News & Opinion About Huletts Landing, N.Y.
Winds blew from the north today as tropical storm Isaias visited Lake George.
As of 7:15 pm on the evening of Tuesday, August 4th, tropical storm Isaias is still buffeting Huletts. We have had lots of rain and some heavy wind but the power is still on.
Flash flood and wind advisories are still in effect until Wednesday morning. Stay inside and stay safe.
As regular readers of the Huletts Current know, I love posting “fish” pictures, even though I am not a fisherman. This picture really made me smile because the children’s joy really shines through.
I know many are experiencing real worry and suffering with the COVID-19 national pandemic, but choose to be optimistic. Live your best life, RIGHT NOW, seize the moment, enjoy the day.
Do not fueled by fear. Be strong right now; be happy right now; go out and enjoy the summer. Be safe but don’t sit in a socially distant box and complain about all things that are not right, or might not be right. Go out and talk to a neighbor, make a visitor feel welcome. Do something positive. Send me a (fish) picture.
I received an email yesterday from a family who spent a week in Huletts, and when they returned home their small son wouldn’t go to sleep because he wanted to go back to his “Lake George bed.”
Be thankful for the blessings of your time on Lake George this summer, carry an optimistic spirit. Be people of hope in these times.
So many thanks to the children in the picture above, with their smiles and their big fish – they have chosen to enjoy the blessings of summer and their time on Lake George. For that we should all be grateful.
Native plant species in Lake George benefit the lake, performing such functions as stabilizing sediments and providing habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms.
The view of Lake George looking north from Bradley’s Lookout in the town of Bolton. Photo Credit: Lake George Land Conservancy (Click photo to see larger version.)
The Town of Bolton and the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) have announced their intention to purchase a 62 acre parcel of land in the town known as Bradley’s Lookout. The Town will purchase the property from the LGLC upon completion of their acquisition expected to occur late this summer. The property will be encumbered by a conservation easement held by the LGLC.
The Hawkins family has owned the 62+/- acre property known as “Bradley’s Lookout” in Bolton since the 1970’s. The property contains 7 acres of wetlands, including half of the pond that is located on the Town of Bolton’s Community Center property. The remainder of the land is wooded, including many stands of healthy hemlocks. The land includes a 1000-foot summit that offers views of Lake George including Dome Island as well as Black Mountain, Shelving Rock, and the Sagamore. The name comes from the historical use of the property, as the Bradley family who ran a horse-riding business in town, brought their horses up the summit to allow visitors to enjoy the views.
“First, I would like to thank the Lake George Land Conservancy Board of Directors and staff for their vision, leadership and support of this acquisition and for shepherding this purchase to a successful conclusion” said Ron Conover, Supervisor of the Town of Bolton. “This is a tremendous accomplishment and addition to Bolton’s Hub Program. It connects the Community Center and the Pinnacle as well as Cat and Thomas Mountains and upon completion will offer another spectacular hiking experience and Panoramic Views of Lake George to our visitors. In addition, it affords us sufficient land to provide additional much needed on-site parking” Conover said.
“The Lake George Land Conservancy has been a critical partner in the development of Bolton’s Hub Plan,” said Susan Wilson, Deputy Supervisor of the Town of Bolton who served on the original planning committee for the trail Hub. “The Pinnacle has already become one of the southern Adirondacks most popular hiking attractions and the Lookout builds upon this success. People come from all over the state and country to hike our trails. Bolton is quickly becoming a major four-season hiking destination attracting thousands of visitors annually to our region.”
“The protection of Bradley’s Lookout will benefit both the community and the lake for generations to come,” said LGLC Executive Director Jamie Brown. “Thanks to our continuing partnership with the Town of Bolton, the generosity and cooperation of the Hawkins family, and the help of our community, this amazing land will be protected forever. With its easily-accessible iconic view, thriving wetlands, gently sloping hardwood-hemlock forest, and essential role within the larger Bolton Hub Initiative, the protection of this property exemplifies how the LGLC protects the land that protects the lake for everyone.”
