September–October 2017 Algonquin Chapter ADK Mountain Topics

Volume 46 Issue 3 September–October 2017

Fri, September 1st, Chapter Picnic, 5pm, Point Au Roche State Park Lake Side Pavilion

Wed, October 11th, Outings/Executive Meeting at Plattsburgh Public Library, First Floor Smart Room. 6:45 p.m for general meeting.

Fri, November 3rd, Chapter Meeting, 7pm

Chapter ScheduleSee this page for more info.

Chapter Meeting

Please Note: For security reasons, the only access to the Old Clinton County Courthouse meeting room at night will be via the handicapped entrance. This is the ramp on the south (Court Street) side of the old building. All other doors will be locked. The handicapped entrance will be locked at 8 p.m.

Friday, November 3 at 7pmHeld at Old Clinton County Courthouse Program: Astronomy, Cosmology and Splendor of the Night Sky from a Dark SitePresented by Herb CarpenterSlide show presentation.

Annual Harvest Dinner Saturday, October 14th at 5pmHeld at Trinity Episcopal Church 18 Trinity Place, PlattsburghThe evening begins with appetizers at 5pm followed by a turkey dinner at 6pm. The cost will be $15 per person and $10 for children under 12. The deadline for reservations is Tuesday, October 10th. Please send in your reservation today and indicate on the memo line of your check the names of those attending.

Checks payable to: Algonquin Chapter–ADK and mail to: Kay Washbourne, 7645 State Rte. 9, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. We are encouraging people to pay at our September 1st picnic. All proceeds, after expenses, go to Community Meal Program.

Guest Speaker: Doug Arnold “Lean2Rescue”Doug will talk about and give a slide show on Lean2Res-cue. These volunteers, mostly from the Syracuse area, re-pair, rebuild and build lean-tos in the Adirondacks. Several years ago, Lean2Rescue was responsible for renovating 33 lean-tos in the western Adirondacks. In our area, especially in the Keene Valley, they moved and repaired several lean-tos after the ravages of Hurricane Sandy.

Mountain Topics Algonquin Chapter ADK September–October 2017

Hope you all are having a great summer. Here is my latest contri-bution.

As we transition from another summer into fall, I think back a couple of months and recall fondly, hikes to Poko, Bloomingdale Bog, a visit to Bella Bartoks summer cottage etc. In addition, a diagonal trek, by car, through the Adirondack Park from Forest-port to Plattsburgh comes to mind. A stop at Slickers for lunch in

Old Forge, then a short walk to the Pied Piper for ice cream was topped off by a leisurely and beautiful ride through the preserve on winding Routes 28, 28n, 30 and 3 passing Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake, Tupper etal. We have some of the most scenic vistas in the country right here in our neck of the woods.

As always, we invite all to our meetings preceded by a great presentation arranged by Alix Hueston. Our newsletter provides information on meeting dates and outings, The town of Plattsburgh lists many outdoor activities on their website. Check out our Face-book page at facebook.com/adkplattsburgh

For many, fall is their favorite season. Colorful foliage and cool crisp weather is served up. Enjoy!

See you in the great outdoors.

Phil Erickson

A note from the chair:

Burlington, VT Claire Humber

Welcome New Members

facebook.com/adkplattsburgh Follow us on facebook! Keep up-to-date on all

meetings and outings! See photos from outings too!

The Battle of Plattsburgh

September 7th–10thFree admission!

Activities for all ages. For a full list of events go to cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov

Will you be purchasing ADK publi-cations for yourself or as a gift? Art Graves at the Corner Stone Book-shop offers a 10% discount on ADK publications to members when you show your member card.

110 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh

Stay up-to-date!Contact Nancy Olsen at olsen@northnet.org to receive Algonquin

Chapter e-bulletin updates.

Alpine Plants TOP FIVEADK has determined its top five most imperiled alpine plants from The New York Natural Heritage Program list of highly imperiled plants.

Boott’s Rattlesnake Root: This globally rare plant is found in fewer than 20 locations worldwide. Its showy flowers are on display throughout June. Boott’s rattlesnake root’s habit of grow-ing along trails makes it particularly vulnerable to hiker trampling.

Dwarf Willow: A tiny willow tree, this plant was once found in several locations in the Adirondacks until it was trampled to the brink of extinction. Summit Stewards identified what may be the only remaining population in 1998 and continue to guard the location.

Fernald’s Bluegrass: As few as ten tufts of this flowering alpine meadow grass exist in all of New York State. Unfortunately, that location is very close to the trail near the summit of Mt. Marcy, placing it in extreme peril. Globally rare, this plant is at risk of extinction.

Alpine Azalea: This tiny version of the common azalea has rose-pink flowers. The only population in New York State is on Skylight.

Lapland Rosebay: A miniature version of the common Rhododendron is found in small populations on only a few summits in the world. With a growth rate of .06 mm/year, it is both slow to grow and easy to set back through trampling. It has beautiful, showy flowers that take two years to flower.

