Susquehanna Chapter ADK

Fifteen members and six guests attended a picnic and short hike on July 21st at the former YMCA Day Camp in West Laurens, hosted by the new owners, Scott and Joyce Beach (Moira’s family). Although a small group, we enjoyed a meal and celebrated the 70th birthday of Doug Fielder. After the picnic, several people hiked around the pond and Erika even went swimming. Steve Bonnell’s daughter, Mary, shared memories she had of being a camp counselor in the Nature Center at the Y camp a few years ago. Report by Moira Beach

There were 22 of us who gathered to hike at Mt. Otsego in Pierstown on a beautiful Tuesday morning. This was made possible by The Otsego Land Trust and land owner Susan Birdsall. Preceding the hike we were given a brief history of the ski slope by Barbara Mulhern whose father was instrumental in its beginning back in 1938. We were led on our hike up the ski slope and through a beautiful wooded area by Connie Tedesco and Peter Hujik from the Land Trust.

On a beautiful summer morning, 23 participants set out from our house to hike to the Collier's Dam. Some of us went down the steep, rocky trail that goes to the base of the dam. The previous week, four of us went to check and clear the trails. Near the dam we encountered numerous empty, and some full, water bottles that had been provided for the racers in the Canoe Regatta. On hike day we went prepared with bags for clean-up. We picked up not only the water bottles but also cans and other trash along the way. A total of 57 bottles and cans were collected.

The day dawned very nicely with some sun and a good south wind on Canadarago Lake. 25 Members plus 4 guests participated. All met at the outlet bridge on Rt. 22 Schuyler Lake. Some had the opportunity to chat on the bridge with three students working with the NYS Department of Fish and Wildlife who do monitoring of the Lake and its tributaries. All watched as eight Kayaks and one canoe put in at the outlet and enjoyed the pretty paddle to the mouth of the Lake.

There were 21 hikers who walked a seasonal road in Milford on June 15th. It was a beautiful sunny morning and by starting at 9:00 am we were done at 11:00 am and avoided the mid-day heat. There were a lot of hills so there was a car at the bottom for those who didn`t want to walk back up. Every seemed to have a good time as usual. Co-leaders were Dran Darrah, Bev Hensle and Maureen Willis

Beginning and ending at the Milford Nordic Ski Parking area, 24 ADKers enjoyed walking 3 miles through the sweet-smelling woods of Arnold Lake State Forest. The day was cool and most participants found comfort wearing jackets during the first descending mile. Most hikers, however, had their jackets tied to their waist during the steep final ascent. Near the finish a light rain spurred hikers to quicken their pace and discouraged them from eating lunches in the parking lot.

We had a great turnout for the hike/photo shoot morning at Gilbert Lake State Park in spite of the chance of rain. Fran Darrah led 15 hikers from the hill top section of the park, while I took 10 photographers to the lower cabin area. Three hikers walked around the lake. It was a fun outing for all. Report by Julie Smith, Photographs by Carol Saggese.