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Footprints

Newsletter of the Adirondack Mountain Club

Foothills Chapter

Volume 3, Issue 12 Dec 2013

Upcoming Events

January 8 Foothills Chapter Meeting – 7PM at the Gloversville Senior Center. Guess

speaker: Ben Tabor (DEC) speaking on Black Bearss

January 11 Winter Fest 2014 – Heart Lake LOJ

January 11 Winter Trails Day – Heart Lake LOJ

January 24-26 ADK Winter Outing - Hosted by the Iroquois Chapter, Mad River Club, Lacona, NY

February 12 Foothills Chapter Meeting – 7PM at the Gloversville Senior Center.

February 15 – 16 Adirondack Outdoorsman Show - Johnstown Moose Club

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Sounds from the Chair…by Jody Rothmeyer

At this time of year, there are a lot of Christmas parties going on. We, the Foothills Chapter, are no exception. We had our 3rd annual Christmas party on the 11th of Dec. of which approximately 35 people attended this year’s event. Besides everyone bringing in a different dish (which was very good), there were toy’s, for the toys for tots program, and food for the food pantry at the Senior Center. We also had our annual equipment swap (see below.) I thank everyone that came and participated and hope for more of you to attend next year’s event. I hope the pictures below will convince anyone that hasn’t attended one of our Christmas parties to come next year. Really, you are missing out. Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Years. Happy hiking and be safe.

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DeBraine Lake and Trout Lake hike Mon. December 2, 2013

Leader; Kathy Miles Participants; Thora, Kathy S., Arlo, Betsy, Nancy , Karen, Marie, Nolan,

Jack, Ginny, Dave, Jane, Sue and the pups, Max and Berta

We had a taste of winter on our hike. The ground was covered with about 4

inches of snow and also by many tracks. Ours were the first human tracks on the snow but among the many animal tracks, bear tracks crossed the hiking trail.

There were a couple of tricky stream crossings and one beaver dam crossing. The temperature was about 30 degrees and even next to the lakes it was not windy

making for a very pleasant day. Some of the hikers had their first butt sliding of the season. Another fine day on the trail.

……Tracking the Foothillers……

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MOXHAM MOUNTAIN IN NOVEMBER Sat. November 23, 2013

Leader: Arlo Klinetob Participants: Betsy, Cheryl, Gail, Nolan, Rose and Rosa

We lucked out with a cold, windy, but sunny day. The trail was covered with a light coating of snow making it easy to find our way. At each of the many

viewing sites we watched snow showers envelop distant mountains while we basked in sunlight. We were even able to see snow-making on Gore Mountain.

After a graceful demonstration of the hazzards of stepping on ice by visiting ADKer Cheryl, we proceeded with care to the summet. Due to the

brisk wind we retreated to a more sheltered viewing area for our lunch. On

our descent we took a short bushwack to examine an abandoned beaver lodge sitting high and dry. We were entertained by our leader as he demonstrated a

full frontal fall in a thicket of witches hobble. Following the hike, Rose and Rosa took a side trip to examine Auger Falls while Gail took the rest of

us to Café Sarah in North Creek for hot chocolate and tasty baked goods.

All agreed it was a great day on the trail.

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Indian River and Essex Chain Tracts

Date: Sat., Nov. 23

Leader: Gail Livingston

The day started off at zero degrees, but as we waited at the Hope Barn for Arlo, Kathy and I saw a bald eagle fly past and I took that as a good omen. We met

the rest of our party at the beginning of Chain Lakes Road in Indian Lake and continued in a two-car procession. The first mile was plowed and sanded, but the

next two miles the road narrowed to one lane and proved to be a challenge due to the steep hills and slippery conditions. Once we got on the trail there was enough

snow to make it somewhat difficult, but others before us had done it, so we soldiered on. The view of the Hudson from the Gooley Club was beautiful as was

our end destination, Pine Lake, with a dusting of snow crystals on the ice. The breeze coming off the water made for a quick lunch stop, and we were all ready

to get back on the trail and warm up. We were also anxious to get our return trip

underway since there was a real concern that one of the two vehicles might not be able to make it back up the steep hills on the way out. Unfortunately that

proved true, and we had to call AAA to the rescue.

Participants: Kathy Miles, Arlo Klinetob, and guests Cheryl, Richard, and Max

Agris.

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Packbasket weekend

The Packbasket, located in Wanakena in the northwest foothills of the Adirondacks, consists of an Adirondack lodge that sleeps 8, and a cabin that sleeps 4. It is situated on the banks of the Oswagatchie River at the edge of the Five Ponds Wilderness. The terrain is rolling with well established trails leading to outlooks and waterfalls. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is also available at the nearby ranger school.

