For Release: Friday, August 28, 2009
DEC Recognizes Siamese Pond Trail Improvement Society's Work
The Siamese Pond Trail Improvement Society was recognized for its assistance in constructing two bridges for hikers and skiers and other trail maintenance work in the Siamese Pond Wilderness, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Director Betsy Lowe announced today.
"Protecting the Adirondack Forest Preserve and maintaining high quality recreational facilities on these lands would be impossible without the assistance of volunteer groups like the Siamese Pond Trail Improvement Society," said Regional Director Lowe. "DEC acknowledges the great cooperative effort and hard work that these volunteers have provided. The bridges they helped build provide a practical and safe means for hikers and skiers to cross the East Branch of the Sacandaga River, are aesthetically pleasing, and fit well with the wilderness setting."
The Siamese Pond Trail Improvement Society is a group of very active, mainly retired, volunteers who are interested in assisting DEC with projects in the northeastern portion of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness - the 114,010-acre wilderness that extends through portions of Hamilton and Warren Counties. Under a DEC "Adopt a Natural Resource Agreement," the group worked with a DEC forester, forest ranger, assistant forest ranger and others to construct the two bridges along the Botheration Pond Trail, a popular cross country ski trail. The group also performed needed maintenance on a number of trails in this area, including brushing out trails, clearing blown down trees, and installing water control devices.
"The Siamese Ponds Trail Improvement Society is happy to be able to participate in the Adopt a Natural Resource Program," said Fred Andersen, the group's leader. "As residents of the area, we ski and hike these trails on a regular basis. Trail work provides us another opportunity to get out. The bridge projects provide a focus and showcase for our efforts. We hope that other visitors will appreciate this area as much as we do."
The willingness and hard work provided by the group, their ability to work closely with DEC staff, and their understanding of wilderness management principles have resulted in great improvements to the recreational facilities and environment in the Siamese Pond Wilderness. The work was completed on a number of important projects during a time when New York State is facing financial hardships. The work would not have been completed in such a timely fashion without their efforts.
Botheration Pond Trail is located in the Town of Johnsburg, Warren County, and can be accessed from the east using the Halfway Brook Trailhead on the Barton Mines Road. Hikers can the trail toward William Blake Pond approximately 1.75 miles, the Botheration Pond Trail is signed and on the left (south) side of the trail. It also can be accessed from the north using the Old Farm Trailhead on Old Farm Road off the Thirteenth Lake Road. Take the trail to the Old Farm Clearing, approximately 1.2 miles, the Botheration Pond Trail will be on the left (east) side of the trail.
Over the past few years, many other recreational improvement projects have been completed by volunteers in accordance with the Siamese Pond Wilderness Unit Management Plan. The Student Conservation Association Adirondack Program, inmates crews from the NYS Department of Corrections Moriah Shock Camp, and a number of Adopt a Natural Resource individuals and groups have assisted DEC in completing the following projects in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness:
- Rehabilitation of campsites and other facilities at the north end of Thirteenth Lake to create accessible camping, day use and beach/boat launch access providing true wilderness access for people with disabilities;
- Installation or replacement of approximately 200+ linear feet of foot bridges;
- Construction of 1.7 miles of new hiking trails;
- Construction of 11.3 miles of new cross country ski trails in the Wilderness and other nearby forest preserve lands; and
- Construction of two new trailhead parking lots in conjunction with the new cross country ski trails.
The construction of the new trails has created an eight-mile back country ski loop, an eight-mile hiking trail loop, and a ski/hiking trail connection between the community of North Creek and the Siamese Ponds Wilderness.
