Senate Resolution No. 2217
BY: Senator WALCZYK
COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the
completion of the Northville-Placid Trail
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the
continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly
enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of
organizations and individuals who are committed to the preservation of
our natural environment and the enhancement of the appreciation of the
distinctive features of our surroundings, and to the economic well-being
of the areas in which they exist; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the completion of the
Northville-Placid Trail, to be celebrated with a myriad of events
throughout the year along the trail route in Northville, Piseco and Lake
Placid, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Northville-Placid Trail (NPT) is a long distance
north-south hiking trail that runs nearly the entire length of the
Adirondack Park, winding through the river valleys and accessing some of
the wildest areas of the Northeast; for those who value solitude,
human-powered recreation, and the restorative powers of wilderness, the
NPT represents a rare experience; and
WHEREAS, The NPT is one of the oldest hiking trails in the United
States; its construction began in 1922 as one of the first major
projects of the newly formed Adirondack Mountain Club; completed in
1924, this 138-mile route transverses the Adirondack Park from the Town
of Northville to Lake Placid; and
WHEREAS, Initially called the Long Trail, its designation was
changed to avoid confusion with Vermont's recently undertaken long
distance trail of the same name; both of these trails predate the
Appalachian Trail, and are part of the legacy of protecting and enjoying
the wild spaces of this country through foot-travel; and
WHEREAS, The initial process of building the trail was made easier
by the history of logging in the Adirondack Park; much of the paths were
former logging roads, leading to camps deep in the woods; one of the
most famous characters of the NPT, the hermit Noah John Rondeau, was a
former logger who set up his 'Cold River City' at one such abandoned
camp he had previously worked in; his hermitage is one of the most
iconic landmarks along the trail, nestled in an area as far from any
road as possible; and
WHEREAS, The low-lying nature of the river valleys the trail follows
also allowed for an almost organic passage between the various mountain
ranges in the area; the highest the trail ever climbs is a modest 3,008
feet near Blue Mountain Lake; instead of expansive views into the
distance, the hiker witnesses quiet backcountry ponds and lakes, massive
old- and second-growth forests, and the rugged terrain of truly remote
places; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, between the stretches of wild walking, the
hiker passes through or close to Adirondack towns with options for
resupply and supporting local economies; and
WHEREAS, Since its completion, the NPT has undergone a few reroutes
and is now maintained by the Northville-Placid Chapter of the Adirondack
Mountain Club and the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC); it is primarily used for hiking, backpacking,
snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing; and
WHEREAS, Today, the NPT runs through some of the most remote areas
of the Adirondack Park, making its way through forests and up hills,
around rivers and ponds; a few sections will also bring you to road
walks in Piseco, Wakely Dam, and Long Lake; the scenery changes
constantly as you make your way along the NPT, and traversing this trail
is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of nature and the
Adirondacks; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Northville-Placid Trail is in direct
correlation to the efforts of the Northville-Placid Chapter of the
Adirondack Mountain Club and the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, whose involvement is, and always has been,
characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of
the trail and the visitors it serves; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of organizations such as the Northville-Placid Chapter of
the Adirondack Mountain Club and the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation which work tirelessly on behalf of protecting
our natural surroundings for the benefit of present and future
generations of New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the completion of the
Northville-Placid Trail; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Northville-Placid Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain
Club and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
