 Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) is announcing that Josh Wilson will step down as executive director this year. BETA’s first year-round executive director, took the helm in 2015 following BETA’s integration with the Adirondack Ski Touring Council in 2014, allowing the two entities to operate as one nonprofit organization. Wilson is relocating to be with his family. He will continue to serve as executive director through the upcoming trail season while the BETA board of directors conducts a search process to find the organization’s next long-term leader. BETA got its start as the Adirondack Ski Touring Council, which formed in 1986 around the goal of establishing the Jackrabbit Ski Trail. Almost 4 decades later, BETA’s work is now focused around three priorities: trail stewardship and long-term maintenance of over 100 miles of trails on state, municipal and private land; planning and constructing new trails, and building support and funding for trails through advocacy and partnerships at the state and local level. BETA’s efforts in the region are guided by its 2022 strategic plan as well as its volunteer board of directors and local trail committees. Under Wilson’s leadership, BETA tripled its membership base, established the organization’s first paid, seasonal trail crew, and constructed miles of sustainable trails for mountain biking and other human-powered uses in the region. This includes the expansion of singletrack trails in the Wilmington Wild Forest at Hardy Road and The Flume, at Craig Wood in North Elba, and at Mount Pisgah, Dewey Mountain and Fowler’s Crossing in Saranac Lake, with an emphasis in recent years on improving connectivity between trail systems and hamlet areas, and providing a greater variety of trail experiences for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities. Throughout his tenure, Wilson worked to preserve the 37-year legacy of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail, coordinating with landowners, land managers and volunteers to maintain public access to the historic 40-mile ski route, and advocating for trail improvements that will benefit future generations. Wilson also led the organization to collaborate with local partners to create new inclusive recreation opportunities that appeal to people beyond the mountain biking and skiing community, such as the East Branch Community Trails in Keene, Cobble Hill Trails in Elizabethtown and Three Sisters Preserve in Wilmington. Patrick Carey, president of BETA’s board of directors, said, “We appreciate the dedication and professionalism Josh has brought to the organization since he first became involved as a board member and trail volunteer in 2009, and throughout his service as Executive Director. With a stronger-than-ever membership base, dedicated local volunteers and partners, and a positive reputation in the community, BETA is well-positioned for continued success following this leadership change.” “This is a bittersweet moment for me,” Wilson said, “Leading BETA has been one of the great privileges of my life. I am honored to serve the trail-users and communities in our region, and proud to work, ride and ski alongside co-workers, volunteers and friends whose enthusiasm and passion for our local trails is so inspiring. I can’t say ‘thank you’ enough to the many people who have supported me in this role over the past eight years and who have given so much of their time and energy to fulfilling the BETA mission. I hope this leadership transition is a natural evolution for the organization and I am committed to ensuring everything goes smoothly. I look forward to seeing BETA continue to thrive into the future.”  To send a personal note to Josh, email him at josh@betatrails.org.
For additional information about the leadership transition, please contact Board President, Patrick Carey at president@betatrails.org. This is part one of a two-part series of in-depth updates on the status of BETA’s efforts to preserve and enhance access to the Jackrabbit Ski Trail - the Adirondack Park’s only town-to-town ski touring route connecting Keene, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Paul Smiths. Part one is focused on efforts to establish a new parking area and trailhead on the Keene end of the trail. For a general update on the entire trail, see our recent “State of the Jackrabbit” report.  The “Old Mountain Road” section of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail is an ultra-classic backcountry tour for Adirondack skiers, traversing a beautiful mountain pass in the Sentinel Range Wilderness which straddles the towns of Keene and North Elba. Old Mountain Road is one of the oldest historic routes in the Adirondacks that is still in use today, dating back to the first half of the 18th century. The famed abolitionist John Brown frequently traveled the road, and once nearly perished in a blizzard attempting to hike through deep snow to his home in North Elba (guess that makes him the original post-holer). The route had been neglected for some time when the Adirondack Ski Touring Council was formed in 1986 to build the Jackrabbit Ski Trail. ASTC began its trail building efforts with the reopening of the Old Mountain Road in 1986-87, and the organization invested significant resources and volunteer time in subsequent years to improve and maintain the route for skiing and other uses. From 1989 to 1994 four new bridges and a dozen culverts were installed. Major floods in 1995 and 1996 required many trail repairs (including the blasting of two boulders that slid into Chimney Hill). A massive clean-up effort followed the great ice storm of January, 1998, which brought down about 400 trees on the Old Mountain Road section. More recently, BETA worked with the Town of Keene and the Ausable River Association to complete a series of stream restoration projects along the Old Mountain Road. The project replaced aging culverts with bridges to restore the natural stream flow for small tributaries entering Nichols Brook, and was funded in part by a grant from the Patagonia Action Fund, secured with assistance from the Mountaineer Keene Valley. This section of the Jackrabbit route has served as a crucial year-round access point to the Sentinel Range Wilderness area, but not just for skiers. Rock climbers frequent the Barkeater Cliff and ice climbers flock to the routes on the North Face of Pitchoff in winter. Hikers look to the Old Mountain Road for a gentle grade and beautiful views of Nichols Brook, beaver ponds and hardwood forests. The road is used by local hunters during big game season, when limited ATV access is allowed on the Keene side for residents with a permit. A decade-long legal battle over the abandonment status of the road was settled in 2018, and jurisdiction over Old Mountain Road was returned to the towns of Keene and North Elba. The towns quickly affirmed that the historic recreational use of the road would not change despite the court’s decision. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, which previously managed the road as part of the Sentinel Range Wilderness, said at the time: “After reviewing the March 2018 decision, DEC determined that we would not pursue an appeal, rather we will continue working with local partners to achieve an appropriate resolution of this issue without further litigation. The State and DEC are committed to working with the town to determine appropriate future uses of the Old Mountain Road.” BETA too is committed to working with the DEC and Town of Keene to determine “future uses of the Old Mountain Road”. Local volunteer trail adopters and staff from ASTC and now BETA have consistently performed seasonal trail maintenance on the road for nearly 40 years, ensuring a quality, safe experience for all users and helping to preserve access to surrounding state Forest Preserve lands. Since at least 2017, there have been growing issues with the current trailhead parking lot on Alstead Hill Road. While a portion of the parking lot is within the town’s right-of-way for Old Mountain Road, much of the lot is located on private property. The limited parking area routinely fills up with trail users on busy weekends, leaving no space for Rock & River customers. Ed and Teresa Palen - the owners of Rock & River - have routinely plowed another parking lot in the field below their house in the winter months, at their own expense, to accommodate the numbers of people seeking access to the trail and the wilderness area. On occasion the parking lot situation is exacerbated by people trying to enter private lodges and the residence to use bathrooms, ignoring clear signage. “With the increased numbers of outdoor users heading to our area, the current situation in which we plow, post and oversee the parking at the trailhead is simply not sustainable for much longer here on the Jackrabbit Trail,” said Ed Palen. BETA has been assisting the Town and the Palens with a plan for a new public parking lot and an adjoining new “bypass trail” - both designed to move the Old Mountain Road trailhead away from the private residence and lodging buildings. The new parking lot will be located on Rock & River’s property about 200 yards down the road from the current location. Local engineering firm AES Northeast donated design services for the parking lot, and the project was permitted by the Adirondack Park Agency in January, 2023. In 2020 the NYSDEC adopted the final unit management plan (UMP) for the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area (SRWA), which included approval for a new bypass trail to alleviate the situation. The UMP states: Rock & River Bypass - Allow a possible reroute of the Jackrabbit Trail off Alstead Hill Lane, near the western end of that road. This option for a trail may be needed to address concerns of public use impacting private property. The new trail may enter the SRWA from private property at Nichols Brook, parallel Nichols Brook in the SRWA for about 0.3 miles, then cross Nichols Brook again on to the private property, and back to the Jackrabbit Trail.  In 2021 (and again in 2022), BETA submitted information to NYSDEC detailing the route for the trail on the Wilderness side of Nichols Brook and connections back to the private land, as identified in the UMP, including three sites for the necessary bridges (see map). Since two of the bridges would span Nichols Brook, with one end of each bridge on private land and the other on state land, we requested assistance with permitting and implementing the project. We’ve received no update from the Department since the fall of 2021. The reason for this delay? We wish we had an answer. Recent court decisions have surely complicated the process of cutting trees to establish approved non-motorized foot, mountain bike and cross country ski trails in the Forest Preserve. But the amount of tree cutting for this project is “immaterial and insubstantial” and well below the legal standards established by the courts, and should not be a factor here. The bridge construction presents some challenges for sure, but bridges are constructed all the time on state lands and this should not be a barrier for implementing the trail project either. BETA designed the trail with the character of a foot trail to minimize tree cutting. The route takes advantage of a naturally open hardwood forest. The new section of bypass trail would require the removal of just 17 trees - only 2 of which are between 3” and 4” diameter at breast height (DBH). The remaining trees are all less than 3”, comprising 7 striped maple, 2 sugar maple, 2 balsam and 4 beech saplings. The trail location is not a pristine, remote area deep in the wilderness and the project will not have an undue impact on the wild forest character of the surrounding Forest Preserve. In fact the trail passes through an old homestead, probably built around a century ago, with signs of human habitation still visible, including the remains of a stone cellar and an old logging dam along Nichols Brook. It is frustrating that this project is approved in the state’s plan for the wilderness area and provides a reasonable and pragmatic solution to address issues on the ground, but the DEC is not taking action, even as considerable effort has already been devoted to planning. When there exists a willing landowner that has offered to donate a piece of their land, affording the creation of a permanent parking lot and access point to the state Forest Preserve and a popular trail heavily utilized by locals and visitors, action needs to be taken. “With the many parking areas that are currently held in private hands, combined with the increase in visitors to the area, I feel that a "new model" for dealing with trail access needs to be developed," said Joe Pete Wilson, Keene Supervisor. "This approach would rely on the entities involved - administrative (APA and DEC), trail stewards (BETA), local government (Keene) and of course the landowner, to work together to reach a tenable solution - a win, win for all parties. And what better place to start than with the very popular Jackrabbit Ski Trail!" This opportunity may not exist in the future, especially if the ownership situation were to someday change. The closing of several access points to local, popular hiking trails in recent years due to increased visitor usage illustrates the potential consequences of not responding to this opportunity. We urge the NYSDEC to engage with the landowners, the Town of Keene, and Barkeater Trails Alliance on this