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Hike the Adirondacks
 2017 marks the 125th anniversary of the creation of the Adirondack Park. August is a perfect time to explore the park, but hiking in the High Peaks is crowded, and overuse has caused trail erosion and damage to vegetation. Here are some alternative hikes for a variety of experience levels, where you can enjoy scenic views and fewer people:
Rocky Peak - The East Trail in the Giant Mountain Wilderness ascends nearly 7 miles to the 4,420-foot summit. Rocky Peak Ridge (the 20th highest peak in the Adirondacks) offers 360 degree views of the Sentinel Range, Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains of Vermont. Experienced hikers only - 5 hours to summit
Whiteface Landing - The first 2.5 miles from the trailhead to the Whiteface Landing on the shores of Lake Placid ascends only 310 feet. The summit provides views of Lake Champlain, Lake Placid, the Green Mountains of Vermont, the High Peaks region, and a large portion of the northeastern Adirondacks. Those seeking a much shorter hike to the summit can drive the recently renovated Whiteface Mountain Veteran's Memorial Highway (fee required) to a parking area near the summit and hike the 0.15 mile trail ascending 200 feet to the summit. Beginning hikers -- 2 hours to summit
Silver Lake Mountain - This trail in the Taylor Pond Wild Forest ascends less than 1 mile from the trailhead on the Silver Lake Road. The summit offers views of Silver Lake, Catamount Mountain and Whiteface Mountain. Families with young kids - 1 hour to summit
Watchable Wildlife: Genesee Country Nature Center
 Mumford, Genesee County
The Genesee Country Nature Center encompasses hundreds of acres with five miles of trails through woodlands, meadows, old fields, fascinating geologic formations and a trout stream. On the Web of Life Trail, a vernal pond hosts myriad aquatic creatures, including wood frogs, fairy shrimp and wood ducks. Eastern bluebirds, house wrens, tree swallows and chickadees use nest boxes along the Lower Meadow Trail. There is a historic village and museum on the property (admission fee). The trails are open January through October.
For Camping, North-South Lake Campground Has It All
 Haines Falls, Greene County
North-South Lake is the biggest and most popular state campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve, offering extraordinary scenic beauty, and historical sites. The campground boasts 7 camping loops; 219 tent and trailer sites, two lakes and beaches. Campers can canoe/kayak, swim on a guarded beach, fish for a variety of species, or watch for deer, loons, wild turkey or songbirds.
Visitors have access to numerous hiking trails. The short hike to the site of the Catskill Mountain House provides the reward of incredible vistas. Longer and more strenuous hikes can bring you to such spots as Artist's Rock, Sunset Rock, Newman's Ledge, Boulder Rock, and the Kaaterskill Hotel and Laurel House sites.
Nature Adventure on the Bronx River
 Discover natural beauty in the heart of New York City from the unique perspective of the water. Each summer, the Bronx River Alliance offers estuary paddles that take you by canoe along the Bronx River to Long Island Sound. This month, you can choose either August 5th or August 12th for one of these four-hour paddles that start at 10 AM and end at 2 PM. The cost is $30 per person. Canoes, paddles and personal floatation devices are provided. Due to challenging tidal and wind conditions, estuary paddles are limited to adults only. See the Bronx River Alliance’s calendar for all the details.
Nature Notes
Beaver and alewife have returned to the Bronx River after hundreds of years, thanks in part to cleanup efforts by volunteers and local organizations.
Ranger Report
Town of Keene, Essex County
On July 4, rangers received a call about an overdue hiker. A trail register indicated he intended to hike Dial and Nippletop mountains as a day hike. Rangers searched drainages and herd paths throughout the night. New York State Police Lake Clear Aviation with a Forest Ranger crew flew over and searched these mountains with negative results. The lost hiker was last seen on Nippletop Mountain on July 3. On July 5, 18 Forest Ranger staff searched areas from Nippletop Mountain to Elk Lake and located the man in good health. The subject's gear and level of preparedness helped him survive two unplanned nights in the Dix Mountain Wilderness Area.
Upcoming DEC Events
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Hempstead Lake Summer Fishing Clinic, 8/5 at 10:00 AM, Hempstead Lake State Park
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Full Moon Walk, 8/7 at 8:30 PM, Reinstein Woods EEC
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Going Green at Five Rivers, 8/12 at 10:00 AM, Five Rivers EEC
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Woods Walk, 8/19 at 11:00 AM, Reinstein Woods EEC
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Family Fun: Turtles for Kids, 8/19 at 10:00 AM, Five Rivers EEC
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Town of Riverhead Family Snapper Fishing Clinic, 8/29 at 5:30 PM
Conservationist Magazine
 You won’t want to miss the August issue of Conservationist magazine. Enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of the Thousand Islands region, through the lens of photographer Chris Murray. Reflect on the lifelong contributions of former Art Director Wayne Trimm, who passed recently at age 94. Travel through the forest with Camden High School students as they learn about archaeological investigation techniques. And marvel at living leviathans, the lake sturgeon, spawning once again in major New York waters for the first time in many years.
There's all this and much more in the August Conservationist. Don't miss it! Subscribe online or call 1-800-678-6399.
Photo Credits
- Wood Duck - Mike Pogue
- Canoe - Bronx River Alliance
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