Embark April-May 2018

April-May 2018

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recommended reading

e M Ba r K

PerfeCt tIMe to CatCh

I

uP on soMe reaDIng

By JUSTIN A. LEVINE

t seems like spring has settled in, and with the loss of snow comes the opening of the Adirondacks’ famous mud season.

And with the onset of mud season, skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking and hiking all pretty much get put on hold.

In a difficult time of year to enjoy the outdoors, one new book offers some history and potential trips to unconventional destinations; while another will get you thinking about the garden and summer’s bounty.

Graves of Upstate New York

“Graves of Upstate New York,” by Chuck D’Imperio is more of a grazing book, akin to a paperback-sized coffee table book. Organized by region, Graves takes a look at notable resting places across the state, including several in the Adirondacks and surrounding counties.

D’Imperio provides a location and photo for each grave, along with a few pages of biographical information on each subject. Although short, D’Imperio’s writing is pleasant and fun, in spite of the topic.

John Brown’s grave in Lake Graves of Upstate Placid is inNew York cluded in the AUthor: Chuck D’Imperio book, as are a PAGES: 236 few that may be CoPYrIGht: 2018 surprises. For instance, NASA astronaut Gregory B. Jarvis, who perished in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, is buried in his hometown in Herkimer County.

Another familiar name included in Graves is Frederic Remington, the famed artist who is buried in Canton.

“While near Santiago, Cuba, he witnessed future president Theodore Roosevelt leading his group of Rough Riders up San Juan Hill in a dramatic frontal attack on the enemy,” D’Imperio writes of Remington. “Remington’s depiction of this exciting event became his most famous painting as well as one of the great iconic images of Roosevelt as a courageous and daring leader.

“Remington became an international celebrity through his paintings, sculptures, novels, and articles published in some of America’s most popular newspapers and magazines of the day. Following the painter’s death, his widow, Edith, moved to Ogdensburg … that home is now a museum to Remington’s work.”

Closer to the Tri-Lakes is the resting place of singer Katie Smith, who, according to D’Imperio, spent about four decades as a summer resident of Lake Placid.

Buried in St. Agnes Cemetery, Smith faced vocal trouble when she was young, but rebounded to have a singing career that spanned 50 years.

“After beginning her career as a featured Broadway singer and dancer, where her three-hundred-pound frame would not only

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shake the theater rafters but would also bring her a torrent of nasty and hateful remarks from critics, Smith sought refuge in the nascent and semi-anonymous medium of radio,” D’Imperio writes. “Smith’s songs sold in the millions all across the heartland of Depression America.

“She became an overnight legend when she introduced Irving Berlin’s immortal ‘God Bless America’ on Armistice Day in 1938.”

Graves of Upstate New York, while not the kind of book that reads like a novel, is a great addition to any Adirondack library.

Fruitful Labor

As the days get longer and the snow recedes, thoughts can turn to the garden. And with growing interest in homesteading and eating local food, a new book from Mike Madison offers some insight into how to run a small farm.

“Fruitful Labor: The Ecology, Economy, and Practice of a Family Farm,” is packed with information gleaned from Madison’s years as a farmer.

While more of a technical guide to aspiring small farm owners, Labor can also serve as a guide Fruitful Labor to homesteaders as well.

AUthor: Mike Madison PAGES: 156 Madison’s CoPYrIGht: 2016 way of farming is different from conventional farms, and he readily admits that what has worked for him may not work for everyone. But the approach he takes — inclusive and holistic — could be transferred to any property with someone willing to put in the thought and work.

“The current layout of my farm is not my original vision,” Madison writes. “When I started out I proceeded with the idea of parallel rows of trees, the rows 50 or 60 feet apart, with herbaceous annual or perennial crops in the intervening valleys. The trees … would be able to send roots without competition … and the herbaceous crops, being shallow-rooted, would interfere with the extensive roost systems of the trees.

“As it turned out … many small birds and rodents will not venture into a large open area that lacks cover to which they might flee if a predator appears, and so they confine their foraging to areas close to trees. I eventually had to admit failure.”

