owning / boarding a horse in the Adirondacks

Hello ADK Forum,

My spouse and I hope to eventually--ignoring the current real estate boom--own a place in the Adirondacks, spending increasing amounts of time there as we transition to retirement (10-15 year plan). We've been visiting regularly and researching to hone in on a locale.

Our biggest priorities are hiking and paddling. But I would also love to own a trail horse -- and house it at a boarding stable, not on our own property.

None of my Googling or exploring has turned up the sort of boarding stable I have in mind. I see fancy show stables near Lake Placid, and I see commercial barns renting horses for tourist trail rides (e.g., near Old Forge). But I don't see places where recreational riders board horses they own and take out on trails.

Does anyone have insight for me on where I'd find these types of stables--and if they exist there? (Or do the folks riding horses on the trails typically have their own horse properties?) My hypothetical dream location would be in reasonable distance of a low-key boarding stable--and paddling, and hiking.

Thanks for any insight!

Lisa

Scurry Overlook & Henrys Run Falls-Cook Forest SP

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...st-state-park/

A great hike on the North Country Trail to a view and the falls at a historic sawmill dam on Henrys Run. The dam is unique for its large stone blocks. The hike along the Clarion River was so beautiful and the NCT is always a pleasure to explore. The Clarion River area is so scenic.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIcLow3D..._web_copy_link

Forest Cathedral-Cook Forest State Park

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...st-state-park/

Forest Cathedral is an amazing place with towering hemlocks and white pine. Some of the tallest trees in the east are located here, nearly 200 feet tall. I always enjoy hiking here.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIja4BEj..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIZprUTj..._web_copy_link

Oboz Men's Bridger 8in Insulated B-Dry Boots

Worn twice, includes two sets of insoles.
size 9 1/2

$110

https://obozfootwear.com/products/me...CcVjmLueiapNz0

Hillsound Trail Crampon, size large

Size large, worn once
Includes carrying bag
https://hillsound.com/products/trail-crampon

$50

Minister Creek-Allegheny National Forest

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...tional-forest/

Minister Creek is one of the most scenic trails in the ANF with incredible cliffs, overhangs, rock mazes, giant boulders, and an overlook.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIePL6bD..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIeNwXzj..._web_copy_link

Beaver Meadows-Allegheny National Forest

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...tional-forest/

A best kept secret in the ANF with meadows, a lake, spruce forests, wetlands, and a long boardwalk. Great for birds and wildlife. Beautiful place.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIbHS5sj..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIbnU_wj..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIq7GlHj..._web_copy_link

Clarion Loop Trail

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...on-loop-trail/

A great loop with streams, cascades, views of the Clarion River, and large hemlocks. Located behind Clarion University.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIx-XQqj..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIWiL-lj..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIT9KV4D..._web_copy_link

RIP Pete Hornbeck

Copying this from the Hornbeck Boats Facebook page.

It is with immeasurable heartbreak we must share the news our founder, Peter Hornbeck, died today. His family is in shock. Pete enjoyed Christmas with Ann, Leigh, Josh and his grandsons Rushton and Devlin. He died of a heart attack after a walk in the woods with his family. There was no warning; Pete had a clean bill of health from the cardiologist just this month. We take solace from knowing he went quickly, in the place he loved, with the people he loved most. No services are planned for now, we will host a memorial service in the spring.

I only met Pete once, when I purchased my canoe in 2006. He took me to lunch and talked to me about backcountry canoeing and how he came to be a boat designer/builder. He was a fine man and he will be missed.

Mine Waste in the Eastern Adirondacks contains rare earth minerals

https://www.usgs.gov/news/mine-waste...sminerals&s=09

Climbing in slush

I've hiked a bit in winter but never climbed. A few weeks ago I tried for the first time and it didn't go so well. I was down in the Catskills visiting and it had snowed a few days earlier but the temperature that day was in the low 40s. The flat part was okay but I started climbing but the footing was poor and I was nervous about coming down so I abandoned after a little bit of climbing. I didn't wear snowshoes because it didn't seem like there was enough snow (maybe that was a mistake?). I wore spikes but quickly realized that didn't help. Any insight.

Backpacking the Panther Run/Three Runs Loop-Quehanna WA

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...nna-wild-area/

A 20ish mile backpacking loop with beautiful forests, views, wild elk, meadows, streams, big rocks. Parts of it looked like Dolly Sods, I also saw a wild elk herd, which was incredible.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CHoQS3_D..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CHoTqiRD..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CHoUmarj..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CHoWY_TD..._web_copy_link

Bear Creek Preserve-Purple and Grey Loop

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...and-grey-loop/

This is a beautiful preserve that has become a hiking destination. This loop is great for its diversity and takes hikers into some of the lesser traveled areas of the preserve.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIMYHh5j..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CIMZb9Vj..._web_copy_link

White Gold Superloop-SGL 57 and Ricketts Glen

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...en-state-park/

A beautiful, diverse 11 mile loop with views, large rocks, beautiful streams, meadows, wetlands, history, and a pristine lake.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CEzuJ0-j..._web_copy_link


https://www.instagram.com/p/CE123tKj..._web_copy_link

Mink tracks?

