Adirondack 46ers

A collection of photos from Trail Master Doug Varney and Volunteer Brian S from June 13th, Dix blowdown sweep from Rt 73. The photos include the amazing gift of beauty that surrounded the all volunteer crew, the work that was done, Perry receiving his 46hr conservation award patch, and the sweat and smiles of this great crew! Many, many thanks!

Still catching up on last weekends Trail Crew work - Calamity Brook work continues from Trail Crew member Donna M on Sunday June 14th:

“Calamity Trail got some more love today. We divided and we conquered from the trailhead to Flowed Lands. Two headed straight for Flowed Lands and cleared blow down coming back towards the Once-Upon-A-Time High Water Bridge. The section from there to the trailhead had been cleared yesterday by the crew who demolished and removed the remains of the bridge. Five headed to that same river crossing junction and cleared many drainages heading towards the trailhead while the remaining four cleared drainages starting at the trailhead. Mark Simpson we get the 2027 season off from drainage work !!”

Many, many thanks for all this dirty work! You are making a huge difference on this trail! All photos courtesy of Donna.

See some of the work mentioned in the article below with photos by Trailmaster Mark Simpson who says of the work done June 13th and 14th :

“Another fantastic weekend by our amazing volunteers. We had crews on Dix mountain, Calamity Brook and Black Kettle bridge. It was a little warm yesterday but not overbearing and today was downright perfect except for a little rain in the afternoon.
Thank you so much to these amazing people that keep coming back and doing these amazing things.
Pictures attached from the black kettle bridge where we finished almost all the cribs in the two days and next time you go back we'll finish those and start decking.”

https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/recreation/reimagining-twin-valleys-former-camp-into-adirondack-hiking-hub/

“We dipped our dusty toes in much of what Bend had to offer – over the Fourth of July holiday, no less – and found Bend busy and full of outdoor loving people, but we never felt it crowded or over-blown.” “Even when the parking lot was nearly full, the trails didn’t feel crowded, in part because of very clever management – lots of trail loops start from the same area, quickly dispersing”

These are quotes from another article about crowding at LNT:

Too Much of a Good Thing? Outdoor "Meccas" and Leave No Trace - Leave No Trace Cascadia, OR: We recently spent nine days in and around the lauded outdoor town of Bend, Oregon, named Outside Magazine’s “Best Multi-Sport Town” for 2017. It’s clear how Bend earned this title. In any given day in Bend, you will see people riding their bikes, paddling kayaks or sailing boat...

Obviously there was a lot of discussion about crowds in the recent Visitor Use Management recommendation discussions. Leave no Trace has some thoughts on handing crowds if you should encounter them.

Tips For Handling Crowds in Outdoor Spaces - Leave No Trace Leave No Trace Tips For Handling Crowds in Outdoor Spaces Crowds have seemingly become synonymous with many of our outdoor spaces, and with around 1.8 billion visits to our shared outdoor spaces annually, it’s no wonder why. Large amounts of visitors can also mean large amounts of impact and strai...

We thank Rob for his many years of dedicated service and wish him all the best in his retirement!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York State Forest Ranger Robert Praczkajlo Retires After Distinguished Career, Joins Board of The Forest Ranger Foundation

Saranc Lake, NY – June 1 2026 – The Forest Ranger Foundation announces the retirement of DEC Forest Ranger Robert “Rob” Praczkajlo following a long and impactful career dedicated to protecting New York’s public lands, fighting wildfires, conducting search and rescue operations, and serving communities across the Adirondacks and beyond. 

Praczkajlo, a veteran Forest Ranger based in the High Peaks region, has spent decades enforcing environmental conservation laws, responding to emergencies, and leading efforts in wild land search and rescue as well as wildfire suppression. His service included notable deployments, such as leading a crew to assist with major wildfires in Canada in 2023, as well as numerous high-profile search and rescue missions in the Adirondacks. Known for his dedication, and tenacity, he has been a consistent leader in the field, often responding to multiple incidents in challenging conditions. He was a leader among leaders.

In his retirement, Praczkajlo will continue his commitment to the Forest Ranger community by joining the Board of Directors of The Forest Ranger Foundation. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing additional equipment, training, and support to New York State Forest Rangers to enhance their ability to protect lives, property, and natural resources. 

“I’ve dedicated my career to serving the public and stewarding New York’s forests and wildlands,” said Praczkajlo. “Retirement from active duty doesn’t mean stepping away, it’s an opportunity to support the next generation of Rangers through the Foundation’s important work in equipping and empowering them.”

The Forest Ranger Foundation expressed enthusiasm about his addition to the board. “Rob’s on-the-ground experience and leadership will be invaluable as we work to bridge gaps in resources for our Rangers,” said Executive Director Scott van Laer. “Rob was the toughest Ranger I ever worked with, we were an exceptional team together in uniform, and I am very excited he will be joining me at the foundation in his retirement. His transition highlights the ongoing dedication of our Rangers, even beyond their years of service.”

Praczkajlo’s retirement will be celebrated at a dedicated event organized by the Foundation, honoring his years of service Saturday June 13th in Ray Brook New York.

About The Forest Ranger Foundation
The Forest Ranger Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting the mission of New York State Forest Rangers. By providing specialized gear, training opportunities, and other resources, the Foundation helps Rangers effectively respond to wildfires, conduct rescues, and protect the state’s natural heritage. For more information, visit www.forestrangerfoundation.org. 

Just finished proof reading the upcoming issue of PEEKS – it should be out to members the end of the month or the first week of July. You should all hope for a rainy day or a lakeside seat to look through this issue! It is awesome!

The ADK 46ers organization successfully completed a two-day roadside cleanup initiative on Monday and Tuesday, with 12 dedicated volunteers each day contributing to the Adopt a Highway program. During the course of the two days, the group cleaned 20.2 miles of roadside and collected 27 large bags of debris. We extend our gratitude to our volunteers for their exceptional work and dedication. Congratulations to everyone involved. The next two cleanups are scheduled for September, with the final two cleanups set for October. For those interested in participating and giving back to the community, please contact [email protected].

In the June 4th Rangers Report there was an interview with Forest Ranger Gary Miller regarding a recent rescue and what the Rangers have to deal with to get a subject out safely. Ranger Miller is very humble about why he and others do what they do, “we help people” but these carry outs are difficult and impressive! Thank you NYS Forest Rangers! available to download (59 MB).

extapps.dec.ny.gov

Avalanche Pass – many have asked about the trail closure and subsequent plans for repairs. The process in place on State Lands is for a DEC created work plan to be approved at all levels, then planning for the actual work can take place. This link will take you to the work plan for Avalanche Pass and others. Simply click on the project you wish to look at and you can get all the details. https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/forest-preserve/project-work-plans

On July 24th through 26th the 46er Trail Crew is currently scheduled to lend a hand with this project if
you would like to assist. Be aware that dates are subject to change depending on how this project shapes up. https://adk46er.org/trail-crew/

Trail Crew – Adirondack 46ers Trail Crew Photos Pictures from 2025 Trail Crew The ADK 46er Trail Masters, on behalf of the ADK 46er Club welcome you to join a trail crew on an outing! You are sure to walk away feeling a sense of accomplishment and pride, and perhaps a newfound skill or two. Now, we can’t promise there won’t ...