Through Madison’s own experimentation over 30 years, he has developed ways of solving small-scale farm problems.

“I should point out that my approach to farming is a contrary one,” Madison explains.

“And my ideas of a good way to farm are at odds with main-stream farmers. There are other farmers with philosophies similar to mine, but all of us are operating at a small scale, and our collective acreage is miniscule in the big picture of American farming.

“Each year, thousands of people, mostly young, mostly inappropriately educated, start small farms with hope and courage. Most of these farms fail, some quite rapidly, but I imagine that regrets are few.”

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Publisher: Catherine Moore Managing editor: Peter Crowley editor: Morgan ryan Designer: Morgan ryan email Justin Levine: jlevine@adirondackdailyenterprise.com Produced by adirondack Publishing, P.o. Box 318, 54 Broadway, saranac Lake, nY 12983 Cover photo: View of Keene Valley from rooster Comb Mountain.

Photo by spencer Morrissey Although Embark is free, some of you may want to get a subscription if you live outside the circulation area or just want to guarantee yourself a copy. To have a subscription mailed to your home or business, mail a $10 check to Embark, c/o Adirondack Daily Enterprise, P.O. Box 318, Saranac Lake, N.Y. 12983.

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April-May 2018

pring time is a challenging season for hiking, especially for “bushwhackos” like me, but on the positive side it really does grow one’s vocabulary.

We knew the conditions, regardless of location, would be dicey, inconsistent and possibly downright difficult at times, so with a bit of research all I could do was roll the dice and hopefully still have hiking partners on the other end.

We eventually settled on Eagle Bay and a mountain we had been thinking about exploring for a while now, but just never took that leap. We knew snowshoes would be a must at this point in the spring, and we also knew that the following week we could probably leave them home. Looked like one last snowshoe trip for the season was at hand.

Not to be confused with Cascade Mountain, lake and waterfall in Keene, this is a smaller sister of that identically named threesome.

Does size really matter when you are talking about the beauty of the Adirondacks? I think not.

I met up with Jim and Jim at the trailhead for Cascade Lake off Big Moose Road in Eagle Bay, which is a pebble’s throw from Inlet. The trip would start us in Herkimer County, bring us into Hamilton and then back into Herkimer, which tallied us up to three Cascades, two Jims and two counties — not bad for a day’s work.

From the trailhead, we started snowshoeing along the Cascade Lake Trail to the base of the long southwest ridge of Cascade Mountain. The snow was sporadic on the south side of the ridge, and for short periods we found ourselves snowshoeing on bare ground — a bit odd looking I must admit, but we couldn’t keep taking them off and putting them on.

Atop the ridge, we started a much more moderate climb toward the base of the first knob. We wanted to stick to the southern side

April-May 2018

CASCADE TRIFECTA

Mountain, lake and waterfall exploration in Eagle Bay Not to be confused with Cascade Mountain, lake and waterfall in Keene, this is a smaller sister of that identically named threesome. as much as we could to avoid the really deep snow on the north, but it wasn’t always an easy prospect.

We caught a couple small views in route to the base of the first summit, and it ended up being a partially bald rocky dome with a couple balanced boulders resting atop. The top was stellar and the views were equally so as we stood in the grass with snowshoes on.

From here on out, though, snowshoes were required equipment,

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with bourbon a close second on that short list.

We literally slid off this summit into the mashed potato snow below us, and started breaking some serious “trail.” The snow was not overly deep — about 6 inches more or less, I estimated — and melting fast, but there was a layer of crust not solid enough to hold much weight and then some snow atop a second thin layer of crust just above the ground. This was

truly a nightmare sandwich for me if I ever saw one. I literally had to “walk like a giant” through the woods and forcefully stomp on the snow to insure it would break through, otherwise it would hold just long enough for me to push off. My quads were getting whipped.

Jim insisted on helping break trail, but since I have about 70 pounds on the guy he would have been about as useful as a feather as a paperweight. But I did appreciate the gesture.

