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DEC Announces Seasonal Closure of Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Parkway


A view from Prospect Mountain, looking down into Lake George Village, at the southern end of Lake George.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that the Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Parkway will close for the 2020 season at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11th.

Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Parkway climbs 5.5-miles from the entry gate to a parking lot just below the summit. There are three separate overlooks along the parkway – the Narrows, Lake George, and Eagle’s Eye – from which to enjoy the scenery of the Adirondack Mountains and Lake George. More adventurous visitors can hike to the summit on a 1.5-mile trail, which climbs 1,630 feet from its trailhead on Smith Street in the village of Lake George.

Prior to the seasonal closure, DEC helped to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at this site by implementing several precautions, including closing the roadway to the summit of Prospect Mountain to public vehicle traffic and not operating the shuttle from the parking lot to the summit. Visitors can park in the parking lot 155 feet below the summit and walk the 0.2-mile paved path to the top. Picnicking is prohibited and the public restrooms remain closed. View scopes at the pull-offs and on the summit have been temporarily removed.

Use of the parkway has been free this year as DEC encourages New Yorkers to Play Smart, Play Safe, Play Local and enjoy the outdoors responsibly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Typically, use of the parkway costs $10 for a car, $5 for a motorcycle, and $50 for a commercial bus.

If you’ve never been up Prospect Mountain, it offers beautiful views of Lake George, and is worth the trip.

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Bald Eagle Spotted Nearby


The dot on top of the tallest tree in the center of the above picture is a bald eagle.

The picture here was taken on Monday, November 9th, from a boat passing by the Chapel Islands. The bird perched on the top branch was a bald eagle, which seemed to be on the lookout for its next meal. (Click image to see larger picture.)

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DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights

Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 31 at 1:28 p.m., Warren County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch requesting Forest Ranger assistance with an ill hiker on the trail in North West Bay on Lake George. The caller advised that a 27-year-old woman from Katonah was conscious, but not responsive. Forest Ranger Donegan responded, along with members of the Bolton Fire Department and EMS squad using their fire boat from Green Island. The hiker was located at 2:15 p.m., and carried onto the fire boat by Forest Rangers, members of the Lake George Park Commission, and Bolton Fire and EMS. On the boat, the subject was transported to the landing zone to be airlifted to a local hospital by New York State Police Aviation. The incident concluded at 4:15 p.m.

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DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights

Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 23 at 11:30 a.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance for a 40-year-old woman from Schenectady who became disoriented while hiking Cat Mountain. Coordinates provided by Warren County 911 placed her in the area of Edgecomb Pond. Forest Ranger Lt. Ganswindt responded to assist, arrived on scene at 12 p.m., and headed in on the trail. Using the coordinates provided, Lt. Ganswindt located the hiker at 12:40 p.m., and escorted her back to the trailhead. The incident concluded at 1:10 p.m.

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Plastic Bag Ban Now Being Enforced in New York State

New York State’s s ban on single-use plastic bags went into effect earlier this year, but the state officially began to enforce the rule on Monday, October 19, following a seven-month pause.

The ban took effect on March 1 of this year but was not enforced until now because of a lawsuit by plastic bag manufacturers (in addition to the coronavirus pandemic). The New York State Supreme Court struck down the lawsuit last month but said businesses need 30 days’ notice to prepare for the enforcement of the ban.

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Grand Opening of Cliffside Coaster at Lake Placid’s Olympic Sports Complex


A view from the new Cliffside Mountain Coaster in Lake Placid.

October 11th marked the grand opening of the new Cliffside Mountain Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid. The longest of its kind in the United States, the mountain coaster travels alongside the 1980 Olympic bobsled track and is the latest year-round attraction at the Lake Placid Olympic Sites.

“The Cliffside Coaster is one of our latest and most thrilling additions to the Olympic Regional Development Authority venues, and part of our ongoing effort to modernize the entire Mt. Van Hoevenberg complex,” Governor Cuomo said. “This revitalization is transforming the complex into a year-round provider of excitement and entertainment for both athletes and families, which will attract more summer visitors and provide a critical boost to local businesses as we work to build back better.”

Opening for its first ride on Sunday, October 11, the mountain coaster is equipped with a timing and audio system that allow visitors to experience the thrill of what it was like to be an Olympic Bobsledder during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid. The coaster will be open to the public on weekends only, and includes informative and exciting commentary for riders as they glide through twists and turns that replicate the historic track.

ORDA President & CEO, Mike Pratt said, “The Cliffside Coaster is a one-of-a-kind attraction at the newly transformed Mt. Van Hoevenberg. We are incredibly excited to give our guests this exhilarating experience. The coaster follows the alignment of the 1932 & 1980 Olympic Bobsled track as it descends the mountain. The views are amazing, and the curves get your heart pounding. Everyone will feel like they deserve a medal.”

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DEC Announces Sentencing of Saranac Man for Illegal Taking of Moose

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the sentencing of a Saranac man for illegally poaching a moose in October 2019. On Sept. 3, 2020, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement investigation into the moose poaching concluded when Zachary Vaughan, 26, of Saranac, New York, was sentenced in the Town of Franklin Criminal Court to 60 days in county jail and $5,525 in fines and surcharges. DEC also revoked Vaughan’s hunting privileges for five years.

