First Annual Adirondack Challenge
Remember the First Annual Adirondack Challenge is July 21, 2013 in Indian Lake. The Adirondack Challenge is a day-long festival with food, music and two water races—an invitational whitewater event and an international flatwater paddling competition.
For more information, check I Love NY's Adirondack Challenge webpage.
Canoe Camping at the Lake George Islands
Lake George Islands campsites are spread across much of the lake and are accessible only by boat. These campsites are divided into three groups—Glen Island, in the Narrows east of Bolton Landing; Long Island, on the south end of the lake; and Narrow Island, part of the Mother Bunch, located in the northern part of the lake.
The Glen Island group has more than 150 sites for camping; the Long Island group has 90 sites; and the Narrow Island group has 85 sites. Most are well forested and private, and all sites have a fireplace, picnic table, shared toilet facility and a dock for one boat. Two wheelchair-accessible campsites have tent platforms and level trails with a natural surface. When selecting a site, keep in mind the kind of vessel you will be using. Canoes are fine near the shoreline, but sturdier vessels are recommended for boating in the middle of Lake George. You will need a Lake George boat permit for a motor boat.
Each group of islands has its own headquarters to make registration more convenient. After choosing a site, you must park at and launch from a private marina (a fee is usually charged).
Lake George Hike-a-thon
Join in a 25th birthday celebration and hike some of the most beautiful spots around Lake George. The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) is turning 25 and is holding a Hike-a-Thon on Friday, July 5 to commemorate this milestone. Hikes varying in length and difficulty will be held at each of the LGLC's eight parks and preserves. The Hike-a-Thon is free and open to the public. To register, call 518-644-9673 or e-mail the LGLC.
In addition to a great day of hiking, participants will receive a t-shirt and an aerial photo of their group.
Saltwater Fishing in New York
It’s that time of year when the marine waters of New York State start teeming again with life. Whether you’re a novice angler or an avid saltwater sportsman or woman, you‘re probably anxious to wet a line and enjoy the outdoors. Luckily, New York offers exciting fishing opportunities for recreational anglers in pursuit of striped bass, bluefish, summer flounder, sea bass, scup, blackfish and other species. Numerous public access points on the state’s marine waters include public piers, beaches, four-wheel-drive trails and boat ramps.
New York’s non-commercial anglers can now document their fishing activities, compile their fishing data and plan fishing trips by participating in a voluntary online angler logbook—eLogbook. Before going fishing, be sure to enroll in the free Recreational Marine Fishing Registry and to check the fishing season and catch limit for your targeted catch.
Watchable Wildlife: Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Five Rivers is one of the best places in the Capital District to see a wonderful variety of wild birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects. For great summertime viewing, spend the early morning or pre-sunset hours traversing the center's more than 450 acres of fields, forests, ponds, streams and marsh habitats on 10 miles of well-kept trails, two of them specially designed for people with mobility limitations.
During the heat of midday, enjoy a relaxing picnic in the shade, or visit the air-conditioned education building with its dozens of intriguing exhibits, including several live animals that can't be returned to the wild.
Participating in fun programs and tours throughout the summer will leave you with many memorable vacation moments.
Hike of the Month - Swallow-Hollow Trail at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
One of the best ways to experience the different habitats and wildlife in the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is by hiking the Swallow-Hollow Nature Trail. Recently restored as part of a $40,000 grant, the 1.3-mile loop takes visitors through evergreen plantations, marshes and forested wetlands. The surface is a combination of elevated boardwalk and gravel trail, with interpretive panels along the way.
During spring and summer, this trail is one of the better spots for viewing a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and, of course, birds found in the refuge. Virginia rail, cerulean warbler and red-headed woodpecker are just a few of the many birds that can be seen here.
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