Lost Pond. Bill Ingersoll | |
Nun-da-ga-o Ridge
An Outstanding Hike
| | | |
By Bill Ingersoll
Maps of the Hurricane Mountain Wilderness tell an unfortunate story: that these mountains were once not viewed in terms of their wildness, but in terms of the resources that people hoped might be extracted from them. Thus today we have inherited a region full of features named Potash Mountain, Soda Range, Coal Dirt Hill, Spruce Mill Brook, Big Slash Mountain, and Limekiln Mountain. These were not places for adventure or romantic contemplation of the sublime, but places where commodities were to be exploited. This historical ambivalence perhaps explains the current scenario, in which only a patch of wilderness remains preserved – almost all of it in the highest reaches of the range.
Maps still label the arch of mountains connecting Big Crow Mountain with Weston Mountain as the Soda Range, but for hikers this is better known as Nun-da-ga-o Ridge. From a distance the range may not look like much – a span of indistinct flat-topped summits – but it is threaded by a 3.2-mile path that connects a number of highly scenic ledges. Therefore, the experience of Nun-da-ga-o Ridge is among the best days you can have in the mountains.
Because this is not a marked trail – except for a few key turns – it is not a route for everybody. But for those up to the navigational challenge, Nun-da-ga-o is an excellent hike. (This unmarked section is colored red on the accompanying map.) The path is most often hiked as part of a loop, beginning and ending at the Crow Clearing trailhead near Keene. Altogether, the loop is 6.1 miles long with numerous ups and downs.
| | |
Robust Summer Triathlons
A Perfect time to Get Started
| | | |
By Kristen Hislop
The second half of summer is the heart of triathlon season when water temperatures are comfortable and fitness is peaking. We are lucky to have outstanding race options within a few hours ranging from beginner-friendly sprint races to national championship events.
Whether you’re considering your first triathlon or wondering what comes after your first or fiftieth race, our region’s most popular late-season events are amazing. Here’s the race lineup:
Vermont Sun Triathlon Series – The last two races in the series are the Vermont Sun Triathlon (sprint) and Branbury Classic (paddle instead of swim) on Sunday, Aug. 2, and Vermont Sun Triathlon (sprint) and Lake Dunmore Triathlon (Olympic) on Sunday, Aug. 30. Based at Branbury State Park on beautiful Lake Dunmore, the courses offer races in a relaxed, welcoming environment. They’re fun for newbies gaining experience and for seasoned athletes challenging themselves. Last summer, Vermont Sun was my son Jack’s first triathlon. He enjoyed the swim, in an almost always calm lake. The bike is safe and fast with some rolling and gradual hills. A collegiate runner, he enjoyed the shady out and back run. The pint glass award sealed the deal for him to race again. If you’re not ready for solo, then create a relay team: vermontsuntriathlonseries.com.
Crystal Lake Triathlon – Held at Crystal Cove in Averill Park on Saturday, August 15, the 26th annual Crystal Lake Triathlon features a 0.5-mile calm swim, 18-mile rolling hills bike, and three-mile mostly flat run around the lake. Hosted by the Capital District Triathlon Club, this USAT-sanctioned sprint race options include the individual, team relay, and aquabike – making it an ideal entry point into the sport. It’s one of the most challenging sprint bike courses in the area, so it’s strongly recommended that you preview the course at CDTC’s Weekly Tuesday Night Training. Register by July 13 to be guaranteed a race giveaway: cdtriclub.org.
| | | |
OUR BEST BET EVENTS
Included events are Upstate Sports and/or Vermont Sports magazine advertisers.
With affordable rates, we’d love to help promote your business,
organization, destination, or event.
For Upstate Sports, call/email Darryl Caron at 518-877-8788 or Darryl@AdkSports.com.
For Vermont Sports, call/email Riley Momenee at 603-464-9323 or Riley@AdkSports.com.
The ad deadline for Upstate Sports magazine’s July issue
and Vermont Sports magazine’s Jul/Aug issue is: Monday, July 20
| | “I don’t relax because I don’t know how. I don’t want to know how. Life is too short to relax.”
