Enjoying the view from Balm of Gilead. Bill Ingersoll | | Rethinking Balm of Gilead Mountain | | | |
By Bill Ingersoll
Sometimes the small mountains are the best hiking experiences. I keep a list of them in my metaphorical “back pocket” to recommend for people who want a memorable experience for modest effort. There are many such mountains scattered throughout the Adirondack Park, although many are bushwhacks; in my opinion the region would benefit if a few more of these “low peaks” had trails.
One of my favorite such mountains is Balm of Gilead in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness near North Creek. It is a tad out of the way, and unlike most of the park’s more famous climbs you can’t just park at the base and begin climbing – you must walk for a few minutes before the ascent begins. But this is hardly a technical hike, and if you can manage a few minor navigational quirks (finding the trailhead, following the trail signs) then you’ll have it made.
Balm of Gilead Mountain’s unique name doesn’t refer to a Margaret Atwood dystopian novel. Instead, it stems from a sterile variety of the balsam poplar, the Balm of Gilead tree. The ends of its branches are gummy and give off a spicy fragrance in spring. In the 19th century, the pungent odor from trees growing on this mountain was noticed as far away as Christian Hill, thus inspiring the mountain’s name.
| | | Team overall state championship win. | |
Saratoga Shredders Devo –
Team Wins Second State Title
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By Chris Yarsevich
On June 14, the Saratoga Shredders Devo mountain bike team won their second consecutive NICA State Championship. The team consists of athletes in grades five to 12 from across Saratoga County and beyond. NICA NY (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) consists of 17 teams from across the state that come together to race at different courses throughout New York. This year’s championship was held at Fronhofer Farm in Salem, NY (see below for exciting news).
The Saratoga Shredders capped off a very successful campaign, where they won the team overall at each of the four races this spring. The team was anchored by a strong girls team, who individually placed first, second, and third in all the races this year and took an unprecedented sweep of the podium (five places) at race two in Oneonta. Not to be outdone, the boys team had several returning and new racers joining the scoring in the high school ranks, which led to the overall win.
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“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
- Jane Goodall
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Saturday, September 19
Adirondack ElliptiGO Day. 8:30am. 22-mile group ride along the Adirondack Rail Trail. All levels welcome; no rider left behind! Lunch at Lisa G's following the ride. Adirondack Rail Trail Lake Placid Parking, Lake Placid, NY. elliptigoclub.org.
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Sunday, September 20
The Bagel Run: 5K, 10K & 15K. Runners and walkers welcome. Also: 1K Kids Run. The Albany JCC celebrates 100 years of community and connections with meaningful impact for children, families, and older adults. Albany JCC, Albany. albanyjcc.org.
Inaugural iRun Saratoga Half Marathon. 8am. Beautiful course through city landmarks and Saratoga Spa State Park. Druthers after party. Congress Park to High Rock Park, Saratoga Springs. irunlocal.com.
The Mountain Goat Trail Race. 8.5M: 8:30am. Kids 1M Fun Run: 10:30am. Sap House, Merck Forest, Rupert, VT. mountaingoat.com.
Head of the Hudson Regatta. 3,200m head race for juniors, high school, club, masters, collegiate rowers. 8am-1:30pm. Albany Rowing Center Boathouse, Albany. albanyrowningcenter.org.
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Friday, September 25
Albany Ride for Missing Children. 100M. 6am. Fully supported ride, new route. benefit ride to raise awareness of missing and exploited children and provide education for local kids to stay safe in their community and online. Impact Athletics, Clifton Park. albanyrfmc.org.
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Friday-Sunday, September 25-27
Farm to Fork Weekend Getaway: Adirondack Foothills. 30-40M daily scenic, supported road rides with farm stops/tours. Saratoga Springs. farmtoforkfitness.com.
8th Annual Vermont Climbing Festival. Clinics, speakers, music, climbing. Farr’s Field, Waterbury, VT. cragvt.org.
Great Adirondack Race at the Notch. Combines challenges of Survivor and tasks of the Amazing Race over 3 days to test your physical & intellectual skills. Teams of 3-4 (18+) compete against one another (max 10 teams) face 7 challenges over 443 acres with an 80 acre private lake in the Adirondacks with a goal of being crowned winner of “The Notch.” Includes challenges, activities, meals, lodging.Camp Little Notch, Fort Ann, NY. camplittlenotch.org.
