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Adirondack Bouldering in Fulton County
“Bouldering” is a form of rock climbing; the climbs are usually short and are done without ropes, over a cushioned pad, known as a bouldering mat or crash pad. The Adirondacks are full of boulder fields, and Fulton County has several – including over 150 established climbs at Nine Corner Lake and the Pinnacle Pull-Off.
Bouldering is the ideal sport for those who have an analytical mind and like to solve problems. Individual climbs are called “problems” and the routes are rated on a numerical sale, indicating the difficulty. The idea is not to strive for endurance or distance, but to be able to climb the most challenging rocks – to be able to figure out the “problem.” Bouldering is a short, intensive version of rock climbing.
Nine Corner Lake has become a very popular location for bouldering, probably because of its convenient location, just a short .9 mile hike off of Route 29A. And, since there are over 150 climbs, there is a range of difficulties.
To get more of an idea of what bouldering is all about, check out this video from a problem at Nine Corner. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pJDKfYa6g4[/youtube]
Remember, always be careful and be aware of the dangers and difficulties of a fall.
Golfing in Fulton County
Last week we discussed the 44 Lakes… it is now time to tackle the 44 Choices. Fulton County is located in the Southern Adirondacks with many “Great Outdoor” options. But Fulton County is also home to wonderful attractions and recreational opportunities!
Let’s talk about golf… Fulton County has seven unique golf courses accommodating to a beginner or a seasoned player.
The area’s first golf club, Sacandaga Golf Club, located in picturesque Northville is open to the public. This 9 hole, 3021 yard, course is easy to walk and features a pro-shop and restaurant.
Pine Brook Golf Club was designed by James Floyd and opened in 1921. It is a 9 hole course and 2960 yards. The Rail Yard Restaurant is housed at Pine Brook in Gloversville.
Nick Stoner Municipal Golf Course in Caroga Lake was established in 1929. This scenic course located in the Adirondack State Park. Streams and a pond are located throughout the course and become hazards on some holes. This 18 hole course is home to the Nick Stoner Inn and 19th Hole Restaurant and Bar.
Kingsboro Golf Club in Gloversville is another course with scenic views of the Adirondacks. This open-to-the-public, 3050 yard course has 9 holes with a creek and some hills that come into play on a couple of holes. The course is home to Mulligan’s Restaurant.
Holland Meadows Golf Course is an 18 hole course in Gloversville. Holland Meadows is a 3333 yard course for all golfers with a variety of fairways, fast rolling greens, and water hazards. Also at the course is a proshop, clubhouse and bar, driving range, and 4 indoor simulators.
Hales Mills Country Club located in Johnstown is an 18 hole, 5995 yard course with a few water hazards. It features a proshop and bar and restaurant which is a popular spot for weddings.
Fox Run Golf Club’s unique location allows for views of both the Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks. This 18 hole course is 6400 yards and features a driving range, putting green, indoor simulators, and proshop. Fox Run has a full service pub and restaurant able to accommodate your corporate event, wedding, or banquet.
For more information about these courses check out our interactive map: https://www.44lakes.com/map.
How Well Do You Know Fulton County?
This is one of the oldest buildings in Fulton County. It was erected in 1772, Do you know where and what it is?
What are the 44 Lakes of Fulton County?
As you have heard, Fulton County is home to 44 Lakes. But, what are those lakes?
