Robert H Treman State Park

Posted on by Brownski

Robert H Treman State Park has been on my radar for a long time. I haven’t been camping much lately but back when I was — spending weekends at North Lake or Little Pond in the Catskills — one of my customers, Chuck, suggested Robert H Treman.

Lower Falls Swimming Hole

Chuck loved the Ithaca area generally and Robert H Treman State Park in particular. He repeatedly described how beautiful the gorge was and swimming under the waterfalls. He painted an idyllic picture, really went for the hard sell. I put it on my list fifteen years ago but somehow never got there. Beach vacations, road trips and local staycations always won out.

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Tagged: Ski Life9 Comments

Phelps Mountain Mission

Posted on by Peter Minde

Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to get your a$$ up one of the 46 High Peaks before summer is out. If you fail, readers will deny any knowledge of your existence. This tape will self destruct in 30 seconds.

Marcy Dam

Eight months into my new life in Saranac Lake, I had yet to get out on one of the Adirondack 4000. I’ve been on all of them, some of them multiple times, but most of that was a long time ago.

Sunday had a sketchy forecast. Monday would be better, but my child would be driving up on Monday to spend the month with me, so Monday was out. Eeny, meeny, miney, mo. After looking at my options, Phelps Mountain came out on top.

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Tagged: Adirondacks, High Peaks, Hiking8 Comments

Paddling Lake Welch in Harriman State Park

Posted on by Brownski

Lake Welch in Harriman State Park is a frequent paddling spot for me. There are multiple reasons for that. It is right off of exit 14 on the Palisades Parkway, making it supremely accessible. It has a dedicated parking area for paddlers behind a locked gate so even on the park’s busiest days I am almost guaranteed to be able to find a spot. It’s big enough to get a modest workout and do a little exploring so I don’t get too bored with the scenery.

Lake Welch boat launch

All the lakes in Harriman are compromised as pure nature experiences. The place is just too popular and too close to the city to find true solitude.

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Tagged: Harriman / Bear Mountain, Paddling6 Comments