We pushed along hoping to find additional views along the ridge, and not from the lack of trying we had a hard time finding much of anything. The second small summit along the ridge passed by

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PHOTO BY SPENCER MORRISSEY

S

By SPENCER MORRISSEY

Backcountry adventure

quickly and then we stood atop a long flat section of the ridge. This flat section lasted over 0.4 miles from end to end, with minor undulating hills in between, not large enough to be delineated on a map but present nonetheless. By this time, we were getting tired and every small incline seemed like much more.

We dropped into a narrow col below the final summit, and from here the ground was naked as we pressed on along this narrow ridgeline. It was only about 0.2 miles to the summit, and we suspected it would be snow covered again soon enough.

As we tripped and stumbled ourContinued on page 7

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Buyer’s guide

StEPPING UP W

How to match the right shoe for the moment

By JUSTIN A. LEVINE

alking into an outdoors gear store that has a wall full of shoes can be intimidating, but nothing can ruin an adventure like blisters or sore feet. So it’s important to put as much thought and research into your backcountry shoes as with any other piece of gear.

Fortunately and unfortunately, the number, style and construction of outdoors shoes has expanded greatly in recent years. This means that for every adventure there’s likely a number of choices. But if you know beforehand what sort of adventure you spend most of your time enjoying, your choices – and your stress regarding those choices – can be kept to a reasonable level.

Zander Connor, who works at High Peaks Cyclery in Lake Placid, explained the difference between trail runners, hiking shoes and the various types of boots one should look for based on whether you’ll be cruising the trails quickly or tackling a multiday backpacking trip. Before choosing a hiking shoe, you should have in mind how much weight you carry and how long your hikes tend to be.

PHOTOS BY JUSTIN A. LEVINE

Trail runners

Trail running is a sport that is growing in popularity, and while the image may be of a zero-percent-body-fat fitness model reaching a stunning summit, anyone who can jog can enjoy a run through the woods. However, trail running shoes are engineered for a specific sport and may not be suitable for longer hikes or heavier backpacks.

“With a trail runner, you’re going to have your most agile feel,” Connor said. “It’s going to be low profile [and] light weight because you’re going to be going for that efficiency.

“A trail running shoe is going to have little to no shank, maybe a little in the middle of the foot. It’s got a full, biting tread. Light, breathable, grippy. Similar to a running sneaker, but with a more solid tread.”

high Peaks Cyclery in Lake Placid offers a wide lineup of backcountry footwear.

Pictured, from left, is a mountaineering boot, a backpacking boot, a hiking boot, a hiking shoe and a trail running shoe.

Backpacking boots

Hiking boots

Hiking boots, as well as lowprofile hiking shoes, are often waterproof and heavier than trail runners. Meant for longer days with a heavier pack, hiking boots will feel more solid underfoot.

“They’ll have a little more ankle support. Some of them will be waterproof, some not. That’s kind of the teetering point,” Connor said.

“So, [in the] Adirondacks, United Kingdom; you want waterproof. “[They] have a more endurancebased tread, so you get a little more long-term value. Kind of made for the long day-hiker and a mid-weight pack. And also just for someone who wants a solid piece of footwear on.”

From left, the treads of backpacking boots, hiking boots and trail runners differ based on what types of weight and duration the shoe will be used for.

While many people opt for a traditional boot that goes above the ankle, manufacturers are coming out with sturdy hiking shoes.

These are low-profile and lighter, but offer similar tread

and construction. Most stores with a wide selection of hikering shoes should be able to help you decide which will suit your needs.

Connor said one important

thing to check on hiking boots — particularly if you’re springing for a waterproof pair — is that the tongue of the boot is stictched up to the top so that water can’t seep in.

