Yet another reason to letterbox.

I went up to the Lake George Land Conservancy's preserve at Gull Bay to pick up a letterbox that I have been looking forward to looking for, for a while. Today I was not disappointed with a fine couple of hours of hiking, letterboxing, birdwatching and yes geocaching all in a little tiny nature preserve.

I found the letterbox easily, it was hidden in a great place and had a very nice hand carved stamp. After I found the box I went caching. The GC was located on the opposite side of the preserve which allowed me to have a pleasant hike along old tote roads to a vantage point that offered a stunning view of the Great Blue Heron nesting grounds.

Not only did I find the caches and letterbox, but I saw deer, grouse and of course a pleura of great blue heron. All in all a great letterboxing/geocaching day!

Thoughts on Geocaching

I did some trail maintenance this weekend ant the Pilot Knob Ridge Preserve and while I did this I also looked for two new GC's. I am seeing a trend that I do not care for too much, that being that cachers are over populating certain areas.

On the 200 something acre preserve that I help to maintain, there are now 5 caches, one brings you to that special place, the rest are stuck in the woods, and one is in the kiosk. When I first began geocaching and letterboxing 4 years ago I liked the discovery of those new places that are known to a few, but are still special, or the thought that goes in to making a multi-cache that takes you on an awesome adventure. That GOOD caches are becoming diluted with the pleura of GC's out there that are hidden simply for the sake of hiding a cache. I don't bother hunting for roadside caches or caches placed in areas that I have already been or micro's.

The problem for me is two years ago a majority of the caches were interesting now they are the exception. Geocaching for me is something that I do now if it is near to a place that I am hiking, but I do not go out of my way to cache or look for boxes anymore. It really is too bad, because there are some many places that are interesting that do not have a stashed item on them that could, but with the volumes of junk caches out there are even more difficult to find. I fear that the popularity of the sport is going to be its demise. The GC lords need to space the single caches further apart, and to coordinate better with letterboxers for the sake of both activities

First Hike of the Season

After a very quiet winter with me at war with my lower back I am finally able to get out and hike.

Today I went up the little Pilot Knob Ridge preserve that I am a volunteer for and did my first loop around all the trails. I was very happy seeing all the trails in excellent shape. I won't have to spend the first few weekends up there hacking blowdown.

I am looking forward to getting up north and we are planning a 5 day trip on the NPT so I have a lot to look forward to this summer.

I was happy with my winter conditioning program, I was out of breath in a couple of spots, but not bad really. Of course I was taking it easy the first time out. I will push it a little more next week.

Just Back From Vacation

I just returned from a 21 hour drive from Fla and after a wonderful two week Vacation. Most of what we did was theme park related but we did some outdoor related activities as we explored the Central Florida. I will post them this week and yes I will spare you the family photo session.

Just wanted to let everyone what has been going on.

The North Country National Scenic Trail Info

Here are some links and information regarding the North Country National Scenic Trail.

This came from the DEC Website:

The draft NCNST Plan/GEIS for the Adirondacks will be the subject of 3 public meetings:

Wednesday, December 5th, 6:30-8:30pm, DEC Office, 232 Hudson St., Warrensburg.

Thursday, December 6th, 6:30-8:30pm, Town/Village Office Bldg., 13149 State Route 12, Boonville.

Friday, December 7th, 2-4pm, DEC Central Office, PA-129A, 625 Broadway, Albany

Website with all the information you need including the draft plan: The North Country National Scenic Trail

Also the public comment period ends on 2/15/2008

So if you have issues with this plan you will want to read the draft plan on the DEC website and make sure to make your comments to the contacts specified on the DEC Website

The North Country National Scenic Trail

This is a trail system that is a east-west version of the Appalachian Trail. This trail beginning in North Dakota and runs currently into the Finger Lakes region of New York State. The next leg of this trail is being planned through the Adirondacks to Crown Point. One of the routes that are being planned is through the West Canada Lake region I am not sure exactly which trail they would like to route this through, but it looks like that the NCNST will cross the NPT at South Lake and go east via the French Louie Trail. There are three other routes being planned and I think that the general feeling is that the State does not want the trail routed through here, but I don't know that from any direct communication.

My feeling on this is mixed. I do not think that this trail will bring in the huge numbers of thru hikers, however, if the NCNST portion that leads into the W.C. Lakes area makes parking and access easier, this may make this remote, glorious area more accessible by others who have no interest in hiking the NCNST. The nice thing about areas like the West Canada Lake area is that it is so difficult to get to so that only those who are more serious outdoors men will work to hike in. Well worth the work. I worry that if the State takes too much of the work out, that this area and areas like the West Canada Lakes will loose their remoteness that make them so special to people who are willing to work to get to them.

Right now the route is up for public comment and I think that after the route will be announced and work will begin. Most of which, I believe, will be from volunteers from the ADK along with the already stretched thin DEC crews.

I will keep and eye on the goings on a little closer and report back as I learn more myself.

Checks on Letterboxes and the other hunting season waring!!

I check my Col. Williams and Fort George Park Letterboxes today and both were dry and in good shape and look like they had a lot of visitors this year. There was one thing for both of these boxes. They were both left out on top of the ground!! Please re hide in the described hiding spot as good or better than you found it. Fort George Park could have easily been seen by a muggle. I am glad now that I painted the lid black.

While I was doing this I also took my dog for a walk. I cut down toward Lake George and came out at a DEC auxiliary parking lot at a swamp that I used to trap 30 years ago. My dog charged into the water and I ran after him, and noticed that the area he was in was a wet area from a fresh beaver dam and he ran down a beaver run. I instinctively looked down and there it was a leg hold trap. My dog luckily jumped over it. He was coming out and heading right fom the trap. I grabbed it and allowed him to get out and then put the trap back. What the hell was I thinking! It is trapping season in this area and you don't bring dogs next to any backwoods water. Also, walk with you dog on a leash if you are in a no hunting area as there could be traps out there off the trails.

I was an idiot!. I could have caused my dog a bunch of pain, I also disturbed a trapper's set...I had to sorry buddy...I do not trap anymore, but I am pro trapping and hunting. These are the primary methods to control wildlife populations. You may not like it but it is the best way to keep the numbers in check. By doing that trappers help keep wildlife population healthy and keep diseases such as rabies from becoming a concern.

Anyway leash your dog for their safety.