Hiked Pharaoh Mtn yesterday with my son. We saw these tracks. After looking around the internet I thought they were for a mink that was loping.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66433788

Camping 2020

The Photography thread on this website has not been very busy this year. I love looking at other people's photos. I guess I should not complain unless I share - so here it goes.

In this post I have a single photo taken from every Adirondack campsite I camped at in 2020 - there are 10 of them. In most cases I camped at the campsite for the first time, but three of them are repeat favorites. Some of the labeled locations are technically incorrect, but they are close enough. Sorry about not being clearer about the locations but I would not want to give away my favorite locations that easily.

Fulton Chain Wild Forest
Attachment 19820
Five Ponds Wilderness
Attachment 19821
West Canada Lakes Wilderness
Attachment 19822
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest #1
Attachment 19824
Pharaoh Lake Wilderness
Attachment 19825
Moose River Plains Wild Forest #1
Attachment 19826
Jessup River Wild Forest
Attachment 19827
Moose River Plains Wild Forest #2
Attachment 19828
Moose River Plains Wild Forest #3
Attachment 19829
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest #2
Attachment 19830

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Ice season 20/21

Starting the annual thread for this seasons hardwater. Yesterday i drove around the Saranac lake area. Anything big like colby still open water with very little shoreline ice. Smaller bodies that are usually my go for first ice had maybe 2 inches. We have been spoiled with early ice over the last few years. Be safe and with the early ice season approaching please make sure you dont go alone and use the buddy system. Ill try to keep everyone posted.

Seymour Mountain (the other one)

Has anyone here ever made it up the non-High Peaks Seymour Mountain that is located just outside of Lake Placid to the west? I happened to notice it while driving down Averyville Road earlier this year and was intrigued. It looks like it has some exposed rock with the potential for some nice views.

OpenStreet Map shows a number of trails in the vicinity of the peak, with one up to the summit. Presumably these are actually herd paths/unofficial trails as the "official" DEC maps for the SLWF make no mention of any trails in the area. The network of paths actually appears to be fairly extensive- perhaps these are bandit mountain bike trails? Some of the paths shown cross private property- any knowledge of whether these are open to the public? Looks like longer approaches entirely across state land are also possible via the network of paths from near the Chubb River bridge on Averyville Road, or from the railroad tracks not far from the train station in Lake Placid itself.

Panther Hill Vista-Pinchot State Forest

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...-state-forest/

One of the best views in the Pinchot SF with a 180 degree panorama views of over 40 miles. The fall colors were superb. And there is a waterfall on the hike up.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CGLv0iPD..._web_copy_link

Hemlock Mtn-Tiadaghton State Forest

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...-state-forest/

The easiest way to get to this classic view of the Pine Creek Gorge along the Black Forest Trail.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CFDcMrHD..._web_copy_link

Nanny Run Vista-Elk State Forest

https://endlessmountains.wordpress.c...-state-forest/

Rugged off trail hike to a fine view near the Quehanna Wild Area. Great for sunsets. The vast plateaus and deep canyons were beautiful.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CHDU381j..._web_copy_link

Conglin Lake recon 12-6-20

we set off from the Hall Rd TH, checked out the Potter Homestead, then zipped down the trail to North Creek Falls. The trail is in good shape, with just one blowdown. After exploring the falls a bit, we headed towards Dexter Lake, but took a hard left just after the Mcklinney Vly bridge, and bush-whacked back to Conglin Lake. Took about 15 minutes to go from the trail to the lake, through mostly open and pretty flat woods. Came right to the campsite on Conglin, which has not been used in a very long time! Didn't have time to check out the upper ponds, as we wanted to do the loop to Watermills Pond and out before dark. Defiantly an area that needs a lot more exploration, and the lack of any info on the area is really a Godsend, as we hafta to make our own choices on what to see.

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DEC developing Three Lakes Tract Conservation Easement draft RMP

The DEC is seeking input about their plans to develop a Draft Recreation Management Plan for the Three Lakes Conservation Easement. This easement is between the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness and the Independence River Wild Forest. Comments accepted until January 13, 2021.

For more detail on participating, see the DEC webpage for the Independence River Wild Forest located here (see the Planning and Management section near the end of the webpage):
https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/58192.html#Planning

This webpage has a link to a copy of the conservation easement. I did not read it in detail but there are 4 waterbodies covered under the easement: Hitchcock Pond, Grass Pond, Moose Pond and Blue Pond. It’s not clear whether there is any public vehicular access, but there are rights for camping, fishing, hiking and paddling.

I’m always looking for new places to paddle and camp. Anybody familiar with the area?

Please consider participating in this if you can contribute!

Mother Johnsons at the foot of Raquette Rapids

Anyone remember the old place?