It’s likely that for the bulk of people who hike in the Adirondacks, a hiking boot or shoe will do just fine. But if you’re the kind of person who piles up a lot of miles, carries a really heavy pack or wants to tackle a multi-day trip like the Northville-Placid Trail, then backpacking boots may be the way to go. “[Backpacking boots] will be stiff for good foot support,” he said. “Big weights, long miles you want good ankle stability, good arch support. If you’re coming down a steep, rocky trail – especially in the High Peaks – with a heavy pack on, you want to be able to plant your foot and not really feel it – have that weight dispersed on the sole of the boot.

“If you’re not doing like 10 week-long trips a summer, the boot will probably last you 10 years.”

When you’re in the market for new hiking shoes, try to keep in mind the type of adventures you like to tackle. And while a solid pair of hiking boots will cover a wide gamut of trips, if you’re looking to move faster or hike longer, then considering options on the edges of the spectrum will be worth your time.

PaDDIng out the 10 esssentIaLs LIst wIth another usefuL IteM

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By JUSTIN A. LEVINE

ny time you venture into the woods — whether it’s hiking, biking, paddling or climbing — you should carry the 10 essentials.

The 10 essentials are a widely agreed upon set of items that will get you through most backcountry incidents. When made into a list, the essentials may seem common sense. But forget one or two, and you could be in trouble.

In addition to the 10 essentials, which include a first-aid kit and fire-starting equipment, it’s handy to have a few not-soobvious things in your pack.

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One such item is individually wrapped alcohol pads. These little pads are sold at pretty much any drug store and are usually only a couple of bucks for a box of 75 or 80.

Alcohol pads are used in medical settings for cleaning skin, mainly before getting a shot or injection. Some first-aid kits may have alcohol pads or swabs already, but it’s a good idea to carry a few extra since they can be used in non-medical situations as well.

One of the best uses of an alcohol pad, besides cleaning around a wound, is for fire starting. The pads have several advantages in this arena and since they are so small, light and in-

expensive, it’s well within reason to carry extras.

The first advantage is that the pads come in individually wrapped packages that are waterproof. The second is the alcohol means they are easy to light on fire — even with just a spark — and they tend to burn quite hot for a minute or two, which makes getting tinder lit easier.

In the winter, starting a fire is extra difficult because everywhere you want to get one going is covered in ice and snow. Since the pads come in little packets, the packet can be ripped open and placed on the ground to provide a barrier between the little flame and the extinguishing snow.

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At just a couple of grams each, having a few alcohol pads can prove to be useful in a number of situations.

The other 10 essentials, as described by REI, are: 1. Navigation (map and compass) 2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen) 3. Insulation (extra clothing) 4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight) 5. First-aid supplies 6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles) 7. Repair kit and tools 8. Nutrition (extra food) 9. Hydration (extra water) 10. Emergency shelter

April-May 2018

CHASING

road trip

Wilmington Flume

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PHOTOS BY JUSTIN A. LEVINE

WATERFALLS

By JUSTIN A. LEVINE

ith the onset of spring, one can never really be sure what to expect weather-wise in the Adirondacks. Snow, rain, sleet, sunshine, thunderstorms and hail are all likely, and sometimes even happen on the same day.

But one thing is certain, and that is water in streams and rivers will be flowing hard, meaning that spring is one of the best times to visit waterfalls.

It should be noted that waterfalls, and the waterways and surrounding areas that make them, are inherently dangerous. A fine mist of water covers everything in the vicinity of most falls, creating slick and sometimes icy conditions that raise the risk of falling.

Waterfalls can also be tempting swimming holes, especially later in summer, but unfortunately people die at these spots. And while it’s not a regular occurrence, three people have died at waterfalls in the Adirondacks in just the last two of years.

But don’t be discouraged. Waterfalls can be great places to check out and can often be reached after brief hikes. And for the less faint of heart, there are even a couple spots that offer guided hikes and safety measures for extra piece of mind.

The list below can easily be turned into a day trip by car from Lake Placid, making a circuit that could also include a stop in Plattsburgh.

Cascade Falls

Cascade Mountain is probably the most popular of the 46 High Peaks, and at its base sit the Cascade Lakes.