DEC’s investigation began on Oct. 31, 2019, when ECO Favreau received a call from a camp member in the Chateaugay Highlands Easement reporting a dead cow moose on the property. The moose was transported to DEC’s Delmar Wildlife Resource Lab for a necropsy. The crime scene investigation continued with the aid of DEC K9 Diesel. Following a series of anonymous calls and an anonymous tip reported to the DEC Environmental Crime Tip-Line, Zachary Vaughan was identified as the shooter.

While Vaughan initially denied the claims, ECOs obtained a supporting deposition. A search warrant was executed on Nov. 26, 2019, by DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement at the home of Vaughan and his parents, during which officers obtained a voluntary statement from Vaughan regarding the poaching incident. On Dec. 4, 2019, Vaughan was charged with four misdemeanors: taking of a moose; possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle; use of an artificial light in a vehicle while in possession of firearm; and hunting deer with the aid of an artificial light. He also was charged with three additional Environmental Conservation Law violations.

The moose, a protected mammal in New York State, is the largest member of the deer family and the largest land mammal in New York. Hunting moose in New York State is illegal.

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Visit to Lapland Pond Includes Plethora of Species


A visit to Lapland pond starts at the Blake Mountain trail head on Pike Brook road.

When you arrive at the Blake Mountain trail head on Pike Brook road, there is actually another destination that you can hike to in addition to going up Black Mountain. That “other” hike is a shorter walk up to Lapland pond. The flora and fauna is quite beautiful and if you walk slowly and take it all in – it is a joy to behold.


The flower of Jewelweed is a natural remedy to poison ivy.


Looking something like a “Tribble” from Star Trek, light green Pincushion moss grows on the side of the trail.


White BaneBerry, is also called “Dolls Eyes,” for its distinctive appearance.


A grove of hemlock trees stands tall.


Watch out for snakes. Here a garter snake slithers along the side of the path.


A tadpole swims quietly in the water.


A beautiful walk in the woods refreshes the soul.

Click all images to see larger versions.

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Preserve at Pilot Knob to Reopen September 12


Visitors relax at the gazebo on the Lake George Land Conservancy’s Schumann Preserve for Pilot Knob in Fort Ann. View of Lake George is west toward Bolton and north up Lake George.

The Lake George Land Conservancy’s beloved Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob will reopen to the public on September 12th, five months after being closed due to concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic. Please note that guidelines for responsible recreation continue to be in effect, and the preserve will be monitored to make sure guests are complying and visiting safely. If visiting this or any of the LGLC’s preserves, please follow these basic rules so that they can continue to provide safe recreational opportunities:

Stay local;

Visit in small groups limited to immediate household members;

If you arrive at a preserve and crowds are forming, choose a different park, a different trail, or return another time/day to visit;

If parking lots are full, please do not park along roadsides or other designated areas. To protect your safety and that of others, please choose a different area to visit, or return another time or day when parking is available.

Practice social distancing by keeping at least six (6) feet of distance between yourself and others, while on a trail and in places where people tend to congregate, such as parking lots, trailheads, and scenic overlooks; and

Stay home if you are sick, or showing or feeling any COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, coughing, and/or troubled breathing.

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Bad Storms Locally, Mostly Miss Huletts


A rainbow appears above Huletts on Monday, August 24th. (Click image to see larger version.)

The rolling thunder storms and torrential rain that passed through on Monday hit Whitehall very hard. While Huletts received a good soaking, the power remained on. There are many puddles and standing surface water but the storm is now over. The worst seems to have missed Huletts.

Update: Tuesday August 25, 2020

Things are drying out today but there is a lot of standing water still on the ground

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LGA Success In Lake George: Usher Park Stormcrete Edition

What’s exciting about a concrete walkway? How about one that expertly captures stormwater and puts it in the ground, rather than allowing it to flow into the Lake?

This project at Usher Park is one of the many projects the LGA is doing this year to directly protect the Lake’s water quality.

Watch the amazing protection that it provides in the video below!

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Capital Investments Continue All Around


A new house being constructed along the shoreline of Lake George in Huletts Landing.

If you go for a walk or take a boat ride around Huletts, you will see numerous new houses and continued capital investments being made in Huletts Landing by many individuals. These include improvements to docks, renovations and additions to existing homes and landscaping improvements also. It has been a very busy year for contractors working in Huletts.

Economic development as always been seen as the primary strategy for improving social well-being. Those who have invested their resources and energy into improving the “Landing” should be commended. Because of this, Huletts is a dynamic place which attracts people from all over the country and world.


Another new house, as seen from the lake, being constructed in Huletts Landing.

Individuals who invest in the community, improve the quality of life for themselves, their families and everyone who lives here. The vibrant nature of Huletts is expressed by people who want to spend their time and invest their resources here. It also helps attract people who value the surroundings and hopefully will work to keep the community the special place it is.

This trend will most likely continue as a number of people have made me aware that they are in different stages of planing improvements or redesigns of their properties in Huletts. So stay alert on the morning walks and local boat rides, the year to come may be even busier!