I have tentatively booked the week-end of Feb. 21 to 23rd. If we get at least eight people the cost per person for food and lodging would be $140 for the period of Fri. noon to Sunday noon (check-out time is flexible). You can get more details and see pictures of the lodge, rooms, and cabin if you Google Packbasket. We would need to put a 25% deposit down by Dec. 1, so if you are interested, contact Gail Livingston at pepperjack@frontiernet.net.

We could have a great time exploring this area together!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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ADK Winterfest, January 11th 2014

Heart Lake Program Center, Adirondak Loj, Lake Placid

Winter Trails Day is a nation-wide, family friendly event, allowing children and adults the opportunity to try snowshoeing and cross country skiing for free, with the goal of helping participants discover these winter sports and their many benefits. Approximately 11,000 participants in 100 locations will get out on the snow this year on January 11th, 2014 during the 19th annual Winter Trails Day event. In 2014, ADK will host Winterfest: A family friendly winter event at its Heart Lake Program Center in Lake Placid. This event aligns with ADK’s mission of promoting protection and responsible recreational use of the New York State Forest Preserve, and other parks, wild lands, and waters vital to our members and chapters. Planned Events for the Day:

Guided snowshoe hikes

Introductory classic ski with lesson

Ice camp with family-friendly activities

Telemark ski beginner clinic

Ice fishing

Pond hockey game

Winterfest family quest: Self-guided snowshoe scavenger hunt

Skills workshops: ski waxing, orienteering (in French), skating, winter trail awareness

Vendor tents with demo gear throughout the day

Self-guided ski, snowshoe, and skating throughout the day

Warming stations with hot beverages and live music

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East Branch of the Sacandaga Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013

Leader(s): Gail Livingston Rated: B

Information: This is an 8 mile round trip off route 8 west of Bakers Mills. I

did this hike in April of '04, and noted that it had pretty views of the river

along part of it, as well as views of

the cliffs of Eleventh Mountain. The trail register also indicated moose

track sightings, which made me want to return! A lean-to and a suspension

bridge will mark our lunch and turn-around spot. Micro-spikes or other

traction aids may be needed. This hike is further described in the

Central Region ADK guidebook. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Gail

Livingston (pepperjack@frontiernet.net or 725-

6202)

John Pond Trail Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 Leader(s): Gail Livingston

Rated: C Information: This is a 4.4 round trip

hike in Indian Lake that I also did in '04. John Pond has a lean-to which

faces some nice cliffs on the opposite side of the pond. An interesting side

trail leads to the graves of two

children who died of diphtheria in 1897. Traction aids may be needed.

This hike is also described in the Central Region book.

Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Gail Livingston

(pepperjack@frontiernet.net or 725-6202)

Hike/snowshoe Trout Lake Mt.

Thursday January 16, 2014

LEADER Leader(s): Kathy Miles

RATING Rated: C+

Information: We will start on the trail

to Chub Lake Mt. then leave that to work our way around Chub Lake and

climb the south face of Trout Lake Mt. to the cliffs that offer a view across

the West Branch of the Sacandaga. This is mostly a bushwhack so if there

is snow cover participants should expect to help break trail. Even

though the round trip distance is only

about 4 miles, depending on

conditions this can be a challenging trek. Contact leader more

information. Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Kathy

Miles (kdmiles@frontier.com - 518-

568-5372)

Pack Demonstration Forest

Saturday January 25, 2014 Leader(s): Gail Livingston

Rated: B Information: The Pack Demonstration

Forest in Warrensburg is a 2500 acre environmental forest donated to

SUNY by Charles Lathrop Pack. Most of the hike is on forest roads with the

exception of a 1 mile self-guided nature trail, the highlight of which is

the Grandmother Tree which has

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been growing since the 1600's. There are some wonderful old growth

hemlock and pines as well as an esker. Our 4 mile loop will take us

around the 85 acre Pack Forest Lake, plus a side trip up Ben Wood

Mountain for some nice views from an open ledge. Total distance about 6

miles with 400 feet of elevation. This will probably be a snowshoe hike,

depending on conditions. Contact leader more information.

Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Gail Livingston

(pepperjack@frontiernet.net or 725-

6202)

Hike/snowshoe Little Cathead Mt.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

LEADER Leader(s): Kathy Miles

RATING Rated: C+

DESCRIPTION Information: For a short time we will

be on the new section of the Northville-Placid trail to get around

Woods Lake . We will leave that trail and bushwhack to the summit of

Little Cathead Mt. where there are limited views to be had. Participants

should expect to share in trail-breaking if there is snow cover. This

is only 3 miles, round trip but has

some steep climbing. Contact leader more information.