matter without further delay. -Josh Wilson, Executive Director   37 Year History This coming year marks the 37th anniversary of the founding of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail, and the founding of our parent organization - the Adirondack Ski Touring Council. ASTC was formed in 1986 by local skiers who saw an opportunity to link up traditional ski routes and create a trail system that took people from town-to-town or at least from the towns out into the backcountry. ASTC’s first project was construction of the Jackrabbit Trail, which, it was hoped, would link Keene, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. Much of the construction and marking of the original 25-mile route between Keene and Saranac Lake occurred in the first two years from 1986 to 1988, including the re-opening of the Old Mountain Road and McKenzie Pass sections, which had been more or less abandoned up to this point. While the plan to reach Tupper Lake was ultimately scrapped and replaced with a connection from Saranac Lake to the VIC trail system in Paul Smiths, the overall goal of the trail was realized in short order, and today the Jackrabbit is recognized as one of the classic ski tours of the Adirondacks. The Jackrabbit is located on state Forest Preserve lands, North Elba Parks District lands, and about a dozen privately-owned parcels. While the route was originally conceived for winter use by skiers and as a Scandanavian-style “town to town” ski route. Over time much of the winter use has become concentrated in the more contiguous sections like Old Mountain Road and McKenzie Pass, while the sections in between are used more by “thru skiers” looking to make longer trips along the route. In the past 15 years, certain sections have become more popular for summer use by mountain bikers and hikers. For almost four decades, our organization and a veritable army of passionate volunteers has worked to preserve access to the various sections of the Jackrabbit and to maintain the trail at a high standard for the benefit of community residents and visitors. We have made some improvements and also experienced a few setbacks over the past couple of years, and felt it was a good time for a holistic update on the “state of the Jackrabbit.” Paul Smiths to NCCC Beginning at the VIC or the Red Dot trail in Paul Smiths, the trail traverses some beautiful terrain between Osgood and Church ponds, passes through a handful of Paul Smith’s College forestry plots, a small section of state lands, and then logging roads and a powerline on the 9-mile route to Lake Clear. Over the past couple of years BETA has updated signage along this “least known” section, installed new bog bridging, and worked with the college to accommodate timber harvesting operations that temporarily impacted trail access. Skiers heading south from Lake Clear to Saranac Lake must follow the former Remsen Lake Placid Railroad corridor, which is now being converted to the Adirondack Rail Trail. The railroad tracks and ties were removed from the corridor in 2020 to prepare for rail trail construction, which made it easier for local snowmobile clubs to groom the corridor, which in turn dramatically improved the skiing on this otherwise uneventful (but pretty) 6-mile section of the route. NYSDEC officially broke ground on the Rail Trail in November, 2022. Some sections of the rail trail will be temporarily closed until December 19, which will only affect the early ski season. NCCC to McKenzie Pond Road In case you’re not up to speed on our local acronyms, NCCC is North Country Community College, which is the start/end point of the original 25-mile Jackrabbit route. From here skiers follow the rail trail for another 0.5 mile before turning into a beautiful plantation pine forest and following an old snowmobile trail to McKenzie Pond Road. This area of state land is commonly referred to as Fowler’s Crossing and is part of the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest. This year the BETA trail crew added about 100 feet of new bog bridging to this section to make the trail more sustainable for year-round use and protect sensitive wetland habitat. These projects were funded by a grant from the North Elba LEAF program. Side note - BETA began work on a new system of singletrack trails in this parcel in 2019, but work was stalled by the Protect the Adirondacks! v. NYSDEC court decision that year (and the subsequent final decision in 2021).
McKenzie Pond Road to Whiteface Inn Lane Some might say this is the best section of the whole trail, but we’ll leave it up to you to decide. From McKenzie Pond Road, the trail re-enters the forest at a parking lot where BETA has installed a new information kiosk about the Jackrabbit with beautiful cartography work by Adirondack Research. The first section leads to McKenzie Pond and is popular year-round with locals and visitors, many of whom probably are not aware that the first mile between the road and the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness boundary, and public access (and parking) is only possible thanks to a permanent easement purchased by our organization in 2010. In 2022 BETA installed additional bog bridging on both sides of the state boundary to better accommodate the steady stream of hiker traffic in the summer months (no mountain biking is permitted on this section). This work, along with the new kiosk, was also funded by the North Elba LEAF program. Two miles in from the road the trail splits with the spur to the pond heading left, and the infamous climb to the top of “McKenzie Pass” begins. Skied in the opposite direction, this is one of the finest cross country ski descents in the Adirondacks. From the top of the pass to the intersection with Whiteface Inn Lane the route follows a trail corridor that has been used by skiers for at least a century. Just before beginning the final descent to the road, the trail traverses a private inholding for about 0.5 mile before re-entering state land. This property changed hands in 2016 and BETA has worked tirelessly with the new owner to preserve public access for the trail. Additional “winter trail etiquette” signage has been installed and the DEC marked the trail “for skiing only” for the winter months, both were an effort to dissuade the dreaded “postholers.” In 2021 and 2022, the Trail Crew and volunteers have put considerable effort into repairing drainage ditches and addressing persistently muddy areas on McKenzie Pass that have grown worse with an explosion in hiker traffic on this section. It seems that with Google searches and online maps like AllTrails, the word is out that this is an easier approach to the summits of McKenzie and Haystack mountains. On a random weekday this past July, we counted almost 40 cars parked along Whiteface Inn Lane.  Whiteface Inn Lane to Mirror Lake/Lake Placid Club ***Updated Dec 21 - A previous version of this post reported that thru-skiers had to walk or ski on the road through the Whiteface Club property*** We're happy to report that we have reached an agreement with the Whiteface Club & Resort to reopen the route for skiers this season. As of December 20, the Jackrabbit Trail is once again marked across the golf course, allowing skiers to traverse between Whiteface Inn Road and the Brewster Peninsula Trails without walking on the road. Please join us in expressing sincere thanks to the Whiteface Club & Resort for working with BETA to find a solution to reopen this section for the 2022-23 season. If traveling toward Saranac Lake from the Brewster Peninsula Trails, skiers will cross the bridge over the Lake Placid Outlet before heading west for about a quarter mile to reach the Whiteface Club Nordic Center. Upon reaching the edge of the golf course/Nordic center, bear right and follow the obvious red & white Jackrabbit markers all the way to the intersection of Lodge Way and Whiteface Inn Road. From here, walk across Whiteface Inn Road to reach a short spur that leads to the trailhead for the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness area (which incidentally is also Whiteface Club property). Please stay on the marked Jackrabbit route at all times. The marked route purposely avoids the groomed trails of the Nordic center as much as possible. Those wishing to ski the groomed tracks should purchase a trail pass. Between the Peninsula and the Whiteface Club the Jackrabbit traverses multiple parcels of private land. Please stay on the trail at all times, keep noise to a minimum and respect the privacy of landowners as you pass through this residential zone. The section of trail on the golf course is only marked in the winter and only open to the public for winter use from December 1 to March 31. Once past the golf course, the trail again traverses several parcels of private land before reaching the Peninsula trails and the trailhead on Saranac Avenue adjacent to Simply Gourmet. Side note - this makes for an excellent lunch stop when skiing the trail, and there’s a Stewart’s across the street if that’s more your style. BETA has installed new signage in this area to inform trail users that they are indeed on private land and to please respect this privilege. From here to Fawn Ridge to Mirror Lake the route is still on private land and remains unchanged, save for a small disruption to the edge of the trail near the crossing of Wes Valley Road due to the construction of new affordable housing. Mirror Lake/Lake Placid Club to Craig Wood We are endlessly thankful to the Lussi family of Lake Placid for generously permitting public winter use of the property surrounding Crowne Plaza Resort and the Lake Placid Club golf course. The remaining section of trail from the golf course to River Road also utilizes the Lussi property before traversing a handful of other private parcels. Without the cooperation of these landowners, the Jackrabbit Trail as we know it would not be possible. After passing Mirror Lake and completing the walk through town, skiers continue across a marked route on the LP Club golf course and back into the woods, finally reaching River Road after 3 miles of enjoyable skiing. A new kiosk was installed at River Road and Bird Song Lane in 2022 (again, funded by the North Elba LEAF program). BETA is working with a property owner along River Road to hopefully restore access to the former Snowslip Farm property, which would allow skiers to once again traverse the edge of the farm field and avoid walking on the road for 0.25 mile. From here about 1 mile of skiing brings you to Craig Wood Golf Course, located on North Elba Parks District lands. Slightly New Route from Craig Wood to ADK Cascade Trails ***Updated Nov 23 - A previous version of this post reported that a section of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail was closed between Route 73 and the Adirondack Mountain Club's Cascade Welcome Center (formerly the Cascade XC Ski Center)*** As of November 23, we are pleased to announce that the property owners along this section have graciously allowed for the clearing and marking of a new trail to preserve the historic ski connection between Lake Placid and Keene. The trail is once again open to the public and is already developing a good base thanks to a recent early season snowstorm. Please join us in expressing sincere thanks to these property owners for working with BETA to find a way to keep the full Jackrabbit route open for the 2022-23 season. If traveling toward Keene from Craig Wood, skiers will cross Route 73 as usual, then follow red Jackrabbit markers to parallel the highway for a short distance before reaching the new "bypass" trail. Continue skiing along relatively flat terrain to merge with the old trail before reaching a big downhill with views of the High Peaks in the distance, and proceeding along the usual Jackrabbit route to reach the lodge at the Cascade Welcome Center. A friendly reminder that the entire section of trail between Route 73 and the Cascade Welcome Center is located on private land and is only open to the public for winter use only from December 1 to March 31. Please stay on the trail at all times, keep noise to a minimum and respect the privacy of landowners as you pass through this residential zone. Please do not attempt to access this section of trail by parking on Coyote Way (private road) or by bushwacking into the trail from adjacent properties. Dogs are not permitted on this section of the trail at any time of the year. Skiers can traverse the marked route through the ADK Cascade trails without purchasing a trail pass so long as you stay on the Jackrabbit Trail. If you intend to ski the other trails, please stop by the lodge and purchase a pass (skiing is free this season for current ADK members!) BETA will continue working with the NYSDEC and the Town of North Elba to establish a new section of ski trail on state lands between Craig Wood Golf Course and the intersection of Route 73 and Mountain Lane. This ski trail was approved in the unit management plan for the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area in 2019. This new section of trail would be approximately 2 miles long and has been scouted several times in winter and summer to determine the best route. The new trail will maintain the continuity of the Jackrabbit Trail between Lake Placid and Keene, and would eliminate the need to cross Route 73 twice (compared to the historic route through Cascade XC Center). BETA’s work plan request is under review by NYSDEC and we have our fingers crossed