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  1. #1

    Rail to Bicycle trail plan

    This is a dead Rail line from North Creek to the Tahawus Mine by Newcomb and the High Peaks. This *may* make a decent tourist draw especially if bike camping is allowed. It's of course a very pretty area and i think the terminus is on the back side area of Marcy? Any way, it might help North Creek by making a low cost, attractive addition to the area's fun factor. Tons of cyclists come to the Tour(s) de Battenkill, Whiteface downhill, Placid etc, already. An easy Wilderness Bike Trail w/camping would be a cool unique pedal. We'ld definitely ride it, sans camping.

    http://www.poststar.com/news/local/a...cc4c002e0.html

    The Great Camp Santanoni, featured on a Gore Gondola placard, is up that way. It's a really cool Bike ride in itself. Open to hikers, cyclists, cross country skiers....the 7.5 mile dirt road back to the Great Camp is not a very hard ride. The final drop down to Newcomb lake is the only "big" hill and one can easily walk up it on the return trip if necessary.

    The Camp's grounds are open to the public year round and USUALLY has guides during summer daylight hours who open the building. The Camp's intricate log exterior is in great condition with the interior needing care. Take swim clothes and a picnic lunch. Many times you'll have the Camp, it's large verandas and beautiful Newcomb lake all to yourself. For a few hours, you can " have your own " Lakeside ADK Great Camp. Sit on it's huge porches. Laugh, play, hike and picnic on the grounds. Swim in the crystal clear lake. All in complete sirene silence. I know because, we been done did it. A Fantastic summer afternoon.

    After ascending the lakeside hill, the trip out is a quick, fun ride. You'll mostly coast and fly on the way out....A really cool, fast trip. Check out the large stone Gate House and it's gift store. There's also Horse Carriages for hire. These need prior arrangement.

    Harv, you and your's should do this some time. It's....... Very Interesting!!!

    The Guides will have large Scrapebooks full of old newspaper clippings, photos, and history of the area, the Camp and it's people.

    There's a REEAAL nice town public beach area w/picnic shelters and bath houses on Lake Harris near the Santanoni trail head, RT 28N. Again, you may also have this beach mostly to yourself. Many ADK lakes are that way. For a day, you essentaily have your own piece of sparkling clear ADK glory like a Robber Baron or Iroquios of old. It's Priceless. Get yourself some!
    incoming .................DUCK !

  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by Snowballs
    This is a dead Rail line from North Creek to the Tahawus Mine by Newcomb and the High Peaks. This *may* make a decent tourist draw especially if bike camping is allowed.
    We've cross country skied on those tracks, early season, in low snow years. From North River up to the Boris Bridge, and beyond. If the rails were removed it would make it skiable in even less snow. Not sure how that would work with the snowmachine traffic.

    We've also skied those tracks farther up near Tahawas.

    Quote Originally Posted by Snowballs
    The Great Camp Santanoni....
    This is a prime xcski route for a low snow year. It's basically an old road, so it doesn't need much cover.

    And Newcomb is a magic spot. There seems to be good snow in Newcomb, when everything else is thin.

    I'll never forget skiing there, on a BRUTALLY cold day. The high for the day was 5 below, and it was windy. When we got out there we found three older folks - no kidding - pushing 80 years old - sitting at one of the picnic tables - eating shrimp with cocktail sauce and drinking tea. They were having the time of their life.

    We had to leave them there. We were dressed to ski in those condition, but not socialize. We had some broth from a thermos and got moving again.
    Harvey Road: NYSkiBlog.com

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by Harvey44
    I'll never forget skiing there, on a BRUTALLY cold day. The high for the day was 5 below, and it was windy. When we got out there we found three older folks - no kidding - pushing 80 years old - sitting at one of the picnic tables - eating shrimp with cocktail sauce and drinking tea. They were having the time of their life.
    Way cool story. They probably sat at the same picnic table as Me and mine.

    This guys are onto something BIG with this bike trail. Unicorns do exist.

    Read thru these slides for the Awesome Details.

    http://www.upperhudson.org/Presentation_1.html#1

    http://upperhudson.org/Presentation_2.html#1
    incoming .................DUCK !

