Adirondacks

The Adirondack Park is a publicly protected, elliptical area encompassing much of the northeastern lobe of Upstate New York. It is the largest park and the largest state-level protected area in the contiguous United States, and the largest National Historic Landmark. The park covers some 6.1 million acres (2.5Γ—106 ha), a land area roughly the size of Vermont and greater than the National Parks of Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, and Great Smoky Mountains combined.

The Adirondack Park boundary, commonly referred to as the ‘Blue Line,’ contains the entire Adirondack Mountain range, as well as some surrounding areas, all within the state of New York. The park includes all of Hamilton and Essex counties, as well as considerable portions of Clinton, Franklin, Fulton, Herkimer, St. Lawrence, and Warren counties and small portions of Lewis, Oneida, Saratoga, and Washington counties as well. (The Clinton County towns of Altona and Dannemora, despite being entirely within the park boundary, are specifically excluded from the park by statute, due to the large prison facilities in both towns.)

Not all of the land within the park is owned by the state, although new sections are frequently purchased or donated. State land comprises 2.7 million acres (1.1Γ—106 ha), about 45% of the park’s area, including the highest peaks in New York State, as well as Mount Marcy, the highest elevation in the state. About 1 million acres (400,000 ha) of this is classified as wilderness, with most of the remainder managed under the somewhat less stringent wild forest classification. Villages and hamlets comprise less than 1% of the area of the park; the remaining area of more than 3 million acres (1.2Γ—106 ha) is privately held but is generally sparsely developed.[3] There is often no clear demarcation between state, private, and wilderness lands in the park. Signs marking the Adirondack Park boundary can be found on most of the major roads in the region, but there are no entrance gates and no admission fee.

New York canoe camping area comes with new rules

It's funny when you read the analysis of the DEC, they don't even given the "no action alternative" serious consideration. They use zero facts in their environmental review, much less user survey to find if the campsites have any significant public interest. Not to mention, the have closed off all of the roads within 1 mile of the lakes, so unless you want to go for a very lengthy canoe carry, the lakes are totally inaccessible. Then again, what else would you expect from DEC, making secret deals with the Hamilton Street gangsters?

Hiking Lyon Mountain

Last October I went for a hike up Lyon Mountain. The first 3/4 of a mile you can drive up to the parking lot, then from there, it’s a two mile hike to the summit, or about 3 miles if you take the new trail.

Same campsite I sprained my ankle in one year ago. This time, used a step stool

The old trail, following an old woods road is eroded and rough in places, but it well traveled as it much shorter. The new trail, being so twisty is not as well traveled, but it is far less steep and tends to be less wet in the spring time.

Start of Lyon Mountain Trail

Heading up from the parking area, the first part of the trail follows the old trails route, before swinging left near a registration kiosk.

Maples Along Trail

It was very colorful along the new trail as all the maples where at about peak color going up the mountain.

On the Old Trail

I decided to switch over from the new trail to the old trail, once I reached the point where the trails reached their closest point at the midpoint up the mountain.

First View of Chazy Lake from Mountain

As you get about 2/3rds the way up the mountain, you can look back and see Lake Chazy.

Steep and Eroded Old Trail

The old trail certainly is eroded and in rough sape in some parts. You can understand why they re-routed it.

There's the Lyon Mountain Firetower

Ah, finally see the fire tower.

North Towards Chazy Lake

Chazy Lake and Farms Along It

Hazy day, but there’s Lake Chazy and the farms along it.

Altona Wind Farm

Wind turbines of the Chazy Highlands…

People Out on Lyon Mountain

Lyon Mountain is a popular hike, as seen by all the hikers on the ledge.

 

Why Jones Pond is One of My Favorite Campsites

Jones Pond has 5 drive-in campsites on Jones Pond, a small public-private lake a little ways from Paul Smiths. A popular area on weekends, on weeknights, it is little used, but right on this beautiful lake.

Hiking Bettty Brook Road on Sunday 10/10


View Larger Map

All of the campsites have “filtered” views of Jones Pond with tall white pines growing throughout the campground. The sun, year round sets on the lake, with views of Saint Regis Mountain te background. There is much beauty at all of campsites, with high sand dunes a little ways behind campsites, and sand dunes providing sound and light barriers between campsites.

Reservoir

Part of the generalized St Regis Canoe Area, it one of many nearby lakes. It provides a great place to make the night after a long day paddling, after watching the sunset, and the fire burn as the night progresses. Walk down to the shoreline, and look at the stars sparkle in the sky.

Camp

It’s not perfect. There is some road noise from Jones Pond Road, and certainly part of lake shore is privately owned, so there are some power boats occassionally on the lake. But still, it’s a wonderful experience.

Saint Regis Mountain

Christmas Lights

Why I’ve Fallen in Love With Piseco-Powley Road

This past summer I have spent 3 weeks at Powley-Piseco Road up at Powley Place, about 10 miles north of Stratford. Despite visiting and camping in many other parts of the Adirondacks, this area has a special part in my heart.

Information Center

I really like Powley Place. I like the sandy “plains” and the marshy areas. I like being able to see those handsome cedars lining the East Canada Creek, and wander out at night at look at the stars. I love feeling of sand on my feet, and cooling off in the East Canada creek.

White Pines After Dark

The Potholers always have the perfect amount of ice cold water in even on the hottest day. You get covered by the spray of water that is never too low in the summer. It’s always so delightful.

Falling Water

All of it is relatively close together. Unlike the Moose River Plains, you don’t spend all day driving from destination to destination. And its much closer.