Fulton County’s largest lake, The Great Sacandaga has over 125 miles of shore line and covers 42 square miles. Some say it is “The Best Kept Secret of the Adirondacks!” It is a place of year round activity – boating, swimming and fishing in the spring and summer, leaf peeping in the fall and ice fishing and snowmobiling in the winter. Come see this beautiful secret for yourself! www.visitsacandaga.com
Caroga Lake, actually two lakes (East and West Caroga) connected by a short canal like passageway is a beautiful vacation spot. And just, like the Great Sacandaga it’s a four season destination. The lake is surrounded by a small community full of friendly people. www.carogalake.com
Another beautiful lake that is open to the public is Pine Lake, a small lake with a friendly community feel. There is a large public beach, a beach volleyball court, paddleboat rentals, ice cream and much more! It is the perfect family vacation location; rent a cabin or a campsite at one of the campgrounds! www.pinelakepark.com or www.southernadirondackpines.com
Fulton County is home to many secluded lakes as well, accessible only by foot. There are dozens of lakes waiting to be explored. To name just a few, Ayers Lake, Bellows Lake, Broomstick Lake, Chase Lake, County Line, Dexter Lake, Goose Egg Lake, Spectacle Lake, Stewart Lake, Holmes Lake, Lily Lake, Long Lake, Nine Corner Lake, Rockwood Lake and more.
If you are looking for a place to escape it all and just enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, visit one of these lakes. Take a walk in the woods and find one of these hidden gems.
Visit one of the beautiful 44 lakes of Fulton County!
Rainy Day Fun!
This week has proved to be a rainy one and unfortunately we cannot control the weather. So what is there to do in Fulton County when it rains? Lots!
Visit one of Fulton County’s several art galleries or museums.
The Arkell Museum in Canajoharie has a lot of offer. The museum is a wealth of Mohawk Valley history with over 3,000 historical items – diaries, photographs, maps, letters and other archival documents. The Museum also is home to a permanent American Art Collection, with original paintings dating back to the 17th century. In addition to the galleries, the museum also has hands-on workshops for all ages, concert series and film series.
The Fulton County Museum in Gloversville has several exhibits that highlight the history of the area. Discover a replica of a small glove shop, a leather tanning exhibit, a display of Old Sacandaga Park, or take a look at the antique fire equipment from the Gloversville Fire Department. The Fulton County Museum is a place to take the whole family. There is something that will interest everyone; maybe it’s the professional baseball display or the Native American Longhouse.
The Micropolis Art Gallery in Gloversville is a wonderful place to see a variety of art, all produced by local artists. The gallery is located inside the Mohawk Harvest Co-Op, where you can enjoy delicious home baked goods, smoothies and freshly made soups and sandwiches.
The Wildlife Sports and Education Museum in Vail Mills is a great place for hunters and fishers to visit. It features one of the largest white tail deer collections in the northeast, along with 100 trophy bucks, bears, buffalo, fish and birds. In addition to the animals, see a collection of hunting and fishing tools used throughout history. Inside the museum is the New York State Outdoorsman Hall of Fame, honoring the men and women who work to preserve and enhance outdoor sports and conservation.
The Bellwether Studio at the Orendaga on Northville Lake is a place where you can find one-of-a-kind pottery pieces and porcelain tableware. Enjoy a pottery workshop or class.
The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, a short drive out of Fulton County, is a place of regional history and art. Take a peek in a one room school house, built over 100 years ago, or climb to the top of the Whiteface fire tower and see spectacular views. There is a lot to see, go check it out.
Or just in case you were looking for something a bit more active, visit one of the following places.
High Rollers in Amsterdam is a great way to spend a rainy day. They offer indoor roller skating and if the rain holds off, there are batting cages and a go cart track.
Holland Meadow Golf Course in Gloversville has four indoor golf simulators for when the weather proves to be less than acceptable for golf.
Fox Run Golf Course in Johnstown also has two full swing golf simulators for play on the rainy day.
The Fulton County YMCA in Johnstown is a great place to spend a rainy day. The Aquatic Center has a 6 lane, 25 yard pool, sauna, steam room and whirlpool. The Fitness Center is full of all the equipment you need to have a great workout. The Gym area has surfaces ready for indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball and tennis. Also, enjoy one of the several fitness classes the YMCA offers.
Next time it rains, don’t sit around and mope – get up and do something! There is plenty to do!
Tickets Are On Sale for the 18th Annual $10,000 “Bet on Fulton County Raffle”
Tickets are on sale for the 18th annual fundraiser to help our work in promoting the Fulton County region to visitors. The $10,000 “Bet on Fulton County Raffle” drawing will be held on Friday, August 3, 2012, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Johnstown-Gloversville, 308 N. Comrie Avenue, Johnstown, NY.