that approval will be granted in time to clear the route before the 2022-23 season is in full swing. On a related note, just last week, High Peaks Cyclery of Lake Placid announced an agreement with the Town of North Elba to begin operating a “community Nordic ski center” with 10 km of groomed tracks and lights on the Craig Wood golf course, beginning in 2023. The groomed trails will be free for locals and will not impact access to the marked Jackrabbit route across the golf course. BETA is excited for this new project and we believe it will complement the trails we have been establishing around the golf course since 2010, including the “backcountry” terrain on the old Scott’s Cobble ski area. ADK Cascade Welcome Center to Keene More big news along the trail - in January 2022 the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) closed on its $2.5 million purchase of Cascade Cross Country Ski Center. ADK opened the new “Cascade Welcome Center” over the summer to provide backcountry information, basic hiking gear and educational programs. An official announcement about winter operations was recently released, including the excellent news that ADK members will ski for free this season. BETA is coordinating with ADK and has secured a trail access agreement to allow skiers to continue using the marked Jackrabbit Trail route across the property. Continuing south from the new ADK trail center, the route remains unchanged, passing through a chunk of state land before crossing Route 73 at Mountain Lane. This is where the new bypass trail from Craig Wood will end once completed. DEC is planning to build a larger parking lot here as well. Skiers continuing to Keene must still walk roughly a mile on Mountain Lane in all but the best snow conditions. BETA and our predecessors at ASTC have been working for LITERALLY 20 YEARS to gain approval from the state to build a short section of ski trail to bypass the first 0.5 mile of the road walk on Mountain Lane. The project is fully approved in the unit management plan for the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest (since 2018), and yet somehow, approval for this very simple project evades us. 20 years….let that sink in. Once on the Old Mountain Road and with the road walk behind you, the skiing ahead is as classic as it gets. Following its founding in the spring of 1986, ASTC began work on the 12 mile section from Keene to Lake Placid. This effort kicked-off with the reopening the long-abandoned Old Mountain Road running from the end of Alstead Hill Road in Keene to Rt. 73. Fun fact - the Old Mountain Road is possibly one of the oldest historic routes in the Adirondacks that is still in use today, dating back to the first half of the 18th century. The skiing on this section is some of the best in the Park and certainly has the best views on the whole Jackrabbit route. In 2021, BETA worked with the Town of Keene and the Ausable River Association to complete a series of stream restoration projects along the Old Mountain Road section of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail. The project replaced 3 aging culverts with bridges to restore the natural stream pattern and flow, and was funded in part by a grant from the Patagonia Action Fund, secured with assistance from the Mountaineer Keene Valley. BETA is coordinating with the owners of Rock & River to look at the options for building a new section of the Jackrabbit Trail to bypass the property at the trailhead. There have been growing issues with their parking lot getting full with trail users on busy weekends for their business, leaving no parking for their customers. Some people are also trying to enter the private lodges to use bathrooms, despite clear signage. In 2021 and again in 2022 we flagged a route for the trail on the Wilderness side of Nichols Brook, and identified three good sites for the necessary bridges. The project is approved in the unit management plan for the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area and is pending NYSDEC review and approval, requiring various permits due to the crossing of Nichols Brook. In the meantime, the landowners are proceeding with the construction of a new parking lot on their property (under permitting review now). They are doing this in good faith and hoping the state will come through and find a way to approve the bypass project and the bridging work to ensure public access to the Old Mountain Road, Barkeater cliffs, and the north face of Pitchoff Mountain is preserved for the future. In Closing If you’re still reading, congratulations, you must be a real nut for skiing the Jackrabbit! In all seriousness, we hope this update provided some valuable information and increased your understanding of the Jackrabbit Trail and the role our organization plays in preserving this incredible community resource. Preserving the unique and historic experience of skiing the Jackrabbit Trail remains a top priority for BETA. Our organization has put forth considerable effort to maintain public access to the entire length of the trail. This means negotiating reasonable terms of access to private lands to create the connections necessary for a contiguous ski route. Unfortunately this access is often granted on a “revocable” basis (sometimes with just a hand shake) and the closure of a small section this year reminds us just how quickly we can lose this special privilege due to a variety of factors outside of our control. The Jackrabbit as we know it would not exist without the generosity of the private landowners who have allowed for the establishment of the trail on their property. Continued access depends upon maintaining good relations between BETA, trail users, and landowners. Therefore, we ask our members and other trail users to be "good guests" and help us maintain public access across these private and state lands for years to come by skiing with gratitude for all who have given so much to creating this special trail. As we finish this the first snowfall of the year is on its way. Here’s to an amazing winter and in the words of the Jackrabbit himself - Ski! Ski! Ski! 
 We’ve just hit the mid-season mark for BETA’s 2022 Trails Program and so much work has been accomplished already by our Trail Crew and dedicated volunteers. Since April we’ve engaged nearly 100 volunteers in trail projects across the region and our Trail Crew has logged more than 720 hours of construction and stewardship work.
 East Branch Community Trails, Keene. PLEASE NOTE: These trails are still under construction. They are closed during this period for the safety of the public and trail workers who are operating heavy equipment on the premises. The BETA Trail Crew returns for another six weeks of projects on June 27. Priorities for the second half of the season include:
Your membership dollars directly support the trails program. Give back to the trails that have given you so much. Join or renew today.   East Branch Community Trails, Keene. PLEASE NOTE: These trails are still under construction. They are closed during this period for the safety of the public and trail workers who are operating heavy equipment on the premises. REGISTER FOR BIKE FEST! Labor Day WEEKend!In case you missed it, registration for the Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival is open. Spots are limited. Come for the riding, stay for the party. All proceeds go back to the trails. Bikes. Music. Dancing. Camping. And all for a good cause. Just say yes.
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| VOLUNTEER DAYS JULY 10th, Sunday East Branch Community Trails, Keene Project with Peduzzi Trails & BETA to help build new multi-use trails **please note - this was previously advertised as a work day at the Flume in Wilmington, but has been moved to Keene** July 16th, Saturday Jackrabbit Trail, Saranac Lake Trail maintenance projects on the Jackrabbit Trail in the vicinity of McKenzie Pond Rd to make the trail more sustainable for summer use July 31st, Sunday Registration coming soon! Saranac Lake High School trails, Saranac Lake Project with BETA and SLICK to build new trails for the new high school mountain bike program being launched in fall, 2022. | SAVE THE DATE JULY 2nd, Saturday Scott's Cobble Trailhead BETA Staff and volunteers will be hanging out from 9am-3pm slinging stickers and chatting with trail users. There will be several no-drop intro to Craig Wood group rides including a kids' ride on Putt Putt and Pirate's Cove, a women's ride and a ride open to everyone. All paces supported. No registration necessary. Come pedal. Say hello. JULY 9th, Saturday Pisgah Pedalfest Mt. Pisgah in Saranac Lake A Bike Festival hosted by Saranac Lake Innovative Cycling Kids (SLICK)! Guided bike tours, a single stage race down The Cure, self-timing challenges, free riding, a variety of bike skills stations, a kids’ bike scavenger hunt, prizes, food, music, and fun for the entire family. |
OVER EASY!
If you haven't heard of it, the Over Easy is a mountain bike route dreamt up by locals Shane and Keegan Kramer. It's a sort of DIY style challenge that can be attempted any day of the year, BUT if you happen to do it on the Saturday closest to the solstice, there's a party at the finish line. The route, a patchwork of dirt roads, the most technical singletrack in the region and a few sections of welcomed smooth pavement, starts in Lake Placid and ends at Otis Mountain in Elizabethtown covering around 92 miles and gaining over 12,000 feet of elevation. Riders this year endured some classic Adirondack conditions of howling wind, 40 degree temps and rain.
Proceeds from t-shirt sales were donated back to BETA, and we are so grateful for the gift and for the opportunity to gather around a warm fire after a long, cold ride. Thank you to all who helped to organize this event that celebrates connecting communities via two wheels. Thank you to all of the riders and their support crews. And thank you to those of you reading this: your support helps us to continue to work on making our corner of the world a little bit better.
Proceeds from t-shirt sales were donated back to BETA, and we are so grateful for the gift and for the opportunity to gather around a warm fire after a long, cold ride. Thank you to all who helped to organize this event that celebrates connecting communities via two wheels. Thank you to all of the riders and their support crews. And thank you to those of you reading this: your support helps us to continue to work on making our corner of the world a little bit better.
FRIENDS, MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
5th Annual
Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival
Labor Day Weekend, September 2-4, 2022
5th Annual
Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival
Labor Day Weekend, September 2-4, 2022
The Wilmington MTB Festival is 3-day celebration with on-site camping, music, local food & beer, group rides for all abilities, shuttles, a kids' MTB race, and 25+ miles of beautiful Adirondack-style single track riding.
The event is a major fundraiser for the Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) and proceeds support the trails!
The event is a major fundraiser for the Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) and proceeds support the trails!
The registration fee includes everything you need for the weekend including a sweet festival t-shirt, stickers, a BETA membership good for one year, access to group rides & shuttles, food & beer vendors, parking and sanitary facilities. (Camping is available too!)
Adult 3-day Pass with camping (ages 16 & up) - $100
Adult 3-day Pass with no camping (ages 16 & up) - $50
Adult Day Pass (Saturday) - $35
Kids All Access Pass (ages 6-15) - $15
Kids under 6 - FREE
Unlike the price of gas these days, our festival registration fees have not increased since 2017!
Register online by June 21 and receive a 10% discount on the Adult 3-day Pass.
Did we mention live DJ sets by David Sommerstein, host of North Country Public Radio’s The Beat Authority on Saturday night!? If you know, YOU KNOW. Take our word for it, this is the kind of music that makes even self-proclaimed non-dancers dance.
Adult 3-day Pass with camping (ages 16 & up) - $100
Adult 3-day Pass with no camping (ages 16 & up) - $50
Adult Day Pass (Saturday) - $35
Kids All Access Pass (ages 6-15) - $15
Kids under 6 - FREE
Unlike the price of gas these days, our festival registration fees have not increased since 2017!
Register online by June 21 and receive a 10% discount on the Adult 3-day Pass.
Did we mention live DJ sets by David Sommerstein, host of North Country Public Radio’s The Beat Authority on Saturday night!? If you know, YOU KNOW. Take our word for it, this is the kind of music that makes even self-proclaimed non-dancers dance.
Partner with us?
We want to thank the businesses and organizations that have joined our Community Partner Program this year:
Upstate Auto
Wilderness Van
Adirondack Process Control, LLC
Artemis Physical Therapy, PLLC
Adirondack Field
Mountain Orthotic & Prosthetics
The Community Partner program is for businesses and organizations, big or small, who want to invest in BETA, help us to inspire volunteerism and build upon our 35-year history of improving and expanding trail-based recreational opportunities in the region. In turn, we help to connect you with the ski and bike loving locals and visitors who want to give back to the businesses and organizations that support the trails. We have a growing network of over 1000 members!
