LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 38 There's a certain kind of peace that comes with walk- ing into the Johns Brook Valley. After the steep, narrow, and winding drive up to the Garden trailhead, counting your lucky stars after find- ing a spot in the parking lot, and signing into the trail reg- ister, the world below seems to melt away with each step into that deciduous forest. I've hiked that trail —The Phelps Trail — and into that valley countless times, like so many others before me. For the first time in 2013, my first steps into the High Peaks Wil- derness on a pre-orientation backpacking trip as a fresh- man at St. Lawrence Universi- ty. I spent most of my college days dreaming about those mountains, spending my weekends backcountry skiing, backpacking, and hiking. And later in 2017, I'd hike in and out of that valley multiple times a week while working as the hutmaster at Johns Brook Lodge (JBL). That summer I memorized the trail — the way the forest smelled after a morning rain, the ridgeline of the Wolfjaws peeking out from the dense green cano- py, the birdsong on a warm summer afternoon. And mem- orizing certain landmarks — halfway hill, resting rock, grassy knoll — names lodge crew would give to certain waypoints on the 3.5 miles to JBL, waypoints to keep morale high while packing in many pounds of resupply. 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of Johns Brook Lodge. Owned and operated by the Adirondack Moun- tain Club, the lodge was constructed to serve as a meeting place, opening to the public on July 5, 1925. At that time, it cost ADK members $1.00 per night to stay there. The history and lore of JBL is long and winding, much like the surrounding trails. Harvey and Lillian Branch, who helped with the construction of the lodge, were the first caretakers. There was a period of time in which a donkey named Nubbins packed in supplies for the lodge. Other tales of failed vegeta- ble gardens, midnight rescues, cooking catastrophes, plumbing mishaps, and music making shape the histo- ry of that place. The first view of the lodge is a sight for sore eyes. It sneaks up on hikers, quietly peeking out from the dense forest. The big wooden porch beck- ons travelers to take a rest on one of the many Adirondack chairs out front, or picnic ta- bles around the back. The for- est opens wide to a lawn and breathtaking view of Gothics Mountain. A place of respite, right there in the middle of the wilderness. A haven, a beacon of warmth and compa- ny and safety. One will often hear laughter echoing out the big windows from guests inside or the lodge crew bak- ing bread midday. The Johns Brook cradles that valley, and provides a neverending hum in the background one can just about always hear from the front porch. Johns Brook Lodge is a meeting spot, a place to fill up on clean water, and to buy lemonade, baked goods, coffee, and other hik- ing needs. These days, anyone can stay at Johns Brook Lodge. Folks are just asked to bring their own sleeping gear. Breakfast, a bag lunch, and dinner are all provided. There are several bunkrooms to choose from, and the lodge is operated year round. Full-service season (with meals provided) is mid-June to Labor Day weekend, while caretaker season is from Labor Day to mid-June, where guests are allowed to stay and use the kitchen to cook their own meals. During the winter the lodge is heated by a massive wood stove. In the summer, a large part of working on lodge crew is packing in food and materials and packing out gar- bage and recycling. When I worked at JBL, we would gather food — such as eggs, sandwich meat, vegeta- bles, dinner supplies — at the Adirondack Loj, drive from Lake Placid to Keene Valley, load up our pack Celebrating 100 Years: An Ode to John Brook Lodge By Caitlin Kelly The author loaded down with food on her way into Johns Brook Lodge. Photo credit: Caitlyn Kelly

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