LGLC Owl Prowl

This last Saturday the LGLC had a program called the Owl Prowl that they originally scheduled at Pilot Knob Ridge, but due to icy trail conditions decided to hold the program at the Cat and Thomas Preserve on the west side of Lake George in Bolton Landing.

Our leader took us in to the preserve at twilight to a few locations that she had called owls before and had us wait off the trail, quietly, while she tried different owl calls. She was attempting to have them call back and hopefully get them to fly in and investigate. She explained that this time of year owls were beginning to pair up and mate for the season and by using certain calls they are more likely to call back.

We stopped at a few spots along the trial from the kiosk to a point about 0.75 miles in. Now while we didn’t have any luck, it gives you a different perspective being in the woods after dark on a clear night. The stars were beautiful and while the moon had not risen yet, the woods were still illuminated by the bright star lit sky. I camp in the late spring and summer and know what it is like to be in the woods after dark, but I don’t go camping in the winter and this experience just reminds me on how different and beautiful the woods look at different times of the day and year.

If you get a opportunity to go on a program run by the LGLC…go you will learn something

Pilot Knob Ridge

I unexpectedly began my 2008 patrols at the Pilot Knob Ridge click the link in my sidebar for details...still not letterboxing yet...but soon!

March and still snow bound

I haven't had much opportunity to enjoy the outdoors of late. There is 4 feet of snow on the ground right know and I have had to work on weekends to give my coworkers some vacation time. I also am not well outfitted for winter hiking...so what I am saying is that I have cabin fever real bad and I want the snow to go away.

Now I have been getting together my latest letterboxing project. I am going to turn the two letterboxes I have on the back of Prospect Mountain in Lake George, NY in to a 5 or six box multi place. I am going the theme it with and environmental educating color. This area really runs the gamut of abuse of the environment to nature at it's best and beautiful. I have the stamps carved and mounted and I am getting the containers prepared. I am going to place them as soon as the snow allows me too...sometime in late April????

See you then.

A New Year

Another one came and went and for me I think it was a good year. One of the things that I did this year that I haven't done in the past is volunteer some of my time. It felt and feels great. This coming year I am planning on giving more time to the LGLC at Pilot Knob Ridge and I really want the trails there to be something that people really enjoy.

Letterboxing this year will be more finding and less planting. I am going to plant a series up on Prospect Mountain with a theme. What that theme is...well you will have to wait, but I have the stamps done and the containers all ready. I am just waiting for the spring. One thing that I am a little disappointed with letterboxing is the lack of letterboxes in remote locations and the lack of letterboxers who look for letterboxes in remote locations. I don't mean to say that I am down on letterboxing and many boxers have brought me to real special locations, but I will be searching for the mountain top and harder hike boxes this year and let the parks go and grab and go's be. Quality. Geocachers seem to place more in the areas that I want to go...well some will say why don't you geocache??? I will! But geocaching lacks the stamp which is one of the things that keeps me interested in letterboxing.

Buck Mt in November

I went back up Buck Mountain, in Fort Ann NY today for a general hike and to see if I could find the Leaf Letterbox, that my son and I were unable to find this past May. I found it! It was exactly where the clues said it was, except you have to pay a little more attention to the landmarks and less to the pacing. One treat was I found a Hitchhiker there that was launched 2003! The logbook had many beautiful stamps in it and was wonderful to look for. I will hold on to the HH for the winter as there are not many boxers out there now and I want to get it into an active box so others will move it along.

The trip up Buck Mt was fairly good some icy spots and I went down in a stream and got wet, but it wasn't too bad. About 1.5 miles from the Katskill Bay trailhead the DEC has rerouted the trail to the summit due to erosion. I think that the new trail will be just as bad in 5 years as the DEC only cleared the trail thread but there are spots that need to be stabilized.

Here is a Late Fall view from Buck Mt.

Pilot Knob Ridge

I patrolled the trails today and left my tools at home as it has been a while since I have just enjoyed the trails. I took a couple for pics for your enjoyment.

First though the trails are clear and is great shape. Take some time to hike the blue trail to the falls, the water is flowing.

A view of Lake George from the Gazebo

The Gazebo

Some fall color, even if it is on the ground

And yes with all the rain we have has in upstate New York, the falls are flowing.

Invasive Species how Letterboxers and Geocachers can help!

I have been working as a volunteer trail steward for the Lake George Land Conservancy for over six weeks now and I love it! One of my responsibilities is to keep an eye out and destroy any invasive plant species that may invade the preserve. The LGLC has compiled a list of the top five most invasive plant species in our area and the list is at:

http://www.lglc.org/media/Terr-inv-chart.pdf

Right now purple loosestrife and shrubby honeysuckle are the two that I have seen and have had to deal with the most. The LGLC prints the brochure that I have linked to above and distributes them in their trail kiosks and also is making a concerted effort to educate homeowners as to the benefits of removing invasive plants and planting native plants on their properties.

You should read the brochure that I have linked to see the problems and issues regarding these plants and most importantly what you can do about them. Also, these are the top five most invasive plant species in my area. You should look to see what plants or animals for that matter are invasive problems specific to your region. One of the main problems with invasive species is they tend to out compete native plants or animal and can have an impact on other parts of the ecosystems. For instance, the fruit of shrubby honeysuckles tend not to have enough protein for migratory birds that feed on them and may impact their migratory success rate.

I know that many of us letterboxers and geogachers like to do things that shine a favorable light on our hobby. I think that if you educate yourself on this problem and then find a way to take some action in your area. Being out in the parks and nature trails as we are we can be the eyes for those who would like to remove and mediate the impact of these plants and animals. Do not cut or remove any plants on public or private property unless you have permission. One thing that you can do is contact those in charge of the property and tell them where the infestation is and if you could help in any way. Make sure you obtain permission first before you act on the ground.