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Saturday-Sunday, September 26-27
Whiteface Oktoberfest. Sat: 10:30-6. Sun: 10:30-5. Bavarian-style, family-friendly celebration, vendors, gondola rides. Whiteface, Wilmington. whiteface.com.
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Saturday, September 26
2nd Steps for Sustainability 5K Run/Walk. 9am. Benefits City Mission to provide shelter, clothing & life-changing resources to people they serve daily. Managed by AREEP. Mohawk Harbor, Schenectady. citymission.com.
26th Great Pumpkin Challenge 5K & 10K. 9:30am. Run/walk/roll. Costume & pumpkin contests. Also: Kids’ Fun Run. Columbia Pavilion, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs. zippyreg.com.
Bike the Barns. 9am. 25-30M supported rides visiting local farms, food/drink, music. Essex County Fairgrounds, Westport. bikeadirondacks.com.
13th Harry Elkes Ride. Scenic road rides of 15, 32, or 50-miles or 18-mile gravel loop. 9am. The Hub lunch & beverages. Benefits Adirondack Cycling Advocates. The Hub, Brant Lake. adkcyclingadvocates.org.
3rd Saratoga Trail Fest. A day dedicated to exploring Saratoga County’s trails and celebrating our outdoor community, hosted by Saratoga Trails Alliance. Trail fest is a unique event that invites participants of all ages and abilities to discover the diverse trails that our region has to offer through a series of guided adventures (hike/walk, bike, paddle) from 2-4pm, followed by an après party at Glenham Farm (57 Glenham Ave) in Saratoga Springs. saratogatrails.org.
15th Hungry Lion Bike Tour. Signature 35M road ride, 75M & 50M road rides, 25M gravel ride, 5.5M road ride. Also, two hikes offered. Quiet roads, supported rides, after party. Deerfield Valley Lions: supports local families facing food insecurity. Town Hall, Whitingham, VT. hungrylionbiketour.com.
Old Spokes Home: Fall Fundo. Fundraising ride w/100K/70K/45K/15K routes, after party, raffle prizes. Supports nonprofit mission to removing barriers to make bikes work for everyone. Gorgeous autumn ride. Old Spokes Home, Burlington, VT. oldspokeshome.com.
Bike Saratoga: History Caravan E-Bike Tour. 10M. 9:30am. E-bike rentals available. Saratoga Battlefield, Stillwater. bikesaratoga.com.
Chestertown Rotary 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run. 9:30am in Chestertown. Part of Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival. 1K Kids’ Fun Run: 2pm in Schroon Lake. adirondackmarathon.org.
The Knights Fury Short Duathlon: 2M run, 10M bike, 2M run. Mendon Ponds Park, Honeoye Falls. firstknightracing.com.
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Sunday, September 27
Adirondack Marathon, Half Marathon & Relays. 8am: Marathon & Relay in Schroon Lake. 9am: Half-Marathon: Adirondack to Schroon Lake. adirondackmarathon.org.
53rd HMRRC Distinguished Service 10K & 55th Anniversary Race 3.3M. 9am. University at Albany, Albany. hmrrc.com.
4th Annual Paine Mtn Trail Races. 10am. Norwich “Anchor” Challenge 6K or Paine Mtn Summit 7.5M. Also: free youth runs. Scenic & challenging. Norwich Shaw Outdoor Center, Northfield, VT. ultrasignup.com.
10th Cider Ride. 32M/43M. 9am. An Adirondack Multi-Sport Club event. All welcome. Common Roots Brewing, South Glens Falls. bikereg.com.
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Friday, October 2
The Grind: Junior MTB Races. 1,2, or 3 laps of 2M course. 2pm. Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid. bikereg.com.
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Friday-Sunday, October 2-4
WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series: Lake Placid. Series finale in downhill: Whiteface, Wilmington. Series finale in cross country: Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid, NY. lakeplaciduci.com.
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Saturday, October 3
19th CCRC Pat Glover 5K Run/Walk/BBQ. 3pm. It’s back! Kids 1K Run: 4pm. BBQ dinner included. Christ Community Reformed Church, Clifton Park. itsyourrace.com.
4th Flutters & Foliage Endurance Race. 6-hour solo & relay: 8am. 3-hour solo: 11am. 1-hour solo: 1pm. Ultra fundraiser. Peebles Island State Park, Cohoes. fluttersofhopeinc.org.
