Virginia's Historic Triangle: Exploring the Birth of America (Part II)

By a stroke of dumb luck we planned our trip to Virginia in mid-May over a weekend that coincided with the annual anniversary celebration at Jamestown. Special events were taking place at both Jamestown Settlement, a living history attraction administered by the Commonwealth of Virginia and at Historic Jamestowne, which is a part of the US National Park Service. We chose to start the day at Jamestown Settlement and made it there just in time to watch the Godspeed, a recreated 17th century brigantine, depart from port for a cruise on the James River. Due to the cruise we were not able to tour the Godspeed, but three other ships were open for exploration. The largest, Susan Constant, was where I spent most of my time.

Galley and cook's quarters on board the Susan Constant

Touring the ship was fun. Had I been a crew member back-in-the-day I would have opted to be the cook. He got his own bed in the galley. Not only was it private, but was probably the warmest place on board the ship. It was also not below decks, and given the conditions of travel and lack of hygiene in the 17th century. I think it would have been the best quarters possible. Here, like Williamsburg, the staff was clad in period clothing but wasn't living in the past. They spoke in modern language and were able to answer questions and give presentations that were interesting and easy to follow.

After touring the ships we headed over to where the artillery demonstration was taking place. Honestly, I just had watched a similar demonstration the day before at Colonial Williamburg, and aside from the cannon and a few commands, it wasn't all that different...but really, how does one pass up the opportunity to watch a cannon drill?

Following the drill we made our way to the recreated village. My wife was interested in the garden planted outside the palisaded hamlet. She noted the extremely large rosemary bushes. I busied myself attempting to get a decent picture of the free roaming rooster that was darting here and there...no luck. The bird wouldn't hold still long enough for the shutter to click. So we headed through the gate to have a look around inside the  village.

Typical building style in Jamestown

What struck me was that most of the buildings were rather well built for the period they were trying to recreate. I was expecting log cabins or frame houses made with rough-cut siding. Nope. The earliest of the Jamestown settlers lived in such shelters only long enough to build structures akin to what they were used to back in England. The craftsmen who arrived in the New World were used to constructing Tudor and Elizabethian style buildings, so that's what they built. While some had stone or wood floors, simple dirt was the norm. Still in all. They seemed cozy and well made. Aside from the homes, we toured the storehouse, smithy, armory, and apothecary. In most cases there were interpretive staff members giving demonstrations or lecturing about daily life in early 17th century Virginia.

Inside a Jamestown home

Outside the palisade and a few dozen yards away was the recreated Powhatan village. On display were several huts, lavishly decorated with furs and tools, that would have been commonly found in homes of the indigenous people living there in the early 1600s. Native American lore is a hobby of mine and having led programs on the subject for many years at summer camps, I needed no tour guide as I went from hut to hut. I easily recognized most of the items, albeit I noted the differences between what the Powhatan used and what I was familiar with from the Lenape and Iroquios. Here, arrow quivers were woven from sticks instead of being made from leather. The baskets were differently shaped from what their neighbors to the north used and some of the tools were shaped or sized in a different manner. However the similarities between daily life among the Powhatan and other Eastern Nations were easy to spot. Crops were growing, leather was being stretched and scraped to form it into leather, and people were constructing tools and arrows. 

Pohatan dwelling with cooking rack in foreground

Following our trek through the Powhatan village, we headed back to the welcome center. Before lunch we took in a short film about the construction of the Godspeed replica. Just last year I had watched a wooden ship being built at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, and the movie made me remember the sights and sounds of a shipyard there. Modern tools were used in both cases, but old techniques and tricks of the trade are still employed in wooden shipmaking. Interesting more was the segment on sailmaking and rigging. I'm not a sailor nor am I a naval buff so I'm easily impressed by those that understand sailing. I was awestruck to see the amount of work and the attention to detail needed to construct canvas sails and rigging. 

Following the film we ate a quick lunch at the welcome center cafeteria. The variety of food was impressive. I opted for a barbecue brisket sandwich, which was pretty good but somewhat overpriced, even for a tourist area. The french fries tasted like typical SYSCO stock. Two lunches with drinks and a small dessert cost us almost $30. Other dining options are quite a drive away, so if you are on a budget I suggest packing a picnic lunch if possible. 

