10 Killer iPhone Apps for Finding and Navigating the Best Hiking Trails

10 Killer iPhone Apps for Finding and Navigating the Best Hiking Trails

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A presentation on climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru – May 25 in Naples NY

Click here for all the details:
http://www.packpaddleski.com/index.php?page=misc&name=troytalk

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Groups seek to connect hiking, biking trails on the west side of Lake George

byJAMIE MUNKS, poststar.com, link to original post

A group of municipalities and organizations have a plan to connect a series of trails on the west side of Lake George, aiming to make the region a world-class hiking and biking destination.

Biking Lake George

There are opportunities for hiking and biking in the area, but if implemented, the trail connection plan could entice people to visit the area specifically for those activities, said Tracey Clothier, a senior planner with the Saratoga Springs-based LA Group.“Hikers and bikers spend money,” Clothier said. “That’s why we support this kind of economic development initiative.”

The towns of Bolton, Hague, Lake George and Ticonderoga and the village of Lake George have partnered with organizations such as the Adirondack-Glens Falls Transportation Council and the Warren County Safe and Quality Bicycling Organization, to put together a pitch for a continuous trail system on the west side of the lake that cites economic, health, environmental and community identity benefits.

Cross-country Ski Lake George Area

The three towns and the village received a $69,000 state grant last year, through the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Smart Growth program, to fund the study.

The plan calls for connecting existing hiking and biking trails on the west side of the lake, creating pedestrian connections on roads and bike racks. “It’s amazing how few resources are integrated into the landscape,” Clothier said.

Clothier attended meetings for each of the municipalities in the fall to solicit public input on the plan.

The resources that are available include 18 major trail hubs from Lake George to Ticonderoga, four nature reserves, a network of snowmobile trails and about two dozen parks.

Paddle Lake George NY

During an end-to-end trip on the Erie Canalway Trail, cyclists can spend up to $1,500 each, while multi-use trails and cycling projects generally create between nine and 12 jobs, Clothier said.

Some of the existing trails that would become part of the network have capacity issues, including those on Cat and Thomas mountains in Bolton and Prospect Mountain in Lake George, Clothier said.

There’s also not a strong relationship between trail use and area businesses, and there aren’t many trails that cater to seniors, young children and physically challenged people, Clothier said.

There are a lot of cyclists who are being introduced to the area, said Bolton Supervisor Ron Conover, noting the Centurion Cycling event that was held in Lake George last summer. “One of the major questions we get at the visitor’s center is ‘where do we go to hike and bike?’” Conover said.

The state last month purchased Cat and Thomas mountains in Bolton from the Lake George Land Conservancy, which already includes an extensive trail system, which was an important part in the plan to implement the trail connections.

Clothier’s presentation included “story boards” for each of the municipalities, highlighting the different resources and whether the trail system there has cell service and if dogs are allowed.

In order to make the plan a reality, Clothier suggested the creation of a Lake George Area Trails Partnership, which would be in charge of implementing the plan’s connected trail system, hiring a trail coordinator and promoting the system to bike tours and other tourists. The new network could then ultimately be connected with other trail systems in the region. “It’s a good foundation,” Queensbury Third Ward Councilman John Strough said. “We don’t want this sitting on the shelf collecting dust.”

Guidebooks for enjoying the trails and waterways of the Lake George area can be found at www.footprintpress.com.

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New Hiking Boots Offer Comfort For My Old Feet

by Sue Freeman

Looking at a pair of hiking boots is not normally what sets someone to feeling old. But, I can’t help it. My life is measured by hiking boots and their progression in technology. As with other advances (notably electronics!), the hiking boots of today are a world away from the hiking boots of my young adulthood.

Montrail Moraine hiking boots before hiking the AT.

In 1995 I began preparations to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. The prep included shopping for, selecting, and breaking in a new pair of hiking boots. I selected a state-of the-art all leather, mid-calf hiking boot called Moraine from Montrail. These were rugged behemoths that weighed 4 pounds and surrounded your foot in protective leather. The footbed was flat, requiring an insert to provide a minimum of cushioning and arch support.

Months before hitting the trail I began wearing my boots; first around the house for short time intervals.

Montrail Moraine hiking boots after hiking the AT.

Then for forays outside, gradually building up the time span and letting the boots somewhat conform to my feet as they were softened by sweat. Some hikers would fill their boots with water and others would even wear them in a shower in an attempt to get the perfect fit. But, as you can imagine, water wasn’t the kindest to leather.