Upstate Auto
Wilderness Van
Adirondack Process Control, LLC
Artemis Physical Therapy, PLLC
Adirondack Field
Mountain Orthotic & Prosthetics
The Community Partner program is for businesses and organizations, big or small, who want to invest in BETA, help us to inspire volunteerism and build upon our 35-year history of improving and expanding trail-based recreational opportunities in the region. In turn, we help to connect you with the ski and bike loving locals and visitors who want to give back to the businesses and organizations that support the trails. We have a growing network of over 1000 members!
GREEN LIGHT!
The East Branch Community Trails Project regulatory review is complete and all systems are a GO. Work on Phase 1 will begin May 27th, and the first official volunteer trail work day is on the 28th.
Once again, work on Phase 1 is made possible by $50,000 in funding provided by BETA's Sterling Watchorn Trail Fund and a matching donation of $25,000 from the Stewart's Shops Foundation & Dake Family. We’re seeking grassroots donations to help cover the costs of building materials for bridges, benches, signage and a kiosk at the base area.
Once again, work on Phase 1 is made possible by $50,000 in funding provided by BETA's Sterling Watchorn Trail Fund and a matching donation of $25,000 from the Stewart's Shops Foundation & Dake Family. We’re seeking grassroots donations to help cover the costs of building materials for bridges, benches, signage and a kiosk at the base area.
RIDE WITH GRATITUDE TIP OF THE MONTH: SHARE THE TRAIL
And while we're sharing the trail, let's share other things too: encouragement, enthusiasm, snacks, bike tools or tubes (we've ALL been there!) and trail beta.
Downhill riders should yield to uphill riders. Be courteous and slow down for runners, dog-walkers, and hikers. Steer clear of wildlife and give them space. It's always helpful to let the other trail-user know how many are in your party, too. A simple, "two more behind me! Thank you!" goes a long way.
Above all, welcome everyone and have a kind state of mind.
Downhill riders should yield to uphill riders. Be courteous and slow down for runners, dog-walkers, and hikers. Steer clear of wildlife and give them space. It's always helpful to let the other trail-user know how many are in your party, too. A simple, "two more behind me! Thank you!" goes a long way.
Above all, welcome everyone and have a kind state of mind.
VOLUNTeer trail days: DIg to ride (& Win!)
Sign up to volunteer on the trails with BETA and you'll be entered to win a Theragun Mini courtesy of High Peaks Cyclery. If you've never used one before, prepare to fight over it with other members of your household. Perfect for recovery after a morning of riding or an afternoon spent digging.
Besides the Theragun Mini, other prizes include work gloves and foam/body rollers. Drawings will be at the end of May, June and July.
Besides the Theragun Mini, other prizes include work gloves and foam/body rollers. Drawings will be at the end of May, June and July.
| May 28, Saturday East Branch Community Trails, Keene Project with Peduzzi Trails & BETA to clear brush and prep trail corridors prior to the start of new trail construction June 5, Sunday Cobble Hill Trails, Elizabethtown National Trails Day - Afternoon project with BETA following the weekly "Dirt Church" ride at Otis Mtn (Group ride starts at 9am @ Otis / Work starts at 1pm @ Cobble Hill) June 11, Saturday East Branch Community Trails, Keene Project with Peduzzi Trails & BETA to help build new multi-use trails June 25, Saturday Purple Trail, Lake Placid Women's Trail Work Day - Experienced Trail Crew leaders (all women, too!) will guide volunteers through the completion of three new MTB skill-based trail features. Registration will close 6/18. See more info below. | July 10, Sunday Flume Trails, Wilmington Project with the BETA Trail Crew to improve some of the original trails in Wilmington including Ridge, Marble Mountain and Erratic. July 16, Saturday Jackrabbit Trail, Saranac Lake Trail maintenance projects on the Jackrabbit Trail in the vicinity of McKenzie Pond Rd to make the trail more sustainable for summer use July 31, Sunday Registration coming soon. Saranac Lake High School Trails, Saranac Lake Project with BETA and SLICK to build trails for the new high school mountain bike program being launched in fall, 2022 |
women's trail work day
For years, trail crews around the Adirondacks and beyond have employed badass women to build and maintain multi-use trail systems. We're so psyched and thankful to have some local experienced builders to help us with a women's trail work day. Let's dig, ride and celebrate women on the trails.
Please register only if you are able to commit to the entire day (10am-4pm-ish) as space is limited. Some heavy lifting/rock rolling (30-50lbs) will be required. Be prepared for typical moody, rainy, humid and/or freezing Adirondack weather as well as swarms of blood-thirsty mosquitos. Wear clothing appropriate for digging, hauling and moving (pants, work gloves, sturdy footwear and protective eyewear). Pack water, snacks and lunch, bug repellent, sunscreen and a first aid kit.
All tools will be provided.
Bring a bike and if conditions permit, we'll tackle the features we just poured sweat into.
Special thanks to the women who are dreaming, scheming and volunteering their time to make this all-lady effort possible.
Organizer: Keegan Kramer
Crew Recruiter / Organizer / Team Leader: Adeline Clayton
Team Leader: Kyra White
Team Leader: Julia Lareau
Team Leader: Carly Woodhouse
Please register only if you are able to commit to the entire day (10am-4pm-ish) as space is limited. Some heavy lifting/rock rolling (30-50lbs) will be required. Be prepared for typical moody, rainy, humid and/or freezing Adirondack weather as well as swarms of blood-thirsty mosquitos. Wear clothing appropriate for digging, hauling and moving (pants, work gloves, sturdy footwear and protective eyewear). Pack water, snacks and lunch, bug repellent, sunscreen and a first aid kit.
All tools will be provided.
Bring a bike and if conditions permit, we'll tackle the features we just poured sweat into.
Special thanks to the women who are dreaming, scheming and volunteering their time to make this all-lady effort possible.
Organizer: Keegan Kramer
Crew Recruiter / Organizer / Team Leader: Adeline Clayton
Team Leader: Kyra White
Team Leader: Julia Lareau
Team Leader: Carly Woodhouse
SAVE THE DATE!
JUNE 4th: Wilmington Whiteface MTB 100K & 50K
Register.
The Adirondack Sports Council is still looking for volunteers for race day. Register here to help out on June 4th as a course marshall or at an aid station in Wilmington, Keene or Elizabethtown providing food, drink and good vibes to racers.
JULY 2nd: Whiteface Sky Race
Register to RUN.
JULY 9th: Pisgah Pedalfest
Register.
SEPT 2-4 Labor Day Weekend: 5th Annual Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival
Registration OPEN!
Register.
The Adirondack Sports Council is still looking for volunteers for race day. Register here to help out on June 4th as a course marshall or at an aid station in Wilmington, Keene or Elizabethtown providing food, drink and good vibes to racers.
JULY 2nd: Whiteface Sky Race
Register to RUN.
JULY 9th: Pisgah Pedalfest
Register.
SEPT 2-4 Labor Day Weekend: 5th Annual Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival
Registration OPEN!
DEAR BETA COMMUNITY,
In a recent update, we mentioned our vision to identify and implement “transformational trail projects." For BETA, “transformational” projects are those that provide access to new trails that offer high-quality experiences for all potential users; demonstrate good planning, have strong community support and are shovel-ready; utilize modern trail designs and plan for long-term stewardship; and meet the highest standards for sustainable recreational trail development in the Adirondack Park.
We are thrilled to share that work will begin this season on a new multi-use, non-motorized trail system in the Town of Keene that fits the bill, and we need your help.
Before we get into the details, we want to thank everyone who took the survey to help name the new trail system. "East Branch Community Trails" is the winner with 62% of the vote.
The East Branch Community Trails project is a community-based partnership between the Town of Keene, Essex County, Keene Youth Commission, Barkeater Trails Alliance and Peduzzi Trail Contracting. The goal is to develop a new, sustainable multi-use trail system in Keene that is professionally designed to better serve the outdoor community and to be inclusive to people of varying mobility and ages. The trails will accommodate mountain biking, hiking and other non motorized recreation, and will provide more youth-oriented biking opportunities like a pump track and bike skills area.
All partners are committed to moving the trails plan from concept to reality on a 112-acre Essex County property along Route 9N near the Keene-Jay town line. The final vision for the project includes 7 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails as well as a pump track and skills park.
This will happen through a deliberate, phased approach that will result in usable trails this season that will anchor the system for additional build-out in the next few years.
Starting today, we are launching a special campaign, to raise an additional $25,000 to complete Phase One and lay the foundation for Phase Two. We invite trail enthusiasts, community members and visitors to make a donation.
Here are ways you can donate:
Here are ways you can donate:
1. Donate here as an individual or family:
2. Become a BETA Community Partner and donate here as a local business or organization:
PHASE 1 (OVerview & Map BELOW)
Phase 1 of this project will bring over 2 miles of new multi-use trails to the Town of Keene. Work on Phase 1 will begin in May, 2022 (pending an APA wetlands review) and is made possible by $50,000 in funding provided by BETA's Sterling Watchorn Trail Fund and a matching donation of $25,000 from the Stewart's Shops Foundation & Dake Family. We’re seeking grassroots donations to help cover the costs of building materials for bridges, benches, signage and a kiosk at the base area.
PHASE 2
Phase 2 will include additional multi-use singletrack trails and mountain-bike specific, downhill-oriented trails. A final build plan and budget is being developed for Phase 2, which we hope to implement in 2023. BETA is working with our partners, including the Town and County, to identify and seek state and federal grant funding to support Phase 2 of the overall project. We’re seeking grassroots donations to help provide required matching funds for these grants - your donation helps us leverage larger sources of funding for the project.
PHASE 1 OVERVIEW & MAP
Implementation of phase 1 will take place over the course of the 2022 trail season (May to October). To keep the community aspect at the forefront of the project, this shared-use trail system is designed to create new, improved and welcoming experiences for a wider variety of people. These trails will allow a diversity of users – hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners and non-motorized winter travel – to access key points of the property and serve as the backbone of the larger trail system.
The easiest trails are closest to the trailhead. There will be a 1.1 mile loop with mellow grades and wider tread widths where terrain permits with multiple locations for benches. The close proximity to parking will be ideal for quick walks or rides and be accessible to all ages and fitness levels. This trail serves as the entrance to the entire trail system and provides a great warm-up ride before the climbing trail starts up the hill.