Tickets are available for $100 each and only 300 will be sold. Ticket holders are invited to enjoy great entertainment, a picnic style dinner, and cash bar at the event on August 3.
Grand Prize: $10,000
Second & Third Prize: $1,000 each
Fourth Prize: $200
5th, 6th & 7th Prize: $100 each
Tickets are available at:
Chamber Office, 2 North Main Street, Gloversville Tickets 1 – 100
Holiday Inn, 308 North Comrie Avenue, Johnstown Tickets 151 – 250
Partner’s Pub, 21 South William Street, Johnstown Tickets 251 – 300
Funds raised from the raffle will be used by the Tourism Department for marketing and advertising Fulton County to prospective visitors throughout the year, and for promoting events that benefit our region.
For more information, call the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry at (518) 725-0641 or e-mail info@fultoncountyny.org.
Two Months until the Peck’s Lake Triathlon
The Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Peck’s Lake Protective Association (PLPA) are presenting the Third Annual Peck’s Lake Challenge Sprint Triathlon to be staged at Sunrise Bay on Peck’s Lake in Fulton County, NY on Saturday, August 4. The event is comprised of a ½ mile swim, a 9 mile bike ride, and a 3 mile run.
Peck’s Lake is located within the Towns of Bleecker and Johnstown in Fulton County, NY and inside the Adirondack State Park’s “Blue Line.” The Peck’s Lake Challenge swim course will begin at Sunrise Bay on the north side of the lake. After the swim, triathletes will begin a rolling and challenging bike ride along North Shore Road and proceed to the lake’s South Shore Road and back to Sunrise Bay. After finishing the bike race, athletes will run on North Shore Road and again return to Sunrise Bay for the triathlon finish.
Entry fee is $50 per racer for registration. There will be a staggered start at the swim portion between a competitive group and a participant group. Racers may enter as individuals or as a 2- or 3-person team; entry fees are $40 per each team member. T-shirts will be guaranteed for the first 100 racers who sign up for the triathlon. Awards for the top three winners in each age group category will be presented.
The Peck’s Lake Challenge Sprint Triathlon event is limited to 175 total athletes; in the past, the event was sold out two weeks prior. To date, 40 participants are registered.
Entry forms can be found at: http://www.fultoncountyny.org/pages/3rdAnnualPecksLakeSprintTriathlon/, calling the Fulton County Chamber at (518) 725-0641, or by sending a request via e-mail to info@fultoncountyny.org. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the NOAH (Needy or Alone and Hungry) Program, located at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Johnstown, NY, a volunteer organization that serves free meals every Sunday.
For more information, please call the Fulton County Chamber at (518) 725-0641 or e-mail info@fultoncountyny.org or e-mail pecklaketri@gmail.com.
Caroga Lake Hosts National Trails Day!
June 2nd is National Trails Day and to celebrate Caroga Lake is hosting three days of family fun!
Friday, June 1
8am-8pm: Check in at Caroga Lake Campground
12pm: Golf Tournament at Nick Stoner Golf Course, Shotgun start with 4 person teams
12pm: Recreational hikes and paddling trips. Lead by Foothills ADK trip leaders, 15 trips available
6-9pm: NTD Registered Trail Workers Meet & Greet
Saturday, June 2
7-11am: Breakfast Buffet at the Red Store, Caroga Lake, $8/person and $4 for those ages 8 and under
9am: ADK Trails Project, Free and open to all, but workers must Pre-Register
12-4pm: Benefit Hamburger and Hot Dog Sale, Wheelerville Garden Committee at Caroga Lake Pavilion
12-5pm: Informational and Educational Booths, Caroga Lake Pavilion
6pm: NTD Registered Trail Workers’ BBQ, Caroga Lake Pavilion. Raffle, Door Prizes, Music
Sunday, June 3
7-11am: Benefit Pancake Breakfast, Wheelerville Garden Committee at Wheelerville School, $6/person
8am: Recreational Hikes and Paddling Trips, Led by Foothills ADK trip leaders, 15 trips available
11am: Caroga Lake Campground Check-Out
Visit www.adk.org for more information and to register for activities. You must be pre-registered to participate.