The two lakes are between cliffs on the mountain side and state Route 73, and are separated by a little spit of land. The state Department of Environmental Conservation maintains a small parking and picnic area on this land, which is also where Cascade Falls descends from the mountain.

From Lake Placid, take state Route 73 east toward Keene. From the ski jumps, go 6.6 miles to the unmarked road on the right. The road is rough and drops steeply down to the shore of the lake.

There is a herd path that leads to the base of the falls from the parking area.

April-May 2018

roaring Brook Falls

Ausable Chasm The Flume

The Flume waterfall in Wilmington is a popular spot for locals and tourists, but can also be deadly. A man drowned there in 2017 when the water was high, and two teens drowned right around the time they graduated from high school a few years ago.

Requiring just a short 0.1-mile hike from the road, the Flume is a nice place to explore, with the falls quickly turning into a relatively benign stream that is wide and shallow. However, the steep cliffs that lead directly into the water, while tempting, should only be approached with caution.

From Wilmington, take state Route 86 toward Lake Placid for 1.7 miles to a dirt parking area on the left. A trail leads to the falls.

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Roaring Brook Falls

One of the highest falls in the area, Roaring Brook cascades off the slopes of Giant Mountain — another High Peak – and is easily reached after a short 0.3-mile walk over flat ground to the base.

While tall and beautiful, Roaring Brook Falls have also proven to be fatal on more than one occasion, but accidents here are less frequent. From Keene Valley, take state Route 73 2.5 miles to the Giant Mountain parking area on the left. Take the trail at the end of the parking lot and then bear right just about a tenth of a mile in.

There is also a DEC trail to the top of the falls that clocks in at just 0.5 miles, although it’s a bit steeper. From the base of the falls, it’s hard to see the upper section.

This can be remedied by stopping at another parking area just a tenth of a mile farther up state Route 73 that offers unobstructed views of the upper falls.

Entry fee

While there is no shortage of waterfalls across the Adirondacks, there are two spots in the North Country that offer a more controlled environment while still allowing for a close-up look at the power of water.

High Falls Gorge, on state Route 86 between Lake Placid and Wilmington, offers access via trails and lookouts to a series of falls on the AuSable River. Including two glass-floored walkways, a gift shop with food and drinks, and some wheelchair accessibility, this

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can be a great option for families or those looking to grab lunch or a beer.

For more information, including pricing, go to www.highfallsgorge.com Ausable Chasm, dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks,” is located on state Route 9 between Keeseville and Peru. The main falls of the chasm can be seen from the Route 9 bridge, but this paid-entry attraction has much more than just a look at falls from a distance. With tubing, whitewater rafting, rock climbing and hiking trails, Ausable Chasm can easily be turned into a full day for the whole family.

Visit www.ausablechasm.com for a full list of activities and prices.

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Five trips

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Great hikes to avoid spring mud and stay out of the High Peaks

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By SPENCER MORRISSEY

PHOTO BY MORGAN RYAN

hile mud on Adirondack trails is unavoidable, there are plenty of places to go that do not involve a High Peak and where muddy conditions are kept to a minimum. Heavy traffic in the High Peaks creates areas where mud is quickly generated, and in the spring, when conditions are typically saturated from run-off and snowmelt, it’s even worse. Use of these muddy trails causes excess erosion as well as trail widening from those who don’t want to get dirty.

You don’t want to be part of that ritual, do you? Here are five high payoff hikes that might wash away that need to be in the High Peaks.

Cobble Lookout

Cobble Lookout

The Crows

Flume Knob

ACtIVItY: hike DIFFICULtY: easy DIStANCE: 2.2 miles round trip PErKS: this is a new trail as of 2014. well, new to the hiking community, anyway; there has always been a herd path there. now you can have the perk of trail markers and a maintained route to one of the easiest hikes for a killer payoff in the area. with minimal elevation change, just about everyone can enjoy this excursion. oBStACLES: Distance could be an issue for some, but otherwise not many obstacles to speak of.