–Susan Hayward, award-winning, Hollywood actor | |
Saturday, July 18
Slate Valley Epic Mountain Bike Race. 7:20am. MTB race of 40M & 5000ft of climbing. Relay option available. Slate Valley Fairgrounds Trailhead, Poultney, VT. slatevalleytrails.org.
Remington I: Paddle Races & Tours. 10M. 9:30am. Canoes, kayaks, SUPs, and more. All ages and abilities welcome. Oswegatchie River, Heuvelton to Ogdensburg. slvpaddlers.org.
Wakely Dam Ultra. 55K unsupported trail running race. 6:30am. Piseco Airport to Wakely Dam. ultrasignup.com.
| |
Sunday, July 19
Ironman Lake Placid. 2.4M swim, 112M bike, 26.2M run. 7am. Olympic Speedskating Oval, Lake Placid. ironman.com.
FIFA Watch Party: Shores & Scores Festival. Watch the final World Cup game on the big screen w/fellow fans. 2-5pm. Free. Soccer-themed games, drills, activities for families. Food/drinks. Pavilion at the Beach, Schroon Lake. adirondackhub.com.
Froggy 5-Mile & Hard as Hell Half Marathon. 8:30am. AREEP. Beartown State Forest, Great Barrington, MA. areeventproductions.com.
| |
Sunday-Friday, July 19-24
Make Waves Overnight Retreat: Empowered & Standing Up. Girls empowerment program: learn skills to live a happy, healthy life. Build self-confidence, positive self-talk, emotional intelligence, mental toughness. Implemented during a fun week of paddleboarding, yoga, hiking, more. No experience necessary. Scholarships available. Fern Lake, Au Sable Forks. makewavesretreat.org.
| |
Monday, July 20
Camp Saratoga 5K Summer Trail Series. 6:15pm. Also: 8/3, 8/17. Fun, challenging course for all ages/abilities. Hosted by Saratoga Stryders. Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Wilton. saratogastryders.org.
High Peaks Cyclery: Mini Tri Series. 6/22-8/10. 6pm. Swim 400 yards, bike 12 miles, run 3 miles. Mirror Lake, Lake Placid. highpeakscyclery.com.
Serenity on the Trails: Course Preview Run. 6:30pm. Free – runners and walkers welcome. Main event: Serenity on the Trails Run/Walk: 8/22. All runners/walkers welcome. Benefits Hive of Hope supporting recovery thru connections, movement, and engagement. Central Park, Schenectady. runsignup.com.
| | |
Monday-Friday, July 20-24
Albany Rowing Center: Youth Summer Camps. Ages 12-18. Eight weekly camps, M-F 9am-12pm: 6/22-8/14. Learn about rowing in a fun, recreational setting. ARC Boathouse/Launch, Albany. albanyrowingcenter.org.
|
Tuesday, July 21
HMRRC Colonie Summer Track Series. 6pm. Free. Adult & kids races – all welcome. Colonie High School, Colonie. hmrrc.com.
|
Thursday, July 23
Cole’s Woods Thursday Summer Mountain Bike Race Series. 1.5-2M course. 6:15pm. Kids’ Race: 6pm. Raffles. Free. All ages and abilities welcome. Cole’s Woods, Queensbury. friendsofcoleswoods.org.
Thursday Night Hustle. 6pm. 6/4-8/6. Summer community trail run and mountain bike race series. All ages and abilities welcome. Adult (13-plus): bike 10K, run 5K. Youth (12-under): bike 5K, run 3K. Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid. mtvanhoevenberg.com.
| |
Saturday, July 25
Map & Compass Navigation Class. Learn real backcountry skills including map and compass basics, route finding and terrain reading, with hands-on instruction. Beginner friendly adventure, skills, and preparedness. All are welcome! Wyld Birch & Stony Creek Endurance, Stony Creek. wyldbirch.com.
Last Man Standing Ultra. 9am. 4.2M loop every hour until one person remains. Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid. runsignup.com.
Honor America Days Parade Run 5K. 8:30am. City Hall, Rome. romanrunners.com.
Kingdom Swim. 1M, 5K, 10K, 10M, 25K open water swims. A celebration of open water swimming. Prouty Beach, Newport, VT. kingdomgames.co.
| |
Sunday, July 26
49th Escarpment 30K Trail Run. Wave starts: 9-10:25am. A race across the wall of Manitou. For mountain goats only. Windham to Haines Falls. escarpmenttrail.com.