Our afternoon activities lay a short drive away. Just up the road is the National Park Service's Historic Jamestowne (aka Jamestown National Historical Site.) Like most facilities of the NPS, a modest visitor center offers some displays and an orientation film about the area. Outside was something different than any other park I had visited before. For all intents purposes, the place is a full-time archaeological dig. Yes, there are remnants of buildings and a few monuments, but here you can actually see archaeologists working. At the far end of the park, which isn't very large, is the Archaerium, a museum housing the artifacts that have been recovered during the digs. It contains everything from shards of old tools to nearly complete skeletons. The archaeologists come and go from this building as well, often speaking with the staff about the days finds and what's planned for tomorrow. They and the museum staff are quick to answer questions and even show off artifacts. 

Old church at Jamestown National Historical Site

We walked the grounds for some time exploring the old church and looking at the monuments before heading over to watch the afternoon musketeer drill provided by the St. Marie's Citty Militia. The group was small, but demonstrated 17th century pike and musket drills. Like their counterparts at Jamestown Settlement, they too are dressed in period. When one thinks of colonial America images of men in tricorner hats usually comes to mind, these folks looked more like the men on the Dutch Masters' cigar box. Their tactics were of the late Renaissance and they carried matchlock muskets. There was a bit of marching and explanation about drums and flags but the main attraction was the musket drill.

Both parks are well worth seeing. Leave more time for the Settlement. If you are new to living history exhibits, you may need five hours or so if you haven't seen things like a blacksmith or an armorer working a forge before. Even a seasoned historical explorer should leave about four hours, especially if you have  chance to tour the ships or wish to watch the militia. If there is nothing special going on at the National Historic Site, two and half hours should be ample time to visit there. Granted if you want a ranger led activity or wish to see the archaeologists in action, extra time might be needed. Both parks are included if you purchase a Historic Triangle package or you may simply pay the daily entrance fees if Jamestown is your only stop in the area.

The Godspeed under sail on the James River

Virginia's Historic Triangle: Exploring the Birth of America (Part I)

Continental Fifers and Drummers. 

Okay, so not every trip I take involves a hike into the woods or a day sitting in a kayak. I'm a history buff as well and from time to time I like to explore the historic places of America. A springtime trip to Virginia offered me an opportunity to visit Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, a trip that would take me from the beginnings of England's colonial attempts in America to its defeat by the descendants of those very first colonists some nearly a century and three quarters later.

My wife and I started our four-day trip to the area with Colonial Williamsburg. We were staying at a Colonial Williamsburg property and after a long drive the previous day, we really didn't feel like getting into the car to visit Jamestown or Yorktown. We opted to walk the short distance from our hotel to the historic area even though we were staying right next to the Visitors' Center where there was a shuttle stop. The sky was cloudless and there was no good reason to be in a vehicle or indoors unless absolutely necessary. Our first stop was the gardens outside Governor's Mansion.

Rows of blooming flowers, hedges, topiaries, and even a maze await garden visitors.

We spent some time exploring the garden area while waiting for performance of the Patrick Henry reenactor to begin. This was an interesting presentation. Like most of the townsfolk here, the players aren't totally immersed into the 18th century. When I visited the Plimouth Plantation in Massachusetts many years ago or have spent time with Revolutionary or Civil War reenactors acknowledgement of anything outside of the time frame in which those personas exist simply didn't happen. Here, at Williamsburg, the people were quite aware of the modern day. "Mr. Henry", in this case, spoke extensively about the goings-on of the colonial period but answered questions about things later in his life and even somewhat into the future. The actor even gave insight into current social and political topics. A sort of "What Would Patrick Henry Do" exercise. It was quite interesting. It made me think of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes where the crew uses a holodeck to get information from scientists of the past or perspective from historical figures. If only we could really consult with people such as Jefferson, Madison, and Franklin today.

An actor portrays patriot Patrick Henry.

Following our encounter with Mr. Henry, we ambled through the town inspecting several shops and the town armory before taking a lunch break at Shield's Tavern. The menu consisted of items somewhat in the tradition of 18th century colonial America. My "salamagundi" was essentially a chef's salad. I question the commonality of tomatoes as a food in 1780. While some were being cultivated in the Carolinas by then, tomatoes were largely ornamental plants during colonial times. Likewise, we visited in June. A period dish would not have contained tomatoes at all if served at that time of year simply because they aren't in season. I doubt seriously if the colonists grew hot house vegetables. Obviously concessions must be made for the sake of tourism and of course the prices at Shield's Tavern (like all of the Colonial Williamsburg eateries) are adjusted to maximize the outflow of cash from a tourist's wallet as well. I will commend them on the Pea Soup. It was pretty darned good and my wife regretted not ordering just a bowl of it for lunch instead of a cup and a sandwich. Note to the traveler: Eat off property. Had the dining experience been enhanced with period music and had there been actors performing like townspeople of the day discussing politics or gossiping, it might have been worth the price. 