  4. #4
    Map and a picture.

    http://upperhudson.org/

    This is a prime route. It skirts the Hudson River and it's Gorge. There is a short public foot trail into the Gorge that's heavily lined with wild flowers in the spring. The other waters this bike trail crosses, like lil Miss Opalescent, are said to be beautiful. Plus the High Peaks and lakes at the bike trail's northern end - legendary hiking terrain. The many, many hiking trails there are the best in the Nation, the views Storied. Then there's the water. Many winter only visitors are just unaware how nice it is. Clear sparkling lakes and truly radiant streams are common. Some just take your breathe away. Word.

    What a great, low impact way for people to enjoy the ADKs!

    I agree with that Curtis Austin, this is the kinda bike trail people will drive to and could easily become a " Best in the East. " Bicycle tourism is drawing big numbers up here..... and it's Green! The Tahawus Trail's easier to pedal aspect and long journey thru the heart of the ADK's would make for one designer, en vogue bike ride. Shuttles from North Creek dropping cyclists off " upstream ", so to speak, and the basically descending bike ride back would rock. Wave and ring your bike's bell when passing by Harv's....

    Add Lodging at the Tahawus end for a " Bike and Hike Vacation " and you'ld have Nirvania for the active crowd.

    It would be a very, very wise move just to get that Right of Way into the Federal Rail Bank.

    Cyclists are a destination oriented lot. This tourism sector is growing strong in this area even while others wain. The Whiteface Downhill Bicycle area is Top Notch and has National/World fame and there's other bike trails there. Now this very unique Tahawus Trail, plus the mega popular Tour(s) De Battenkill and the newbie bike downhill areas of Gore and West Mtn - the area's poised to become a Bicycle Mecca!

    Cyclists have money and they will travel to destinations in droves. The infra structure they need is relatively cheap and their sport is a quiet, non polluting, very low impact use of the land. Could be a big win/win.
    incoming .................DUCK !

  5. #5
    " Teddy Roosevelt's Wild Ride to the Presidency Bicycle Race ".

    " Vice President Teddy Roosevelt was hiking on Mt. Marcy out of the Tahawus Club when he got the news President McKinley was dying. During a raging thunderstorm, he raced through the ADK wilderness night from the Tahawus Club to the Railroad Platform at North Creek to become the U.S. President. Retrace His steps. Ride his race route on ..... Teddy Roosevelt's Wild Ride to the Presidency Bicycle Race..... held in the Heart of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. " <<<< That has " Hit! " written all over it!

    This Tahawus Bike Trail follows much of Roosevelt's route that famous night. It would make a excellent, possibly very popular bicycle race. It could make a great Marathon race. " Teddy Roosevelt's Wild Ride to the Presidency Marathon Race ".

    Cyclists and runners love to race, especially at cool locations......which this is. Their races draw many people. Though only 5 years young, The Tour De Battenkill bike race now floods southern Washington County hotels/etc for a week or so each year plus it's going to twice a year with the Fall ride AND it's rapidly growing. Many Riders actually say it's one of the best Tour rides in the Nation. (Emerging Bike Mecca?) Both Cyclists and Runners, plus their families, will travel to destinations for races.

    There, I formated and gave cool names for two races that could easily be Big annual area events. This Tahawus Bike Trail seems to make sense/fit at many facets.

    You're welcome Stirling.

    *** Would the Tahawus Open Pit Mine and it's environs, lend itelf to a natural, already made, awesome Downhill/Freestyle/BMX terrain park??? *** Even after any clean up, it's always going to remain an open pit area anyway....why not a bike area? just sayin. Could be Rad tho.

    http://www.upperhudson.org/Presentation_1.html#33 Partial Aerial Photo of the mine.


    http://www.buffalohistoryworks.com/p...tion/chase.htm
    incoming .................DUCK !

