Route 2 at the pass' apex, parking is plentiful and there's hardly any steepness since you drive the climb. With thick cover, views are limited with a just a handful of openings, but the real attraction is the unique geological feature. Given its cover and descent into a small, cave-like crevice, snow often survives the entire year. While you can venture down its shaft, it's a rather steep decline that needs careful attention. For an easy hike, intersect the northern reaches of the trail moving west from Williamstown, or continue north several miles from the "Snow Hole" and walk the Hopkins Memorial Forest, a former farming area now preserved as open space serving as an "experimental" ecological outpost stewarded by Williams College. Here an abundance of plants and wildlife like the black-throated blue warbler and the rare pileated woodpecker, thrive. The flat walk is enhanced by Buxton Farm, an interpretive site illustrating the 2,400 acres' transition from cultivation to classroom. Often overshadowed by other area mountain ranges, the Taconic Crest Trail is a perfect little getaway spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking for nature in less strenuous terms not far from home. Illegal ATV Use of the Taconic Crest Trail (TCT) -The Albany Chapter and Taconic Hiking Club have been monitoring the issue of ATV trespass on the TCT. A local forest ranger has been vigorously enforcing state regulations, and has apprehended several riders. DEC has repaired ATV damage on sections of the trail and posted positive signage at several trailhead locations. It‘s important that we hike the trail and monitor any illegal ATV activity. Please help us monitor ATV activity on the TCT. Report any incidences to: DEC Ranger Joe Hess at: jchess@gw.dec.state.ny.us or (518)-505-4116 Please also copy ADK at: David Pisaneschi, Albany ADK, ESP, PO Box 2116, Albany, NY 12220 or at dpisanes@nycap.rr.com. Please include descriptions of individuals and vehicles, license numbers, along with date, time and location on trail. PLEASE DO NOT CHALLENGE OR CONFRONT ATV USERS. Any photos of ATVs and damage along the trail would also be useful. NEXT CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING WHEN: December 12, 2011 (Monday) TIME: 7:00pm WHERE: Little‘s Lake Among the issues for discussion will be hydrofracking, Lows Lake and the Finch Pruyn and Follensby Pond acquisitions. If you have questions or want to know more about these issues, please contact David Pisaneschi at: dpisanes@nycap.rr.com or 459-5969. For updates on Conservation issues of concern to ADK members , please visit the chapter website at: http://www.adk-albany.org/conservationNotes.php

BULLETIN BOARD

RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS TO THE ALBANY CHAPTER Attention members, there's now a BOUNTY on new members for the Albany Chapter of ADK! For every new membership you get to sign up as an Albany Chapter member, we will rebate you $10.This offer is limited to $50 or 5 memberships per person and is available till December 31, 2011. Details: You must be a current Albany Chapter member to be eligible for the rebate and the new member must be a first time, new ADK applicant. Once your new member joins and appears on the Albany roster, your rebate will be mailed to you. This offer cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. The new member can apply online at www.adk.org<http://www.adk.org> or by mail or in person at our monthly meetings. You can pick up a brochure/application at the monthly meeting or we can mail a brochure to you upon request. Contact: John Sheehan at jgsheehan01@yahoo.com.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE WINTER HOST PROGRAM (WHP) The Winter Host Program is a group of ADK volunteers who are ADK members, have winter backcountry experience, familiarity with trails in the JBL area and JBL property, and are able to provide appropriate public relations for ADK. Volunteers stay in the Henry L. Young cabin Friday evening to Sunday noon on winter weekends starting in December and ending in April. Would you like being part of an ADK presence for socialization and information with outdoor recreationists who are passing by? Interested in getting away from it all? Are you looking for a way to ―give back‖ for conservation and outdoor education? Yes? Then the winter host program is for you! A training session will be held in November at ADK Headquarters in Lake George. For more information email Frank Sorbero at franknra@gmail.com.

ALBANY CHAPTER - OFFICERS and COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

Chairperson John Sheehan 674-8121 jgsheehan01@yahoo.com

Vice Chairperson Ray Bell 439-0871 At55bell53@verizon.net

Finance Thea Hoeth 434-3052 thoeth109@yahoo.com

Treasurer Joe Polsinelli 573-7689 jpolsinelli@nycap.rr.com

Recording Secretary Jan Peterson 695-3054 kjpthree@wildblue.net

Corresponding Secretary vacant

Members at Large Phil Seward 527-1851 flipsbliss17@yahoo.com

Don Berens 783-1302 50peaks@nycap.rr.com

Representatives to the Board Gerry Magnes 452-1163 gmagnes@nycap.rr.com

Carl Klinowski 274-8410 cklinowski@nycap.rr.com

Gene Reilly 281-7796 techvalleytrekker@yahoo.com

Banquet Karen Zanni 596-6251 dartmouthkz@hotmail.com

Cloudsplitter Karen Ross 794-7474 kcoyross@aol.com

Conservation David Pisaneschi 459-5969 dpisanes@nycap.rr.com

Tom McGuire 391-0508 tomMcG1@gmail.com

Education Alan Mapes 439-4086 aamapes@nycap.rr.com

Membership Marie Rosenblatt 878-8523 Marie.Rosenblatt@gmail.com

Nominations Mark Janey 899-6086 markjaney@gmail.com

Outings Virginia Boyle Traver 322-0950 virginiabt28@hotmail.com

Paddlers Rich Macha 346-3180 apnp@prodigy.net

Programs Thea Hoeth 434-3052 thoeth109@yahoo.com

Public Information Deb Reif 944-3369 adirondackhiker@hotmail.com

Refreshments Angie and David Newell 439-4881

Socials Helen Menz 463-3036

Trails Mike Geroux 321-7125 michaelgeroux@gmail.com

Ways and Means Peg Lindgren 489-1395 misspeg49@hotmail.com

Web Master Mike Becker 456-4630 mike@nybeckers.com

Wilderness Dave Pisaneschi 459-5969 dpisanes@nycap.rr.com

Young Adults Stephanie Graudons 661-9991 sgraudons@hotmail.com

Albany Chapter Adirondack Mountain Club P.O. Box 2116 Esp. Sta. Albany, NY 12220 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

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