Following lunch we moved to the Great Hopes plantation area for a look into what was done to supply the war effort. This was an interesting demonstration on colonial carpentry and the folks there showed how they made cypress shingles, building timbers, and plank siding. All of the woodcutters and carpenters gave excellent presentations, but it was misnamed. It focused more so on the economics of the building industry during the colonial period rather than how provisions were produced to assist the rebellion. 

Woodworking tools at the Great Hopes plantation area.

We departed the plantation after an hour or so and returned back to the town for the afternoon presentation of "The Revolutionary City." A street-theater production in several acts. The shows vary in subject matter from day-to-day. The weekly program listed some of these events as "The Cause of America" and "A Gale From The North," what is a part of official program and what isn't can be some matter of debate as the program can be confusing. When we were there, the first act dealt with a man who volunteered for the war effort to help earn money for his family. (This was on the weekly program.) Then there were two acts dealing with the war in the west and problems on the home front. (These were on the supplemental program but not on the main weekly schedule.) The performance than drifted to "The Town is Taken!" where turncoat General Benedict Arnold leads redcoats into Williamsburg and hoists the Union Jack over the capitol building. (This is in the weekly program.) The character of Arnold was interesting. The time is 1780 and he has aligned with The Crown. In his speech he explains how he was duped into joining the Rebellion and after several years of sacrificing his health and fortune, realized the futility of the effort. The insight into Arnold was well explored. The act of betrayal is legendary but few people ever get to hear his side of the story. 

Disenfranchised with the Rebellion, Benedict Arnold chastises
the local citizenry when they note his traitorous actions.

Finally, two more acts wrap up the event. (Neither of these were listed on the main schedule either.) Odd though, the "General Reviews the Troops" is listed as a part of the program on the weekly schedule, but not on the supplemental one. A few days after returning from the trip I received an email survey from Colonial Williamsburg that asked, among other things, several questions about "The Revolutionary City" program. I was somewhat critical in my responses because there were so many discrepancies between the daily and weekly schedules. Furthermore, only parts of the presentation had interesting storylines and action. I don't believe any shots were fired as the town was taken, but at least the drill of the Continental troops involved gunpowder!

Trigger time for the Continental troops.

After a quick trip back to our hotel room and an afternoon catnap, we returned to the town for the final event of the day, a concert in capitol. There was an extra cost for this activity but well worth it. The hour-long event featured a string trio comprised of the violin, the harpsichord, and the viola-de-gamba playing songs spanning from the early 17th to later 18th century. The musicians were excellent and the leader of the group was very entertaining with his anecdotes about the music and society of the day.

The Capitol Concert is held in the chambers of the old Virginia House of Burgesses.

Aside from lunch and the issues I had with the printed program, the day was enjoyable. In spite of the fact that everything about Colonial Williamsburg is not 100% accurate and a lot of the buildings are reconstructions, it is a worthwhile place to visit and visitors can learn a lot about life in the 1780s and early American history. The weather was perfect and it was a great way to spend a mid-May day. We headed into town for some dinner and then got a good night sleep in order to be well rested for Jamestown in the morning.

Goodnight, Williamsburg.

http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/

http://www.historictriangle.com/

History & Adventure Along the Upper Delaware River

A view of Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct from the river

When most people hear the words “Delaware River” it conjures up an image of George Washington standing in a boat, surrounded by ice, while his troops did all the rowing. Let’s flash forward about 230 years and head upriver about 150 miles…oh yeah, and make it summertime. Here, the river cuts through a canopy of green trees, the water is cool and refreshing, and peoples’ interests lie in attacking whitewater rapids, not German mercenaries. Here the river is a place of respite and recreation.

Every summer hundreds of thousands of people flock to the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River for boating, fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing. On any given summer day, rafts, canoes, and kayaks mingle with anglers, swimmers, and spectators on the water and around the shore. With about a half-a-dozen touring companies each with as many bases and campgrounds, about 15 public launches for privately owned boats and off-river based guiding companies, and all the private homes along the river with their own launch areas, one would think the river would be anything but tranquil. Guess again. Anyone with the will and means to make a few small sacrifices can enjoy blissful tranquility on the Delaware just about any day of the summer, even on peak holiday weekends.

Timing is usually the key. Starting a run at 9:00am almost ensures a full two hours of having the river to yourself. Start early and paddle past the crowded campgrounds still waking up from the previous night’s revelry. More times than not, the only other folks on the river this early are fishermen and park rangers. The average start times for most of the people using the commercial outfitters seem to fall between 11am and 1pm. A short 6 mile run means you will be pulling out at 11am and packing up just as the crowds begin to muster. Similarly, postponing your put-in time until after 2:00pm can often mean the crowds are 30-60 minutes ahead of you. Since kayaks and canoes are much faster than river rafts, expect to pass a few of these along the way. Unless the rafts are full of noisy partiers, once you pass them you tend to forget they are even behind you, after all, you are facing downstream.

