If you enjoy summertime walks in the woods you’ll love cross country skiing in the township of Indian Lake, Hamilton County.

Cross country skiing opens up a whole new world to see and feel. Terrain hidden from view by summertime foliage is easily seen from a pair of skis, and can be readily studied using your topographical map. Wildlife tracks in the snow tell you who lives there, and what they’re doing during the winter. Travel distances are "shortened" by virtue of down hill glides. Add to this the invigorating feeling you get with whole body exercise in a white, frosty atmosphere and you have a healthy activity that will have you craving for more places to ski.

Blue Mt. and Indian Lake can satisfy some of those cravings with an extensive trail system that affords a variety of cross country skis from the mountainous trips up Blue or Snowy Mts. to the gentle slopes of the Northville-Lake Placid trail.

While Blue and Snowy Mts. are for the few accomplished skiers, most of you will probably enjoy some of my favorite skis:

The Northville-Lake Placid blue marked trail runs north/south crossing Rt. 28 & 30 near Blue Mt. Lake. It affords skiers gentle ups and downs thru open hardwoods with an occasional leanto rest stop and views of Stephens and Tirrell Ponds, depending on which way you choose to ski.

More challenging side trips on the Cascade Lake-Rock Pond red trail to the south of Rt. 28 & 30, and Blue Mt.-Tirrell Pond yellow trail to the north can complete a day long loop if one has two cars or a prearranged ride.

The John Pond red trail is also a beautiful, gentle ski beginning at the end of Starbuck Rd. (park out of the way of the snowplow), off of Big Brook Rd., Indian Lake, and ending at a remote pond and leanto, a distance of 2.5 miles. Here you’ll ski past beaver meadows, the subtle remains of the early Little Canada settlement, and through stands of plantation red pine planted in the 1930s.

A third ski can be found by picking up the yellow ski trail loop at the town dump (don’t park inside the gate). It’s best if you travel the loop in a clockwise direction. Heading out of the dump, ski north towards the Cedar River. The trail then proceeds along the river to Pasley Falls, through 100 acres of 1995 tree blowdown, onto a section of the town maintained snowmobile system, and back to the dump. Access can also be gained from Adirondack Lake road. Though most of the travel is flat to gentle, it does have its steeper moments. That’s why clockwise is better. Distance is about a 5 mile loop.

In addition to these three skis, many of the lesser used town groomed snowmobile trails make for some good skiing if you keep a wary eye for snowmobiles -. Maps of the snowmobile trails are available at the Town’s Chamber of Commerce on Main St., Indian Lake.

Since state Forest Rangers are always concerned with your safety, the following are pointers to make your ski more enjoyable and safe:

• Always tell someone of your plans and location, especially if you change them at the last minute.
• Carry map and compass, and better yet, know how to use them. Constantly keep track of your location; it’s safer and more fun too.
• In your pack have enough to spend a "half-miserable" night in the woods, ie. flashlight and batteries, matches/lighter and some fire starter for hard-to-start wood, a heavy duty space blanket, knife, extra clothes, especially wind protection, wool hat, two days food for a one day hike, water, and a first aid kit.

Some problems peculiar to skiing that require forethought are:

• Sweat - skiing requires enough movement to make you sweat. If you stop you’ll chill fast. Therefore, dress in layers that you can strip in order to keep sweating to a minimum and clothes dry. Remember "cotton kills." Cotton absorbs water / sweat and becomes worthless for insulation, and it takes too long to dry. Stick with synthetics (ex. Polypropylene) or wool right down to the "undees."
• Hypothermia prevention requires the intake of plenty of water and food. Light colored urine indicates enough fluids; dark, you need to drink more.
• Don’t forget ski waxes for a variety of conditions, a spare ski tip to repair an accident, duct tape, pliers, and an old piece of candle. This paraffin can keep you from having to walk around with a foot of snow attached to your skis (wax or no-wax) as a result of wet snow on top and dry snow underneath.

If you have an emergency, hypothermia will come out of the shadows. Dry clothes, space blankets, thermal pads, and a large fire will keep it at bay. Help is available by contacting the local state Forest Ranger or calling 891-0235 in the Adirondacks. One person should stay with the problem while the others go for help. If you’re lost, build a large fire away from a stream (so you can hear us coming) and relax; remember you told someone of your itinerary, and help will soon be on the way, even at night!

Happy skiing!

Greg George has been a NYS Forest Ranger for 20 years, and an avid cross country skier for even longer.