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Inside the Blue Line
    Posts
    213

    Mine

    NL has retained ownership of the open pit mining area. They sold the pristine property to the Open Space Institute. This still leaves a tremendous recreational resource. I'm not sure if they retained ownership so that they might mine again in the future (just potential) or if it was simpler to avoid any potential clean up of the sort of environmental stuff that happens in mining areas. Either way, don't look for the mining area to join the trail project.
    This is a very cool project that will require support. I'd urge readers to follow the developments on the upperhudson.org website as well as following on Twitter. Right now those who join the "Friends..." group are most valuable for spreading enthusiasm and moral support. In the future there may be some opportunities for real hands on work or financial support. Lots of details and potential hurdles ahead. It may be hard to believe that there will be opposition, but there will be.

  7. #7
    Link to the Open Space Institute's web page on Tahawus. It's right side column has more links to related info.

    http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer...ndacks_Tahawus

    http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer...istory_Tahawus

    http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer...ks_North_Creek

    http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer...t_Chance_Ranch

    Mine Area photos.

    http://www.osiny.org/site/PageServer...ahusGallery_lb

    It kinda like this has been a closed back door into the Mountains. A new southern gate into the High Peaks Trail Zone could be very useful, advantagous and offer new opportunities. Would be cool if the OSI Tahawus translated into cabins/lodging for people. The only other such places to lodge "in the Mtns" are the Private Ausble Club in St Hurbert's, the semi private ADK Loj at Heart Lake and the private Tahawus Club. It wouldn't hurt anything and it would be fair if some Public lodging were possible like these others at the feet of the High Peaks zone. The mine area already has years of use by inhabitants, an established land use record, so to speak.

    Come to think of it, that whole Tahawus parcel and bike trail needs to become a State Park. It has Lakes, it's open/semi cleared/developed and with State Park facilities it would provide people with a very low impact way to enjoy, experience and use the amazing High Peaks area. It would be a true Jewel.
    incoming .................DUCK !

  8. #8
    Photos of the many Bridges on the Tahawus trail.

    http://www.adirondackbranch.net/bTa.html

    Below is a Great web site on the Adirondack Railroad's history from Saratoga to NC/Tahawus. Click the links on it's left side column. Under the General History link, click on the 'Ski Train Photo ' for info and more photos of the early Ski trains. The " Stories " link looks like it has tons of unique historical info. click the photo icons.

    http://www.adirondackbranch.net/index.html
    incoming .................DUCK !

  9. #9
    Tahawus Mine Site stoke and porn!!!

    Again, click the picture icons for Tons! of Photos and info. This is by far the most comprehensive, complete look into Tahawus that i've ever see. That Web site I linked is layers, layers deep.


    http://www.adirondackbranch.net/sTa.html
    incoming .................DUCK !

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Baltimore, Md
    Posts
    222
    Snoballs...thanks for all your work on this. I am becomming a Friend of the Railway.

    There is a trail..NCR that is just north of Baltimore. It was one of the first rails to trails. The neighbors hated the idea...decrease their property values and all.....that said, they routinely threw trash, like cars, cans, etc over the hill which was viewed from the rail.

    The Friends reached out to the neighbors and picked up all of their trash along 23 miles in Md....In time, those property values have skyrocketed....they have build apartments and expensive townhomes near the line with the ads saying..1 mile from NCR. As Austin pointed out...the locals will use this trail 100% more than visitors. THese trails are the new "front porch" for neighborhoods.


    Paving vs stone dust. Along the Potomac river there are actually TWO of these trails in some areas. One along the C.O is stone dust..the other is along a rail line...paved. More folks prefer the stone dust for running and light mtn biking type bikes. I put smooth tires on my Mtn Bike for the trails....works great. My advice to this obviously well infomed person is....stone dust..not paved. Maintence alone. In Md we only get one week of very cold temp around 10degrees. NorthCountry..would be deadly for paved surfaces...I think unless there is some type of technology that would stop the shrinking/expansion process that I am unaware of. There is a paved rail/trail outside of Annapolis Md (our capital0 that is so damaged with settlement cracks one would never think to rollar blade on it. And this is located in one of the more affluent counties and goes through some expensive neighborhoods...again who tout the trail being in their backyard.

    For NorthRiver folks....Embrace this....your property values will go up.

    I would also agree that this would be one of the most scenic trails in the East. It would become a MUST do of any bike rider or runner within 300 miles of the area.

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