Rachel Waters from Waymart, PA kayaks frequently on the river

Location is also another important factor. The bulk of the rapids fall between Narrowsburg and Pond Eddy. In fact the elevation change in the 26 miles from Narrowsburg to Pond Eddy is 160 feet, the bulk of it occurring in the first 10 miles. Under the right conditions a paddler at the head of a rapids section can look at another boat only a few hundred feet downstream and actually get a sense of feeling higher than the boat in front. While this area does remain wildly popular, a greater number of starting points are 12 miles south of Narrowsburg, past, what is arguably, the best section of the river.

Pick up a map from the National Park Service before your trip. A number of outfitters offer
kayaks, canoes, and rafts for rental. http://www.nps.gov/upde/planyourvisit/boatrentals.htm
If you are venturing on your own, be sure to plan accordingly and check the river
conditions on the hotline: 845-252-7100

The Ten Mile River launch is one of the best places to start a trip down river. It is an easy launch with lots of room for unloading and it is fairly calm, so getting into the water is a breeze. Additionally, directly across the river lie a small set of riffles that can be reached by paddling upstream just a little ways. This is a good place for a novice to give it a try. If you are a first-timer, try the riffles. If it proves to not be for you, paddle back to the shore and it is an easy out. If you continue downstream you will encounter more rapids, each set getting slightly more difficult until reaching the Zane Grey launch in Lackawaxen. Also along this section are some great rock formations that are perfect for a picnic, sunning, or swimming. Between the Kunkeli Rapids and the Zane Grey launch, Minisink Falls drops to the river from the left. You can explore the falls if you can park your boat and if you are willing to make the short trek up to the falls via the tunnel under the highway. 

To get up close and personal with Minisink Falls
means getting out of your boat and venturing through
a concrete conduit

Below Lackawaxen, Cedar Rapids, Stairway Rapids, and Mongaup Rapids also offer some fun. Even these rapids are definitely worth hitting, tacking them on from a launch at Ten Mile means a very long day on the water. Additionally, they are spaced a good distance apart from each other, so there are some monotonous stretches of river, especially at Pond Eddy, in this area. Likewise, the further south you go towards Matamoras, the busier the river gets. For whatever reasons, proportionally more paddlers tend to tackle the Pond Eddy to Matamoras section than they do points further north. 

No matter where you paddle, wildlife sightings are common. Mallard Ducks, Canada Geese, and Common Mergansers can be spotted with little effort. Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles are almost as common. Aquatic mammals such as Beaver, Otter, and Muskrat are less commonly seen, but no stranger to the river by any means. Similarly, non-aquatic birds such as Tanagers, Blackbirds, Waxwings, and Swallows can all be seen perching along the banks.

Mother Mallard and her ducklings. The Upper Delaware is a great location
for bird watching either in a boat or from the banks

The historians and geologists can also find plenty of things to spark their curiosity along this section of river. Rock formations carved out by eons of rushing water can be explored up and down the banks. Several waterfalls can be seen from the river here as well, most cascading down craggy cliffs from some unknown source far above the river. Old rock quarries dot the landscape. Long abandoned, only piles of rock tailings are left to tell where they once were. These quarries served to provide Bluestone a growing country from the colonial period through the 1930s. A few are still in operation today, but operate on a very large capacity within eyesight of the river. It may be a wild and scenic river now, but at one time this was a highway on industry. Rafts of felled timber floated down this river well into the mid 20^th century and along the shores canal boats hauled tons of Anthracite Coal from Scranton to the markets in New York. Remnants of the canal system can still be seen below Lackawaxen where John Roebling was commissioned to build an aqueduct to alleviate canal traffic that crossed over the river (see photo above.) Now a bridge for vehicles, Roebling’s aqueduct still stands today as the oldest suspension bridge in the country. The aqueduct was built just a few hundred yards downstream from the Minisink Ford, a natural low water section in the river, where, two-and-a-half years after Washington made his famous crossing 150 miles downstream, another lesser known figure of the Revolutionary War made his own crossing. Here, in 1779, Joseph Brant, a Mohawk, lead a mixed force of Loyalist militiamen and Iroquois warriors across the river after decisively defeating a contingent of New York militia on the hills just outside of Lackawaxen. History, it seems, is not without a sense of irony. The site of Washington’s crossing is managed by state agencies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. While it is a National Landmark, this designation is generally considered lesser in precedence than a National River since a landmark may be established by the Secretary of the Interior, whereas a National Scenic and Wild River can only be established by the President or Congress and is managed by the National Park Service.