A new singletrack-style trail will bring trail users higher up on the property, winding through open hardwood forests and passing rocky outcrops on the way to two potential vistas. For walkers, this will be a relatively easy and scenic hike to a worthy destination. For mountain bikers, this will serve as a climbing trail to access the bike specific trails planned in later phases.
A short singletrack-style loop around the high point at the top of the climb will add some variety and mileage to the trails as well as access to additional bike specific and multi-use trails in future phases.
All trails will maintain a natural character by being built sustainably and with an effort to blend with the natural landscape and to maximize the user’s experience.
The easiest trails are closest to the trailhead. There will be a 1.1 mile loop with mellow grades and wider tread widths where terrain permits with multiple locations for benches. The close proximity to parking will be ideal for quick walks or rides and be accessible to all ages and fitness levels. This trail serves as the entrance to the entire trail system and provides a great warm-up ride before the climbing trail starts up the hill.
A new singletrack-style trail will bring trail users higher up on the property, winding through open hardwood forests and passing rocky outcrops on the way to two potential vistas. For walkers, this will be a relatively easy and scenic hike to a worthy destination. For mountain bikers, this will serve as a climbing trail to access the bike specific trails planned in later phases.
A short singletrack-style loop around the high point at the top of the climb will add some variety and mileage to the trails as well as access to additional bike specific and multi-use trails in future phases.
All trails will maintain a natural character by being built sustainably and with an effort to blend with the natural landscape and to maximize the user’s experience.
We are so excited and we hope you are too. Please help us get the word out by sharing the Keene page on our website, our blog and our social media posts. None of what we do would be possible without our partners, members, friends, volunteers and our community. Every ounce of support adds up. Thank you so much.
Thank you to the Stewart's Foundation / Dake Family for generously donating $25,000 to make it possible for us to begin work on Phase 1 of the new trail system this summer! Go get yourself a milkshake and feel good about it!
DEAR FRIEND,
We can call you that, right? If you’re receiving this email, we must at the very least be a friend of a friend. We’re in your inbox, after all. Thank you for being here - for reading our occasionally long-winded, but heartfelt newsletters. Sure, trail work is hard, but if we're being honest sometimes words are harder. Yet here you are at the end of the first paragraph. See? We’re definitely friends.
To the not-yet members receiving our love notes, consider this your formal invitation to join something special. We’re not all skis and pedals over here. Well, we are - but we're so much more. We are riders, runners, builders, advocates, skiers, parents, stewards, friends. We wear skinny skis, powder skis, snowshoes and hiking boots. We wholeheartedly believe all bikes (old, blue, squeaky & new) are good bikes and that the trails are for everyone. At our core, BETA is a member-supported, volunteer-driven, human-powered trail building and stewardship organization.
To put it bluntly, we couldn’t do what we do without our members.
Join us? Dues are $35 for individuals and $50 for families (households of 2 or more people). Membership is good for one year starting on the date that we receive your donation. Every member is an important part of our community. And every dollar counts. We mean it.
Your donation will:
We can call you that, right? If you’re receiving this email, we must at the very least be a friend of a friend. We’re in your inbox, after all. Thank you for being here - for reading our occasionally long-winded, but heartfelt newsletters. Sure, trail work is hard, but if we're being honest sometimes words are harder. Yet here you are at the end of the first paragraph. See? We’re definitely friends.
To the not-yet members receiving our love notes, consider this your formal invitation to join something special. We’re not all skis and pedals over here. Well, we are - but we're so much more. We are riders, runners, builders, advocates, skiers, parents, stewards, friends. We wear skinny skis, powder skis, snowshoes and hiking boots. We wholeheartedly believe all bikes (old, blue, squeaky & new) are good bikes and that the trails are for everyone. At our core, BETA is a member-supported, volunteer-driven, human-powered trail building and stewardship organization.
To put it bluntly, we couldn’t do what we do without our members.
Join us? Dues are $35 for individuals and $50 for families (households of 2 or more people). Membership is good for one year starting on the date that we receive your donation. Every member is an important part of our community. And every dollar counts. We mean it.
Your donation will:
- Provide much-needed funding for our annual Trails Program & projects on over 100 miles of trails in Wilmington, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Elizabethtown, Paul Smiths & Keene
- Support BETA’s staff in our constant efforts to engage volunteers, decision makers, and community partners in a joint effort to improve, expand and promote opportunities for ski touring, mountain biking and other trail-based recreation in the region
- Help sustain the organization year-round and support BETA operating costs including insurance, staff employment, planning and advocacy for more trails;
- Give YOU a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that you are directly supporting the trails you love
To our current members, we appreciate you. You are our backbone. Thank you for believing in BETA and investing in us as an integral community asset.
As we squeeze a bit more daylight out of the coming weeks and our Adirondack landscape shifts from the muddy in-between to deep green, we can’t help but dream of getting out with shovels and on wheels. We have an ambitious trail season ahead of us and we're so grateful to have you along for the ride.
Not sure about your membership status? Reply to this email and we'll check on that for you.
As we squeeze a bit more daylight out of the coming weeks and our Adirondack landscape shifts from the muddy in-between to deep green, we can’t help but dream of getting out with shovels and on wheels. We have an ambitious trail season ahead of us and we're so grateful to have you along for the ride.
Not sure about your membership status? Reply to this email and we'll check on that for you.
GROUNDSWELL: Local Youth INitiatives
Local youth initiatives are gaining momentum in communities all over the High Peaks Region. Need a pick me up? Read on and bask in the awesomeness of stories of Adirondack kids in the outdoors.
Saranac Lake Innovative cycling kids
Saranac Lake Innovative Cycling Kids (SLICK) was born from a crew of one-more-lap mountain bike loving kids in Saranac Lake. Their mission is to enhance and celebrate biking in their hometown and they’re actively working to fund a new pump track for their community. It will be approximately 5,400 square feet and will include an entrance trail off of the rail trail, as well as an exit trail with skills features that leads to John Munn Road. They’re hosting the second annual Pisgah Pedalfest on July 9th to fundraise. Head to their website for updates. Don't have a bike? If you're a SLCSD student, join the newly established middle or high school mountain bike club and use a school provided bike.
Lake placid outing club
LPOC is an outdoor organization providing a safe, positive, lifelong learning experience through wilderness activities. LPOC builds self-esteem through the satisfaction of achievement while having fun in the mountains. All Club activities foster teamwork, caring for others, and stewardship of the environment.
The LPOC is a not-for-profit, year-round, extra-curricular organization of the Lake Placid Central School. It offers a full calendar of free trips and a handful of exceptional trips subsidized at about 80%. The LPOC program is open, without fees or residency requirements, to all youth ages 7 - 18.
The LPOC is a not-for-profit, year-round, extra-curricular organization of the Lake Placid Central School. It offers a full calendar of free trips and a handful of exceptional trips subsidized at about 80%. The LPOC program is open, without fees or residency requirements, to all youth ages 7 - 18.
hardy kids
In 2017, Charlie Wilson and Henry Loher, each at the wise age of 9 pitched the idea of adding a kids' mountain bike race to the Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival schedule. Their first year as race organizers was a success and they used their profits to kickoff a multi-year project to build a bike skills park in Wilmington.
Through the continued support and generosity of The Town of Wilmington, BETA, and numerous local businesses, the park was built by the "Hardy Kids" with help from volunteers and funds raised from the 2018 and 2019 races. Now after three phases of upgrades with one more addition on the way, the park is a town staple. There will be more information to come on this year’s Hardy Kids Mountain Bike Race, follow their Facebook page for more info.
Through the continued support and generosity of The Town of Wilmington, BETA, and numerous local businesses, the park was built by the "Hardy Kids" with help from volunteers and funds raised from the 2018 and 2019 races. Now after three phases of upgrades with one more addition on the way, the park is a town staple. There will be more information to come on this year’s Hardy Kids Mountain Bike Race, follow their Facebook page for more info.
x-chromes
In Elizabethtown/Lewis, a group of Dads and daughters have been getting together to go rock and ice climbing, hiking, mountain biking and even cliff jumping. In an interview with the Press Republican last Spring, Ryan Hathaway, whose daughter Olivia participates stated that "It started as a group of dads who just wanted to spend time together with our kids. That is the most rewarding part for me; the time bonding in the outdoors with my kids. About 25 girls have tried one activity or another." In 2021, the X-Chromes worked with BETA to construct a new mountain bike trail at Blueberry Hill in Elizabethtown.
the keene youth commission
The Keene Youth Commission was established and charged with the responsibility for the coordination of all youth programming within the municipality to ensure that the youth are served with the best possible youth development.
In January 2021, BETA began working with the Town of Keene and the Keene Youth Commission to lay the groundwork for a new community trail system in Keene. BETA secured a $2500 grant from the Adirondack Community Recreation Alliance and the Youth Commission was awarded a $2500 grant from the Adirondack Foundation Generous Actsprogram. The Youth Commission utilized the funding to hire Luke Peduzzi of Peduzzi Trail Contracting LLC to do a site analysis and identify property for the new trail system and pump track development.
Construction will begin in May 2022 on the new trail system in Keene. Learn more here, and help us choose a name for the new trails.
While Peduzzi Trails completes additional site planning work and begins construction on Phase 1 of the new trail system, BETA will work with the Town and Youth Commission to implement a grassroots fundraising campaign at the local level. We have begun to receive earmarked donations for the project already (thank you to these early passionate donors!) We have also identified and will pursue multi-year state and/or federal grant funding in partnership with the Town and the Essex County Office of Community Resources to support future phases of the project.
In January 2021, BETA began working with the Town of Keene and the Keene Youth Commission to lay the groundwork for a new community trail system in Keene. BETA secured a $2500 grant from the Adirondack Community Recreation Alliance and the Youth Commission was awarded a $2500 grant from the Adirondack Foundation Generous Actsprogram. The Youth Commission utilized the funding to hire Luke Peduzzi of Peduzzi Trail Contracting LLC to do a site analysis and identify property for the new trail system and pump track development.
Construction will begin in May 2022 on the new trail system in Keene. Learn more here, and help us choose a name for the new trails.
While Peduzzi Trails completes additional site planning work and begins construction on Phase 1 of the new trail system, BETA will work with the Town and Youth Commission to implement a grassroots fundraising campaign at the local level. We have begun to receive earmarked donations for the project already (thank you to these early passionate donors!) We have also identified and will pursue multi-year state and/or federal grant funding in partnership with the Town and the Essex County Office of Community Resources to support future phases of the project.
ride with gratitude
It's a simple concept. Being able to use trails is an incredible privilege, and everyone benefits when we trail users recognize it as a privilege. It makes us careful about how we treat landowners, trail managers, town residents, and the land itself. The Bike Borderlands initiative has created a campaign to instill a strong code of ethics within the mountain biking community. It calls on riders to respect the gift of mountain biking, care for others, protect nature, and hold each other accountable.
