Paddling Lower Saranac Lake: 08/17/2013

Looking across Lower Saranac Lake at Mount Baker and McKenzie Mountain

Without even realizing it, we made the decision to paddle Lower Saranac Lake while we were standing on the summit of Mount Baker earlier in the week. From the summit overlook it’s not necessarily the nearest or even the most prominent body of water, but its appeal for paddling is immediately obvious: numerous islands, miles of undeveloped shoreline, and easy access.

Plus, I’ve got some personal history with the Saranacs. My earliest introduction to the Adirondacks was as a camper (and then counselor) at a Boy Scout camp near Upper Saranac Lake. Canoe trips were a big part of the program, and for 10 summers straight I paddled the Saranacs, the Raquette River and the Saint Regis / Floodwood area on canoe trips up to a week long. So these waters are in my blood, so to speak.

Riding in the shadow of Whiteface: the Barkeater Trails, Lake Placid

When I got back into mountain biking a year or two ago, one of my first questions – like many beginning riders – was “where?” Right away I heard about the Barkeater Trail Alliance (BETA) and their growing network of purpose-built mountain biking trails around Wilmington and Lake Placid. The Barkeater trails immediately rose to the top of my must-ride list. Finally, a family vacation in Lake Placid last week gave me the chance to sample some of the riding.

Bushwood, one of the trails in BETA's Lussi trail network

Climbing with kids: the Beer Walls: 08/15/2013

Unlike last month, when we climbed at Chapel Pond with nearly a dozen in our party, we had a relatively quiet day climbing at the Beer Walls with just our family of four. I emphasize "relatively" quiet, because our kids - any kids I suppose - at times seem quite capable of making as much noise as a party of twelve. Noise level is a real issue to consider when other climbing parties are nearby, as is often the case at a popular crag like the Beer Walls, but was no problem at all for us on Thursday when we pulled up to an empty parking lot at the approach trail head. That's one of the bonuses of climbing mid-week - definitely a consideration when climbing with kids.

Daniel practicing his crack technique on 3.2

Mt. Baker: 08/12/2013

Located just outside the village of Saranac Lake, Mount Baker is one of the shortest and easiest family hikes that we've done. It's so short that we wouldn't have driven all the way to Saranac just for this hike, but we are staying in Lake Placid for the week and Mount Baker fit perfectly for a half-day family hike. Don't let the easy rating fool you: the summit ledges offer excellent view of the mountains and lakes around Saranac Lake as well as the High Peaks beyond. At least two dozen summits are visible.

View of McKenzie Pond and the High Peaks beyond from Mt. Baker's summit ledges

Solo at SMBA

I really enjoy mountain biking with other riders. It's great for motivation, skill development and camaraderie. But I end up riding solo pretty frequently, mostly because I often have to fit my rides into a fairly narrow time window. While time was a factor Thursday evening, that wasn't the only reason I was on my own. It had rained hard during the afternoon, and just as I was gearing up at the trailhead, Round 2 started. Wet and muddy trails, rain, and nobody else riding. It was great.

Don't let the horses do all the running

I've got a piece on the Times Union's Runners Blog today on how to combine a run through Saratoga Springs with a visit to the track. The run follows a route from eastside residential neighborhoods near the track to the mansions of North Broadway and then through the Skidmore North Woods.

You can read my post here.