Please check out these National Park Service webpages prior to your adventure. 

Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River

River Safety

Equipment & River Distances

Tusten Mountain Trail: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River

Looking out from the Tusten Mountain vista.

Most of the Delaware River from northeast Pennsylvania border with New York to just south of the borough of Delaware Water Gap falls under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River covers the northern section while the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area presides over the southern part. In addition to the actual “river” the “Water Gap NRA” has an extensive collection of trails for biking, equestrian use, and hiking. The “Upper Del” is not so fortunate. The vast majority of the land abutting the river is private and hiking opportunities are scarce. There are a few areas of note for woodland ramblers to check out, one of which is the Tusten Mountain Trail.

Located about halfway between Narrowsburg, NY and Lackawaxen, PA, the Tusten Mountain Trail is a three-mile loop that offers a nice view of the valley as well as a wide array of other natural and manmade things to investigate. While not lengthy, it is definitely a moderate hike due to some steep sections as well as some rocky (and in winter, icy) terrain.

Park Service map. Note marks parking area.

The trailhead is rather easy to find. Simply park at the Ten Mile River boat launch and look for the kiosk. Maps for the trail, provided by the Park Service are generally available there. The trail is located on private land owned by the Greater New York Councils of the Boy Scouts of America and is situated within the Ten Mile River Scout Camps approximate 14,000 acres. Several scout tent sites and lean-to areas are located along the trail. Please be respectful of the property and friendly to any scouts or other hikers you may encounter. This area of the scout camp is primarily used for weekend camping by scout troops that are canoeing on the river and for hiking. Additionally some weekday encounters with scouts can be expected in summer as this area is sometimes used by older scouts on multi-day backpacking treks. The campsites are available for use by scouting units, but are not open to the general public.

The trail officially begins at the kiosk and follows the dirt road along the Ten Mile River for a short distance before coming to a stone bridge. The bridge was constructed in 1875 and is a favorite subject for artists and photographers. Immediately after crossing the bridge are some ruins. Reeve’s Mills and Tusten were former villages that used to occupy this area. Here the trail gradually begins its ascent, still following the road for about another 0.4 miles. An abandoned quarry is visible on the right side of the road in this section. Immediately across the road is an old tailings pile from the quarry. Presumably, quarried stone was loaded onto sleds or carts and taken to market; the scrap was pushed to the side and left in piles. This is one of many tailings piles and quarries that dot the entire mountain. After a little bit, the road makes a quick descent. There is a large boulder on the right side of the road and a small vehicle turn-around to the left.

Here, turn right and proceed about 100 feet to a sign-in box. After signing in, hikers can choose to proceed directly to the summit by taking the left fork on the yellow trail or opting for a longer ascent on the red trail. The yellow trail rises sharply with only two short, flat sections. It involves some scrambling near the top. The red trail is rather flat until it meets up with the other part of the yellow loop. From the yellow/red intersection the trail is fairly gradual until it meets the cliff and then it gets rather steep and sketchy. Regardless of which way one takes to the top, crossing through this terrain will be necessary in order to complete the whole loop. Similarly, side trails and intersections can be found no matter if one hikes the loop clockwise, or counter-clockwise. Anyone hiking here should be wary of these side trails as some are not blocked off and a few lead miles away from the area. Others lead to private property and few, if any are marked or show up even on satellite maps.

Some notes attached to the official BSA map for Ten Mile River Scout Reservation.

The summit area has a great vista that overlooks the river. Several large slab rocks are perfect for a picnic or just a quick rest. Immediately below the summit is another old quarry and is worth exploring, but use care. A number of other quarries can be found in the way down from the summit by following the loop clockwise. Anyone hiking the trail in a counter-clockwise manner will encounter the other quarries on the way up.

Wintertime trekkers up Tusten Mountain should be prepared for ice. Snowshoes are not always needed, but boots and some sort of cleat (Yak-Trax, Kahtoolas, etc.) are suggested. Similarly, melting snow can make the trail muddy quite often throughout the winter. Rain runoff and seep make parts very muddy the rest of the year. Boots are not needed in warmer months, but they are not a bad idea.