BETA is proud to partner with our fellow riders and trail builders at Bike the Borderlands to promote the Ride With Gratitude campaign in our corner of the Northern Forest region.
BETA is proud to partner with our fellow riders and trail builders at Bike the Borderlands to promote the Ride With Gratitude campaign in our corner of the Northern Forest region.
volunteer trail days: dig to ride (& Win!)
Sign up to volunteer on the trails with BETA and you'll be entered to win a Theragun Mini courtesy of High Peaks Cyclery. If you've never used one before, prepare to fight over it with other members of your household. Perfect for recovery after a morning of riding or an afternoon spent digging.
Besides the Theragun Mini, other prizes include work gloves and foam/body rollers. Drawings will be at the end of May, June and July.
Besides the Theragun Mini, other prizes include work gloves and foam/body rollers. Drawings will be at the end of May, June and July.
| April 30, Saturday Saranac Lake, Dewey Mountain Spring trail clean-up May 7, Saturday Craig Wood, Lake Placid Trail maintenance projects May 28, Sunday Route 9N Trails, Keene Volunteer Build Day with Peduzzi Trails | June 5, Sunday Cobble Hill, Elizabethtown National Trails Day project June 11, Sunday Route 9N Trails, Keene Volunteer Build Day with Peduzzi Trails |
save the date!
APRIL 30th: Bike & Gear Swap
NYSEF Building at Whiteface
9-11AM
Bike inspections and maintenance recommendations
Bike Swap (Bikes should be in good condition and not older than 10 years)
Gear Swap, Raffles & More!
JULY 9th: Pisgah Pedalfest
Stay tuned.
SEPT 2-4 Labor Day Weekend: 5th Annual Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival
Stay tuned.
NYSEF Building at Whiteface
9-11AM
Bike inspections and maintenance recommendations
Bike Swap (Bikes should be in good condition and not older than 10 years)
Gear Swap, Raffles & More!
JULY 9th: Pisgah Pedalfest
Stay tuned.
SEPT 2-4 Labor Day Weekend: 5th Annual Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival
Stay tuned.
BIG thanks to tony goodwin
Tony Goodwin in his natural habitat. Photo courtesy of Nancy Battaglia.
Did you enjoy our ski trail conditions reports this year? We are endlessly grateful to Tony Goodwin for volunteering his time to publish frequent, informative updates for skiers throughout the winter. Casual followers may not know that Tony was one of the founders of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail (back in 1986), and served for 29 years as the Executive Director of the Adirondack Ski Touring Council (BETA's predecessor organization).
Tony's knowledge of Adirondack trails is unparalleled and his name is synonymous with ski touring in our region. We often joke that Tony can look out his window in Keene and instantly know how much snow has fallen in Paul Smiths, and whether conditions are good on Avalanche Pass. Thank you Tony for your many contributions and ongoing support!
Tony's knowledge of Adirondack trails is unparalleled and his name is synonymous with ski touring in our region. We often joke that Tony can look out his window in Keene and instantly know how much snow has fallen in Paul Smiths, and whether conditions are good on Avalanche Pass. Thank you Tony for your many contributions and ongoing support!
Your support makes our day.
Dear Riders,
No one likes to be told what to do. We get it. But we are urging you to resist riding muddy trails.
We know this topic is controversial and nuanced. This is the Adirondack Mountains - if we didn’t ride when it was wet, we’d NEVER ride, right? Well, kind of, BUT there is a very important distinction that we need to make between the state of the trails now - saturated, soft and delicate, versus the state of the trails in July after a thunderstorm - hardened, stable and tacky. Read a science-y explanation here: Mud Season Unlike Any & here: Just Say No To Mud
This is the time of year when trails are at the HIGHEST RISK of erosion and long-term damage. The soil is exceptionally vulnerable during freeze/thaw periods. Damage done now before the trails are ready creates a bigger back log of maintenance which means less progress on scheduled projects and new trails and features. Sad face.
And if you think you can tip-toe your way from dry section, to dry section, your good intentions aren’t enough. Walking through the mud results in footprints and ruts that essentially act as moisture traps, further delaying drainage and becoming annoying cemented bumps when finally dry. Walking around the mud causes trail widening and is detrimental to vegetation and difficult to repair. Keep singletrack single! So unless you can levitate, please, please, please be patient.
As things dry out, check Trailforks and our social media for updated conditions. Keep in mind that it’s impossible to update everything in real time, so we ask that you use your best judgement when you head out. Is there standing water? Do you see ruts or footprints? Are you leaving either? If you are, turn back. Better yet, turn back and sign up for a volunteer trail day upon reaching your vehicle. It happens. We’ve all been there. Let’s try our best.
Mud season sucks, but waiting is the right move. Hit some gravel or pavement. Sh*t talk on Zwift. Put your pandemic sourdough baking skills to good use. Do literally anything else. And be grateful we have trails that we are so eager to get back to.
Resist! The BETA community, trail crew and volunteers thank you.
No one likes to be told what to do. We get it. But we are urging you to resist riding muddy trails.
We know this topic is controversial and nuanced. This is the Adirondack Mountains - if we didn’t ride when it was wet, we’d NEVER ride, right? Well, kind of, BUT there is a very important distinction that we need to make between the state of the trails now - saturated, soft and delicate, versus the state of the trails in July after a thunderstorm - hardened, stable and tacky. Read a science-y explanation here: Mud Season Unlike Any & here: Just Say No To Mud
This is the time of year when trails are at the HIGHEST RISK of erosion and long-term damage. The soil is exceptionally vulnerable during freeze/thaw periods. Damage done now before the trails are ready creates a bigger back log of maintenance which means less progress on scheduled projects and new trails and features. Sad face.
And if you think you can tip-toe your way from dry section, to dry section, your good intentions aren’t enough. Walking through the mud results in footprints and ruts that essentially act as moisture traps, further delaying drainage and becoming annoying cemented bumps when finally dry. Walking around the mud causes trail widening and is detrimental to vegetation and difficult to repair. Keep singletrack single! So unless you can levitate, please, please, please be patient.
As things dry out, check Trailforks and our social media for updated conditions. Keep in mind that it’s impossible to update everything in real time, so we ask that you use your best judgement when you head out. Is there standing water? Do you see ruts or footprints? Are you leaving either? If you are, turn back. Better yet, turn back and sign up for a volunteer trail day upon reaching your vehicle. It happens. We’ve all been there. Let’s try our best.
Mud season sucks, but waiting is the right move. Hit some gravel or pavement. Sh*t talk on Zwift. Put your pandemic sourdough baking skills to good use. Do literally anything else. And be grateful we have trails that we are so eager to get back to.
Resist! The BETA community, trail crew and volunteers thank you.
The birds are singing. The dogs are a muddier, smellier version of themselves. We haven’t heard a snowblower in 48 hours. Is that you, Spring? Happy gross transition season - when we have more daylight but aren’t quite sure what to do with it yet. (Hint: Trail work!).
We are gearing up for an ambitious trail season and the more hands to help, the better.
Think of it like this: Every time you boost that rock on All-In, or catch the morning light on Pisgah, you're taking a little piece of the outdoors with you. Every time. And you're better, happier and healthier for it. Moods are lifted. Beers taste better. Steps are pepped.
So what are you doing to ensure the trails are better, happier and healthier, too?
We are gearing up for an ambitious trail season and the more hands to help, the better.
Think of it like this: Every time you boost that rock on All-In, or catch the morning light on Pisgah, you're taking a little piece of the outdoors with you. Every time. And you're better, happier and healthier for it. Moods are lifted. Beers taste better. Steps are pepped.
So what are you doing to ensure the trails are better, happier and healthier, too?
A Final Jackrabbit Rally 2022 Update!
Huge thanks to everyone who participated in the Jackrabbit Rally. We created this choose-your-own-ski-adventure event in 2021 with the goal of celebrating the long and storied history of Adirondack ski touring. For the second time, we were blown away by the response. The event raised over $5,500 to support BETA's mission, introduced lots of new people to the BETA community and of course, gave us all a reason to get out the door and slide around on snow - in case we needed another. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Just a handful of the folks who rallied for the love of our trails.
Mud Season approaches! Let's talk trail etiquette.
Recent warm temperatures have us thinking about riding bikes, even if some of us are still skiing. We are fast approaching "mud season" in the Adirondacks and we can expect some low elevation trails to be free of snow and ice within the next week or so. Does mountain bike season start the minute the snow melts on the trails? Unfortunately, NOPE.
During the spring, even the most sustainable trails with well-drained soils are vulnerable to damage caused by bike tires and boot soles. Riding, hiking or trail running on soft, muddy trails might feel like short-term fun, but it creates long-term impacts. Recreating on muddy trails also encourages trail widening which damages surrounding vegetation and decreases the quality of the singletrack trails we all love. Avoiding wet, muddy trails altogether is the best way to prevent trail impacts, formation of persistent muddy areas and the loss of precious soil.
So what can you do?
BE PATIENT. The Adirondack summer and fall trail season feels longer and longer each year (maybe the only silver lining of climate change). The trails and mountains aren’t going anywhere and the soils will dry-out soon enough, let’s give them a break until they are ready to enjoy responsibly.
SEEK ALTERNATIVES. If you just can’t wait to spin the pedals, stick to the gravel or pavement roads. Wait for a sunny day and stretch the legs with a cruiser ride around your town, or enjoy the sunshine by doing yard work at home - better yet, bring your rake to one of BETA’s spring volunteer days.
MAKE GOOD DECISIONS. If you’re traveling to ride, be sure to check the weather at your destination. Research trail conditions before you plan a ride and respect trail closures and bulletins. If you do head out on a trail, pay attention to soil conditions and if you find yourself in a muddy situation, turn around and call it a day.
FLIP THE SCRIPT. Help us harness the power of social media to make good trail etiquette cool again. Did you avoid going on a ride or a hike because the trails were too muddy? Boast about it and set a high standard for trail use etiquette among your friends and followers.
RIDE WITH GRATITUDE. It’s a simple concept. Being able to use trails is an incredible privilege and everyone benefits when we trail users recognize it as so. It makes us careful about how we treat landowners, trail managers, town residents, and the land itself.
Bike The Borderlands has created the Ride With Gratitude campaign to instill a strong code of ethics within the mountain biking community. It calls on riders to respect the gift of mountain biking, care for others, protect nature, and hold each other accountable. In 2022, BETA is proud to be partnering with our Borderlands friends to promote the campaign in the Adirondacks.
