Trip tip: Releases everyday from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

Just 20 miles north of Saratoga, this river has whitewater all season long. Thanks to the cooperation of the power company, we have releases every day from May to September. The put-in has a large eddy, which is great to warm up. The river has two sections of rapids. The upper section has an excellent surf wave river right just down from the put-in. The first wave will surf you all day long. Right behind that wave is a more trashy one called the Vesuvius. The second section, which is preceded by about a 1/2 mile of flat water, has a great play hole on river left, just past the bridge. The take-out is on the left just before the confluence with the Hudson River. If you paddle up the Hudson and under the bridge, there are some strong currents and eddy lines in the Room of Doom. Just above the Room of Doom is Rockwell Falls – a Class V waterfall. There is a parking and picnic area at the take-out with an outfitter shop. Shuttles are available from the take-out to the put-in for a small fee.

Directions: Sacandaga Outdoor Center – Take-Out

Drive north from Saratoga on Rte 9N through the Town of Corinth. Continue on Rte 9N to the Town of Lake Luzerne. At the traffic light before Stewart’s make a left onto East River Dr. Continue along the Hudson River into town. Make a left onto County Rte 4 and go over the bridge. Make the next left just before the railroad tracks onto Old Corinth Rd. The take-out is at the end of the road.

Directions: Stewart’s Dam – Put-In

From the take-out drive out to County Rte 4 and make a left. Go over the railroad tracks and drive along the Sacandaga River. Make your second left onto South Shore Rd (County Rte 7) and continue past the dirt parking lot on your right. Make a left at the stop sign and the put-in is through the gate just down the road on the left. Unload here and park back up the road at the dirt lot.

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“Why Not Wednesday” with Coca-Cola!  That means a one-day lift ticket is just $38 on Wednesday, when you present Gore’s friendly ticket sellers with any Coca-Cola product, empty or full.

I guess skiing bargain hunters don’t drink Coke or just don’t think too hard. Coke owns Dasani water, Minute Maid, Nestea, Barq’s and over 3,000 other beverage products. You can figure it out, I have to keep searching for cheap lift tickets.

Enjoy the refreshment and savings!

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The sun was out and most of the snow had disappeared, so I ventured out to Eastside Rec in Saratoga Springs with my 3 year old daughter, M, 7 month old son and of course, Luna, our faithful companion. I had the BOB stroller and my daughter’s radio flyer tricycle. The BOB is the bomb and a must have for an adventure family. I once rolled around town with M in a blizzard. No problem.

The running track at the park was plowed and made a prefect place for some winter tricycling.  Everyone had a great time, got tired out, and when we got back home, they were ready for their naps. Just because its cold out, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy other seasonal activities. Just bundle up and go for it.

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Last week, after a mid winter rainstorm, the trail conditions were snow covered ice, one of the hardest conditions to run or walk on. I was determined to get out, so I put on my hiking boots and tossed a few different pieces of gear into the truck.  Short gaiters that go around my ankles helped keep snow out of my boots and prevented my socks from getting wet. Although, the key to running on the ice were my traction devices, called Yaktraxs.They worked great on the flats, but were a little slippery on the hills. I also had in the truck a pair of instep crampons which would have worked better on the inclines, but a little more bulky and would slow me down.

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• Town of Wilton
• Size: 310 acres with five miles of trails
• Scenery: Forested
• Terrain: Forested and field floor. Some sand.

Trip Tip: Try to spot the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly

Camp Saratoga was operated as a Boy Scout camp from 1930 to 2001, and then it became part of the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park. The preserve is 310 acres and located only 8 miles from downtown. This park encompasses a variety of ecosystems including woodlands, wetlands, open areas and streams. This habitat supports the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. There are trail maps and environmental information available at the trailhead parking area.

For more trail details and activity schedule check out Wilton Wildlife Preserve.

Directions: SCOUT ROAD

Follow Route 50 north through the Wilton shopping area for 6 miles. Turn left onto Edie Road, proceed 1.5 miles and turn right onto Scout Road. The parking area and trailheads are 0.7 miles on the left.

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• City of Saratoga Springs
• Length: 2 miles
• Scenery: Wetland
• Terrain: Old Railroad Bed, Boardwalk

Trip Tip: Great Birding, but check yourself for ticks.

This trail was once a passenger railroad line that went from downtown Saratoga Springs to Saratoga Lake. With the help of volunteers, the Saratoga Open Space Project converted the railroad bed to a nature trail in 1993.  The trail connects Route 29 and Meadow brook Road, cutting through three distinct wetland systems.  This trail is a mellow walk just east of Downtown Saratoga Springs.  This destination is an excellent spot for bird watching, jogging and great for the kids.  There are benches along the trail.  Interpretive signs provide history about the old railroad and the environment.  Closer to the Meadow brook Road trailhead there is a boardwalk and viewing platform built through the wetland, although the access can be flooded.  Numerous wild flowers and plants flourish along the trail, which include: May Apple, Marsh Marigold, Early Meadow Rue, Red Trillium, Trout Lily, Strawberry, Partridge Berry, Spotted Wintergreen and American Elm.

Directions: ROUTE 29

Drive east from Saratoga Springs on Lake Ave (Rte 29) past Walton’s Sport Shop and the Parting Glass. Continue under the Northway (I-87) past Weibel Ave. The trailhead parking area is less than a mile on the right.

Directions: MEADOWBROOK ROAD

From the Route 29 trailhead: Continue east on Route 29 to the first traffic light; make a right onto Stafford’s Bridge Rd. Take your first right onto Meadowbrook Rd; the parking area is a quarter mile on the right. Park here and walk up the road about 50 yards to the trailhead on the right.