QUotE: “this new trail is sure to become very popular because it is only one mile with little climbing to a spectacular view of the ausable Valley and the surrounding mountains. this hike is definitely in the running for the best view for the least effort.”

— www.LakePlacid.com DIrECtIoNS: from the four corners in wilmington, take route 431 for 3 miles. at the split with the whiteface Memorial highway, bear right on gillespie Drive (county route 18a on some maps). Continue for 0.3 mile to the trailhead and new parking area on the right, just past Lake stevens.

ACtIVItY: hike DIFFICULtY: Intermediate DIStANCE: 2.4 miles round trip PErKS: such a huge payoff with little effort, and a perfect family outing. want to just do Big Crow, then it’s only 1.2 miles round trip. oBStACLES: the final section of road could be a bit muddy in the spring. If that is the case, a short additional hike distance will be necessary.

QUotE: “this mountain is fairly popular for photographers because the many open ledges and the open summits offer views of 28 major adirondack Peaks, many of them are 4,000 ft'ers.

Views include the great range, Mt. Marcy, giant Mtn., Dix Mtn., the summit horn of Big slide, whiteface Mtn., and what I think are the best views of Cascade and Porter.”

— www.SummitPost.org DIrECtIoNS: at 200 yards past the intersection with state routes 73 and 9n in Keene, turn onto hurricane road at the Keene town hall. at just over 2 miles from route 73, bear left on o'toole Lane (dirt) for 1.2 miles to the end at Crow Clearing. the trail to Big Crow begins on the left side of the clearing.

ACtIVItY: hike DIFFICULtY: Moderate DIStANCE: 3.8 miles round trip PErKS: Very little daily use, even with heavy use on the bike trail system at the base. a very enjoyable climb with some steep sections to make it a fun excursion that doesn’t take all day to get a payoff from. oBStACLES: the flume trails network can be a bit confusing, be sure to watch for trail sign and/or download a local map of the trail system.

QUotE: “the flume Knob is another hidden gem in the wilmington region that should not go unmissed. using the region's mountain biking trails as an approach makes for an outstanding day trip for the entire family.”

— www.LakePlacid.com DIrECtIoNS: Coming from Lake Placid, follow state route 86 toward wilmington.

Continue past the whiteface Mountain ski Center for a just over a mile. Cross over the ausable river at the flume and park in the parking lot on the left — this is the trailhead.

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Hurricane Mountain from Crow Clearing

Rooster Comb from Keene Valley

ACtIVItY: hike DIFFICULtY: Intermediate DIStANCE: 6.0 miles round trip PErKS: there are three ways up hurricane Mountain: this trail, the trail off state route 9n and a trail off hurricane road on the elizabethtown side (east). so, if one trail is overcrowded or not of interest to you or your hiking party, go to the other side and have the same piece of cake with a little different frosting. oBStACLES: the final section of the access road could be a bit muddy in the spring. If that is the case, a short additional hike distance will be necessary. hurricane is a tall mountain, which means hikers should expect some steep climbing.

QUotE: “hurricane Mountain has much more open rock to spread out on than many of the 46 high Peaks. on a clear day, the summit affords views of Mount Mansfield and the Camels hump in the green Mountains of Vermont. the major high peaks are mostly backlit, but Cascade directly to the west is easy to pick out. also, whiteface is in clear view. the fire tower is now open although it is not needed for most views.”

— www.adk.org DIrECtIoNS: at 200 yards past the intersection with state routes 73 and 9n in Keene, turn onto hurricane road at the Keene town hall. at just over 2 miles from route 73, bear left on o'toole Lane (dirt) for 1.2 miles to the end at Crow Clearing. the trail to hurricane begins on the right side of the clearing.

ACtIVItY: hike DIFFICULtY: Intermediate DIStANCE: 5.0 miles round trip PErKS: when on rooster Comb you are technically at the start of the great range trail, which is one of the main access trails to the high Peaks (at least for those traversing the range). with rooster Comb however, you can have the feel of being in the high Peaks without actually being on a high Peak. oBStACLES: five miles is a longish hike, so be prepared for the distance.