In fact, we slathered the boots with waxy waterproofing which served to keep the water out but also proved adept at keeping sweat inside. I came to learn, in a painful way, that sweaty feet are a breeding ground for blisters. On the trail, I trashed my hiking socks and began wearing only liners. And I took frequent breaks with my boots off to air out my feet and  liners. Still, my feet blistered horribly.

Over the years, as I hiked other long-distance trails, I tried various boots. Each was an improvement in small ways. But, one thing that irked me to no end was the impossibility of finding boots that weren’t waterproofed. For years, a boot wasn’t sold unless it sported GoreTex waterproof fabric.

TevaSphere Trail boots

Fortunately, those days are long gone – and so unfortunately is my youth. I got a new pair of hiking boots recently – TevaSpheres. Hot off the development and manufacturing line, they’re the latest advance in technology, built for those of us who enjoy a variety of land-based outdoor fun that covers a diverse range of terrain. The ones I got are the TevaSphere Trail. They’re built specifically for women and offer a sturdy trail shoe, but NO waterproofing. Yipee! My happy feet can breathe. And I’m only lifting 1 pound of boot – a far cry from the 4 pound behemoths which probably weighted closed to 5 pounds once they got wet and stayed wet.

Some things do get better with age. Technology advances – such as the first-of-its-kind spherical heel and pod-arch system are significant improvements for people like me with aging feet. I bet the young ones will enjoy them also. I’m looking forward to giving my new TevaSpheres a decent workout.

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DEC may open Fulton County land to hiking and cross-country skiing – mtg May 22

source: The Leader Herald, link to original post

The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation is preparing a recreation management plan for the 3,200-acre Sacandaga West Conservation Easement lands in Fulton County, a news release said.

The Sacandaga West Conservation Easement lands consist of six separate tracts in close proximity in the towns of Mayfield and Bleecker. “While there are currently few developed recreational facilities in the Sacandaga West Easement, the area offers great opportunities for cross-country skiing, hiking, snowmobiling and wildlife viewing,” said DEC Commissioner Martens.

Martens said the DEC may open the lands for the first time to hiking and cross-country skiing while maintaining snowmobile access.

As part of the process, people will be able to give their ideas for the plan and management of the lands to DEC staff at a public open house May 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mayfield High School auditorium

The lands of the Sacandaga West Conservation Easement are part of the 89,000-acre Upper Hudson Woodlands Easement, which was formerly owned by Finch Pruyn & Co. New York state purchased the easement in 2010 prior to the lands being sold to the current owner – Upper Hudson Woodlands ATP.

The conservation easement primarily protects the lands from development and ensures the ability to continue sustainable forestry practices, the release said. Limited public recreation rights also were purchased under the conservation agreement.

Of the six tracts in the Sacandaga West Conservation Easement, four tracts are located in the town: the 813-acre Jackson Summit Road West tract, the 588-acre Dennie Road tract, the 345-acre Ferguson Mountain tract and the 46-acre Jackson Summit Road East tract.

Two tracts are located in Bleecker: the 789-acre Hohler Road tract and the 619-acre Benson Road tract. Tolmantown Road, Tannery Road and County Route 125 are the predominate points of access for the public to the tracts.

According to the release, much of the public’s interest is in the recreational opportunities available include: snowmobile trails on the Benson Road and Hohler Road tracts; cross-country skiing on the Dennie Road Tract; and a hiking trail on Bernhardt Mountain, which has views of the Great Sacandaga Lake and surrounding hills.

The DEC will draft a recreation management plan for these lands based on the public recreational rights identified in the conservation easement agreement and comments from the public.

A draft recreation management plan for the Sacandaga West Conservation Easement Lands will be completed by DEC and released for public review and comment in the near future, a news release said.

People or organizations looking to submit comments also can contact planning coordinator Allison Buckley at: NYSDEC, PO Box 1316, Northville, NY 12134; by telephone at 863-4545, Ext. 3007; or by e-mail at r5ump@gw.dec.state.ny.us

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Celebrate National Trails Day June 1 with Tusten Mountain Trail hike

What better way to share the importance our country’s extensive trail systems then by going out on a hike in the great outdoors. Come help us celebrate National Trails Day by joining Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Park Rangers on Saturday, June 1 at 10:30 a.m. for an informative guided hike on the Tusten Mountain Trail.

This free hike will meet at the Tusten Mountain Trail head which is located at the Ten Mile River Access on Crawford Road, south of Narrowsburg, New York.

The Tusten Mountain Trail is a moderately difficult, three mile loop that takes you through the historic remains of the Tusten Settlement as you climb to the summit for a magnificent view of the Upper Delaware Valley. Please wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots, bring plenty of water, snacks, sunglasses, bug spray, binoculars, as well as a hat. Bring along your camera so that you can take a picture of the Delaware River at the summit.