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• Town of Ballston, Saratoga County
• Activities: Biking, running, walking
• Length: 3 1/2 miles
• Scenery: Natural, railroad tracks
• Terrain: Asphalt

Trip Tip: Parallels Ballston Lake

White Beach, Timeson and Oakwood were frequent stops on the Schenectady-Saratoga Trolley line that once ran off to the west of Ballston Lake.  General Electric employees and other visitors looking to recreate and relax on Ballston Lake frequented the trolley.  Converted to a bikeway and walking trail, this flat and straight, asphalt covered path is a great destination for the whole family.  The trail stretches for three and half-miles between Outlet Road to Route 146A in the Village of Ballston Lake.  As you ride on the trail, interpretive signs remind you of the past with information on the early settlers dating back to the 1700’s.  The small metal trail markers every quarter mile are a convenient way to keep track of your progress.  Active railroad tracks run parallel between the bikeway and the lake.  A high bank on the east side of the trail provides a nice visual barrier for the tracks.  Expect for the occasional train breaching the sounds of nature, the thick foliage around the trail gives you a feeling of solitude.

Directions: Outlet Road, Northern Trailhead

Travel south from Saratoga Springs for 9.5 miles on Route 50 through Ballston Spa to the traffic light at Outlet Road.  Remember to stop in Ballston Spa at the Wild Tea Co to pick up an energy drink before hitting the trail.  The Good Times Café sign is a good landmark marking Outlet Road.  Continue east on Outlet Rd.  The trailhead is on the right just before you go over the railroad tracks, although the parking area is a few hundred yards down the road on the left.  The parking area is large enough for plenty of vehicles and has one picnic table.  The Good Times Café is great spot to eat after your adventure.

Directions:  Route 146A, Southern Trailhead

To reach the southern trailhead in the Village of Ballston Lake, continue south on Route 50. Make a left onto Route 146A and drive east toward the Village of Ballston Lake.  There is a small parking area on the left.  Carney’s Restaurant, located 100 ft from the south end of the bike path has great food and drink.  Patrons are welcome to park in their lot while using the trail.

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• Town of Saratoga, Village of Schuylerville, Saratoga County
• Activities: Kayak Touring, Walking Trails
• Length: Unlimited
• Current: South
• Scenery: Wooded shoreline, farms

Trip tip: Lock 5

This launch will give the flatwater paddler access to a diverse waterway. This section of the Hudson River, which flows through Schuylerville, is part of the Champlain Canal, a component of the New York State Canal System. The Champlain Canal has a total of 12 locks, which start in Troy and connect to Lake Champlain in Whitehall, NY. One mile upstream of the Schuylerville put-in is Lock 5. Paddling through the lock is always an exciting adventure. It’s free for non-motorized crafts. To access the lock, paddle up to the lock and get the Lock Keeper’s attention. The Lock Keeper controls the lock and when he knows you’re there he’ll open the doors. Paddle into the lock and hold onto one of the ropes hanging down along the walls. The doors will close and this lock will lift you 19 feet up to the next section of the canal. The mouth of the Battenkill is also just upstream from the put-in, which is a beautiful wooded section of river to paddle. Paddling south from the put-in will give you beautiful views of farmland and Saratoga National Battlefield off in the distance. The current flows south. When the water levels are high, the strength of the current increases. I suggest paddling north first and letting the current help you on the way back south to the put-in.

Directions: Route 29 Drive east out of town on Lake Ave (Rte 29) toward Schuylerville. Take a right at the light in Schuylerville staying on Rte 29. Continue through town and make a left at the next light staying on Rte 29. The access at Fort Hardy Park is on the left just before the bridge.

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Trip Tip: Beware of the Porcupines!

Named for the stream running down the thickly vegetated mountainside at this destination is part of Moreau Lake State Park. The trail immediately begins with a climb up the dirt utility road just south of the trailhead, marked with a large swing gate. The trail continues to climb up the ridge as it crosses under the utility lines, where it another trails spurs off to the left.

The trail to the left is used by rock climbers to access the cliffs up to the right. The base base of the cliffs are covered with large scree and a canopy of trees. I’ve seen porcupines in this area on several hikes and my dog got hit once its quills, so beware. The spring run trail continues straight over some rugged sections of a bed. Continuing on this trail will take to an overlook with great views of the Hudson River and the Southern Adirondack Mountains.  The trail also connects to the Western Ridge Trail and other trails that take you over to the Overlook Trail. After the hike there is a good swimming spot on the rocks across the road and through the trees. The Hudson River is a beautiful spot with clean water at his location.

Directions: Spier Falls Road Travel north on Route 9 out of Saratoga. Route 9 parallels I-87. Continue north on Route 9 for 6.5 miles from Route 50. Make a left onto Corinth Mountain Rd (County Rte 101). Stay on this road until you come to a stop sign and a T intersection with Spier Falls Rd. Make a right onto Spier Falls Road and travel to the bottom of the hill along the Hudson River. Just past the Spier Falls Road boat launch is the Spring Run trailhead on your right.

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Trip Tip: Limited Parking

An easier choice than the Western Ridge trail as you start a higher elevation on top of the ridge. This hike continues along the Eastern Ridge of the State Park connecting with several others trails that lead to the main area of the park.  Views off to the east of the Hudson River and the Southern Adirondacks are good in the winter and months when the leaves are off the trees.

Directions: Spier Falls Road
From the Adirondack Northway (I-87) take Exit 17 South. Continue south for a short distance on Route 9 and make a right onto Old Saratoga Road. Continue on Old Saratoga Road toward Moreau Lake State Park.  Make your first right onto Mountain Road.  Continue around the eastern border of the park and make your first left onto Spier Falls Rd.  Follow Spier Falls Rd to the top of the mountain.  The trailhead is marked by a gate on the left side of the road.

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