Turkey and upland game birds are frequently seen in the area. Vultures are a common sight from the vista and eagle watchers should be on the lookout closer to the river. There are a number of Poplar trees in the area as well. Their white blossoms can frequently be seen in the spring along with Bluets, Violets, and Red Columbines. Great Rhododendrons also grow in the area along with Mountain Laurel. Due to the summer canopy, these bushes usually do not bloom. If they do, it is generally later in June and early July. Of course autumn is a wonderful time to explore this trail as well. There is a wide variety of hardwood trees on Tusten Mountain and each yield different hues from late September through the end of October. Although the trail is closed for a two week period during deer hunting season in late November and early December, Tusten Mountain offers something for every hiker year round. 

Tusten Mountain Trail Information: http://www.tusten.org/TustenTrail.htm

Ten Mile River Scout Reservation: http://www.tenmileriver.org/

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River: http://www.nps.gov/upde/index.htm

Mad River Glen: Ski It If You Can

I ski MRG at least once a year and have been doing so for over 10 years. MRG is not a flashy resort with tons of amenities. It does not allow snowboarding. The single-chair lift can have a long line. Trail grooming is minimal. Snowmaking is done by The Almighty. The trails are narrow, steep, and sometimes littered with moguls. These qualities would be a turn-off to most would-be skiers, to MRG devotees, these are the exact reasons this mountain is beloved. In order to appreciate this resort a skier must eschew modernity and embrace skiing as it was before steel framed lodges with drywall interiors, high-speed six-pack lifts, and groomed trails wider than a freeway.

My buddy, Tony riding the Single Chair

 Whether you ride the Single or the fixed-grip double to one of the two top stations, your choices about how to get down are numerous and the difficulty level ranges from a couple of green trails that traverse the resort, to a myriad of straight shots that will have you dodging trees and sketchy sections the whole way. I like to start by warming up on Upper Antelope before cutting over to The Upper Glade, Ferret, or Moody's, and then ski out the Lower Glade. After that, the rest of my day usually is consumed by seeking out trees, chutes, and bumps with occasional journeys into the green terrain when I need a break.

Lower Glades

MRG is not all bumps and trees. In fact, the entire skier's left side of the the lower resort is consumed with oodles of twisting greens and blues reminiscent of a Snakes and Ladders board game. Not only are these fun runs that can be used to access some great off-piste terrain, but these trails are perfect for the kids and beginner skiers. A mid-mountain double serves this area on busier days. Another double serves the somewhat separated learning area. I often wonder what it's like to be a kid here and grow up skiing this mountain. I hope the kids appreciate it.

My friend John, gingerly entering a chute

With no big amenities, there isn't always a lot to do for apres-ski. Good local acts do play in General Stark's Pub. They also serve some excellent dishes and have a nice selection of local brew. Snowshoe trails also exist for those who want something other than skiing.

Lynx trail

 MRG's snowboard ban is perhaps it's most controversial issue. Knowing the history of the resort and the reasoning for it I support the ban to a certain extent, but I know a lot of snowboarders who would love to ride the trails here and are good enough and respectful enough to do so without it being an issue. Instead of snowboarders, MRG attracts a higher-than-usual amount of skiers that use telemark equipment. This anachronistic manner of skiing is just as throwback as the mountain itself, and thus embraced by the resort. It's just another thing that gives MRG a certain flair not found at any other resort, and yet another reason I keep coming back.

Mad River Glen: http://www.madriverglen.com/ (802) 496-3351

The iconic MRG bumper sticker

Autumn Adirondack Adventures

Heart Lake at the Adirondak Loj

The first time I laid eyes on the Adirondack Mountains I was nine years old. My family took a vacation there prior to my cousin’s wedding in Schenectady. I don’t remember much about that trip aside from taking a boat ride down the Ausable Chasm. Back then they had wooden boats (I think) and nowadays they use rubber rafts to navigate the two mile gorge. I also remember riding the chairlift up Whiteface Mountain with my mom. I’m not sure if that chairlift is still there today. It probably was replaced by the Gondola, and given that ski-history is somewhat of a hobby of mine, you’d think I’d know, but that ride was long before I started skiing and even longer before I started taking note of the annual changes to various ski areas throughout the Northeast….but I digress. When we got off the lift I remember looking up to the summit and being disappointed that it didn’t go to the top of the mountain. I also recall seeing the other High Peaks of the region off in the distance and being amazed by them. I had been to the Smokies two years before that and had taken a tram ride to the top of one of those mountains as well, but something about these mountains were special. They were dramatic.

The next time I would visit the area would be six years later, this time to hike with my scout troop. I had already climbed big mountains out west by this time, yet as we approached the Adirondak Loj I peered out at the peaks with awe. We climbed two mountains that trip, two more the next year, and then I climbed a few more with my college outing club a few years later. One peak I didn’t scale was Mt. Colden, the eleventh highest in the Adirondacks. My first attempt to climb it was in 1998 but I was ill prepared for the six inches of snow that remained on the trails in late May. A second attempt was made in 2003 but was thwarted by a thunderstorm. Hopefully this trek would be successful.

