Temporary Sole Source for Common Man Guidebooks

Kayak Thousand Islands

The publisher of the Common Man outdoor trail & paddle guides for NY, FL and VT has had a major webpage meltdown. As a temporary sole source, the webpage at www.RogerFulton.com has become the backup and the only current online source for most of the Common Man trail guides. The only glitch is that this web page can’t take credit cards, but can accept cash, checks or money orders by mail.

Ski – Lake George

Common Man Books are a great source of trail information for Lake George, Saratoga Springs, the 1,000 Islands,and Adirondacks fire towers. Many of the links in this blog to Common Man books will be dead. Click here instead.

Bike Saratoga NY

Paddle Lake George NY

Roger Fulton
Phone; 386-956-6089
email: Roger@RogerFulton.com
Webpage: http://www.RogerFulton.com.

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A first look at the St. Lawrence County Multi-Use Trail System

by Claire Woodcock, North Country Public Radio, link to original post

The St. Lawrence County Recreational Trails Advisory Board has been working for some time to create a sustainable community-linking system throughout the county. Last week, community members had their first look at maps of the trail route.

Last Thursday evening, more than 100 people gathered in the Colton-Pierrepont Central School auditorium to learn more about the St. Lawrence County Multi-Use trail system and what it will mean for the community. The more-than-200-mile system is called “Blazing Trails,” and will extend from Franklin to Lewis Counties. The trail will be multi-season and multi-use, and open to snowmobilers, ATV users, mountain bikers, horseback riders, hikers, cyclers, cross country skiiers, dog sled users, and snowshoers. The committee hopes to extend the trails further with smaller trails diverging from the main tracks.

County Trail Coordinator Deb Christy says the multi-use trail system will promote tourism in the North Country, benefitting local businesses that have struggled to remain open.

Christy said that the system will showcase the County’s beautiful natural setting. “We want all our area people to get out and enjoy our great outdoors. I mean we have beautiful assets in the North Country, and we feel everyone should get out and be able to use them in whatever manner they choose to use them.”

Christy and others said the formation of the trail system is expected to help new and established local businesses expand and succeed in the community, and to attract travelers from outside the area. “We worry about the economy in the North Country,” Christy said, “and we want to be able to bring more dollars into our small businesses to keep them going year round. We hate seeing businesses close right and left and we want them to be able to stay and have sustainable income all year, not just part of the year.”

Many ATV users attended the meeting, and most seemed in favor of the trail system as a whole. However, there was some dispute over how the motorized vehicle users and hiking and skiing enthusiasts would share the land and continue to enjoy their differing recreational activities. At the meeting, several community members expressed their unease about noise and fumes from the ATVs on the new trail, which prompted some ATV owners to grumble and walk out of the meeting.

By the end of the summer, the first part of the trail is expected to open to the public in Colton, Pierrepont, Parishville, and Hopkinton, connecting St. Lawrence and other neighboring counties.

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“RiverQuest – A Million Things to Experience” about the Thousand Islands

Watch the video included in this article to see the beauty of the Thousand Islands.

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10 and More Reasons to Visit the Great Lakes Seaway Trail in Winter

Ready to get out and go this winter? Here are 10 good reasons to visit the Great Lakes Seaway Trail National Scenic Byway along 518 miles of freshwater shoreline in New York and Pennsylvania.
·      Quiet season walking experiences
·      The snow!
·      Spectacular photo opps
·      Winter War of 1812 history
·      Ice fishing
·      Lighthouses lovely in winter
·      To be inspired to quilt the Beauty of the Byways
·      Only-here winter birdwatching
·      Winter Wine Weekends
·      Indoor-outdoor events, shopping and festivals

Find details on 50 festive, fun and fresh reasons to visit the Great Lakes Seaway Trail National Scenic Byway this winter, go to www.seawaytrail.com/winter.

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Where to Go Snowshoeing in NY’s Thousand Islands Region

By Killeen Gonzalez, Yahoo sports, link to original post

25 Hikes in the Thousand Islands NY

If you love snowshoeing, you may want to consider visiting New York’s Thousand Islands Region. The area is home to architectural wonders, great winter festivals and miles of snowshoeing trails. With that said, here’s a brief look at a few of my favorite snowshoeing destinations:

Whetstone Gulf State Park
Lewis County’s Whetstone Gulf State Park features miles of snowshoeing trails, picnic areas, waterfalls, heated restrooms and opportunities for snowmobiling. The park also has a lookout tower. Snowshoe rentals are not available onsite. Hence, visitors should plan accordingly. Experienced snowshoers may want to consider exploring the 5.6 mile long Gorge Loop. It offers superlative views. The park’s vehicle entry fees and hours of operation vary. The Maple Ridge Snow Park is also located nearby. It’s a great place to go snow tubing with the family.

