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Entries Tagged as 'snowmobile'

DEC Opens New Snowmobile Trail Segment in Wilmington

January 13th, 2012 · No Comments · News

Trail Connects Essex County Hamlet’s Business District with Cooper Kiln Pond
A new snowmobile trail segment has been completed connecting the hamlet of Wilmington’s business district with a snowmobile trail that leads to the remote and scenic Cooper Kiln Pond, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC ) Regional Director Robert Stegemann announced today.
Wilmington Wild Forest Snowmobile Trails - Map
“DEC is pleased to provide this improved snowmobiling opportunity for Wilmington’s visitors and residents,” said Director Stegemann. “DEC continues to work with local communities to increase tourism and economic activity by providing and improving recreational opportunities in the Adirondacks.”

“The Town of Wilmington is looking forward to some snow to try out and promote our recently finished snowmobile trail,” said Randy Preston, Supervisor of the Town of Wilmington Supervisor. “This trail will become an economic boon for the Town of Wilmington, now and for years to come. DEC Forester Rob Daley has been hard at work all summer to make this a reality. We are very fortunate to have him working with us.”

The new three-mile trail segment will allow snowmobilers to travel from the Essex County hamlet, connect with the previously existing Cooper Kiln Pond Trail and travel another three miles to the pond. It creates a 12.6-mile round trip snowmobiling opportunity.

Cooper Kiln Pond is located below the summit of Stephenson Mountain in the Wilmington Wild Forest. Situated at an altitude of more than 3,000 feet the pond sits in a pass surrounded by the peaks of Stephenson Mountain. A lean-to next to the pond makes a great place to have a meal and enjoy the serenity of the mountains.

The new trail segment is part of DEC’s effort to develop a connector trail from the hamlet of Wilmington to the snowmobile trail system to the north. Once the connector trail is completed snowmobilers will be able to travel from Wilmington to Plattsburgh, Malone and throughout the Adirondacks.

DEC constructed the new trail segment with significant help from the Student Conservation Association Adirondack Program, the Department of Corrections Moriah Shock Camp inmate crews, and staff and volunteers from the town of Wilmington.

The hamlet of Wilmington, 12 miles north of Lake Placid, NY, is located in the Town of Wilmington – the home of the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area.

Download: Wilmington Snowmobile Trails Map (PDF)

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New Bridge at Mossy Vly

December 9th, 2011 · No Comments · Adirondack News

DEC REPLACES UNSAFE SNOWMOBILE BRIDGE ON PERKIN’S CLEARING CONSERVATION EASEMENT LANDS

NYSDEC LogoAn unsafe bridge on an important snowmobile connector trail on the Perkins Clearing Conservation Easement Lands was replaced in time for the upcoming snowmobile season, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced today.

The new bridge replaces the old, deteriorating Mossy Vly Snowmobile Bridge on the Carpenter Hill Trail which connects the Mud Lake Road and the Jessup River Road in the Town of Lake Pleasant, Hamilton County.

“Replacing the bridge assures the safety and enjoyment of the many snowmobilers that use the extensive snowmobile trail network in Hamilton County,” said Mike Lenane, DEC Deputy Commissioner. “Snowmobiling is a very important component of Adirondack winter economy. DEC is pleased to provide snowmobiling and other recreational activities on the lands we managed.”

The Mossy Vly Brook snowmobile bridge provides a critical link between snowmobile trails on the conservation easement property. Historically, the bridge has been used as a bypass route around winter logging activities on the conservation easement property. Replacing the bridge eliminates the need for hazardous ice crossings by snowmobilers.

“Completion of the Mossy Vly Bridge is another of the many examples that demonstrates the continuing improvement in the relationship between Hamilton County municipalities and the Department of Environmental Conservation,” said Bill Farber, Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors. “I want to express my sincere thanks to the Department for getting this important bridge completed in a timely manner.”

“The Town’s backwoods trail system is a vital piece of the local economy,” said Neil McGovern, Town of Lake Pleasant Supervisor. “The DEC’s new bridge across Mossy Vly re-opens a particularly attractive section of our snowmobile trails just in time for our important winter season. The cooperation between DEC and local forces have resulted in a solid crossing our snowmobile riders will truly enjoy.”