QUotE: “Views from the summit ledge and Valley View Ledge complete a 360-degree panorama of Mt. Marcy and the Johns Brook Valley, plus giant Mtn. and the ausable Valley. the trail offers mostly good footing and is a good choice early in the season or when it is wet.”

— www.LakePlacid.com DIrECtIoNS: Leave Lake Placid on state route 73 toward Keene. Continue through Keene and Keene Valley. the trailhead for rooster Comb is on the right just past the noon Mark Diner.

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April-May 2018

What’s in a name

EVoLUtIoN oF thE SEBILLE MoUNtAIN rANGE

Cascade Waterfall

Cascade trifecta

Two peas in a pod

Colvin and Blake are neighbors in the mountains and were friends for life.

Mount Colvin was named after Verplanck Colvin who was appointed to the first State Park Commission in 1872 and was elected secretary. He continued working for the state as the superintendent of the first Adirondack Survey for which he is most famous for. The Adirondack Survey’s main purpose was to create topographical maps of the entire region and in locating the important boundaries and corners of state land, counties and other major purchases.

Blake Peak was appropriately named after Mills Blake who was Colvin’s assistant during the Adirondack Survey. The two were inseparable in career and life as they worked and lived together until Colvin’s death in 1920.

A turn of the Dial

The name Dial has been tossed around a bit in Adirondack history to finally be at peace atop a lovely 4,000-footer in the Dix Mountain Wilderness.

Dial’s naming background is a perplexing story and I will try to do the best I can by deciphering what I have learned from Russell Carson in his book “Peaks and People of the Adirondacks,” and other writers and story tellers over the years.

Dial was the original — though unofficial — name of what is now Nippletop, and in 1869, Street tried to restore that name back on this peak.

Old Mountain Phelps did not like

Continued from page 3

the idea of an outsider, or city folk, placing labels or names on our peaks, and being a local guide he successfully moved it to its current position just north of Nippletop.

On another note, Dial was also an original name of Noonmark until about 1869.

Rise and shine

Sunrise Mountain, located just over the boundary from Elk Lake into the Dix Mountain Wilderness, has a colorful name.

While the name’s origin is not definite, and leads to more speculation, it has been mentioned that its location is where the sun rises — go figure — as seen from Elk Lake.

This was possibly, a local name for quite some time, even back to when Elk Lake was called Mud Pond. However, if you are paddling in the early morning on Elk Lake, the name probably makes perfect sense.

Organ donation could be added to hunting and fishing licenses

By JUSTIN A. LEVINE

A bill that passed the New York state Senate in March would allow those buying or renewing hunting, trapping and fishing licenses to register as an organ donor at the same time.

The bill, which would need to pass in the state Assembly before it could be signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, would amend both state public health and environmental conservation laws.

Current state law allows people to register as organ donors when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or non-driver ID, registering to vote, applying for health insurance through the state marketplace, or through the donate life registry. The bill passed in March (S6963) would mandate that the state Department of Environmental Conservation change its hunting, trapping and fishing license forms to include an opportunity to register as

April-May 2018

PHOTOS BY SPENCER MORRISSEY

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By SPENCER MORRISSEY

innacle Ridge is what most people call the trail from the south to Blake Peak. Named after the pinnacle-like structure of the peak.

However, the ridgeline was once considered more of a complex range of peaks called the Sebille Mountains, and before Blake and Colvin were named, both were considered part of that range.

The name came from Old Mountain Phelps who named it for the Indian, Sabael (Elijah Lewis), who discovered the iron ore in Adirondac, also known as Upper Works. Sabael then led David Henderson to it from North Elba.

The mountains are now known as the Colvin Range which includes Blake Peak. Both names were used for a while until eventually “Sebille” became nothing more than a historical bedtime story.

an eye, organ and tissue donor.