September–October 2017 Algonquin Chapter ADK Mountain Topics

Algonquin Chapter Outing Schedule Fall 2017

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

Visit the Mining and Railroad Museum. Lyon Mountain, New York. Leader: Alix Heuston, 561-7660.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29

Hike The Crows and stop at ADK Cafe in Keene. Round trip: 3.2 miles, easy. Little Crow 2540 feet, Big Crow 2815 feet. Stop at ADK Cafe for lunch or pie! Leader: Kimberly Smith, Call 315-813-4407 by 10/27.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Celebrate Daylight Savings Time with a walk at Point au Roche State Park followed by a chili dinner. Leader: Lynn Valenti, 562-0553.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Walk the trails at Paul Smith’s Visi-tors” Interpretive Center, Gabriels. Enjoy a gourmet lunch at the St.Regis Cafe. Leader: Lynne Valenti, 562-0553.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Walk Little Ausable Trail in Peru and visit to Peru Applefest. Round trip: 3 miles, easy. Leader: Kimberly Smith, call 315-813-4407 by 9/15.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Explore the Bouquet River Nature Preserve Trails in Willsboro. The Nature Consevancy, Adirondack Chapter, has made major upgrades to these trails. Leaders: Anne Bailey, 563-5794, Lynn Valenti, 562-0553.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Hike Rooster Comb, Keene Valley. This is an easy 5.2 miles round trip with great views from the summit. Leader: Alix Heuston, 561-7660.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5

Hike Poke-O-Moonshine using the Observer Trail. Leader: Phil Erickson, 569-5527.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12

Hike Bear Den Slot and Cathedral Rock Ausable Club, Keene Valley. Leader: Claire Velsey, 236-6646.

All outings and meetings are open to the public, unless otherwise noted. We thank our trip leaders and encourage other members to lead outings. Some outings are listed from other chapters. Be sure to check in with those trip leaders well in advance. Contact Chair Phil Erikson 569-5527 or Vice-Chair Alix Heuston 561-7660 to add an outing. All phone numbers are Area Code 518 unless otherwise noted.

ADK Skills Workshops

Registration: 518-523-3441

Map & Compass Bushwhack September 30-October 1

Adirondack Landscape Photography Workshop

October 7

Adirondack Pack Baskets October 22

Outdoor Leadership 101 October 28

*Visit adk.org (under DISCOVER) for member

discounts and more details.

High Peaks Day HikesRegistration: 518-523-3441Dix & Hough (13.7 miles) October 6Donaldson & Emmons (14.6 miles) October 9Mt. Marshall (17 miles) September 3 & 25

Seward (14 miles) September 11Seymour (14.4 miles) October 7Street & Nye (9 miles) October 8

Classification of Outings: EASY: max distance of 8 miles and altitude gain of 1200 feet; MODERATE: max distance of up to 12 miles and/or altitude gain of 1200 to 2200 feet; ADVANCED: max distance of up to 15 miles and/or altitude gain of 2200 to 3500 feet; DIFFICULT: exceeds 15 miles and/or altitude gain of over 3500 feet.

ADK Master CalendarView ADK’s Master Calendar for a comprehensive list of all things ADK, including upcoming special events, seasonal outings, guided hikes, work-shops, lectures, chapter outings and more.www.trumba.com/calendar/ adirondackmountainclubSort by Special Focus: Beginner, Family, New Member, Senior, and Young Member!

Mountain Topics Algonquin Chapter ADK September–October 2017

NONPROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPlattsburgh, NY 12901

Permit #70

2017 ADK Club Workshopshttps://www.adk.org/discover/skills-workshops/

Algonquin Chapter Leadership 2017

ELECTED

Chair Phil Erickson (518) 569-5527

Vice-Chair Alix Heuston (518) 561-7660

Secretary Mark DuBrey (518) 846-7514

Treasurer Kay Washbourne (518) 563-2387

Director Steve Baker (518) 834-5414

1st Alt Ray Johnson (518) 846-8234

2nd Alt Mark DuBrey (518) 846-7514

APPOINTED

Membership Marilyn Smith (518) 561-3167

Program Alix Heuston (518) 561-7660

Conservation Chris Velsey (518) 236-6646

Publicity Alix Heuston (518) 561-7660

Editor Kimberly Smith (315) 813-4407

Archives (Open)

Outings (Open)

All inquires can be emailed to: algonquinadk@gmail.com

Algonquin ChapterAdirondack Mountain Club57 Cogan Ave.Plattsburgh, NY 12901

ADK’s Spruce Cone AwardIn 2008 the Algonquin Chapter executive committee decided to recognize our chapter outing leaders with ADK’s Spruce Cone award. The award is presented to those members leading 15 outings and completing an outing report for each outing. To date Spruce Cone recipients have been Lynn Valenti also with a 100 hour service rocker, Jim and Anne Bailey, Jim King, Nancy Olsen, and Alix Heuston. We have several mem-bers nearing the 15 required outings. In addition to the Spruce Cone patch the leader receives a very nice compact first aid kit.

ADK’s White Birch AwardThe White Birch Award patch and certificate are given for significant achieve-ment and dedication to both ADK and the Algonquin Chapter. Jim Bailey, one of our longtime members, served as Mt Topics editor before the advent of word processors and copiers. This was in the 1970’s and Jim hand printed each one page monthly issue. Remember mimeographs and dittoes? In the 1990’s Jim accepted the position as chapter Conservation Chair and traveled down to meetings in Schenectady and faithfully reported back to us about current events relating to the Forest Preserve. Jim continued in that position for more than 20 years. At our June picnic at Pt au Roche State Park, Jim was presented a certificate signed by Neil Woodworth and the White Birch Award patch . A well deserved award and recognition for many years of service and dedication to ADK and Algonquin Chapter.

Volunteer Recognition