“The re-opening of the Mossy Vly Bridge is a welcome sight as it is a significant link in the area’s snowmobile trail system,” said Paul Allen of Pleasant Riders Snowmobilers. “Snowmobiling attracts thousands of visitors to the region each year keeping the local businesses alive in winter. The four years without the bridge were fraught with many fiscal and other challenges which the community, volunteers and DEC worked together to overcome. This is a great example of how the state can help support local economies through guarded investment and cooperation.”

The new bridge is 60 feet long, 12 feet wide and was built with steel stringers set on abutments of timber cribbing by DEC Operations staff. The bridge is bigger, much sturdier and should have a longer life span than the previous bridge. DEC expedited the replacement of the bridge to ensure that a safe crossing was in place prior to this winter’s snowmobile season.

The previous bridge was 47 feet long, 11 feet wide and built with five 18-inch thick birch and spruce supporting stringers. The stringers were rotted and one had broken apart making the crossing unsafe.

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DEC Spring Search and Rescue Report

June 24th, 2011 · No Comments · News

NYSDEC LogoThe NYSDEC rangers were quite busy this Spring with a bunch of search and rescues. We are very lucky to have this safety-net.

Quite the collection of incidents in this latest report, many related to sketchy conditions due to late-season snow, rain, and high-water.

  • “Cotton almost Kills” unprepared hiker on Mt Marcy
  • Snowmobiler hits log bridge – endo
  • No Flashlight, washed-out bridge, makes for a long night.
  • High water thwarts left-behind hiker on Mt Marcy
  • Carrying exhausted-dog on Dix Mt causes same for owner.
  • Slip ‘n Fall on Poke-o-Moonshine
  • City-hikers bonk on Whiteface
  • Trapped on the Dyke (this is a common story)
  • Hurt leg at near Wallface – cool place, but tough for rescue
  • Slipped-knot results in fall at Chapel Pond
  • Another City-hiker, bonked on Algonquin Mt
  • Blowdown adventure off the Sewards
  • 4 year old lost for a couple hours at Sacandaga Lake
  • Various kayakers encounter whitewater
  • Father and son lost on Black Mt
  • Black-fly Bike-crash
  • Another leg-injury on Hadley Mt
  • Unknown medical on Tongue Mt

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Danger Thin Ice

February 10th, 2011 · No Comments · Adirondack News

DEC Warns of Poor Ice Conditions on Adirondack Waters

Recent heavy snows combined with earlier thaws have brought about inconsistent ice conditions on the surfaces of lakes, ponds and other waters in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) warns snowmobilers, ice anglers, skiers, snowshoers and other recreationists today.

Danger Thin IceThe weight of snow has caused ice to sink slightly forcing water from below the ice up on to the surface. Water, in some places up to a foot deep, may refreeze resulting in alternating layers of ice and water all covered by a blanket of snow. The snow acts as an insulator preventing the water from refreezing completely even in very cold temperatures.

DEC has received numerous reports of snowmobiles and other vehicles getting stuck in the mixture of snow, slush, ice and water. Several snowmobiles and vehicles have broken through areas of thin ice.

These conditions also are dangerous to non-motorized recreationist who may have a much harder time traveling across the surface of waters becoming tired, wet and vulnerable to hypothermia.

Snow cover also prevents all recreationists from seeing areas of thin ice, putting them at risk of breaking through to the cold waters underneath.

DEC advises the public to be cautious and heed the following advice:

  • Ice will not be the same thickness on waters in the same area or even on the same body of water. Check the depth of the ice before crossing, in areas you plan to fish and at several points along the way as you traverse a water body.
  • Be particularly cautious around inlets, outlets, near ice prevention devices (bubblers), shoreline seeps and over moving water.
  • Remember, ice that holds snow may not hold the weight of a person.

DEC also advises the public to be prepared in case you or a companion falls through the ice:

  • Carry ice picks to pull yourself out of the water.
  • Carry a 50 foot rope to pull others out of the water.
  • Remember Reach-Throw-Go.
    • Reach - Rescuers should lie on their belly, staying away from the edge of the broken ice, and reach with a tree branch, hiking stick or ski pole. Pull the person up onto the ice and both of you should roll away or crawl on your belly for several feet, then crawl on all fours until you are certain you’re out of danger. Retrace your footsteps back to land.
    • Throw – Staying some distance away, throw a rope to the person, pull the person across the ice until you are certain they are out of danger.
    • Go – If you do not have the means to safely rescue the person, go for help immediately.

