New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

mountain biking

New Recreation-Themed NYS Trail Supporter Patches

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2022 trail patchesNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the release of the latest New York State Trail Supporter Patches.

The 2022 patches consist of five designs that resemble the international symbols for some of New York State’s most popular outdoor recreation activities – cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and biking. Each patch will be available individually for a limited time; however, the entire series can be purchased at any time. [Read more…] about New Recreation-Themed NYS Trail Supporter Patches

Final Recreation Plan for Flatrock Mountain Easement Issued

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proposed Flatrock Mountain Conservation Easement mapDEC recently released the Recreation Management Plan (RMP) for the Flatrock Mountain Conservation Easement.

The Flatrock Mountain Conservation Easement encompasses approximately 511 acres southwest of Old Forge in the town of Webb, Herkimer County. This property is primarily accessed from State Route 28 and Minnehaha Road. [Read more…] about Final Recreation Plan for Flatrock Mountain Easement Issued

Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival Returns Sept 3-5

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Wilmington MTB Festival courtesy Barkeater Trails AllianceThe Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival, a three-day celebration of mountain biking with on-site camping, live music, local food & beer, group rides for all abilities, shuttles, kids MTB race, and 25+ miles of Adirondack-style single track riding is set for September 3rd through 5th. [Read more…] about Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival Returns Sept 3-5

Volunteers Improve Trails at Morgan Hill State Forest

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Morgan Hill State ForestRecently, volunteers from the bike group CNY D.I.R.T. worked together at Morgan Hill State Forest in southern Onondaga and northern Cortland counties to build an additional 1.3 miles of single-track multiple-use trail. The forest now hosts 10.8 miles of designated multiple-use trail, with another 4+ miles planned in the next few years. [Read more…] about Volunteers Improve Trails at Morgan Hill State Forest

Wonders of Wilmington: A New Adirondack Challenge

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WOW PatchesThe Adirondack town of Wilmington, in Essex County, NY has recently launched the Wonders of Wilmington (WOW) Challenge, where participants are invited to complete the hiking, mountain biking, or family fun challenges to receive their patches. [Read more…] about Wonders of Wilmington: A New Adirondack Challenge

Hinckley Reservoir Will Become A Campground

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Hinckley Reservoir Day Use AreaThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has finalized the Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the Hinckley Reservoir Day Use Area, located on the south shore of the 2,880-acre Hinckley Reservoir in Herkimer County.

Once the UMP is implemented, the Hinckley Reservoir Day Use Area is expected to be transformed into the only public campground in the Southwestern Adirondacks. [Read more…] about Hinckley Reservoir Will Become A Campground

Former NY Central Adirondack Division Rails Being Removed

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Removing New York Central Railroad Adirondack Division Rails October 2020 DEC PhotoThe New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun tearing up the former NY Central Adirondack Division tracks connecting Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, part of a $1.9 million State project to build a rail trial suitable for use by bicyclists and snowmobilers.

The 34-mile rail corridor being removed was key to a once-thriving 119-mile railroad which operated almost continuously from 1892 until 1972, first as the Mohawk & Malone, and then by the New York Central starting in 1913. [Read more…] about Former NY Central Adirondack Division Rails Being Removed

Woman Outruns Bear, Hides Overnight In Tree

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forest ranger logoNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the around New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Woman Outruns Bear, Hides Overnight In Tree

Accessibility Improvements Made At Wilson Campground

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Kenneth L Wilson Campground provided by DECImprovements to the Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area in Ulster County have been completed.

Updates to the campground’s shower house and three comfort stations include several accessible features to make camping fun for people of all abilities, will help connect more New Yorkers to the outdoors and reduce the facility’s environmental footprint. [Read more…] about Accessibility Improvements Made At Wilson Campground