Stay tuned for more on that.
During the spring, even the most sustainable trails with well-drained soils are vulnerable to damage caused by bike tires and boot soles. Riding, hiking or trail running on soft, muddy trails might feel like short-term fun, but it creates long-term impacts. Recreating on muddy trails also encourages trail widening which damages surrounding vegetation and decreases the quality of the singletrack trails we all love. Avoiding wet, muddy trails altogether is the best way to prevent trail impacts, formation of persistent muddy areas and the loss of precious soil.
So what can you do?
BE PATIENT. The Adirondack summer and fall trail season feels longer and longer each year (maybe the only silver lining of climate change). The trails and mountains aren’t going anywhere and the soils will dry-out soon enough, let’s give them a break until they are ready to enjoy responsibly.
SEEK ALTERNATIVES. If you just can’t wait to spin the pedals, stick to the gravel or pavement roads. Wait for a sunny day and stretch the legs with a cruiser ride around your town, or enjoy the sunshine by doing yard work at home - better yet, bring your rake to one of BETA’s spring volunteer days.
MAKE GOOD DECISIONS. If you’re traveling to ride, be sure to check the weather at your destination. Research trail conditions before you plan a ride and respect trail closures and bulletins. If you do head out on a trail, pay attention to soil conditions and if you find yourself in a muddy situation, turn around and call it a day.
FLIP THE SCRIPT. Help us harness the power of social media to make good trail etiquette cool again. Did you avoid going on a ride or a hike because the trails were too muddy? Boast about it and set a high standard for trail use etiquette among your friends and followers.
RIDE WITH GRATITUDE. It’s a simple concept. Being able to use trails is an incredible privilege and everyone benefits when we trail users recognize it as so. It makes us careful about how we treat landowners, trail managers, town residents, and the land itself.
Bike The Borderlands has created the Ride With Gratitude campaign to instill a strong code of ethics within the mountain biking community. It calls on riders to respect the gift of mountain biking, care for others, protect nature, and hold each other accountable. In 2022, BETA is proud to be partnering with our Borderlands friends to promote the campaign in the Adirondacks.
Stay tuned for more on that.
Trail Karma Banking Opportunities
Did you know you can give back to the trails you love to ride and ski? Save the date for these upcoming trail days and stay tuned for more info about these and other volunteer opportunities during the 2022 trail season.
Things you gain while digging in the dirt: bug bites, bragging rights and a deeper appreciation for the trails you love.
Things you gain while digging in the dirt: bug bites, bragging rights and a deeper appreciation for the trails you love.
| April 3, Sunday Hardy Road, Wilmington & Pisgah/Fowler’s Crossing, Saranac Lake Spring trail clean-up REGISTER HERE FOR APRIL 3 May 7, Saturday Craig Wood, Lake Placid Scott’s Cobble flow trail maintenance | May 28, Sunday Keene Volunteer build day w/ Peduzzi Trails June 4, Saturday Cobble Hill, Elizabethtown National Trails Day project June 11, Sunday Keene Volunteer build day w/ Peduzzi Trails |
Hey, Local Businesses!
Over the past two years, dozens of BETA business members have generously supported the BETA mission. Local businesses contribute to the improvement and expansion of our local trails and events like the Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival and Hardy Kids MTB Race, and some of you even host trails on your land for the public to enjoy.
We are honored to have your support and are looking for ways to better acknowledge your gifts. Your feedback is important to us. If you are a business owner, please take a moment to answer this survey and help us find creative new ways of partnering with you in the near future.
Not currently a BETA business member but interested in learning more? Send us note. Let's be friends.
We are honored to have your support and are looking for ways to better acknowledge your gifts. Your feedback is important to us. If you are a business owner, please take a moment to answer this survey and help us find creative new ways of partnering with you in the near future.
Not currently a BETA business member but interested in learning more? Send us note. Let's be friends.
Look Good. Feel Good. Do Good.
Bike Adirondacks (BikeADK) is an Adirondack owned and operated bicycle powered company based in Saranac Lake, NY. BikeADK creates, executes, promotes and supports charity driven events, curates a library of routes and trail networks, builds custom tours, and - BONUS - sells cool shirts that benefit BETA.
Bike Adirondacks just released this season’s line designed by Dan Cash and $5 from every BETA branded jersey comes right back our way. Last year, BikeADK donated over $2000 to BETA from sales of their MTB jerseys. Visit their website to browse these and other BETA swag.
Bike Adirondacks just released this season’s line designed by Dan Cash and $5 from every BETA branded jersey comes right back our way. Last year, BikeADK donated over $2000 to BETA from sales of their MTB jerseys. Visit their website to browse these and other BETA swag.
Happy SPRING!
As Northeast skiers, we all know the heartbreak of a February deluge. We willingly ride the freeze/thaw rollercoaster from November to April. We accept the wind holds, the real risk of frostbite and still get out the door for dust on crust, or worse, dust on dirt.
But why? Why do we lace up our boots and go? Skiing isn’t exactly a low maintenance sport. First, the pile of gear is limitless. Some of us have one pair of skis - maybe they’re 20 years old, but they’re familiar and unwavering, reliable like the Christmas melt. Some of us, to the detriment of our bank accounts, have a corner of the garage devoted to our quiver - rock skis, alpine skis, backcountry skis, wax-able skis, skate skis, broken skis and of course the pile of old skis that we plan to turn into lawn furniture. Add boots, poles, helmets, skins and layers for every possible weather combination. Last, we have a pack (or several) that we stuff with extra puffies, dry gloves and socks, a first aid kit, three different waxes, a scraper, a brush, hand and toe warmers, snacks that don’t freeze at -23 and maybe some sunglasses that rarely make it out of the bottom of the bag because, well - the sun, much like the powder day, is an elusive and rare unicorn.
Yet we sign up for it, do it and love it. We love it even when it’s terrible, because a day on skis is better than a day not on skis. And frankly, don’t try to deny it, here in the Adirondacks, we secretly love suffering. Even better than suffering, we love to suffer together. We are proud, hardy and full of heart and we are drawn to the experiences and to the folks who bring those qualities out in us. We visit our favorite trails with our favorite people and we come out of the woods just a little bit better off than when we ventured in, even if it’s raining, even if it’s bulletproof.
FACT: Friendships, business deals and big dreams are born from getting outside and pointing our tips in the same direction. We are proud to serve a community who celebrates skiing, no matter the conditions. Here at BETA we feel like we’ve just crested a big, nasty climb with you and all of your support along with us. Let’s point em’ and send it.
But why? Why do we lace up our boots and go? Skiing isn’t exactly a low maintenance sport. First, the pile of gear is limitless. Some of us have one pair of skis - maybe they’re 20 years old, but they’re familiar and unwavering, reliable like the Christmas melt. Some of us, to the detriment of our bank accounts, have a corner of the garage devoted to our quiver - rock skis, alpine skis, backcountry skis, wax-able skis, skate skis, broken skis and of course the pile of old skis that we plan to turn into lawn furniture. Add boots, poles, helmets, skins and layers for every possible weather combination. Last, we have a pack (or several) that we stuff with extra puffies, dry gloves and socks, a first aid kit, three different waxes, a scraper, a brush, hand and toe warmers, snacks that don’t freeze at -23 and maybe some sunglasses that rarely make it out of the bottom of the bag because, well - the sun, much like the powder day, is an elusive and rare unicorn.
Yet we sign up for it, do it and love it. We love it even when it’s terrible, because a day on skis is better than a day not on skis. And frankly, don’t try to deny it, here in the Adirondacks, we secretly love suffering. Even better than suffering, we love to suffer together. We are proud, hardy and full of heart and we are drawn to the experiences and to the folks who bring those qualities out in us. We visit our favorite trails with our favorite people and we come out of the woods just a little bit better off than when we ventured in, even if it’s raining, even if it’s bulletproof.
FACT: Friendships, business deals and big dreams are born from getting outside and pointing our tips in the same direction. We are proud to serve a community who celebrates skiing, no matter the conditions. Here at BETA we feel like we’ve just crested a big, nasty climb with you and all of your support along with us. Let’s point em’ and send it.
STAFFING FOR TRAILS, TRAILS, TRAILS
BETA has added two new staff positions and is delighted to introduce you to the team. This exciting development stems from our recently completed strategic planning process and a recognition that we must prioritize professional development and increase our capacity to bring the organization to new heights. This will provide the Executive Director with some much needed assistance and improve BETA’s permanent staff capacity to help fulfill our mission.
| Jamie McGiver of Lake Placid is BETA’s new Outreach Coordinator, which is a year-round, part-time position. The Outreach Coordinator is the bridge to our members, trail users and the surrounding community. Jamie will coordinate communication and outreach strategies, assist the Executive Director in cultivating relationships with businesses, partners, members and donors, and work closely with volunteers and community partners to promote events, fundraisers and outreach programs. Jamie began work in late January and has hit the ground running (you’ve likely already noticed an improvement in the quality and frequency of our communications). Dusty Grant of Lake Placid is BETA’s new Trails Coordinator. This position was born out of the current “Trail Crew Leader” post, which Dusty has deftly fulfilled since 2019. The Trails Coordinator will be seasonal (April to October), and will still lead the Trail Crew, but will also have additional responsibilities with a focus on managing trail maintenance in the shoulder seasons and special projects like inspecting and improving signage, bridges and other trail features. The coordinator will also work with the Executive Director and local trail committees to design and plan new trails and major trail stewardship projects. |  Jamie and her true love, Blu.  Dusty and his true love, dirt. |
Jackrabbit Rally Update!
A brisk day on the Old Mountain Road section of the Jackrabbit Trail.
As of today, 107 people have signed up for the Jackrabbit Rally! That’s 214 skis cruising around in the Adirondacks and beyond and a whole lot of love directed at BETA’s mission. We are so excited to see where you’ve all been. Don’t forget to share your adventure with us on social media if you have it (#jackrabbitrallyadk), or in an e-mail if you don’t.
If you have yet to sign up, it’s not too late! The Rally runs until March 20th. Plus, we have this theory that the more folks out there thinking about skiing, the more likely it is to snow. Trail magic. Believe!
Sterling Watchorn Trail Fund
As reported in our 2021 annual report, BETA was extremely fortunate to receive an unrestricted, one-time $250,000 donation in support of the organization’s mission. This incredible gift establishes the Sterling Watchorn Trail Fund to help improve the reach, effectiveness, and impact of our work in the greater High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park.
We’ve identified three strategic priorities for the Fund:
BETA will use a portion of the Fund to kickstart “transformational” trail projects in our service area that enhance and expand public enjoyment and access to community and backcountry trails for human-powered activities. Allocations from the Fund will be determined annually by the BETA Board, and will be used to leverage other sources of funding so that projects can be efficiently implemented to create an immediate benefit for our local communities.
