The Raymond Brook Ski Trail

The Raymond Brook Ski Trail is one of the oldest ski trails at Gore Mountain. Today it’s on state land, but it is still important part of the trail network around North Creek, NY.

Raymond Brook Ski Trail

The Raymond Brook Trail has been through several phases of use. In the “ride and slide” days, it was a major route. The ski from the top of Gore down to the river was long. The need to “sweep” Raymond Brook was one factor behind the creation of New York’s First Ski Patrol at Gore.

At some point in time the Raymond Brook Trail went unmaintained and it stayed that way for many years. When I first learned of the route, I didn’t know it by name.

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The Ski Season in Photos #6

Finally, in mid-January, we got some significant measurable snow in the mountains of New York.  At HQ in North River, it was barely a foot, and didn’t really get the trees going, but it was snow. Natural snow always improves conditions.

It Finally Snowed.
Tree Dreamin’ • Somewhere in New York • January 14, 2012

Finally, in mid-January, we got some significant measurable snow in the mountains of New York.  At HQ in North River, it was barely a foot, and didn’t really get the trees going, but it was snow. Natural snow always improves conditions.

Reports and photos from Greek Peak were very encouraging. Laszlo Vajtay of Plattekill called the improvement in surfaces “amazing.”

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The Botheration Pond Trail

Since I first started skiing at Garnet Hill in the 1980s, Botheration Pond has captivated my imagination. I’d see it on the map, so close, yet tucked away. It symbolized all the remote spots in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness that were out of my reach.

bridge over the East Branch of the Sacandaga

Together The Vly and Botheration Pond form the headwaters of the East Branch of the Sacandaga. When I studied the map, it seemed that the waterway would offer a long stretch of easy, beautiful and remote marsh skiing. With an intriguing name and no trail accessing it from state land, I was very curious about that pond.

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