July 11, 2019

This August, the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and its Subaru Traveling Trainer team are partnering with ADK (Adirondack Mountain Club), the New York State Department of Conservation (DEC), and other regional organizations to host a Leave No Trace Hot Spot from August 7 to 14. Focusing on the heavily-visited Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, including the Van Hoevenberg Trailhead located at the Adirondak Loj and Heart Lake Program Center, the Hot Spot seeks to address the challenges associated with high concentrations of visitors to the region, including damage to alpine plants, trail erosion, human waste, and negative human/wildlife interactions.

Here are all of the ways you can get involved. All events are FREE and open to the public.

Daily Events

Leave No Trace Information Tables: 9am-5pm, High Peaks Information Center (Lake Placid)

Leave No Trace Public Hike to Mt. Jo: 9am, Adirondak Loj Information Kiosk

Join one of our education staff members for a one-way guided hike up Mt. Jo. Along the way you will learn about Leave No Trace principles and how following them can positively impact the places you are visiting. Mt. Jo is a 2.2 mile hike with about 700 feet of elevation gain. Proper footwear and water required. No registration required; just meet our staff member by the Info Kiosk in front of the Adirondak Loj.

Heart Lake Nature Museum: 9am-5pm, Heart Lake Program Center

The Heart Lake Nature Museum makes a great introduction to the natural world of the Adirondack High Peaks, for kids and adults alike. This year’s nature museum theme is “Your Stewardship Forms a Protective Relationship with the High Peaks.” Learn how to protect the wild lands that you love. An ADK naturalist is always on hand to answer questions and foster your curiosity.

One-Time Events

Community Service Day: August 8th, 9am-3pm, Mt. Van Hoevenberg Sports Complex

Volunteers will help build two new trails in the High Peaks Wilderness: the Mt. Van Hoevenberg East Trail and the Cascade Mtn. Trail. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is working to develop sustainably built trails to the summits of both mountains. Projects will include various aspects of trail construction, including: trail grubbing, foundation rock work, quarrying materials, surfacing, rehabilitation, soil stabilization, signage installation and other components of trail work. Volunteers will be working along sections of the trail up to 1.5 miles from the trailhead in various groups.

Register Now

Live Q & A with Traveling Trainers: August 8th, 7pm-9pm, Adirondack Backcountry Hikers Facebook Group

Do you have questions about Leave No Trace outdoor skills and ethics? Do you want to know more about how to protect your public lands? This is an opportunity for you to ask questions of the Subaru/ Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers who travel the country doing public education and outreach.

View Here

Social Media Rendezvous: August 9th, 3-9pm, ADK Education Yurt Village

Are you a social media influencer? Would you like to know how to promote protecting public lands online? This social event is designed to bring social medial influencers together to help preserve the quality of our shared natural resources. By combining Leave No Trace skills and ethics with supportive online messaging and constructive imagery, you can learn how to imbue every post featuring wildlands and waters with an informative purpose! Two Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers will be at this gathering to talk about Leave No Trace social media guidelines.

Details: Lake Placid Brewery will be offering complimentary drinks. A discounted dinner will be provided at the Hungry Hiker. Evening hike up Mt. Jo. Optional free lodging accommodations in Education Yurt Village.

Register Now

What Would Bigfoot Do?: August 10th, 8pm, Adirondak Loj amphitheater

An ADK Educator will offer a one-hour program on how you can minimize your impacts while recreating outside. Bigfoot has been doing it for years. This program will take place at the Adirondak Loj amphitheater (Education Yurt Village if raining).

Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop: August 12th, 9am-3pm, ADK Education Yurt Village

Two Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers will co-instruct a six-hour Awareness Workshop to teach participants more about the seven principles of Leave No Trace and techniques for sharing these low-impact skills. Awareness Workshops are designed for anyone who enjoys recreating outside.

Register Now

Leave No Trace Backyard Session: August 13th, 5-9pm, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery

Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers will be at the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery. Come socialize with the team and learn how you can help protect your public lands.

You can support ADK’s Leave No Trace outdoor skills and ethics education by making a gift today.