The Tusten Mountain Trail is one of six trails featured in the park’s “Take a Hike!” brochure, which gives the names, locations, descriptions, and difficulty levels of trails in the Upper Delaware River Valley. It also provides a checklist to keep track of the trails you’ve hiked, which can be turned in upon completion for a “Take a Hike!” patch.

For more information about the Tusten Mountain hike and other guided hikes planned for this summer please call (570) 685-4871.

source: NEagle.com

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FREE Outdoor Expo June 8, Mendon Ponds Park in Rochester NY

Try a kayak at ADK Outdoor Expo.

Have you ever wanted to just try a canoe or kayak but didn’t know where to go? Have you ever wondered if there was a club with your outdoor interests? Here’s your chance!

The Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club is hosting the 16th Annual Outdoor Expo on Saturday June 8th from 9:00 – 4:00 on the beach at Mendon Ponds Park.

Take A Hike – Rochester 3rd edition

The Genesee Valley Chapter has organized this event with YOU in mind! Just come see what you can do in the Rochester area! Demonstrations, discussions and activities will be offered all day on a wide variety of outdoor related topics. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with people that share the same interests as you all in one location! The annual Expo attracts hundreds of people who attend more than 70 workshops on various aspects of outdoor activities. Attendees also view and inspect outdoor gear and try out canoes and kayaks on the

Take Your Bike – Rochester

Hundred Acre Pond. ADK, other local outdoor clubs, and local outdoor retailers present all of the events. Click here for all the details.

Rochester area guidebooks available at Footprint Press.

Take A Paddle – Western NY

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June Events at Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining NY

Teatown Lake Reservation
1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining, NY 10562
914-762-2912 x123

Sunday, June 2, 10:00am-1:00pm – Hike Teatown Hill

Hike Teatown Hill

Take a hike with Elissa Schilmeister, Teatown educator, to look for snakes and other critters that enjoy the sunlit slopes and shrubby habitats of the hillside. Free for members; $5pp for nonmembers. Programs fill quickly so registration is strongly recommended. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to reserve.

Saturday, June 8, 10:00am-12:00pm – TurtleFest!
June is turtle time in the Hudson Valley. Join us for crafts, stories, turtle lore and more!  Free for members; $5pp for nonmembers. Programs fill quickly so registration is strongly recommended. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to reserve.

Saturday, June 15, 8:00am – Breeding Birds
Summer is almost here and it’s breeding season for the birds. Join Charlie Roberto on his quest for birds nesting and raising their young at Teatown. FREE. Programs fill quickly so registration is strongly recommended. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to reserve.

Saturday, June 15, 11:00am-12:00pm – Life in the Lake
What lives in Teatown Lake? Pick up a net and join Erin Baker down at the boathouse to find out! Free for members; $5pp for nonmembers. Programs fill quickly so registration is strongly recommended. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to reserve.

Saturday, June 22, 10:00am-11:00am – Beaks and Bills
Is there a difference between a beak and a bill? Meet a few of Teatown’s beaked and billed friends to see for yourself.  Free for members; $5pp for nonmembers. Programs fill quickly

Sunday, June 23, 11:00am – Family Tour of Wildflower Island
Enjoy a guided family tour of Teatown Lake Reservation’s unique two-acre wildflower sanctuary. Please note this program is for families with children ages 8 and over. Tour fee: $4pp for members; $6pp for nonmembers. Programs fill quickly so registration is strongly recommended. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to reserve.

Sunday, June 23, 1:00pm-2:00pm – Bug Out at Cliffdale

Head out to the fields to catch, study and release some of the nature preserve’s six-legged friends. Meets at Teatown’s Cliffdale Farm, Teatown Road, Croton-on-Hudson. Free for members; $5pp for nonmembers. Programs fill quickly so registration is strongly recommended. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to reserve.

Saturday, June 29, 1:00pm-2:00pm - Rabbit Frolic
Hippity-hop over to Teatown to frolic with the bunnies. Meet Tess, Bitsy and Buster and have a hopping good time! Please note this program is for 3-4 year olds accompanied by a caregiver. Free for members; $5pp for nonmembers. Programs fill quickly so registration is strongly recommended. Call 914-762-2912 x110 to reserve.

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Hiking Zen: How Putting Foot to Earth Makes Life Better

Hiking Zen: How Putting Foot to Earth Makes Life Better

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Syracuse Erie Canal Heritage Area Walking Tour – June 9

Click here for details: Syracuse Erie Canal Heritage Area Walking Tour – June 9

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