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Adirondack Park Trail Maintenance and Reconstruction

Program Number: 2629RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/23/2013 - 6/28/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Lake Placid, New York
Price starting at: $468.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Service Learning Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Low Salt; Vegetarian    

The Eastern portion of the 100-year-old Adirondack Park has been used as a travel route, hunting ground and vacation spot by Native Americans and European settlers for centuries. Experience the unique opportunity to give something back to these historic trails while enjoying their scenic, natural beauty which is particularly suited to hiking and trail work. With members of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) staff to lead you, help to rebuild sections of trail, clear brush, grade the treadway, repair drainage and bridges.




Highlights

• With a local storyteller, hear the tales behind some of the "characters" that have traveled these trails and this region over the last 300 years.
• Meet a local Ranger and hear about his responsibilities in this region.
• Learn trail maintenance and “Leave No Trace” hiking procedures from ADK staff members.



Activity Particulars

Working 5-6 hours each day; walking up to three miles round trip on uneven and rugged, but primarily flat, terrain.



Coordinated by The Adirondack Mountain Club.




Lake Placid (New York)

Known famously as a two-time site of the Winter Olympics and the setting of the 1980 U.S. vs. U.S.S.R. “Miracle on Ice,” this village in northeastern New York remains a haven for winter sports enthusiasts. As a gateway to Adirondack State Park, Lake Placid also serves as a base for climbers hoping to scale any of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks.
Accommodations
The Loj, circa 1927, overlooks Heart Lake. Private rooms, home-cooked meals.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Wes Lampman
Wes Lampman is the director of field programs for the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), a nonprofit organization that protects the wild lands and waters of the Adirondacks. He oversees the trails and stewardship programs, through which volunteers pitch in to conserve the Adirondacks. Wes previously worked as a crew boss on the ADK’s professional trail crew. Now that he works with volunteers, Wes most enjoys multi-day trail projects that give him the chance to really get to know participants.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   The Adirondack Loj
  Lake Placid, New York 5 nights
 The Adirondack Loj
Type: Lodge
  Description: The current Adirondak Loj, built in 1927, has space for forty guests in a combination of private rooms, family bunk rooms, and a co-ed loft. Delicious home-cooked meals, with homemade breads and soups, are served in our rustic dining room. The comfortable living room with its stone fireplace is perfect for recounting the day's adventures or just relaxing with a book from our Adirondack library.
  Contact info: P.O. Box 867
Adirondak Loj Road
Lake Placid, NY 12946 USA
phone: 518-523-3441
web: www.adk.org/ad_loj/
  Smoking allowed: No
  Bathroom: The bathrooms are shared in the Loj. There is a men's room with showers and a ladies room with showers.


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:00pm Lodge Check-In Time. 5:00pm Meet in Adirondak Loj Dining Room for Road Scholar registration You will be staying at The Adirondack Loj that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after lunch at 12:30pm. Room checkout is 11:00am.. You will be staying at The Adirondack Loj the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Participants must sign waiver/release form required by Adirondack Mountain Club in order to participate in trail maintenance work. This will be sent to you 6 weeks prior to the beginning of the program.
  Parking availability:
Parking is free for the length of the program.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Lake Placid, New York
  Nearest city or town:  Saranac Lake
  Nearest highway: Interstate 87
  Nearest airport:  Burlington International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Lake Placid, New York
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Albany, NY

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Trailways Bus
phone: 800-776-7548
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$33.75
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

4 hours by bus / 2 hours 30 minutes by car 
 

Distance:

 

130 miles
   

Bus travels once per day from Albany departing at 1:30pm and arriving in Albany at 5:30pm. Automobile rentals also available at Albany Airport.
 
Driving Directions
  From Points North Take Adirondack Northway I 87 South to Exit 34, Keeseville. Follow 9N to Jay and Rt. 86 to Lake Placid. Turn left on Rt. 73 before going through Lake Placid. In three miles look for the High Peaks Trailhead sign and turn right on Adirondack Loj Road, five miles to the Loj.
  From Points South Take the Adirondack Northway I 87 to Exit 30. Turn left on Rt. 73 toward Keene and Lake Placid. Continue on Rt. 73 for 26.5 miles. Turn left on Adirondack Loj Road (High Peaks Trailhead sign) Five miles to the Loj.
  From Points West Take Route 3 or 86 into Saranac Lake. Continue on Route 86 through Lake Placid. At the third traffic light, turn right on to Route 73 towards Keene. In three miles, look for the High Peaks Trailhead sign and turn right onto the Adirondacks Loj Road, five miles to the Loj.
Elevation Note: Highest elevation reached would be approx. 2000 ft.

Equipment Requirements: Hiking boots and appropriate hiking gear including a day pack required for participation in the program.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Orientation
(Sunday, June 23)
   
 Afternoon: Check-in between 3:30 - 4:30 PM
 Dinner: Adirondack Mountain Club’s ADK Loj
 Evening: Introductions and Orientation
   
Accommodations: The Adirondack Loj
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Trail Maintenance Orientation/Adirondack Mountain Club Presentation
(Monday, June 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast
 Morning: Getting familiar with trail tools and procedure at our first work site.
 Lunch: Pack-out bag lunch at our work site.
 Afternoon: Trail Maintenance
 Dinner: Dinner at Adirondack Mountain Club’s ADK Loj.
 Evening: ADK Trails Director will give information about field programs.
   
Accommodations: The Adirondack Loj
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Forest Ranger Presentation
(Tuesday, June 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast
 Morning: Continued work on trails
 Lunch: Pack-out bag lunch eaten at work site.
 Afternoon: Continued work on trails.
 Dinner: Dinner Adirondack Mountain Club’s ADK Loj.
 Evening: Local Ranger describes his position, discusses range of responsibilities.
   
Accommodations: The Adirondack Loj
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Free Time/Storytelling
(Wednesday, June 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast
 Morning: Natural History interpretation hike
 Lunch: Lunch at Adirondack Mountain Club’s ADK Loj.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon to explore the local area.
 Dinner: Adirondack Mountain Club’s ADK Loj.
 Evening: Storyteller – History of ADK Loj and property.
   
Accommodations: The Adirondack Loj
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Adirondack Park History Presentation
(Thursday, June 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast
 Morning: Continued work projects on trails.
 Lunch: Pack-out bag lunch eaten at work site.
 Afternoon: Continued work on Adirondack Park trails.
 Dinner: Dinner at Adirondack Mountain Club’s ADK Loj.
 Evening: Celebration of Wildness – History of the Adirondack Park
   
Accommodations: The Adirondack Loj
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Wrap-up
(Friday, June 28)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast
 Morning: Wrap up trail projects.
 Lunch: Lunch is included at the ADK Loj, program ends after lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


The Adirondacks: A History of America's First Wilderness


Author: Paul Schnieder


Description: His book is a romance, a story of first love between Americans and a thing they call "wilderness." For it was in the Adirondacks that masses of non-Native Americans first learned to cherish the wilderness as a place of recreation and solace. In this lyrical narrative history, the author reveals that the affair between Americans and the Adirondacks was by no means one of love at first sight. And even now, Schneider shows that Americans' relationship with the glorious mountains and rivers of the Adirondacks continues to change. As in every good romance, nothing is as simple as it appears.





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