SUCKER BROOK PRESERVE hike, northeast of Lake George

 


Oct 24, 2023 - SUCKER BROOK PRESERVE, on the NE shore of Lake George, formerly known as Gull Bay and Last Great Shoreline Preserves, LGLC. Started from the Sagamore Rd parking area. Map at the kiosk (I had also downloaded it to my phone earlier). Blue trail 0.4 miles to the first lookout of the day, & a fine one it was looking S on Lake George with the Tongue Mtn Range across the other side. Orange trail with views of wetlands. Red spur crosses Sucker Brook (which flows S to N thru the preserve) & climbs to a ledge with a view overlooking wetlands & mountains beyond. Yellow trail (shown as green on the map) to yellow trail N (part old woods road, part rugged single-track with wood steps). R on blue, R on red to a small view to VT, lunch. Down to blue, & down, sometimes steeply to the lake - nice views from the dock, limited view from the bench at the lookout. Back up to yellow & S to start. Elevations ranged from 320' to 630'. Left some trails for another day (Green Trail North & White Cedar Swamp). Temp rising from the mid-40s to mid-50s. Foliage close to peak, rain/wind had knocked down some leaves a few days ago. 8.4 miles, 1200' el gain, 5.4 hours.
                                                  Chaga, found on a yellow birch:








                                                  Bear's Head Tooth fungus (edible):
                                                  Chaga:






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