Winter Photo Contest

I entered this photo taken on a snowshoe hike of Pilot Knob Ridge into a local photo contest. It is a gazebo on the ridge from which you have a beautiful view of Lake George. Votes appreciated, especially since it requires you to make a username and password!



Also submitted, was this amazing picture taken by Sister of a waterfall at the Lake George Recreational Park. Vote for her if you prefer!

Berry Pond - Lake George

I came across an article today in the online edition of the PostStar about the Lake George Land Conservancy receiving a grant to continue its efforts at the Berry Pond Preserve, which was acquired by the LGLC in 2008, and towards the Last Great Shoreline Protection Project of 2009.

This article reminded me about my quest to find Berry Pond this summer. I had heard of the recent acquisition by the LGLC and wanted to check out the pond. I explored the trails at the recreation park in Lake George with a coworker who had somewhat of an idea as to where the trail would start. With our cameras, and her grand-dog, map and compass, we went on our search. The wooded trail eventually ended at a dirt road which we continued to follow, wondering if we were even on track the whole time.





We finally conceded to the fact that we were not going to find the pond, but were content with checking out the wild flowers and playing fetch with the dog. At the sight of a possible clearing, we decided to take a side road off the road that we were on, and we came to what we figured must be Berry Pond.




At the pond was a great blue heron and a beaver dam, surrounded by swampy soft ground and plenty of evidence of beaver activity. I hope I can remember how we got there so I can find it again!

Pilot Knob Ridge Loop and Gazebo

Pilot Knob Ridge Preserve is now part of protected land in Lake George under the care of the Lake George Land Conservancy. In the early 1980s, the land was illegally cleared by a drug dealer and a large house that could be seen from the entire southern end of the lake was built. The local residents were outraged by the house as it took away from otherwise beautiful view around the lake. The property was raided in 1984 by state agents and the drug dealer was removed, but the structure remained until 2000 when the LGLC purchased the property and demolished the house leaving only the gazebo behind.





The hiking loop is about two miles and provides the hiker with gorgeous views of the southern end of the lake, wild flowers, a waterfall, and some wild life. While the trail does gain elevation, a little steep in parts, there is also a lot of flat walking. I'd say that the view is far too good for the effort!

See all of my photos on Flickr
View the trail guide provided by the LGLC

Information from:
The Downside of Upland Development by Phil Brown
Pilot Knob Ridge Preserve - Lake George Land Conservancy