37th Forest Frolic. 7K & 15K. 9am. Kennedy State Forest, Virgil. fingerlakesrunners.org.
| |
Monday-Friday, July 27-31
Albany Rowing Center: Youth Summer Camps. Ages 12-18. Eight weekly camps, M-F 9am-12pm: 6/22-8/14. Learn about rowing in a fun, recreational setting. ARC Boathouse/Launch, Albany. albanyrowingcenter.org.
Camp Girls on the Run. 9am-12pm. Troy YMCA, Troy. gotrcr.org.
|
Monday, July 27
High Peaks Cyclery: Mini Tri Series. 6/22-8/10. 6pm. Swim 400 yards, bike 12 miles, run 3 miles. Mirror Lake, Lake Placid. highpeakscyclery.com.
|
Tuesday, July 28
HMRRC Colonie Summer Track Series – Ribbon Night. 6pm. Free. Adult & kids races – all welcome. Colonie High School, Colonie. hmrrc.com.
|
Wednesday-Saturday, 7/29-8/1
Farm to Fork Fitness Adventures: Weekend Getaway. Island & Coast of Penobscot Baybicycle rides. 30-42 miles per day. Scenic cycling, locally sourced food, and achievable challenges. Camden, Maine. Save 15% with code: 26ADK15. farmtoforkfitness.com.
| |
Thursday, July 30
Cole’s Woods Thursday Summer Mountain Bike Race Series. 1.5-2M course. 6:15pm. Kids’ Race: 6pm. Raffles. Free. All ages and abilities welcome. Cole’s Woods, Queensbury. friendsofcoleswoods.org.
Thursday Night Hustle. 6pm. 6/4-8/6. Summer community trail run and mountain bike race series. All ages and abilities welcome. Adult (13-plus): bike 10K, run 5K. Youth (12-under): bike 5K, run 3K. Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid. mtvanhoevenberg.com.
|
Thursday-Sunday, July 30-August 2
The OM Festival. 4th annual yoga, music, and wellness festival. 17 bands. 100+ classes/workshops. Hiking, farm-to-table, more. West Mountain Inn, Arlington, VT. Save 15%: NYSPORTS15. theomfestival.org.
| |
Friday-Saturday, July 31-August 1
Empire State Ride: Two-Day Ride. Supported ride to end cancer – finish with the weeklong Empire State Ride riders. Weedsport to Niagara Falls – finish with the Empire State Ride weeklong riders. empirestateride.com.
Friday-Sunday, July 31-August 2
Weekender at Paul Smith’s College. 20-40 miles per day. Supported rides including on the Adirondack Rail Trail, meals, lodging, activities, relax. Groups welcome. Benefits ARTA. Paul Smith’s College, Paul Smiths. bikeadirondacks.com.
Saturday, August 1
Churney Gurney Trail Running Race. 5 miles. Joggers and walkers welcome. Plus, Mountain Bike Races on Saturday (DH) and Sunday (XC) + Kids Races. Gurney Lane Mountain Bike Park, Queensbury. runsignup.com.
9th Tour de Slate Bike Rides. Enjoy the Taconic Mountains and Slate Valley of southwest Vermont & neighboring New York. Six rides with something for everyone. Gravel (40M & 30M), Road (63M, 36M, 15M) & Rails/Trails Family Ride (8M). Benefit ride to help end addiction. Middletown Springs, VT. tourdeslate.org.
| | |
Saturday-Sunday, August 1-2
Churney Gurney Mountain Bike Races. Saturday: Downhill MTB race. Sunday: Cross-country MTB races and free kids’ MTB race. Plus, 5M Trail Running Race on Saturday. Gurney Lane MTB Park, Queensbury. bikereg.com.
Sunday, August 2
Vermont Sun Triathlon. 600yd swim, 14M bike, 5K run. 8am. Branbury State Park, Lake Dunmore, VT. vermontsuntriathlonseries.com.
Branbury Classic Triathlon. 1.5K kayak/canoe/SUP, 14M bike, 5K run. 8am. Branbury State Park, Lake Dunmore, VT. vermontsuntriathlonseries.com.