Wildlife in the Thousand Islands Region of NY State

Higley Flow State Park
St. Lawrence County’s Higley Flow State Park features more than 7 miles of snowshoeing trails, restrooms and picnic areas. Regrettably, there are no snowshoe rentals available onsite. Snowshoers may want to consider investigating the 2.57 mile long Warm Brook Trail and the 3.42 mile long Cedar Brook Trail. Park highlights include views of the Warm Brook Flow, the Higley Flow and the Raquette River. The park’s winter hours of operation and vehicle entry fees vary. Lodging and dining opportunities are located nearby in Potsdam.

Wellesley Island State Park

Jefferson County’s Wellesley Island State Park features more than 7 miles of snowshoeing trails, year round cabin rentals and an onsite nature center. Bird watchers should consider exploring the Eel Bay Trail. It often offers opportunities to catch a glimpse of bald eagles. Other routes to consider investigating are the Narrows Trail and the South Bay Trail. The park traditionally opens at dawn. Visitors should plan on bringing their own snowshoes and sundries.

Kayak – Thousand Islands Region of NY State

Robert G. Wehle State Park
Robert G. Wehle State Park is also located in Jefferson County. It features more than 10 miles of trails and picnic areas. Snowshoers may want to consider investigating the .64 mile long Bobo Link. It leads to the Henderson Shores State Unique Area. Other routes to consider exploring include the 1.87 mile long Dancing Gypsy Trail and the 4.90 mile long Snakefoot Trail. Both offer great scenery. While on the trails, snowshoers should make it a point to look for the remnants of military fortifications as well. Although the park tends to open daily, its hours of operation are variable. There are no snowshoe rentals available. Therefore, visitor should bring their own supplies.

Thousand Island area guidebooks:
25 Short Hikes and Interesting Walks in the Thousand Islands & St. Lawrence Seaway Region in NYS
25 Interesting Bicycle Trails in the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence Seaway Region of New York State
25 Flatwater Kayak/Canoe Trips in the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence Seaway region of New York State
25 Great Wildlife Viewing Sites in the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence Seaway Region of New York State

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Organic farm tours, cross-country skiing, and primitive camping at Cross-Island Farms on Wellesley Island in the Thousand Islands

Cross Island Farms offers educational tours involving organic farming and sustainable living. Open year round, participants can see and interact with the animals of the farm such as: cows, pigs, goats, chickens, turkeys, and ducks. As well as getting to see the organic vegetable gardens, the windmill, and solar panels. Participants learn about the organic gardening methods used, rotational grazing, heritage breeds, natural brush control, renewable energy, and overall sustainable living.

Primitive Camping is on a 102-acre organic farm, with views of woods, ponds, and pastures, and is open year round. Guests can walk; ski, or snowshoe ¼ to ½ mile to sites. (The policy is strictly carry-in, carryout.) Surrounding the sites are trails throughout the farm for walking, skiing or snowshoeing.

Rates: Off-season
(Oct.15th thru May 15th) $20.00/day

Rates: In-season
(May 16th thru Oct 14th) $20.00/day weeknights,
$25.00/day weekends, Holidays and Holiday eves.

Cross Island Farms
44301 Cross Island Rd.
Wellesley Island, NY 13640
Phone (315) 482-3663   (482-FOOD)

Just over the Thousand Islands Bridge off I-81
· 15 minutes from Alexandria Bay and Clayton, NY
· 30 minutes from Watertown, NY

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Walk to Wellesley Island overlooking the St. Lawrence River

Take a walk over the American span of the Thousand Islands Bridge connecting Collins Landing and Wellesley Island, NY. Visitors can walk completely across the mile-long

25 Hikes in the Thousand Islands NY

bridge via a walking path next to the southbound driving lane. The bridge offers a breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River from more than 100 feet in the air! Free parking available at the Welcome Center Parking Lot at the base of the bridge. They just ask that you be careful and enjoy the view.

Click here for some photos from Scott Thomas.