I convinced my wife that a camping trip would be a good idea. I hadn’t been to the ‘Dacks since my climb up The Wolfjaws (see the earlier past about that trip) and the two of us hadn’t been camping in a long while. We weren’t roughing it by any means. Sure, we were tenting, but we were staying at the Loj campground. Lake Placid’s amenities were only a ten to fifteen minute drive or so away. On the way up we made the obligatory stop at The Loft in Lake George for a burger. The Loft is strategically placed just off the Northway and I must pass it going to both the Adirondacks and northern Vermont. Not stopping is not an option. After munching on the monstrous mix of meat, cheese, onions, and mushrooms we continued northward. Next we were getting off the exit for Route 73 and began making our way up the Keene Valley. It was late September and the area had just been hit hard by flash floods from hurricane Irene. Debris still littered the roadsides and creekbeds still showed signs of recent overflow and erosion. Even the road to the Loj had taken a hit. Thankfully the campground was intact and open for business.

Rather than deal with cooking we chose to dine out at the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery. I eat here almost every visit. The beers are excellent, the service is great, and the food is delicious. I suggest the ribs, and I suggest getting there early if you want them. When the daily supply is extinguished that’s it. If the weather is conducive to al fresco dining, opt for the deck and enjoy a meal and some fine ale watching the sunset over the peaks while last rays of light play on the waters of Mirror Lake. After dinner we headed back to camp in preparation for some hiking the next day.

Rocky Falls

My wife isn’t much of a hiker. Tackling an Adirondack High Peak was something she wasn’t going to do, but she wanted to hit the trail so we opted for a short, easy hike out to Rocky Falls. For late September, it was rather warm. Evidence of the storms was present as the trails were still muddy in places, but things overall were in good shape. Perhaps this was an omen of good things to come on my planned pitch up Colden the next day. After our morning hike we headed back into town for some lunch and then made our way over to Tupper Lake to visit The Wild Center solely so we could see the otters. The Wild Center is geared for kids but suits childlike 30-somethings equally as well. This was my second visit. We partook in some Italian food for dinner, so I carbed up on Alfredo at Nicola’s before calling it a night.

Day three started early for me. My wife slept in and had a day planned at one of the spas. I was going up. My hike began the same way as it had a dozen times before. A well-trodden two mile stretch of trail serves as the main thoroughfare leading from the Loj to the High Peaks. It’s a fairly level trip to Marcy Dam and I made good time. I was met with one detour just before the dam. The trail had been wiped out at the dam and the course was rerouted over some rocky sections of the creek. I was able to rock-hop without event but was rather shocked at the state of the dam and the lake. Irene had shown her wrath to the area. I lingered for a moment or two taking in the damage but also the fall colors. I also consulted my map. A bunch of trails merge here and lead to various peaks and camps, but they are well marked and choosing the correct one was not an issue.

Now the climbing started. Gradually at first, but little by little the incline increased. Here still the trail was in good shape and showed signs of regular use. I had been passed by another hiker very early after leaving the Loj and a few were just in front of me when I got to Marcy Dam, but they had all headed in other directions. I stopped for a quick break at a trail shelter just before the split to Lake Colden where a DEC Ranger passed me. He too was not going my way. It was 10:00am and I was pretty sure I was alone. The route I chose was not a popular one. Most hikers attack Colden from the campground at Lake Colden. I was taking the Lake Arnold route.

Before heading out I made sure the trail was open. There were still a few trails closed due to storm damage and I knew the Arnold approach was not a priority for the Rangers. Even the folks at the information center could only give me sketchy reports. Of course they told me the trail was sketchy all the time. Being a seasoned ADK hiker, I’ve come to prepare for sketchy. As I climbed higher my pace slowed. Not only was the trail getting steeper, but after the split for Lake Colden it became significantly rockier and at points ran concurrent with a stream bed. This proved to be the norm rather than the exception, but I eventually made it to Lake Arnold without much difficulty. I stopped for a snack and reloaded an empty water bottle before pressing onward. I could see the summit now, but the path snaked around to the other side of the mountain and it faded from my view.