For BETA, “transformational” projects are those that:
We’ve identified three strategic priorities for the Fund:
- Honor the donor’s intent to create a legacy for high-quality, sustainable local trail systems in the region (the donor wishes to remain anonymous)
- Use the Fund’s matching power to cultivate additional major donations and other funding sources like grants
- Provide consistent financial support for the organization and for critical trail projects, community outreach initiatives, and professional development of BETA’s staff that results in greater public support and broader public involvement in our mission
BETA will use a portion of the Fund to kickstart “transformational” trail projects in our service area that enhance and expand public enjoyment and access to community and backcountry trails for human-powered activities. Allocations from the Fund will be determined annually by the BETA Board, and will be used to leverage other sources of funding so that projects can be efficiently implemented to create an immediate benefit for our local communities.
For BETA, “transformational” projects are those that:
- Provide access to new trails that offer high-quality experiences for all potential users
- Demonstrate good planning, have strong community support and are shovel-ready
- Utilize modern trail designs and plan for long-term stewardship
- Meet the highest standards for sustainable recreational trail development in the Adirondack Park
 |  |
Transformational Trail Project: Keene 9N
This spring BETA will begin working with Peduzzi Trails Contracting, the Town of Keene and the Keene Youth Commission on the first phase of a new community trail system on a 112-acre tract on Route 9N above the East Branch of the Ausable River. The goal of this project is to establish a location in the town of Keene that accommodates numerous forms of non-motorized recreation with some of the trails optimized for gravity-oriented mountain biking (the property has roughly 850 feet of vertical drop - comparable to the “All In” trail at Hardy Road).
The 2021 Keene Strategic Plan highlighted the need to provide safe, positive and ecologically sound recreation experiences for residents and visitors alike, citing alternative trails as potential improvements to the town’s recreation structure. The property on 9N between Keene and Upper Jay is owned by Essex County and offers a rare opportunity to implement this vision through the development of a new multi use trail system and mountain bike skills area for people of all ages and abilities.
Though there has been a long-standing interest in mountain biking in Keene, there are very few places where bikers are allowed to ride and no specific mountain bike destinations without traveling to Lake Placid, Wilmington or Elizabethtown. With ongoing and increasing interest from Keene students and residents (bike to school day, school owned mountain bikes), there is a strong local demand for creating an outlet for this type of recreation in Keene.
The 2021 Keene Strategic Plan highlighted the need to provide safe, positive and ecologically sound recreation experiences for residents and visitors alike, citing alternative trails as potential improvements to the town’s recreation structure. The property on 9N between Keene and Upper Jay is owned by Essex County and offers a rare opportunity to implement this vision through the development of a new multi use trail system and mountain bike skills area for people of all ages and abilities.
Though there has been a long-standing interest in mountain biking in Keene, there are very few places where bikers are allowed to ride and no specific mountain bike destinations without traveling to Lake Placid, Wilmington or Elizabethtown. With ongoing and increasing interest from Keene students and residents (bike to school day, school owned mountain bikes), there is a strong local demand for creating an outlet for this type of recreation in Keene.
Local residents enjoy the Three Sisters Preserve in Wilmington. BETA built this community trail in 2018 in partnership with the Lake Placid Land Conservancy in order to increase access to family-friendly trails in the community.
Machine-built trail constructed by Peduzzi Trails Contracting in Windham, NY. In January 2021, BETA began working with the Town of Keene and the Keene Youth Commission to lay the groundwork for this project. We secured a $2500 grant from the Adirondack Community Recreation Alliance and the Youth Commission was awarded a $2500 grant from the Adirondack Foundation Generous Acts program. The Youth Commission utilized the funding to hire Luke Peduzzi of Peduzzi Trail Contracting LLC to do a site analysis of potential properties identified for trail system and pump track development.
Ultimately the county-owned property was selected as an ideal location for a 6-7 mile trail system as well as a larger pump track and skills park facility. Another site at Keene Central School was identified for a smaller pump track and bicycle skills facility. In the fall of 2021, Peduzzi Trails developed a conceptual plan and budget for both sites based on a phased approach to implementation.
Work will begin on Phase 1 of the new trail system in April and will include 2.5 miles of multi-use trails including a 1.1 mile easy loop and a 1.4 mile intermediate climbing trail with a multi-directional loop on top. Both trails will be machine-built. The climbing trail will eventually be used to access the terrain that will feature mountain-bike specific flow trails. Design and planning work for the flow trails is ongoing and we hope to start work on these in 2023. The first two multi-use trails will form the "backbone" for the rest of the trail system, and will immediately provide a safe, high-quality, sustainable recreation experience for the community.
BETA will contract with Peduzzi Trails to perform the majority of the work. Luke Peduzzi is a professional trail builder with many years of experience developing quality, sustainable trails for mountain biking and other human powered activities, primarily in the Catskills where he has worked for the Windham Area Recreation Foundation (WARF) and Tahawus Trails. He is a graduate of Keene Central School and resides in Jay.
BETA has allocated $50,000 from the newly created Sterling Watchorn Trail Fund (see story above) to kickstart this “transformational” project. In January, 2022, we were awarded $25,000 in matching funds from the Stewart’s Shops Foundation / Dake Family which made it possible for work to begin on Phase 1 this year. HUGE thanks to Stewart’s for your support!
While Peduzzi Trails completes additional site planning work, BETA will work with the Town and Youth Commission to implement a grassroots fundraising campaign at the local level. We have begun to receive earmarked donations for the project already (thank you to these early passionate donors!) We have also identified and will pursue multi-year state and/or federal grant funding in partnership with the Town and the Essex County Office of Community Resources to support future phases of the project.
Ultimately the county-owned property was selected as an ideal location for a 6-7 mile trail system as well as a larger pump track and skills park facility. Another site at Keene Central School was identified for a smaller pump track and bicycle skills facility. In the fall of 2021, Peduzzi Trails developed a conceptual plan and budget for both sites based on a phased approach to implementation.
Work will begin on Phase 1 of the new trail system in April and will include 2.5 miles of multi-use trails including a 1.1 mile easy loop and a 1.4 mile intermediate climbing trail with a multi-directional loop on top. Both trails will be machine-built. The climbing trail will eventually be used to access the terrain that will feature mountain-bike specific flow trails. Design and planning work for the flow trails is ongoing and we hope to start work on these in 2023. The first two multi-use trails will form the "backbone" for the rest of the trail system, and will immediately provide a safe, high-quality, sustainable recreation experience for the community.
BETA will contract with Peduzzi Trails to perform the majority of the work. Luke Peduzzi is a professional trail builder with many years of experience developing quality, sustainable trails for mountain biking and other human powered activities, primarily in the Catskills where he has worked for the Windham Area Recreation Foundation (WARF) and Tahawus Trails. He is a graduate of Keene Central School and resides in Jay.
BETA has allocated $50,000 from the newly created Sterling Watchorn Trail Fund (see story above) to kickstart this “transformational” project. In January, 2022, we were awarded $25,000 in matching funds from the Stewart’s Shops Foundation / Dake Family which made it possible for work to begin on Phase 1 this year. HUGE thanks to Stewart’s for your support!
While Peduzzi Trails completes additional site planning work, BETA will work with the Town and Youth Commission to implement a grassroots fundraising campaign at the local level. We have begun to receive earmarked donations for the project already (thank you to these early passionate donors!) We have also identified and will pursue multi-year state and/or federal grant funding in partnership with the Town and the Essex County Office of Community Resources to support future phases of the project.
BETA Trail Crew Enters 6th Season
Believe it or not, this year marks the 6th season of BETA’s seasonal, professional Trail Crew. What started in 2017 as a dream with a small chunk of money has developed into a permanent annual program supported through BETA membership contributions, donations, fundraisers, business sponsors and grants from local and regional sources. Since 2017, our Trail Crew staff have worked with volunteers and partner organizations to build over 12 miles of new singletrack trails in Wilmington, Saranac Lake, Lake Placid and Elizabethtown, and they’ve performed countless stewardship projects to keep our existing trails in great shape. BETA Trail Crew staff provide the expertise and full-time work schedule which is required for leveraging the efforts of a committed local volunteer force in achieving our goals.
We have some great Trail Crew projects lined-up for 2022, and many opportunities for volunteers to get involved in trail building, stewardship, and new outreach initiatives to engage and educate trail users. Here’s a quick summary of the work we have planned this year. Stay tuned for a schedule of volunteer days and more info as we get closer to the trail season.
This will be the 4th consecutive season where we’ve been unable to continue construction of approved new trails on state Forest Preserve lands. BETA will make the most of this continued delay and focus on completing important planning and design work for new mountain bike and ski trails in Wilmington, Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. This includes on-the-ground plans for completing the Fowler’s Crossing network, new singletrack in the vicinity of the Loggers trails, much needed reroutes of the Cooper Kiln trail, and new sections of the Jackrabbit Trail in the Sentinel Wilderness area.
We have some great Trail Crew projects lined-up for 2022, and many opportunities for volunteers to get involved in trail building, stewardship, and new outreach initiatives to engage and educate trail users. Here’s a quick summary of the work we have planned this year. Stay tuned for a schedule of volunteer days and more info as we get closer to the trail season.
- Elizabethtown - continued development of a new community trails system on town lands at Cobble Hill, including a new “connector” between the hamlet area and Blueberry Hill trails, and the completion of work on a new singletrack network that began in 2019
- Lake Placid - Trail stewardship projects on the Jackrabbit Trail in the McKenzie Mountain wilderness to address rapidly growing summer use of the trail by hikers
- Saranac Lake - Trail stewardship projects on the Jackrabbit Trail in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest to improve sustainability and access to the Fowler’s Crossing trail network from McKenzie Pond Road.
- Wilmington - Trail stewardship projects at the Flume network, including improvements to Ridge, Marble Mountain, and River Loop trails
This will be the 4th consecutive season where we’ve been unable to continue construction of approved new trails on state Forest Preserve lands. BETA will make the most of this continued delay and focus on completing important planning and design work for new mountain bike and ski trails in Wilmington, Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. This includes on-the-ground plans for completing the Fowler’s Crossing network, new singletrack in the vicinity of the Loggers trails, much needed reroutes of the Cooper Kiln trail, and new sections of the Jackrabbit Trail in the Sentinel Wilderness area.
| Volunteers banking some serious trail karma. |  If you've been thinking about getting involved, here's your sign. |
THANK YOU for sticking it out til' the end. Please spread the good BETA news far and wide. We appreciate you all.
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