LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 21 Photos and Article By Siobhan Levere As the fast-paced mountain lifestyle of the Ad- irondack Park in winter begins to disappear with the melting snow, the small towns are entering yet another mud season. Springtime as we know it is budding, bringing forth new life into the forest cano- py. In the understory is the magic of new beginnings as snow and ice melt into the Hudson River. This new season keeps travelers intrigued and, quite frankly, locals employed. These buzzing communities that surround the Hudson River Gorge Wilderness Area don't get much of a break between seasons. As the skiing fizzles out, the next operations begin to take action. The Gorge and its people are preparing to be one of the Park's busiest sectors. In the High Peaks Region, people are often trying to become 46ers. Hiking uphill with a panoramic view followed by a beer in Lake Placid is hard to beat. However, the Gorge's excitement flows in a completely different direction: downward (down- river, to be more precise). In these towns, the weath- er brings forth a whole new attitude and way of life, and it all revolves around water. Two very popular seasons are opening up: Brook Trout fishing in ponds and lakes and whitewater rafting. The Hudson wilder- ness is one of the biggest players in the game. A local rafting company owner, Lori Phoebe Ben- ton, believes that the river runs in her blood. As a teenager, the Maine-owned rafting companies would come to Indian Lake in the springtime in what she de- scribes as "a circus." Lori wanted badly to be one of the clowns. The guides made the river sound amaz- ing. She was able to convince her mother to sign a waiver, allowing her to ride igniting a passion within her like no other. As soon as she turned 18, she got licensed and has never looked back. Her combined "fein-like" love for hiking and her properties' accessi- bility to "OK, Slip!" (New York State's highest single drop waterfall) has allowed her to run "Hike In - Raft Out" trips into the Gorge. The river has been part of her life for nearly forty years, and having guided in several other states, the Hudson remains her favor- ite, her home, and she doesn't plan to slow down any time soon. Known as the Granddaddy of the Adirondacks, the Hudson River flows from the state's highest peak, Mount Marcy (Tahawus). Lake Tear of the Clouds is a tarn on the southern side of the mountain. This is the Hudson's highest water source. It sends water cas- cading through the Feldspar Brook, Opalescent River, and Calamity Brook, slowing down Southwest in its main headwaters, Lake Henderson. Miles downriver, in Indian Lake, is where a majority of the guided and privately run tours begin.

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