Visit the Thousand Islands

Thousand Islands Bridge Authority

25 Short Hikes and Interesting Walks in the Thousand Islands & St. Lawrence Seaway Region in NYS

25 Interesting Bicycle Trails in the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence Seaway Region of New York State

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New York’s Thousand Islands Region’s Best 5 Hiking Spots

By Killeen Gonzalez | Yahoo! Contributor Network, link to original post

New York’s Thousand Islands Region is home to amazing scenery and an abundance of summer hiking trails. If you are planning a vacation there this year, you may want to consider visiting a few of my favorite hiking spots. Here’s a quick look at five of them:

Southwick Beach State Park

Thousand Islands NY Area Hikes

Southwick Beach State Park is located in Jefferson County. It features slightly over 2 miles of summer hiking trails. In my opinion, the 1.2 mile long Big Oak Trail and the 0.6 mile long Big Dead Maple Trail are ideal for the casual hiker. Trail highlights include a boardwalk that provides excellent views of the dunes, Lakeview Pond and Lakeview Marsh. I should also mention that the dunes are often full of poison ivy. Therefore, I would suggest that hikers remain on the designated trails.

Robert G. Wehle State Park
Robert G. Wehle State Park is located in Jefferson County. It features over 12 miles of hiking trails. I would suggest that summer hikers consider exploring either the 4.90 mile long Snakefoot Trail or the 1.87 mile long Dancing Gypsy Trail. Trail highlights include remnants of WWII military action, multiple picnic locations and incredible views of Lake Ontario.

Wellesley Island State Park
Wellesley Island State Park is located in Jefferson County. It features over 8 miles of summer hiking trails. I’d suggest that hikers consider taking the 1.1 mile long Eel Bay Trail to the Narrows Trail. It connects to several other trails that may be used to make a loop back to the Eel Bay Trailhead. Trail highlights include a butterfly house, berry bushes and great views of the water.

Point Au Roche State Park
Point Au Roche State Park is located in Clinton County. It features over 10 miles of hiking trails. I would suggest that summer hikers consider taking the 2.3 mile long Treadwell Bay Trail or the 4.1 mile long Long Point Trail. The Treadwell Bay Trail has a comfort station. Trail highlights include sweeping views of Lake Champlain, bird watching opportunities, ample shady spots and sandy beaches. Birds to look for include owls and osprey.

Higley Flow State Park
Higley Flow State Park is located in St. Lawrence County. It features over 6 miles of easy, scenic hiking trails. Some sections of the trails are shaded. I would recommend that hikers consider taking the 3.42 mile long Cedar Brook Trail or the 1.67 mile long Overlook Trail. Trail highlights include views of the water and interpretive panels that provide a bit of information about the area.

For these and many more Thousand islands Area hiking trails, pick up a copy of the guidebook “25 Short Hikes and Interesting Walks in the Thousand Islands & St. Lawrence Seaway Region in NYS.”

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Thousand Islands Land Trust planning trails at Otter Creek Preserve in Alexandria Bay

By JAEGUN LEE, Watertown Daily Times, link to original post

The Thousand Islands Land Trust hopes to protect an important wildlife habitat south of the village while promoting eco-tourism by building a nature trail at the Otter Creek Wetland Preserve, according to land trust officials.

Jake R. Tibbles, the land trust’s executive director, said Tuesday that the nonprofit has applied for a state matching grant for the project, which TILT hopes will help “promote Alexandria Bay and the greater Thousand Islands region.”

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation grant would cover half of the project’s total cost, or up to $240,000, including the acquisition of an 81-acre property — which TILT hopes to finalize within the next few weeks — predevelopment work, land survey, trail designs and construction.

Mr. Tibbles said the scope of the proposed construction and length of the new trail have not been determined, but this will be the land trust’s “next big project.”

There will be interpretive signs along a scenic route as well as picnic tables, a parking lot and a kiosk, he said.

The Clayton-based land trust recently secured a $75,000 North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant to help pay for the acquisition and protection of the 81-acre Sweet property behind Big M along Route 26.

Since last year, the trust has been in talks with landowner Brent H. Sweet, Alexandria Bay, on acquiring the property to expand and further develop the Otter Creek preserve to encourage tourism in the Thousand Islands and support the local economy.

If state funds are awarded to TILT later this year or early in 2013, the land trust would be required to complete the project within 24 months.

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Hiking at the Nature Center on Wellesley Island

25 Hikes in the Thousand Islands NY

Hiking at the Nature Center on Wellesley Island with map & photos
For lots more hiking in the Thousand Islands area, pick up a copy of “25 Short Hikes and Interesting Walks in the Thousand Islands & St. Lawrence Seaway Region in NYS.”

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