ADK Canoe Safety and Rescue Clinic. 10am. Heart Lake Program Center, Lake Placid. adk.org.
|
| |
Monday, August 3
Camp Saratoga 5K Summer Trail Series. 6:15pm. Also: 8/17. Fun, challenging course for all ages/abilities. Hosted by Saratoga Stryders. Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Wilton. saratogastryders.org.
High Peaks Cyclery: Mini Tri Series. 6/22-8/10. 6pm. Swim 400 yards, bike 12 miles, run 3 miles. Mirror Lake, Lake Placid. highpeakscyclery.com.
Tuesday, August 4
HMRRC Colonie Summer Track Series. 6pm. Free. Adult & kids races – all welcome. Colonie High School, Colonie. hmrrc.com.
Thursday, August 6
4th Bad Blood 5K Run. 6:30pm. 2.5K Walk: 6:45pm. Kids Quad Dash: 6:15pm. Flat, fast courses on campus. USATF Adk Grand Prix. Team prizes. Food, free Common Roots beer, music. Supports Wicklund Warriors. Student Union, Siena University, Loudonville. runsignup.com.
Cole’s Woods Thursday Summer Mountain Bike Race Series. 1.5-2M course. 6:15pm. Kids’ Race: 6pm. Raffles. Free. All ages and abilities welcome. Cole’s Woods, Queensbury. friendsofcoleswoods.org.
Thursday Night Hustle. 6pm. 6/4-8/6. Summer community trail run and mountain bike race series. All ages and abilities welcome. Adult (13-plus): bike 10K, run 5K. Youth (12-under): bike 5K, run 3K. Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid. mtvanhoevenberg.com.
|
| |
Saturday, August 8
19th Tour of the Catskills. 74M, 52M & 27M challenging road rides in the Catskills. 9am. Tannersville. bikereg.com.
Saturday-Sunday, August 8-16
Finger Lakes Tandem Tour. Led by Gear-to-Go Tandems. Canandaigua, Seneca, Keuka lakes. gtgtandems.com.
Sunday, August 9
40th anniversary Run for the Roses 5K Run. 9am. Walkers welcome. Kids 1M Fun Run: 10am. All 5K runners and walkers receive a T-shirt, book, and a rose! Benefits Grafton Community Library. Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton. runsignup.com.
23rd annual Christine Nicole Perry Memorial Bike Ride. 40M: 9am. 25M: 9:30am. 15M: 10am. Post-ride lunch included at The Hub. Benefits Christine Nicole Perry Memorial Trust. The Hub, Brant Lake. bikereg.com.
Sunday-Wednesday, August 9-12
Great Camp Sagamore Experience. 20-25M supported road or gravel rides. Meals, lodging, history. Benefits Great Camp Sagamore Public Trust. Great Camp Sagamore, Raquette Lake. bikeadirondacks.com.
Monday, August 10
HMRRC Tawasentha Park Cross Country Run Series #1. 6:30pm. Tawasentha Park, Guilderland. hmrrc.com.
High Peaks Cyclery: Mini Tri Series. 6/22-8/10. 6pm. Swim 400 yards, bike 12 miles, run 3 miles. Mirror Lake, Lake Placid. highpeakscyclery.com.
| | |
MON-FRI Rock Your Fitness: Boot Camp Workouts. Mon/Wed/Fri: 5:30am, 6:30am, 9am. Tue: 5:30pm. Sat 8am. Special offer: Free week of class with registration for 2x/3x per week option. To register, text and use promo code “ADK fit” to 518-522-9765. Malta Community Center, Malta. facebook.com.
TUE Capital District Triathlon Club: Weekly Training. 6pm. 5/26-8/25. Swim, bike, run on Crystal Lake Triathlon (8/15) course. Crystal Cove on Crystal Lake, Averill Park. Info/join: cdtriclub.org.
THU Saratoga Triathlon Club: Weekly Training. 6pm. 6/4-8/27. Bike and run options. Child care sitter available. Moreau Lake State Park, Gansevoort. Info/join: saratogatriclub.com.
|
|
| How did you like this email? | | | | Follow Upstate Sports on Facebook & Instagram | | | | | |
