Hike of the Month: Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing at Camp Santanoni

Newcomb, Essex County

For a unique winter experience, join other snowshoers and cross-country skiers for a Winter Weekend/Open House on January 13-15 at historic Camp Santanoni, a 19th-century Adirondack Great Camp. The 9.8-mile round trip outing starts at the estate's impressive stone Gate House and follows the carriage road through dense forest past an old dairy, farmhouses and the ruins of a large barn. It continues to Newcomb Lake, where participants can warm up by the fire at the sprawling Main Lodge and get a hot drink at the quirky Artist Studio.

Camp Santanoni is just one place to explore in winter. Check DEC’s Great Winter Hikes webpage for more places to enjoy the outdoors.

First Day Hikes

Spend the first morning of the New Year hiking at a state park or DEC property near you. The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and DEC are sponsoring a number of guided hikes throughout the state.

Salmon River Hatchery Shows Off Exciting Updates

Altmar, Oswego County

With completion of the first phase of renovations, the Salmon River Fish Hatchery has begun showing off its dazzling improvements to the public. The hatchery is one of DEC’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually.

The hatchery’s fish culturists raise millions of trout and salmon for release into the Great Lakes. They also serve as educational ambassadors to visitors of all ages and from places near and far. Eye-popping features have been added to enhance the visitors’ experience, with improved interpretive displays and fish tanks. The renovations are part of Governor Cuomo’s Adventure NY initiative and will continue through 2018.

Watch a video about the Salmon River Fish Hatchery.

Watchable Wildlife: Point Peninsula for Wintering Raptors

Jefferson County

Point Peninsula Wildlife Management Area (WMA) , located on Lake Ontario, is possibly one of the most critical wintering areas in the northeastern U.S. for arctic-breeding raptors, including short-eared owl (state endangered), rough-legged hawk, snowy owl, northern shrike, and northern harrier (state threatened).

This WMA, popular with hunters, is a 1,045-acre natural wetland complex consisting of sand beach, dune, emergent marsh, grassland, and wooded shrub swamp. Point Peninsula is home to many species of small game and white-tailed deer, and multiple species of grassland-nesting birds frequent the area. It is located in a bird migration corridor and provides important stopover and feeding habitats for a wide diversity of migratory bird species. The marsh and western shoreline of the WMA supports a breeding population of black terns, as well as substantial populations of breeding and migrating waterfowl.

Photo credit: Gordon Ellmers

Winter Camping at Letchworth State Park

Livingston and Wyoming Counties

Frozen waterfalls, the roaring Genesee River and snow-covered forests turn the renowned Letchworth State Park into a winter wonderland.

The park, nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the East" because of its deep gorge and cliffs that soar hundreds of feet above the canyon floor, is open to camping year-round. Winter activities include snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and interpretive programs.

The park operates the Maplewood Lodge and winterized cabins. The lodge is ideal for snowmobilers because of its connection to the NYS snowmobile trail system. Contact the park directly at 585-493-3600 for reservation information. For those who like more creature comforts than the lodge or cabins offer, winter accommodations are available at businesses nearby.

Letchworth State Park was also named the Best State Park in the Nation in the 2015 USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards.

Photo credit: NYS OPRHP

Nature Notes

Short-eared Owls are the most diurnal of all the northeastern owls. They are most often observed in the late afternoon and at dawn or dusk.

Ranger Report

On Dec. 1, a 76-year-old woman went for a hike through Bluestone Wild Forest. She became disoriented on an unmarked trail as darkness set in. She was prepared for the cold temperatures, but did not have a flashlight. After several unsuccessful attempts to obtain her coordinates, Ranger Kevin Slade and Sheriff Deputies located the woman, two hours later, in good health.

Upcoming DEC Events

I Bird NY: New Year’s Bird Count, 1/1 at 9:00 AM, Five Rivers EEC

First Day Hike, 1/1 at 11:00 AM, Reinstein Woods EEC

Christmas Bird Count for Kids, 1/6 at 9:00 AM, Register at Reinstein Woods EEC

An Introduction to Snowshoeing, 1/13 at 1:00 PM, Five Rivers EEC

Woods Walk: Winter Tree ID, 1/20 at 1:00 PM, Reinstein Woods EEC

How to Do It: Winter Tree ID, 1/27 at 2:00 PM, Five Rivers EEC

Other Upcoming DEC Events

Conservationist Magazine

Looking for a last minute gift idea? How about giving the gift of nature—a subscription to Conservationist magazine. A bargain at only $12, Conservationist is packed with informative and entertaining articles, first-rate photography and stunning artwork. Articles cover a broad range of environmental and natural history related topics, including fishing, hiking, outdoor recreation, travel, hunting, and nature studies. There’s something for everyone, so give the gift that lasts all year—simply visit us online.

Happy Holidays!

Register to Vote

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Photo credits:  Banner - John Matera