Adirondack Sports July 2023

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10 Adirondack Sports ADIRONDACK ULTRA CYCLING B I K E • S H O P CINELLI ZYDECO LA LA GRAVEL BIKE 25% OFF WAS $1999. NOW ONLY: $1499 While supplies last. Limited to stock on hand only. No rain checks. All sales final. adkultracycling.com | 518.583.3708 160 BROAD STREET • SCHUYLERVILLE PADDLE THE CANALS: CHAMPLAIN 200 SATURDAY, JULY 29 • 9AM Paddle 4.5 miles of the scenic Champlain Canal and Hudson River Guided trip from Fort Edward to Schuylerville Celebrate bicentennial of the Champlain Canal! Start: Route 4 Rest Stop Launch, Fort Edward Finish: Hudson Crossing Park, Schuylerville Go through two canal locks! Post-Paddle Bicentennial Celebration at Hudson Crossing Park Lunch: 12pm, Pavilion Guided History Hike: 1:15-2:15pm 18th Century Days demos/exhibits: 12-3pm Just like having the Owner’s Manual to the Adirondack Park! LOOK FOR IT ONLINE OR AT YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BOOKSELLER! Promoting Your Active Outdoor Lifestyle REGISTER NOW (limited to 250 paddlers): paddlethechamplain200.eventbrite.com Includes shuttle, lunch, hike and exhibits Complimentary shuttle available from parking at Hudson Crossing Park to launch in Fort Edward Need a boat? Upstate Kayak Rentals: UpstateKayakRentals.com Boat rental not included in registration; reserve early SPONSORED BY Discover the all-new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness North Country Subaru 616 Quaker Rd, Queensbury www.eriecanalway.org FOR MORE INFORMATION: mona_caron@partner.nps.gov The best-selling all-wheel drive cars in America for the past 10 years (518) 798-1577 • NorthCountrySubaru.com Cars you can count on, people you can trust
JULY 2023 11 A BOREAS PONDS VIEW – LILY PADS AND MOUNTAINS. VIEW OF GOTHICS AND SAWTEETH FROM BOREAS PONDS. A BOGGY ISLAND IS ATTACHED TO A HUGE BOULDER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PONDS. PHOTOS BY RICH MACHA PADDLING, HIKING & CAMPING Boreas Ponds Update By Rich Macha It comes as no surprise that the Boreas Ponds area has become a popular destination for folks who are willing to expend just a little effort so as to experience the incomparable view of the Adirondack High Peaks from across its waters. Access was limited in 2022 due to the fact that the road bridge over the Boreas River at LaBier Flow needed replacement, but as of late May of this year, things are back to normal and the general public can drive the dirt and gravel Gulf Brook Road for 5.8 miles to at least the Four Corners parking area. Before the dam was built, there were three separate ponds (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) – hence the plural in Boreas Ponds – with the dam, the result is one big 320-acre pond. The land around the ponds is classified as “Wilderness” where motors are not allowed, whereas most of the land to the south of the ponds was placed in the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest. A “Wild Forest” designation could allow for some motorized usage. In June, a couple of friends and I were able to take advantage of some fair weather and spend three days of camping, paddling, and hiking in the area. This was my third visit to the ponds and my second that involved camping out. From the Four Corners parking area, we used carts to wheel our canoes and kayak 0.9 miles on a relatively smooth dirt and gravel road to the put-in at the dam. Along the way we passed a short carry to LaBier Flow, a small parking area that requires a permit, and then a sharp left turn that leads to a lean-to – at this time it’s the only designated campsite at the ponds although up to five campsites are in the plans. Paddling – Once we had set up camp at the lean-to, we paddled the perimeter of the ponds in a counterclockwise direction. From south to north, the straight-line length of the ponds is only 1.5 miles, but by following its convoluted shoreline, you can easily paddle over five miles. Most of the shoreline consists of a dense growth of spruce and balsam fir and there is a definite lack of good places to land if you are looking for a break or to stop for a picnic lunch. The mountain views gained from a variety of locations do compensate however – Mount Marcy, Mount Haystack, and the rock face of Gothics stand out, although Allen Mountain makes its presence known because of its proximity to the ponds. The North River Mountains and Cheney Cobble loom to the west, and Boreas Mountain dominates to the east. Paddlers can find themselves pushing through froggy lily pads and, soon after, skirting the skeletons of drowned trees. Watch for loons diving after fish and the heads of curious otters popping up from the water, while grunting at the sight of the interlopers, before making a quick disappearance. Keep an eye out for great blue herons and, if you are lucky, a moose. On day two, we paddled to the north end of the ponds and hiked over a mile on old logging roads to White Lily Pond. When we returned to our boats after the hike, we made our way in and out of the islands as we headed back to camp. Some of the islands are covered in dense spruce and fir like most of the shoreline, but there are also many fascinating boggy islands with pitcher plants, sundews, and other vegetation that is usually associated with bogs. One boggy island has a huge boulder attached to it. A swim by the dam can be a satisfying end to the day. Hiking – As of June 2023, there were no marked hiking trails in the area although several are planned. For the time being, you can hike extensively on old logging roads, some of which are shown on certain maps and some advance research is necessary if you plan to go any distance. White Lily Pond, near the foot of Allen Mountain, makes for an attractive destination. We paddled to the north end of the ponds and left our boats at the inlet, then hiked on a hardened logging road going in a northwest direction. We soon gained almost 300 feet before dropping to a small clearing on the left where another logging See PADDLING, HIKING & CAMPING 13 ▶
Page 1 and 2: COVERING UPSTATE NY SINCE 2000 FREE
Page 3 and 4: JULY 2023 3 CONTENTS 5 NEWS BRIEFS
Page 5 and 6: News Briefs Paddle the Canals: Cham
Page 7 and 8: JULY 2023 7 BICYCLING Come Ride wit
Page 9: JULY 2023 9 BICYCLING from page 7 o
Page 13 and 14: JULY 2023 13 PADDLING, HIKING & CAM
Page 15 and 16: JULY 2023 15 RUNNING & WALKING Mara
Page 17 and 18: JULY 2023 17 RUNNING & WALKING from
Page 19 and 20: JULY 2023 19 RECREATION Protect Our
Page 21 and 22: JULY 2023 21 important to put the t
Page 23 and 24: JULY 2023 23 AUGUST 4-6 Weekender a
Page 25 and 26: JULY 2023 25 27 High Peaks: Phelps.
Page 27 and 28: JULY 2023 27 Thu Thursday Waterway
Page 29 and 30: JULY 2023 29 16 ADK 5K Run/Walk. 10
Page 31 and 32: JULY 2023 31 PADDLING Beginner Whit
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Page 35 and 36: JULY 2023 35 By Paul E. Lemanski, M
Page 37 and 38: JULY 2023 37 SEPT 16 - 10 AM 47 TH
Page 39 and 40: Get Outdoors! with ADK Peaks and Po

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