Alder Creek

A group of us went to Alder Creek this past weekend. We were so disappointed that the wood stove had been removed from the warming hut.

It was very cold in the hut with the little heat coming out of the electric registers.

Another larger group came in behind us from Delaware. They were all commenting about the absence of the wood stove.

It was part of the whole ambience of skiing there - having the warmth of the hut waiting...

Why was it removed?

Jackson Hill

I am planning to ski with some out of town guests for the weekend and would like to know if the trails at Jackson Hill will be groomed for the weekend and if the warming hut at is open and if the wood stove is still in place.

What are conditions going to be like this weekend?

I can see that some of Tug Hill is getting lake effect, but you seem to be on the eastern edge. I’d love to ski there Sunday, but it’s a long drive for ice. What news?

Cooperstown, NY

Re: Trail Closing

If we might borrow from an earlier December post regarding the closing of the Alder Creek Gorge trails during the week:

BREIA is now partnering with the Potato Hill Farm Outdoor Education Center (PHFOEC) to provide campuses for outdoor activities to area school groups. Given the large size of the groups and the fact that they will be snowshoeing or hiking on the trails, it was determined that access to the trails at Alder Creek Gorge would be limited to the school groups during the weekday hours of 8:30-2:00 PM. It should be noted that the general public still will have access to the Great Trail, and Cherry Tree Trail on Egypt Rd. and also the Canal Trail and Jackson Hill trail system. We regret any inconvenience that this new restriction causes, but hope that the benefits derived from trail usage by area school children will compensate.

BREIA

Trail closing

I am disappointed to learn that you are closing the Alder Creek Gorge Trail System weekdays until 2:00. As a retired person, I have enjoyed use of the trails during the weekdays when they are less busy. There are typically 10 to 15 people that I meet on the trails on a typical day who comment on their pleasure of skiing when there are fewer people. What is the reason for closing the trails?

Re: Dogs (revisited)

Rick,

That sounds like a very unpleasant experience. Any bicyclist that's been chased by an aggressive dog would probably relate to your story as well. Your point that adults as well children can feel threatened by a large, unleashed dog bounding down the trail is very well taken. The seeming lack of concern of the owner makes the situation even worse. As mentioned in an earlier post, the Oneida County deer predation law prohibits unleashed dogs off of an owner's private property from mid-Dec. through mid April. Unfortunately BREIA cannot prohibit dogs on the Canal Trail because it is part of the state right-of-way along the Black River Canal. If folks encounter similar situations you might want to contact the local dog control officer or sheriff.

BREIA

Dogs (revisited)

First I want to say that I love animals and never want to hurt one. However, if it comes down to me or the animal, I'm going to defend myself. That being said, I was out for a ski today on the Canal Trail down at the trail's end (south of Pixley) when a tall (I'd say 5'10"ish) woman in about her 60s comes skiing at me with a black lab...loose. I stop completely and the dog runs at me and jumps on me! I'm the type of person that will ALWAYS smile and say "hi" (unless their dogs are after me) and I've met some really nice people out on the trails. I actually yelled a profanity as I was poking the dog with the metal tips of my poles trying to keep him off of me as the woman did not even acknowledge that it was happening. She just skied past! Unbelievable. It's not just the kids, but adults that the dogs go after, too. I would even go so far as to suggest that NO dogs are allowed on the trails. That kind of behavior shouldn't be accepted any place and that
woman should be ashamed of herself.

rick