Contract to protect Twin Pines | Winter hiking tips | Metzger and Murnane join advisory board

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LGLC News for December 2019

A letter from the ED, Jamie Brown

Thank you for making this an amazing year for the LGLC and the land that protects the lake. By the end of 2019, we will have permanently protected over 350 acres, including over 35 acres of wetlands and 3 miles of stream corridor. Thanks to you, this land will continue to naturally clean the water and protect the lake for future generations.

We hosted nearly 30,000 visitors on our preserves and the preserves that we manage for others, helping to educate folks as to the importance of protecting land to protect water, habitat, and forests. Another 2,500 people participated in the year's events, for exercise, fun, and to learn about our "living lands."

We completed the restoration of the Schumann Preserve trail and are working with the Towns of Queensbury and Lake George to complete new trails for hiking and mountain biking on French Mountain. We are also working with the Town of Bolton on trail improvements on the Pinnacle, and looking at adding new trails to the Bolton Hub with the Twin Pines property (see above).

We could not have done so much for the land that protects the lake without YOU. Thank you so much for being a part of our work and making a lasting, positive impact.

Read the Complete Letter

Bolton Hub region that includes the Twin Pines property

Contract Signed to Protect 212 Acres in Bolton

The LGLC has signed a contract to purchase 212 acres of the Twin Pines Resort property in Bolton, and expects to close on the purchase before the end of the year. We will hold the property until early 2020, when we anticipate selling it to the Town of Bolton with a conservation easement.

The uplands include about 20 acres of wetlands and 3,000 feet of stream corridor, and are adjacent to the NYS Cat and Thomas Mts Preserve. We will work with the Town to develop a trail system that will link to the NYS lands and add to the Bolton Hub's recreational opportunities.

We thank the McGurl family for their patience throughout this process and for wanting to work with us to protect the land that has been a part of their family since 1986.

Map of Protection Area (PDF)

Being Prepared for Winter Adventures

(Excerpted from the NYSDEC) Winter is a great time to get outdoors. The cold, crisp air is exhilarating. The scenery is spectacular, even more wondrous than the summer. There are no biting insects and fewer people on the trails. The quiet and solitude is remarkable and most enjoyable. HOWEVER, safety and preparedness are extremely important no matter your physical ability or destination. Properly preparing for winter conditions is essential for a more enjoyable and safer experience. Visit the NYS DEC's Winter Hiking Safety page for a great guide on how to plan ahead, what to wear, what to pack, things to look out for on the trail, and what to do if you get lost.

If venturing out onto LGLC's managed properties, please note that not all parking areas get plowed. The following preserves ARE plowed and therefore accessible throughout the winter:

Winter Hiking Safety

Shout-Out to Tahawus Trails and the Town of Lake George

Over the past two years, the LGLC has been lucky enough to work with Eddie Walsh of Tahawus Trails LLC while rebuilding the trail at our The Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob. Eddie and Tahawus Trails have built trails and steps all over the Northeast from the Catskills and the ADK's to Minnewaska State Park to Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Fallingwater house. Here's a fascinating article from Hudson Valley One about Eddie and his history working in the area and building trails.

Congratulations to the Town of Lake George, with the Town of Queensbury, for being awarded a $75,000 Community Smart Growth Grant to "complete the final design and permitting phases related to site access, trail design, and supporting amenities, including parking, outdoor meeting space, and signage at the new McPhillips Preserve at French Mountain. The communities envision a series of hiking trails, complex of single-track mountain biking trails, and conservation-based education linked with the Lake George school campus." We're proud to be partners in this great effort, both for community recreation and watershed protection.

2020 Winter Events

Cabin Fever Open House, January 16 @ LGLC Office, 3 - 5 PM
Stop in between 3 and 5 PM to say hello, grabs some treats, including hot soup generously donated by Lakeside Lodge and Grille, and see what's ahead in 2020!
Cross-Country Ski, February 1 @ Cat and Thomas Mts Preserve, 9:30 AM - 3 PM
New, easier route this year! Ski the lower trail, from Valley Woods Rd to Edgecomb Pond and back.
Walk on Water to Dome Island, February 15 @ LGLC Office/Dome Island, 10 AM and 2 PM
IMPORTANT: Online registration will open Monday, January 6 (must register online; no email or phone calls please)

LGLC Welcomes Two to Advisory Board

We are pleased to welcome Amanda May Metzger and Brendan Murnane to our Advisory Board!

Active members of the local Lake George and Bolton business communities, Metzger and Murnane are also both members of the LGLC’s Next Generation (NextGen) Committee, which organizes the LGLC’s annual trail race, Amy’s Adventure Race for the Lake, as well as other social and outreach events throughout the year. By joining the Advisory Board they are able to provide further input and feedback to the organization as a whole.