10th Amy’s Adventure: Race for the Lake. 4.5M trail race: 9am. 10M trail race: 8am. Post-race party: Bolton Landing Brewing. Benefits Lake George Land Conservancy. Amy’s Park, Bolton Landing. lglc.org.
Buck 50! 50K adventure race across five Lake George peaks. 9,000’ elevation gain. 6:30am. Start/finish: Buck Mountain. Post-race BBQ. A Mountain Dog Running event. Camp Chingachgook, Kattskill Bay. ultrasignup.com.
Dan’s Derby and Walk. 1.25M Walk, Derby car races, silent auction. 8am-12pm. A community event for prevention, recovery, and remembrance. Benefits the Prevention Council. Gavin Park, Saratoga Springs. zippy.reg.com.
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Sunday, October 4
I Pink I Can 5K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer. 9am. Family-friendly 5K and celebration of strength, survivorship, and breast cancer awareness. Benefits To Life! Mohawk Harbor, Schenectady. zippyreg.com.
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Friday, October 9
NYS Writer’s Institute: Nick Thompson. A Memoir: The Running Ground: A Father, a Son and the Simplest of Sports. 7pm. Moderated by ARE’s Josh Merlis. Recital Hall Performing Arts, UAlbany, Albany. nyswritersinstitute.org.
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Saturday October 10
Big Apple Triathlon. 1500m swim, 12.4-24.8M bike, 2.5-6.2M run. An Alpha Win event. New York City. bigappletriathlon.com.
Grateful XC Mountain Bike Race. 10M loop of pure singletrack magic w/1-2 lap options. Memphremagog Trails, Newport, VT. bikereg.com.
6th Michael Pitney Farm Run 5K. 9am. Walkers welcome. Youth Fun Run: 10am. Run the trails to support the PMCF mission and programs. Pitney Meadows Community Farm, Saratoga Springs. pitneymeadowscommunityfarm.org.
Lake Placid Classic Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. 8am. Enjoy the fall beauty of the High Peaks. Supports community wellness & youth programs. Sponsored by Fallen Arch. North Elba Horse Show Grounds, Lake Placid. lakeplacidclassic.com.
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Saturday-Sunday, October 10-11
Gore Mountain Harvest Fest. 10am-4pm. Chairlift rides, live music, vendors, kids activities. Gore Mountain, North Creek. goremountain.com.
Lake Placid Flaming Leaves Festival. US Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined National Championships, food, drinks, vendors, live music. Olympic Jumping Complex & Mt Van Hoevenberg (Nordic Combined), Lake Placid. lakeplacidlegacysites.com.
Bikeatoga’s 4th Saratoga Foliage Ride. Six scenic rides on scenic, low-traffic routes: 30M/50M/75M. Catered lunch, downtown happy hour, restaurants & store discount, hotel deals. Saratoga Springs. saratogafoliageride.com.
Uncle Sam Grand Prix Cyclocross Races. 9:30am. CBRC CX Series. Prospect Park, Troy. bikereg.com.
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Sunday, October 11
Mohawk Hudson River Marathon & Half Marathon. 8am. Run along the beautiful historic Mohawk and Hudson rivers, mostly on the paved rail trail. Includes transportation to start & marathon pacers. A Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club event. 26.2: Schenectady to Albany. 13.1M: Colonie to Albany. mohawkhudsonmarathon.com.
Veeder Tree Farm 5K Road and/or Trail Run/Walk. 10am. S’mores, bonfire, music. Walkers welcome. Participants get a discount on Xmas trees. Veeder Tree Farm, Earlton. raceentry.com.
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Daily Ride the Saratoga Battlefield. 10M. E-bike rentals. Saratoga Battlefield, Stillwater. bikesaratoga.com.
Daily Biking & Paddling Excursions. Greater Capital -Saratoga Region. All ages and abilities welcome. Upstate Kayak Rentals. Call to schedule: 518-209-1063. upstatekayakrentals.com.
MON Weekly Fun, No-Drop MTB Ride. 5:30pm. Rick’s Outpost, Gurney Lane, Queensbury. adirondackmultisport.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.
TU/THU Roundabout Runners: Morning Runs. 5:15am. All welcome. Twisted Bagel, Malta. roundaboutrunnersclub.com.
SAT Roundabout Runners: Morning Runs. 7am. All welcome. Ugly Rooster Cafe, Malta. roundaboutrunnersclub.com.
Ongoing Map & Compass Navigation & Wilderness First Aid Classes. Hands-on instruction, beginner-friendly. wyldbirch.com.
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