“The Lake George Land Conservancy is honored to be able to permanently protect this wonderful iconic property,” said LGLC President Michael O’Reilly. “Partnering with the Town of Bolton will ensure that everyone will forever enjoy the beauty of this land while the Lake’s water quality is enhanced.”
“Our mother loved The Lookout,” said Lee Harrison. “I think mostly because of her memories of riding along the back roads of Bolton with Mr. Bradley. Mother knew the back roads of Bolton like the back of her hand, having spent every summer of her girlhood there, and she led us on many expeditions to fields and streams to play in, pick blueberries in, or just to admire the view. When The Lookout came up for sale, she just had to save it, so she did.”
This project follows another similar land acquisition in December of 2019 that added 212 acres to the Bolton Hub region. The protection of that property, part of the Twin Pines Resort owned by the McGurl family, was also made possible thanks to the LGLC’s good working partnership with the Town of Bolton.
The Bolton Recreational Hub (the Hub) is a collaborative effort between the LGLC, Town of Bolton, and Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce, that combines the goals and outcomes of land conservation for water quality protection with the access to quality recreational opportunities and commerce within the Town of Bolton. A comprehensive Bolton Recreational Hub Strategy was published in 2019, and provides guidance for conservation and recreational projects going forward.
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has protected 25 acres on County Rt 6 in the Town of Dresden. The property, which was purchased by the LGLC on July 8, 2020, includes 1,300 feet of Fairy Brook, a tributary of Lake George.
This project fits within the LGLC’s Huletts Landing Conservation Initiative, which focuses on protecting the wetlands and stream corridors in this steep region of the watershed. These efforts are crucial to managing stormwater flow and reducing the amount of sediment and contaminants entering Lake George.
Last summer the LGLC protected a total of 137 acres in the Initiative area, protecting significant lengths of tributaries that flow into Lake George, including some of Fairy Brook.
This property had been approved for the construction of a small house and leach field near the steep slopes leading to the stream. Its protection has effectively prevented a potentially significant negative impact on the property’s sensitive and erodible slopes.
The property is currently not open to the public except by special request, due to limited accessibility.
After hearing about dimming lights and fans running slower the last few days, I spotted a National Grid truck last night and inquired about what was going on.
The National Grid person admitted that most homes in Huletts are only getting about 90 volts of electricity. The reason is two-fold: consumption is way up and the line coming over the mountain only has so much capacity. In other words, there is too much demand for the supply National Grid has available.
So please monitor and watch your power consumption.
The tree along the 7th fairway that split on Friday evening.
A large tree standing near the end of the 7th fairway, split suddenly on Friday night, with half falling to the ground while the other half still continued to stand. The tree is estimated to be over 100 years old. Please remain away from the tree at this time.
Looking over from the 6th fairway.
Looking up along the 7th fairway.
Click pictures to see larger images.
The DEC continues to announce re-openings of campgrounds in the region. Yesterday, June 19th, the DEC opened Narrow Island, Glen Island and Long Island, to process Island camping reservations.
Look here for the most updated information: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7820.html
A northern pike caught off of Huletts recently.
I really enjoy passing along pictures of large fish caught in Lake George. This picture was sent to me by some fishermen who caught this northern pike off of Huletts recently. I was told it was a “fight” to reel it in.
Town of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On June 1 at 1:50 p.m., Washington County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch reporting a 45-year-old male hiker from Glens Falls was unconscious after suffering a seizure on the Shelving Rock Bay Trail. When Forest Rangers Callee Baker and Mark St. Claire responded to the scene, the man was conscious and alert. With assistance from the Fort Ann Fire Department, the hiker was evaluated and brought back to the trailhead using a wheeled litter and a six-wheeler. The subject refused further medical treatment.
Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On June 3 at 8:53 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a father and son from Oakland, New Jersey, who were hiking down the Tongue Mountain range when they requested assistance. The 20-year-old advised Dispatch that his 50-year-old father was about 600 yards behind him. Both men had run out of water and were feeling dizzy and nauseous. Coordinates provided by the hikers placed them about a half mile from Montcalm Point. Forest Rangers Chuck Kabrehl and Evan Donegan responded to Green Island and took a boat to Montcalm Point to assist. While awaiting Forest Ranger arrival, the pair contacted Dispatch to advise that they were beginning to shiver and that the father’s lips had turned purple. The pair had abandoned one pack up the trail, and another pack with dry clothing and sleeping bags close to their current location. The hikers were advised to go back to where the pack was until Rangers arrived. Forest Rangers Kabrehl and Donegan reached the two men at 10:50 p.m., escorted them to the boat, and gave them a ride back to shore. Onc
The number of total COVID hospitalizations continues to decline. Total hospitalizations fell to just over 4600, from 4,844 the day before. The number of new COVID hospitalizations fell to 208, from 225 the day before. Tragically, we lost 84 New Yorkers to the virus Friday.
Please remember that social distancing rules apply at State Parks and all public outdoor spaces. You must wear a mask whenever it’s not possible to maintain six feet of distance from others.
New York will reopen certain low-risk business and recreational activities statewide on May 15th. This includes landscaping and gardening, low-risk outdoor recreational activities (like tennis) and drive-in movie theaters.
The number of total COVID hospitalizations are still dropping. Total hospitalizations fell to 6,706, from 6,946 the day before. The number of new COVID hospitalizations rose slightly to 420, from 416 the day before. Tragically, we lost 157 New Yorkers to this vicious virus yesterday.
Patients in New York hospitals must now test negative for the coronavirus before they can be discharged to nursing homes, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared. This partially reverses a policy that that the Cuomo administration instituted that forced sickened senior citizens into facilities housing those most vulnerable. The ruling partially overrides a controversial March 25 order that nursing homes cannot deny admission or readmission on the basis of a positive or suspected COVID-19 case.
Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On April 29 at 4:30 p.m., Warren County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch reporting a 75-year-old man from Gansevoort who became disoriented while hiking on Thomas and Cat mountains and was unsure about which path to take to get back. After obtaining the disoriented hiker’s cell phone number, Forest Ranger Evan Donegan contacted him and gave instructions on how to return to the trailhead on the north side of the mountain. Meanwhile, Ranger Donegan made his way into the woods to intercept the man and assist him the rest of the way out. At 6:28 p.m., Ranger Donegan reached the mountain’s summit, but had not found the hiker. Forest Ranger Joe Hess also responded to start in from the southern trailhead at Edgecomb Pond. At 7:09 p.m., the hiker’s daughter called Dispatch reporting her father was back on the trail with her husband. Ranger Donegan was notified and reached the two men by 7:19 p.m. He escorted the pair back to the trailhead and all Rangers were cleared from the scene.
Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 2 at 9:29 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a concerned family member of two hikers on Cat Mountain. The hikers were not prepared for darkness and were lost on the trail. The caller was instructed to have the hikers call 911 to obtain their coordinates. Dispatch determined that the hikers were just off the east trail. Forest Ranger Evan Donegan responded to the trailhead south of Edgecomb Pond at 10:45 p.m. and started hiking in to locate the hikers. At 11:53 p.m., Ranger Donegan requested a second Ranger to respond to the north trailhead to assist with transportation needs once the hikers were located. At 12:15 a.m., Ranger Donegan advised that the two hikers were found off the trail, tired and slightly hypothermic. Ranger Donegan assisted the pair north up the trail where they were met by Ranger Logan Quinn with an ATV. The 66-year old woman and 67-year-old man from Saratoga Springs were given a ride out to the parking lot. The couple declined medical treatment and departed. All Rangers were cleared from the scene at 2:35 a.m.
The Lake George Park Commission has amended its decision on the opening date of the Mandatory Boat Inspection Program on Lake George.
The inspection program will now begin on Thursday, May 21, ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend. However, there are already boat launches open on Lake George.
People can launch their boats before the Mandatory Boat Inspection Program starts and many public launches are now open. Remember, it is always the boater’s responsibility to arrive “Clean, Drained, Dry” – but that is even more critical until the inspection program is started for the season.
Up until this year, the Park Commission has started this program on May 1st.
Congratulations on one small bit of normalcy that accompanies this welcome decision.