Notice: This hike is open to the first three friendly trail dogs whose

humans contact the leader to sign them up.

Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: KathyMiles (kdmiles@frontier.com -

518-568-5372)

Hike/snowshoe Broomstick

Lake to Nine Corner Lake Friday, February 14, 2014

Leader(s): Kathy Miles Rated: C+

Information: Bring your Sweetie out on a hike for Valentine’s Day.

Hopefully the DOT will plow the trailhead for Broomstick Lake as they

did last year. We will hike to Broomstick Lake on the established

trail. From there we will bushwhack to

one of the back corners of Nine Corner Lake . Depending on

conditions we will either loop back to the Broomstick trail or we will head

out to route 29-A on the Nine Corner trail where we will have spotted some

vehicles. Participants should expect to share trail-breaking duties if there is

snow cover. Round trip 3+ miles. Contact leader more information.

Contact Leader(s) to sign-up: Kathy Miles (kdmiles@frontier.com - 518-

568-5372)

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Trip Ratings

HIKERS RATING

EFFORT LEVEL

ELEVATION GAIN (FEET)

MILES TIME (HOURS)

A+ VERY STRENUOUS

4,000+ 10+ 10+

A STRENUOUS 3,000+ 5-10 8-10

B+ MODERATELY STRENUOUS

2,000+ 5-10 6-8

B MODERATE 1,000+ 8-10 5-7

C+ FAIRLY EASY 1,000+ 5-8 4-6

C EASY UNDER 1,000

UNDER 5

UNDER 5

These are general guidelines. Not all trips will fit exactly into one of these categories. Address questions to outing leader.

Foothills Membership, Dec. 2013

A Hearty Welcome to New Members: Last Month’s Rejoining Members:

Last Month’s Renewing Members: Don Hazlett

Shawn Neese Melinda Broman

Robert & Florence Grimm

Foothills Membership: 152

Foothills total chapter share for the month of July: $37.00

Wanted: Trips/Trip Leaders Wanted The outings program of ADK Chapters is a principal means by which members and their guests learn about, enjoy and become proficient

in outdoor recreational activities. Our chapter has 29 trip leaders and has about 4-5 trips per month. If anyone has any ideas or

suggestions for trips please let me know. There may be a trip leader who would be able to do it. If anyone who is not a trip leader is

interested in becoming a trip leader, please contact Scott Hammons at:

adk_foothills_outings@yahoo.com or 518-774-5050.

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New Member Information:

Newsletters are sent via email to all members with an email on file. If you are not receiving the newsletter through email, or if you know someone who isn’t, please send a current, legable email address to Jody Rothmeyer at rojo12547@yahoo.com. If you are unable to open a PDF attachment, the newsletter is available through the ADK website (adk.org) by following the links for Chapters, Foothills, and then newsletter. A hard copy of the newsletter is mailed every other month (next mailing is July) to all members who have requested a hard copy as well as to those members without an email on file. If any new members would like a hard copy sent, please send request to rojo12547@yahoo.com.

Monthly meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7pm at the Gloversville Senior Citizen Center, 53 Church St., Gloversville, NY.

A 50-50 raffle is held at each monthly meeting to support refreshments, equipment purchases, and a general use fund as applicable.

Committee membership: New members are encouraged to become active members of the Foothills Chapter by participating on one of the various committees . Please contact anyone from the executive committee if you would like to participate .

The Chapter is

looking for

someone to take

over the

newsletter.

If you are

interested

please contact

jody Rothmeyer

at

Rojo12547@yahoo.

com

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Foothills-ADK Chapter Adirondack Club Executive Committee: Chairperson: Jody Rothmeyer rojo12547@yahoo.com 224-1576

Vice-Chairperson: Arlo Klinetob aklinetob@nycap.rr.com Board Director: Walt Lane wlane937@nycap.rr.com Membership: Barbette Rothmeyer barbettef@yahoo.com Treasurer: Jean Griffin griffinjean31@yahoo.com 835-4022 Secretary: Karen Burke mustard@klink.net Outings Chair: Scott Hammons adk_foothills_outings@yahoo.com 518-774-5050 Education Chair: Michael Divak divakvax@hotmail.com Conservation Co-Chairs: Shawn Neese sneese1@roadrunner.com Brenda Hammons penguins2b@yahoo.com Newsletter: Chapter Photographer: Greg Maklae gmaklae@frontier.net

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NO DECEMBER MEETING SO NO MINUTES

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