The new law would not require anyone to become a donor to receive a license from the DEC. “The commissioner shall provide, on each form for purchase or renewal of a license … space for the applicant to register in the Donate Life Registry for organ, eye and tissue donations,” the bill reads.

There are currently more than 100,000 people in the U.S. on the list to receive organ transplants, according to the federal Health and Human Services’ Organ Donation and Transplantation statistics. HHS says 95 percent of adults in the U.S. agree with organ donation but only 54 percent are signed up as donors. New York allows anyone 16 or older to register as a donor.

The bill falls in line with a concerted effort by the Cuomo administration to expand organ donation.

However, for early explorers who resided in the other valley, near Blue Ridge, they called it “Sunset Mountain.” OK, that last part is not true, I just made it up.

Tooth for Tooth

The Sawtooth Mountains, not to be confused with Sawteeth Mountain in the High Peaks, is one of the most rugged and desolate plots of land in the Adirondacks.

The naming of the Sawtooth Mountains comes from the look the range has, in that it looks like a collection of jagged saw teeth. In fact, the two highest peaks of the range have been referred to as Cutter and Raker, which the two teeth of a saw.

Of course, if you really want to stretch your imagination, you could say that the mountains are as sharp as a saw’s tooth. Meaning, if you venture in there you will look like you went into battle against a lumberjack when you come out.

selves over the dead spruce, we questioned our choices in life, but yet we pushed on.

There we were, finally, on the summit and what do you know a rocky ledge to perch ourselves on for a healthy lunch. The ledge had snow on the moss still, but the exposed rocky portion of the ledge was snow free, so we could actually sit down and not get a wet, cold bum.

There were decent views off to the south where we could identify Wakely and Snowy Mountains, as well as many other smaller peaks filling the landscape.

After a decent amount of time, we had to make a game plan for descending this ridge. The snow conditions were so tough, we decided to follow our route back down for a bit to where we could make a straight-line descent to the Cascade Lake Trail below us.

The descent was fast, but still tough as we pushed through nearly 12 inches of snow at times on the dreaded north side. One awkward step between two downed trees left my hamstring cramped which caused me to do a forward faceplant firmly in the snow. I tried to push off, but the snow was

too deep for my arms to reach solid ground. It must have been an amusing sight from the other side of the frustration.

The laughter from one of the Jims ended up being a strike on his karma. It was not more than 5 minutes later when trying to cross a snowcoved log that he found himself immersed in the flowing water of the cool backcounty stream. If the air wasn’t so warm, I might have showed a bit of concern.

We were happy enough to be on a trail and a short visit to the waterfall left us with nothing but a walk out along the lake. But this trail also posed a bit of a challenge since the late-day sun was melting the snow along the trail and the packed down trail was now a narrow spine of solid snow with two sides of unconsolidated rotten shaved ice. The spine was deteriorating, and at best two snowshoes wide. It was a true test of patience, balance and the pure will of wanting a beer at the trailhead. Seemingly, every third step we would fall off the spine. We winced at times as it tweaked our ankles and slowed the pace, but we knew that the trailhead would be eventual and eventual came, eventually.

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Wiley’s Flies

Full-service fly shop, motel & tackle supply store owned & operated by worldrenowned fly tier, photographer & author, Vince Wilcox. The best selection of fly tying materials, packs, bags, gear & a stock of over 25,000 flies. We also have a selection of spin fishing equipment for those not interested in fly fishing. The most diverse fishing outfitter in the Adirondacks, we offer fly & spin wade or float trips for trout, bass, northern pike and musky. We also have a 22’ pontoon boat that can accommodate up to 10 people for scenic or fishing tours up the Saranac Lake chain. Let us help plan your Adirondack fishing adventure!

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reading for the spring I Off-trail adventure in the (other) Cascades I Buyer’s guide for selecting footwear I A look at several different waterfalls I 5 spring hikes outside of High Peaks I Colvin and Blake leave naming legacy

I Recommended

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Your guide to Adirondack adventure

©2018 Adirondack Daily Enterprise

April-May 2018