Lake Arnold

The next leg was rather interesting. Flat areas were flooded and I found myself up to my knees in mud on several occasions. In many places the puncheon was under water or simply gone. My guess is even before Irene made her visit this section was in need of some maintenance. There were a few downed trees here as well, but only one forced me off the trail. Soon I encountered the sign notifying me I was entering the Alpine Zone (always a welcome thing) and shortly thereafter the trees began to shrink and then disappear altogether as I crested the north summit. I was tempted to linger here, but I had to press on. Descending only to have to go back up is always disheartening but the last push up to the summit wasn't as painful as I thought it was going to be. Of course in the back of my mind I knew I’d have to come back this way. It was later than I planned to be where I was at so taking the longer route down to Lake Colden and out Avalanche Pass was not an option. I was past my turn-around time and didn't want to gamble with unfamiliar trail. Sadly, there wasn't much time to take in the panorama.

Mount Marcy from the Colden Summit

The return trip was uneventful but memorable. Even though gravity was helping my descent, it was slow going at times. Downclimbing bare rock I scrambled up earlier could now prove to be hazardous. It always is. Fatigue, plus the laws of physics, can lead to a bad fall and the long haul downhill takes a toll on the knees. As I made my way lower and lower the shadows of the afternoon began to bend the light as it hit the trees. The canopy was a palate of fall colors and changed often. It reminded me of Prince Prospero’s palace in The Masque of the Red Death, the foliage filtering the light like the stained glass windows in Poe’s story. I arrived back at the shelter where I had seen the Ranger earlier in the day. A hundred yards below that I ran into the first humans I had seen in just over seven hours. It added to the surrealness of the situation. This was my first solo ascent of an Adirondack High Peak and my first ascent of anything by myself in a number of years. I stopped by Marcy Dam again for a bit and enjoyed my last few minutes of solitude. In forty minutes I would be back in camp.

Fall Colors at Marcy Dam Lake

When I made it to my campsite I found my wife napping. She enjoyed her day at the spa. I cleaned up and we headed out to town for dinner at the Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood/Brewing Co. One more night in the tent and then it was time to slowly head home via North Creek and Cooperstown, but that’s another story for another day.  

Spring Hiking in Northeastern Pennsylvania

View of Lake Wallenpaupack along the Shuman Point Trail

Springtime is a great time to hit the trails in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The days are generally not hot and sticky; squadrons of insects are generally not out en masse; the birds are back from their winter havens; and wildflowers begin popping up throughout the area. Whether you are out for a long day hike deep into the Delaware State Forest, or just taking a quick jaunt up to the views overlooking Milford, there’s plenty to see and experience for anyone whether a novice hiker or a seasoned veteran.

View from the Cliff Park Trail in the Delaware Water Gap NRA

Where I hike varies greatly throughout April. Early in the month I’m prone to venture into the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area or Ricketts Glen State Park to check out the waterfalls. Those April showers, coupled with the runoff from melting snows swell the streams and boost the water volume that tumbles over the escarpments. While the most popular falls inside the Delaware Water Gap can be reached easily via boardwalks and well-used trails, journeys to places such as Adams Creek Falls and Indian Ladders, both in the recreation area and accessible off US-209, require waterproof hiking boots with good traction, as does hiking at Ricketts Glen.

Adams Creek Falls in the Delaware Water Gap NRA 

If I’m in the mood to look for birds I generally head to the Bruce Lake Natural Area just north of Promised Land State Park. While some of the trails can be a bit rocky, most of them are relatively flat and open allowing the birding hiker the luxury of walking quietly and not having to keep looking down for rocks and downed limbs. The woods are fairly open so spotting songbirds is not too difficult and the trails skirt the edges of two lakes so waterfowl and pipers can also usually be found. Additionally, the dam and spillway constructed by the Civil Conservation Corps in the 1930s is worth checking out.

Inside the old barn at Varden Conservation Area

Old buildings and abandoned farms are another thing I like to seek out and early spring is a great time to find those things because there’s no snow cover, overgrown vegetation, or freshly fallen foliage to hide them. Easy scores can be found at the Varden Conservation Area while harder-to-find ruins lurk in the woods of Prompton State Park. Additionally, the trails at Prompton State Park run right along the Lackawaxen River, which is usually stocked with trout. Deeper into the park one can find some tiny holes where native trout hide out. So pack a fishing pole once trout season rolls around. At about the same time, Prompton’s wildflowers start to explode. Violets and Bluets will dominate the forest floor well into June, but the Trillium and Columbine that bloom only stick around for a short while. The State Game Lands off Masthope Plank Road between Welcome Lake and Lackawaxen also offer easy, creekside trails ideal for viewing flora or casting a line.

Trillium in bloom at Prompton State Park

So, whether you are the anxious angler waiting for the opening day of trout or you are a bummed out ski bum lamenting the end of winter, and you need an outdoor fix, find some ground, lace up your boots, and start walking.