A person that falls through the ice typically has two to five minutes to get out before the cold saps their strength and concentration. Once out move quickly to shore following your tracks onto the ice. Get warm and dry as soon as possible. If a car or building is not close by you may have to build a fire. Always carry fire-making supplies in a waterproof bag in a fanny pack or in a pocket.

Being prepared and using caution is important when recreating on frozen waters.

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DEC Opens Gates on Franklin County Snowmobile Trails

January 13th, 2011 · No Comments · Adirondack News

SnowmobileGates on snowmobile trails on Adirondack Forest Preserve lands in Franklin County are now open, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Betsy Lowe announced today.

“DEC is pleased to work with local snowmobile clubs to allow residents and visitors to participate in this recreational activity,” said Regional Director Lowe. “We ask that snowmobilers take measures to ensure their own safety, respect others using the trail system and help protect the natural resources of the Adirondacks.”


DEC typically waits until there is a foot of snow cover before opening the gates in order to protect the trail surface, the riders and natural resources adjacent to the trail. Gates are now open on the following trail sections:

  • C7B between the Village of Saranac Lake and Lake Kushuqua;
  • C8 between County Route 26 in the town of Franklin, and the Blue Mountain Road in the town of Waverly. Significant portions of this trail have been rerouted, see below for details

Members of the Franklin Snowmobilers Inc., the organization that maintains the snowmobile trails under an “Adopt a Natural Resource” agreement with DEC, have worked hard to clear the trails of blowdown and groom them. Trail maps, trail conditions and other information regarding snowmobiling may be found on the Franklin County Tourism website at: http://www.gosnowmobile.com/

There are some changes including some major reroutes due to logging operations on both the Santa Clara Tract Conservation Easement Lands and the Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Lands as noted below. These route changes are a result of the cooperation of the landowners of the easement lands, and their willingness to maintain the snowmobile network. The cooperation of snowmobilers will ensure future reroutes when the need arises.

Santa Clara Tract Conservation Easement Lands,
Towns of Waverly and Santa Clara

Due to logging operations on the Santa Clara Tract Easement Lands, the Madawaska Road and Conversation Corners Road will be closed to snowmobiles and the Snowmobile Corridor C8 will be rerouted as follows:

Beginning at the intersection of the Hooker Road and the Madawaska Road (approximately 0.3 miles west of the Madawaska Road’s intersection with state Route 458) the C8 corridor will follow the Hooker Road for approximately 9 miles in a north westerly direction to its intersection with State Route 458. Then the corridor will follow the shoulder of Route 458 in a westerly direction to the hamlet of Santa Clara. After crossing the bridge over the Saint Regis River/Santa Clara Flow, the corridor will turn south onto the Dexter Road and follow this road in a southwesterly direction for approximately 3 miles to its intersection with the Blue Mountain Road. The C8 then follows the Blue Mountain Road for 1/4 mile and then turns west onto the Brown Tract Road. A map of the reroute can be viewed at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/71534.html

Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Lands
Towns of Franklin and Bellmont

A parking area has been built on Goldsmith Road for snowmobile tow vehicles and trailers. The southern terminus of Linear Recreation Corridor 8 (Liberty Road) lies several hundred feet to the east of the parking area and connects to the C8A Snowmobile Corridor Trail (Wolf Pond Road) via Linear Recreation Corridor 7

(Wolf Pond Mountain Road). Construction of the parking area was a cooperative effort of the landowner, the Town of Franklin, and DEC. The Town of Franklin donated time, personnel and equipment from their highway department and will be plowing the parking area.

Due to planned logging operations by the landowner on lands north of Loon Lake, the western portion of the snowmobile trail (Old Liberty Road/Wolf Pond Mountain Road) that connected with the C7 Snowmobile Corridor Trail (the utility corridor) just north of Loon Lake near Drew Pond and lead to the C8A Snowmobile Corridor Trail (Wolf Pond Road) has been closed this winter. The eastern portion of that snowmobile trail (Wolf Pond Mountain Road) now connects to Goldsmith Road near the parking area.

Snowmobiles planning to travel between Franklin County and Clinton County using the C8A Snowmobile Corridor Trail must access C8A at the junction with C7 or use Goldsmith Road and the trail from the Goldsmith Road to C8A (Wolf Pond Road).

The Mullins Road has been opened to snowmobiles to connect County Route 26 (Loon Lake Road) to C7. The road is located approximately halfway between the intersections of Route 26 with C8 (Debar Game Farm Road) and Route 26 with C7.