American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day is a celebration of trails! Trails give you the opportunity to get your heart pumping, lungs expanding and muscles working at various levels of difficulty, thereby improving your physical, as well as mental, well-being. National Trails Day is not only an opportunity to introduce people to the many joys of trails, it is also to celebrate the hard work of the people who support and maintain the trails – volunteers, land agencies and outdoor-minded businesses.
This National Trails Day event, registered annually with the American Hiking Society by the Adirondack Mountain Club is strategically based in 2012 at Caroga Lake, NY in the Southern Adirondacks. It is proudly hosted by the Foothills Chapter of ADK.
The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is a non-profit membership organization protecting wild lands and waters through a balanced approach of conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation.
Geocaching! What’s that?
Geocaching is a real world outdoor treasure hunting game that uses GPS to track down a hidden container with an item inside, known as a geocache. The containers are usually waterproof and relatively small – a jar, Tupperware or the like – inside will be small item, a toy or trinket of little value and a logbook.
The locations of the Geocaches vary. Some are very easy to find and in a convenient place, while others may be very well hidden and only accessible by hiking. Because there are so many different locations and degrees of difficulty, it is a fun activity for all ages!
In New York the Geocaching season just opened this past Memorial Day Weekend and it will continue until Veteran’s Day. According to New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Saratoga/Capital District Region will be hiding 44 new geocaches in 11 state parks, including Fulton County’s own Johnson Hall State Historic Site. At the end of the season there will be a drawing for prizes for those who successfully complete the challenge – find any 35 of the 44 new geocaches.
To start geocaching all you need is a GPS, and a “Geocaching Passport,” which can be downloaded here or can be picked up from any of the participating parks. If you fill your passport, and complete the challenge by finding 35 of the 44 geocaches, go to any park office to submit your name for the drawing. Prizes range from an Eastern Mountain Sports Free Range Day Pack to a New York State Parks fleece blanket.
Get a group of friends together or make it a family activity and go geocaching!
Fulton County is home to hundreds of geocaching sites! Visit www.geocaching.com to find out where and to learn more about this high-tech game of hide and seek!
Attend a Learn to Geocache workshop at one of the following locations:
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site
June 2 at 11am
Saratoga Spa State Park
June 24 at 3pm
Grafton Lakes State Park
July 7 at 2pm
J.B. Thacher State Park
August 4 at 9am
Fishing in Fulton County
As you know, Fulton County is home to 44 beautiful lakes. One of the many benefits of having so many lakes in close proximity is having an abundance of prime fishing locations. Also, there are several creeks in Fulton County that may be worth visiting if you are interested in fishing.
Fishing is a sport that can be fun for all ages! You may fish from a boat or fish from the shore. And, not to mention, fish is tasty!
If you are interested in fishing as a competitive sport, Fulton County has several annual fishing tournaments each year. The Great Sacandaga Fishing Federation is having their 21st Annual Summer Fishing Contest on June 16. For more info and entry forms visit: www.gslff.com
Also, The Caroga Lake Fish and Game Club just stocked both East and West Caroga Lake with $2000 worth of Brown and Rainbow Trout. For a complete list of all the places in Fulton County that have been stocked visit: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/23322.html
Take a look at the proud fisherman of Caroga Lake with their big catch! www.carogalakemarina.com/photo.html
Go enjoy yourself! Relax and take a trip to one of the several fishing locations in Fulton County and soak up the sun! Or sign up for a fishing contest!
The waters of Fulton County are home to Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike, Splake, Pickerel, Walleye, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, White Fish, Brown and Yellow Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, White Suckers, Golden Shiners, Rock Bass and Common Shiners.
For more information on what bodies of water these fish inhabit visit: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/38327.html