The Green Hiker

Clarence Petty, a hero to all who cherish New York’s Adirondack Park, has died. He was 104 years old. Hiking mile upon mile at age 4, delivering mail by five, and a wilderness guide by age 11, Petty hiked, paddled, snowshoed, and flew over every nook of his beloved Adirondacks.

Image by RoyJr via Flickr

Mapping 1300 miles of the Park’s most pristine and primal wilderness, Clarence Petty helped create the Adirondack Park Agency. He was a true conservationist and pathfinder.

Other Insights:

Adirondack legend passes on…

According to Adirondack Explorer Editor Phil Brown’s blog, Clarence Petty died last night at his son’s home. Petty was 104 years old, and was a native Adirondacker. During the Great Depression, he worked for the Civilian Conservation …

Clarence Petty, an Adirondack classic, dies at 104 « Adirondack …

Clarence Petty, an Adirondack classic, dies at 104. December 3, 2009 at 6:30 pm · Filed under Adirondack News. He was a trapper, pilot, forest ranger and environmentalist > read the Adirondack Daily Enterprise article …

Adirondack Almanack: Adirondack Legend Clarence Petty Has Died at 104

Adirondack legend Clarence Petty died at his son’s home in Canton on Monday at the age of 104. Petty was the subject of Christopher Angus’s biography The Extraordinary Adirondack Journey of Clarence Petty: Wilderness Guide, Pilot, …

Goodbye Clarence,…

It was with sadness that I read about the passing at age 104 of an Adirondack icon, Clarence Petty. I had the privilege of his acquaintance a few years ago when he served on the board of an organization where I was employed. …

Other Resources:
The Extraordinary Adirondack Journey of Clarence Petty: Wilderness Guide, Pilot, and Conservationist

Now Go Outdoors!

Ask anyone what comes to mind with a mention of “Pikes Peak”, most will respond with “hill climb”, “mountain”, “race”, “cave of the winds”, or even “suzuki escudo”. (Look it up.)

Then ask, “What’s the best way around Pike’s Peak?” ….. and just wait for an answer.

Still waiting ….

Unless you live in Colorado or you’re one of the Friends of the Peak, it’s unlikely you’ll respond with, “Ring The Peak Trail”.

When completed, the almost eighty mile hiking trail will wrap around Pikes Peak snug as new engagement ring. You can experience the newest section between FourMile Creek and HorseThief Gultch. (Gotta love Old West history.) Detailed maps are here.

If you’ve got nine minutes, there’s no better Ring The Peak hiking trail preview than this fine video from Steve Bremner

Steve starts, “On Friday, Oct 23rd [2009] I set out with great optimism …. 25 miles later in deep snow ….

Additional Ring the Peak Trail info:

USDA Forest Service Decision Memorandum

Now Go Outdoors!

The next two hiking trails we’ll discover together are both in Colorado:

• Ring the Peak Trail, and

• Continental Divide Trail

Pikes Peak

It will be a November post.

Now wipe down your snowshoes. Find the other glove …. and

Now Go Outdoors!

Obviously, with all our family outdoor activity, there’s been little time to update this blog in a consistent manner.

But with summer behind and cool, colorful Fall ahead, our plans are set for reinvigorating this journal.

Each month we’ll embark on a virtual hike along a different trail. Maps, photos and highlights. And, of course, our slant remains greener footprints.

You can expect more hiking gear reviews, safe hiking tips, and environmental news affecting outdoor hiking, backpacking and camping venues.

Now Go Outdoors!

With the tag “Get Outdoors Wherever You Are”, the National Wildlife Federation’s Get Outside page sports the nifty Nature Find tool that allows you to find outdoor events and/or sites within one to 500 miles of any U.S. location.

Using Google Maps and a database of almost 30 site types including parks, aquariums, trails, and preserves, you can easily find a local destination no matter where you are in the country.

And you can filter your search to show only sites that include activities:  NWF events, camping, water sports, snow sports, cycling, walking, and nature events …. to name a few.

Check out my crude screen capture video to get a better flavor of this “you-have-no-excuse” Nature Find.

Nature Find Video

Now Go Outdoors!

Every hiker has a favorite quick get-away trail. Usually very local–and very nearby–the trail provides a hiking fix when time and/or other resources are limited.

Urban, suburban or rural hiking trails that are near home or workplace add a bit of outdoor escape to the day’s stale coop.

One of my favorite trails runs through the Albany Pine Bush in upstate New York. With its unique environment and easy access, the Pine Bush offers a refreshing outdoor splash in a very urban area.

• The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission

• The Albany Pine Bush Trails

• Amazon.com: Natural History of the Albany Pine Bush A Field Guide and Trail Map

So …. what are your favorite local hiking trails. Let us know. Include:

• How you get there (walk, bike, or auto)

• How often

• Just how far away is that “local” hiking trail

• Whether you’re solo ….  or do you share the trail and time with family or friends

• What, if anything, you pack

• How spontaneous are your local hikes

Now Go Outdoors!