Signs on the trails instruct snowmobilers on which routes are open this winter a map of the open routes in that area can be viewed at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/71219.html. Portions of these routes may be plowed from time to time so riders should be cautious and aware of motor vehicles that may be on the road.

Snowmobiling Safely

Snowmobilers are reminded to be properly equipped and prepared before going out. Plan your trips, know your route and check weather conditions before going out on the trail. While riding, stay on marked trails, obey the rules for safe snowmobiling, and be respectful of other snowmobilers, skiers or snowshoers you may encounter on trails.

Speed and alcohol are the two main factors in snowmobile accidents. Always travel at speeds that are reasonable or prudent under the surrounding conditions, obey posted speed limits, and don’t exceed the state speed limit of 55 mph. Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

More safety tips and a complete list of rules and regulations can be found in the “New York State Snowmobiler’s Guide (PDF)” and on the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s web site: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/

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DEC Region 6 Upgrades Bridges and Trails on State Land

December 16th, 2010 · 2 Comments · Adirondack News

Trails Ready for Snowmobile Season

NYSDEC - Region 6The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that several upgrades have been completed on bridges and trails on state lands around Jefferson and Lewis counties in time for snowmobile season.

Many of these improvements provide essential linkages on primary and secondary snowmobile trail networks across the Tug Hill Plateau and through Lewis County.

“Completing such maintenance projects requires a range of DEC staff – including foresters, engineers and operations field crews – who all pitched in to make these improvements for the public,” Judy Drabicki, DEC Regional Director, said. “The quality of these structures is a clear reflection of the talent and abilities of our personnel. These new and upgraded bridges and trails are now open for the public – perfect timing with winter just days away.”

The projects completed in this past year are:

Gas Line Trail - Beartown State ForestIn November, operation crews completed a 20-foot long span of a 12-foot wide snowmobile bridge on the Gas Line Trail in Beartown State Forest in Croghan, Lewis County. This is part of the trail system maintained by the Missing Link Snowmobile Club, Inc. out of Carthage, NY. This bridge solves a significant water problem on Corridor trail C5, which is the only official east-west trail connection in northern part of Lewis County.

Otter Lake Outlet Bridge
Otter Lake Outlet BridgeIn August, work was completed on the Big Otter Lake Outlet Bridge – replacing a bridge that had been closed to the public seven years due to its poor condition. The bridge in Greig, Lewis County, restores a connection for Secondary Trail S77 and also provides a non-motorized connection for people walking or skiing from the Independence River Wild Forest to the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness. This was a major project that involved the construction of two 40-foot spans and a connecting section. The stringers were brought to the site during the winter of 2009-10 with the much needed help of the Brantingham Snowmobile Club, Inc.

Hessel Road - Winona State ForestDuring July and October, a DEC Operations crew completed the replacement bridge on the Hessel Road in Winona State Forest, which is in Lorraine, Jefferson County. This project began in December 2009. This bridge project maintains the snowmobile trail connection on S55, in addition to a Public Forest Access Road and ATV trail system connection.

In September, a 3,200-foot re-route of a snowmobile trail onto Lesser Wilderness State Forest was designed and marked out. This re-route allowed for the re-establishment of Corridor Trail C4, which had been closed in this location. This trail is located in West Turin, Lewis County.

Fish Creek - Croghan Tract Easement LandsThis spring, DEC operations staff completed finishing work in order to open the Fish Creek Bridge on the Croghan Tract Easement Lands. This bridge had been closed for five years due to unsafe condition. A new 58-foot steel span was installed that reopens the direct connection of Secondary Trail S87 to Corridor Trail C8, which is the major north-south snowmobile connection in the eastern Adirondacks. It also reopened the Croghan Main Haul Road to public motor vehicle use.

Director Drabicki said: “Our Forestry and Operations staff ensure the success of these projects by fostering partnerships and continuing relationships with clubs and municipalities throughout the region.”

For additional information about snowmobile trails on state and conservation easement lands in Jefferson and Lewis counties, please call supervising forester Fred Munk at the Region 6 – Lowville DEC office at 315-376-3521.

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Late Winter Incidents

April 5th, 2010 · No Comments · News

Here’s the map of recent Search and Rescue incidents. I’d say we had a pretty “safe” season and nobody seriously hurt. Full details after the jump.

DEC REGION 5 FOREST RANGER REPORT – April 5, 2010

(Large Map)

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