DEC Contact: Kendra Ormerod (518) 897-1239 Kendra.Ormerod@dec.ny.gov December 19, 2024
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DEC REGION 5 PARTICIPATES IN ‘FIRST DAY HIKES’ WITH LOCAL HIKE OPPORTUNITIESHiking Events in Warren, Essex, Franklin, and Clinton Counties to Ring in the New Year |
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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 5, in collaboration with partner organizations, is hosting eight First Day Hike events on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. First Day Hikes encourages New Yorkers to welcome in the New Year outdoors, by participating in one of the many guided hike opportunities offered across the state. DEC, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Canal Corporation are partnering to host these hikes as part of the 14th Annual First Day Hikes program. More than 120 hikes are being offered at State parks, historic sites, canal trails, and DEC natural areas and environmental education centers in celebration of the day.
A list of New York State First Day Hikes, location details, format, pre-registration requirements and additional information can be found online for DEC, Parks, and Canals. Interested participants are encouraged to check the details of their preferred host site and register where required. DEC Region 5 staff and partners are hosting the following hike opportunities for the public: Warren County: Cat Mountain – Hike with the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club Date: Jan 1, 2025 Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Meet Up Location: Edge Comb Pond Trailhead: Directions – Northway Exit 24 towards Bolton Landing. At 2 miles, turn right onto Valley Woods Road. At 0.6 miles, turn right onto Edgecomb Pond Road. Follow this road for 1.5 miles before turning right onto Edgecomb Pond Road (again). In 600 feet, the trailhead is on right. Email smackey33@verizon.net for assistance with directions. Description: Hike up Cat Mountain via the Red Trail and take the Blue Trail back down. The total round-trip distance of this moderate hike is 4.1 miles, with approximately 1,000 feet vertical gain. It should take around 2.5 hours to complete. The summit of Cat Mountain has great views of Lake George, with Buck Mountain almost directly to the East. This hike will be led by the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Difficulty Level: 1,000-foot vertical gain, moderately challenging. There is no minimum age for this hike, but it is probably not appropriate for a child’s first hike. Special Instructions: Hikers may need micro spikes or snowshoes and are encouraged to bring them. It will be decided at the trailhead whether they are needed. The hike leader, Steve Mackey, has a few extra pairs of each, but needs to know ahead of time if they are needed. Bring some food and drink; something hot in a thermos is always good. It is a good idea to have an extra down jacket, or layers packed for extra warmth on the summit. Hikers should carry a headlamp or flashlight for unforeseen situations. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. Registration Required: Contact Steve Mackey at smackey33@verizon.net or (518) 338-8173. It is okay to register up until the night before, but the hike may be filled. A waiting list will be kept, if necessary. Point of Contact for Inquiries: Steve Mackey smackey33@verizon.net, (518) 338-8173. Jabe Pond Trail Date: Jan. 1, 2025 Time: Please arrive at 10 a.m. This hike starts at 10:30 a.m. and will take about 2-2.5 hours to complete. Meet Up Location: Meet at the parking lot for Jabe Pond just off Battle Hill Road in Hague. Description: Moderate two-mile round-trip hike walking in a winter wonderland to Jabe Pond, a beautiful remote pond in the Lake George region, to bring in the New Year. Difficulty Level: Moderate. Trail is surrounded by woods on either side and is moderately flat. Snowshoes and/or crampons recommended for footwear. Special Instructions: Dress for winter weather! Coats, hats, gloves, and layers recommended. Bring snowshoes, crampons or solid hiking boots to the hike. Participants must be at least 12 years of age. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. Registration Required: Call Heather Engwer at (518) 623-1200 by Friday, Dec. 27. Point of Contact for Inquiries: Primary Contact – Nicole Revai (518) 897-1242. Secondary Contact – Heather Engwer (518) 623-1200. Northwest Bay Trail Date: Jan. 1, 2025 Time: Hike starts at 8 a.m. End time is between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. Meet Up Location: Clay Meadow Trailhead, Lake Shore Drive (Rt 9N), Bolton Landing, NY 12814 – Coordinates: 43.6294, -73.6084. Parking area is a pull-off along the east side of Rt 9N in front of a flooded quarry pit. *Note: the parking lot only accommodates 10 cars. Description: Want to see what 100-mph winds can do to 100-foot-tall trees? Come along for a five-mile winter walk of Lake George’s Northwest Bay this New Years Day. Hike through hardwood and hemlock forests while exploring wetlands and pristine shoreline on the way out to see some incredible storm damage from this past July. Difficulty Level: Moderate difficulty, with ~500ft elevation gain. This trail is well maintained but will likely be icy and there are plenty of roots and rocks making for uneven terrain. Breaks will be available as needed, to rest and hopefully observe wildlife. Special Instructions: Dress in layers and prepare for freezing temperatures. Waterproof outer layers are always a good idea. Sturdy hiking boots or trail runners are recommended. Microspikes are recommended even if there is no snow on the ground. If there is deep snow, snowshoes will be required. Bring snacks, a lunch, and at least a liter of water per person. If you are new to winter hiking, feel free to reach out to james.white2@dec.ny.gov with questions about what to bring and wear. All ages welcome. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. Registration Required: Email James White at james.white2@dec.ny.gov by Tuesday, Dec. 31. Point of Contact for Inquiries: James White james.white2@dec.ny.gov Essex County: Lost Pond Date: Jan. 1, 2025 Time: Please arrive at 10 a.m. This hike starts at 10:30 a.m. and will take about two hours to complete. Meet Up Location: Lost Pond, Ticonderoga, NY 12883 Description: 3.7-mile backcountry hike, offering views of a vast variety of old growth conifers and broad-leaved (deciduous) trees, an abundance of songbirds, and a possible viewing of bald eagles. See new bridges that were assembled by the 46ers and DEC trail crews. End the hike looking over beautiful Lost Pond. Registration not required. Difficulty Level: Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 hour 25 minutes to complete. Special Instructions: Please bring proper footwear. There may be muddy, icy, or wet sections depending on the weather. All ages welcome. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. Point of Contact for Inquiries: Amanda Raymond amanda.raymond@dec.ny.gov (518) 681-2232 Date: Jan. 1, 2025 Time: Arrive between 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Hike will start at 9 a.m. and will take between 2-3 hours to complete. Meet Up Location: Parking Lot B, Bobsled Lane, Lake Placid, NY 12946 – Meet in front of the Lodge at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Description: Hike on the MVHE Trail, up Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Starting at the Olympic Sporting Complex, passing through the 1980 Bobsled Track and up the slopes of Mt. Van Hoevenberg, experiencing one of the newest trails in the High Peaks Wilderness. At the ledges (with clear skies) there is an almost 180-degree view of the tallest mountains in New York. Mounts Marcy and Algonquin, along with many others, tower over South Meadow Brook. This hike is about 4 miles round trip. Difficulty Level: The hike up Mt. Van Hoevenberg from the Olympic Complex is along one of the newest trails in the High Peaks Region. The average grade of the trail is 10 percent, with some stone staircases and steps to hike. If there is low snow, the use of traction devices (such as micro spikes) will be appreciated for increased hiker confidence and safety. If there is more than 8" of snow, the use of snowshoes will be required. Special Instructions: Please come prepared for cold weather, have a pack, traction devices, and snowshoes. This hike will happen snow or shine. All ages welcome. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. Registration Required: Contact Tate Connor at tate.connor@dec.ny.gov or (518) 897-1283 by Friday, Dec. 27. Point of Contact for Inquiries: Tate Connor, DEC High Peaks Wilderness Land Manager, tate.connor@dec.ny.gov, (518) 897-1283 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Adirondack Interpretive Center: Goodnow Mountain Fire Tower Date: Jan. 1, 2025 Time: 8:45 a.m. – 12 p.m. Meet Up Location: Goodnow Mountain Trailhead, NY-28N, Newcomb, NY 12852 – 1.5 miles west of the Adirondack Interpretive Center. Description: Departure time 9:30 a.m. for a 4-mile round-trip hike. Hike is considered moderately difficult in winter but is family and leashed dog friendly. Snowshoes or microspikes are strongly recommended for this adventure, and some are available with ADVANCED notice. Pre-registration is not required but very appreciated. Please email shample@esf.edu to preregister and/or to request snowshoes or microspikes. Remember, it will be winter, and it will be cold! Dress appropriately (no cotton) for the weather. This hike will be led by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Adirondack Interpretive Center. Difficulty Level: Moderately difficult. Special Instructions: Please bring microspikes or snowshoes for icy sections. Dress for winter conditions. Microspikes and snowshoes are available from the Adirondack Interpretive Center if requested in advance. All ages are welcome. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. Registration: Preregistration is not required but very appreciated. Register online or contact Stephanie Hample at shample@esf.edu or (518) 582-2000 by Monday, Dec. 30. Point of Contact for Inquiries: Stephanie Hample shample@esf.edu, (518) 582-2000 Franklin County: Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center: Heron Marsh Trail Date: Jan. 1, 2025 Time: Please arrive at 8:30 a.m. This hike starts at 9 a.m. and will take about 2 hours to complete. Meet Up Location: Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center, 8023 NY-30, Paul Smiths, NY 12970 Description: 3-mile hike around Heron Marsh where there will be plenty of spots to stop, take in the view, and look for wildlife. This hike is hosted in partnership with Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center. Difficulty Level: Moderate. Trail is fairly flat, with some hills. Special Instructions: Snowshoes will be required to be worn if the snow is deep enough. The Visitor Interpretive Center will provide free snowshoe rentals for this event, if participants don't have their own. Well-behaved pets are allowed on leash. Registration Required: Contact Matthew Adams at matthew.adams@dec.ny.gov or (315) 832-2695 by Monday, Dec. 30. Point of Contact for Inquiries: Matthew Adams matthew.adams@dec.ny.gov, (315) 832-2695 Clinton County: Silver Lake Mountain Date: Jan. 1, 2025 Time: Hike starts at 1:15 p.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early. This hike will take about 1.5 hours to complete. Meet Up Location: Silver Lake Mountain Trailhead, Silver Lake Road, Black Brook NY (11 miles west of Au Sable Forks, near east end of Silver Lake) Description: A short but rewarding hike to Silver Lake Mountain in the northern Adirondacks. While just under a mile each way, this mountain has incredible views, including Whiteface Mountain and the Wilmington Range. This hike is 1.8 miles, round trip. Difficulty Level: Short, some steeper sections, varied terrain. Special Instructions: Dress warm, a breeze is common on the summit. Participants must be at least 6 years of age to go on this hike. No pets are allowed on this hike. Registration Required: Email Liam Foran at adkliam24@gmail.com by Tuesday, Dec. 31. Point of Contact for Inquiries: Liam Foran adkliam24@gmail.com |
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