~ Current Schedule ~
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Practices: Advance signup is not required. However, prior to attending your first outing, read the information on our Practices and Acknowledgement of Risk pages. Download and sign the Acknowledgement of Risk Agreement form and submit it to the leader of your first Canes outing.
Meeting place: Carol Thomas Lane "CTL" unless specified otherwise in the outing description. More info on CTL, meeting places and times.
Outing types: Outing types are listed as Regular, Alternate (ALT) or Bonus. More info on outing types.
Difficulty: Outing difficulty ratings are shown as "Easy," "Moderate," "Difficult", or a hybrid. These are subjective ratings, and even an "Easy" outing will require attendees to be fit and aware of their physical limitations. More details about difficulty are typically shown in the outing description. Distance and elevation gain shown are generally derived from GPS readings, which are approximate. More info about ratings.
Lead an outing: If you would like to volunteer to lead an outing, please contact the Outings Co-Coordinator. Here's a more detailed information guide. The earlier you respond, the more time your fellow Canes will have to plan to attend your outing.
Air quality: Wild fires in Canada and the western US can cause hazy skies and may also affect ground-level air quality. Check regional air quality for today. More info on haze and air quality and other useful info.
Seeking a Co-Coordinator: We are grateful that Leo Demers has volunteered to become our Outings Co-Coordinator. Peter and Leo are seeking a Co-Coordinator-partner to train and share the responsibilities. This is an opportunity for a member to give something back to the Canes and assure we continue to thrive. Contact Peter to volunteer and/or ask questions. As Outings Coordinator Emeritus, Peter will provide the co-coordinators with oversight and support.
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Scheduled outings:
Nov 13, 2025 Regular Pilot Knob Ridge Hike Rating: Moderate Cathy Gilchrist 518-248-1150 Email leader WX
This moderate hike has an approximate RT distance of 4 miles with an accumulated vertical gain of 1,338 feet. It starts on the marked state trail to Buck Mtn and Inman Pond and veers SE onto an unmarked herd path. It’s pretty much up all the way to the top, where there are several overlooks. The false summit will be our lunch spot while we enjoy spectacular views of Lake George! We will make this a loop hike and descend along an unmarked trail with a more gentle slope which connects back to the Inman Pond Trail. Note: Beware of lots of slippery dry leaves over rocks in some places.
Meet at CTL at 9:00 for departure at 9:15, or the trailhead at 9:45. Trailhead directions: From CTL or Northway Exit 20, take Rt 9 north for 0.7mi and turn R on NY149; continue on NY149 for 4.5mi and turn left onto NY9L (Ridge Rd) by Stewart's for an additional 4.6mi, then right onto CR32/Pilot Knob Rd. Continue for 3.4mi to the DEC parking lot/Buck Mtn trailhead on the right. Please note this is NOT the Schumann Preserve for the Pilot Knob Preserve/Gazebo. Please contact me with any questions.
Nov 20, 2025 Regular Fifth Peak Hike Rating: Moderate Gail Stauble 518-932-1251 Email leader WX
We will begin our hike from the popular Clay Meadows parking lot/trailhead on a relatively flat trail for the first 0.5 mile before beginning a somewhat steep and continuous climb for the next mile, gaining approximately 1000 feet. At this point the trail becomes less steep but still climbs in the final 1.1 mile, gaining another 500 feet to the top of Fifth Peak and a lean-to. From the overlook near the lean-to, we should have excellent views of the Lake George Narrows, portions of Northwest Bay, the southern end of the Tongue Mountain Range, and the mountains that surround the southern end of Lake George. This will be our lunch spot. After our lunch, we will return to the parking lot on the same trail. We are unlikely to see the local rattlesnakes in November. Total RT distance is about 5.2 miles with a total elevation gain of about 1500 ft.
Meet at CTL at 8:45 for departure at 9:00, or the Clay Meadows parking lot at 9:30. The Clay Meadows parking lot is located approximately 6 miles north of the hamlet of Bolton Landing on the east side of NY 9N. For those of you aspiring to obtain the Lake George 12ster patch, this is your chance to reach the top of one of the required mountains. Please contact me with any questions.
Nov 27, 2025 Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 4, 2025 Regular Silver Bay Trails Hike (and Cookies) Rating: Moderate Sandy Powell 518-538-8758 Email leader WX
We have offered this hike only once, back in December 2018. Silver Bay YMCA has graciously given Sandy Powell permission to lead this hike on YMCA private trails located about 5 miles south of Hague on Lake George. We will do a 4.5 mile loop that meanders up and down outcroppings and ledges that overlook Lake George with views towards Gull Bay to the north and Huletts Landing to the south; and to Uncas Falls on Lake George Land Conservancy property (Terzian Woodlot). Although our highest point is only 700 feet above our starting point, we will be ascending a total of about 1,300 feet. The months of November and December can bring wintery weather, so bring micro spikes just in case. If we get a snowstorm before the hike, bring snowshoes as well. After the hike we will venture to the Powell home in Hague for cookies and cheer (bring cookies and cheer!) where Bob will be convalescing from a total shoulder replacement done a few weeks earlier.
Meet at CTL at 8:30 for an 8:45 departure. Joanne Armstrong will lead us to the Silver Bay Trails trailhead where we will meet Sandy Powell, our hike leader.
Dec 18, 2025 Regular Inman Pond Hike Rating: Easy with Easy/Moderate option Bonnie Whitman Email Bonnie Joanne Armstrong 310-948-8221 Email Joanne WX
Inman Pond is a small remote pond in the Lake George Wild Forest due south of Buck Mtn. While it can be reached from the west using the Buck Mtn trailhead at Pilot Knob, we will be hiking the shorter route from the east starting at the Sly Pond Road trailhead. From the trailhead, we follow a trail and logging road west toward the eastern end of the pond to a trail junction. From this junction we will divide into two groups and you can choose either of two routes. Easy route: This group will continue along the north shore of the pond for lunch at an open area with a nice view of the pond – this is an out and back route of 2.7 miles RT, with about a 350’ elevation gain. Easy/Moderate route: This group will continue along the south shore for a fairly steep climb to the large rock promontory on its westernmost end for lunch with a nice view of the pond and surrounding mountains to the east. This is an out and back route of just under 4 miles RT, with an elevation gain of just under 500'. Please bring microspikes and snowshoes in case they are needed.
Meet at CTL at 9:15 for a 9:30 departure or at 744 Sly Pond Rd trailhead at 10:00. Directions to the trailhead: From Ft. Ann, take a R onto Rt 149 for 3.1 miles to Buttermilk Falls Rd. Bear L on Sly Pond Rd for 3.3 miles to the trailhead. From CTL or Northway Exit 20, take Rt 9 north for 0.7mi and turn R on NY149; continue E on Rt 149 for 6 mi and turn L on Buttermilk Falls Rd; continue N on Buttermilk Falls Rd for 3.1 mi and bear L onto Sly Pond Rd. The trailhead is on the left and well marked with plenty of parking. Please contact us if you have any questions.