NPT - Northville Placid Trail

[Tall Tom]

ANNOUNCEMENT: New NPT website - www.nptrail.org

In 2005 the Trails Committee of the Adirondack Mountain Club established a sub-committee with its sole focus on the Northville Placid Trail. I formed and chair this committee. My vision for the NPT Sub-Committee was to become the "advocate" and "clearinghouse" for all things NPT.

I thru-hiked the NP Trail from September 21 - October 8, 2005 and have sectioned hike most of it again as well as worked on maintenance projects on the NPT over the last several years. The trail needs help as is plain to see from the various posts here.

The NPT has historical significance. The Adirondack Mountain Club was formed in 1922 as a recreational club with the focus on building and maintaining trails in the Adirondacks. Their first project, the NPT, was begun in 1922 and completed in 1923. It will reach its 90th anniversary of its birth in 2012 and its 100th anniversary in 2022.

The NPT has recreational significance. Where else can one get a "thru-hike" experience over an 8 to 10 day easy pace. The NPT is the ideal backpacking/thru-hiking learning experience for those new to the woods and yet a very enjoyable experience for the seasoned hiker as well. It is also a wonderful trail to section-hike and weekend-hike.

As part of my commitment to the NPT I have put together a website (www.nptrail.org)to assist hikers in planning a Northville-Placid Trail hike including reporting the latest trail conditions. The site also includes suggested thru-hiking information as well as suggestions for section-hiking and weekend-hiking.

Other information includes ways in which interested parties can help with the effort to maintain the trail, including reporting trail conditions so I can update the "Latest Trail Conditions" page.

I also need help with starting a Northville Placid Trail Chapter of ADK as a way to bring more awareness to the NPT and to help with fund-raising for trail maintenance and trail enhancements. My hope is that this NPT Chapter will take over for the NPT Sub-Committee and become the "advocate" and "clearing house" for all things NPT. Details are on the website

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks for your interest, Tall Tom

[Tim Seaver]

Originally Posted by Tall Tom

ANNOUNCEMENT: The NPT has recreational significance. Where else can one get a "thru-hike" experience over an 8 to 10 day easy pace. The NPT is the ideal backpacking/thru-hiking learning experience for those new to the woods and yet a very enjoyable experience for the seasoned hiker as well.

It's also a superb trail for trail running, having great footing for many stretches and not an excessive amount of climbing.

Richard Denker ran the entire trail in 1973 in 40 hours with the support of his Boy Scout troop, the idea being to help bring attention to the trail's needs as well. It also can be ran in sections between the road crossings and completed as very enjoyable hike-and-bike loops.

The Wakely Dam Ultra is also held on the trail every year, a unique 32 mile self-supported wilderness run put on by a very dedicated group of folks.

Thanks for posting this, Tall Tom!

[ALGonquin Bob]

While I was bagging peaks for my 46, I never thought about the N-P. I've been reading more lately, and am considering a section hike, or maybe even blow all my vacation days and do the through hike this summer. AND, I am interested in being on the NPT Committee (don't tell my wife!). -ALGonquin Bob

[Tall Tom]

Hey Bob, give me (Tom Wemett) a call (518) 288-8050 or direct email at tom@tomwemett.com with regard to joining the NPT Committee. I just returned from spending Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 12, 13 and 14 on the NPT clearing trail from Catlin Bay to Shattuck Clearing with another 5 dedicated NPT folks from the Glen Falls - Saratoga Chapter of ADK. Yes, we worked in the rain on Friday and Sunday and had a great time together. Tall Tom

[jvs]

Hi Tom and everyone else. I am very new to this forum and its great to have a place to turn to. Nice job Tom on taking the lead on the Northville Placid Trail. My son and I hiked the Averyville Rd to Duck Hole portion several years ago. Quite a bit of blowdown and the beaver dam was difficult to pass. That portion and its return made me want to hike the entire segment but I really didn't know where to turn. I can't wait to read about your trip. Maybe next summer I can do the thru hike with a group. I would consider myself a decent hiker (13 - 46) and many smaller hikes completed but I am GREEN when it comes to backpacking overnight. Did it only once as I mentioned the leg of the NPT.

Also my wife & I have a place up in Jay and would love to stop into your store.

Thanks for everything.

[Tall Tom]

Thanks for the kind words. Just for everyone's information, there is a presentation on the NPT at the VIC center in Paul Smith's this coming Wednesday, July 12th. Myself and Andy Flynn, Senior Public Information Specialist at Paul Smith's will be presenting slide shows on our hiking experiences on the NPT. Starts at 7:30pm. For more information call Tom at 518-288-8050. Would love anyone to stop into my store in the Alpine Mall in Lake Placid for a visit. Tall Tom

[npl22]

Tom,

I met you on your 2005 thru hike at Mud Lake. I was section hiking with friends from Cornell. You inspired us and we did the trail in Sept 2007. I would like to volunteer to help. We printed out your log that was online and read it every night by the camp fire....we enjoyed retracing your steps while we forged our own.

Originally Posted by Tall Tom

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please be advised that the Trails








Committee of the Adirondack Mountain Club has established a sub-committee with its sole focus on the Northville Placid Trail. I chair this new committee and am looking for volunteers for the committee. My vison for the NPT Committee is to become the "advocate" and "clearinghouse" for all things NPT. I thru-hiked the NP Trail from September 21 - October 8, 2005 and am writing a book on my adventure. The trail needs help. It needs a voice. It is but just another trail in the Adirondacks in the DEC's mind as well as, it seems at times, the Adirondack Mountain Club's mind as well. It is time to have a unified voice for the NP Trail. The NPT has historically significance. The Adirondack Mountain Club was formed in 1922 as a recreational club with the focus on building and maintaining trails in the Adirondacks. Their first project was the NPT completed in 1923. The NPT has recreational significance. Where else can one get a "thru-hike" experience over an 8 to 10 day easy pace. The NPT is the ideal backpacking/thru-hiking learning experience for those new to the woods and yet a very enjoyable experience for the seasoned hiker as well.

If you have further interest in the NPT or serving on the NPT Committee please contact me. Tom@naturescapes4u.com or 518-523-4000 or stop in to my photo gallery/picture framing shop in the Alpine Mall, 2527 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY. A summary of my thru-hike of the NPT in 2005 is on my website, www.naturescapes4u.com. Thanks for your interest, Tall Tom

[fvrwld]

Originally Posted by npl22

Tom,

I met you on your 2005 thru hike at Mud Lake. I was section hiking with friends from Cornell. You inspired us and we did the trail in Sept 2007. I would like to volunteer to help. We printed out your log that was online and read it every night by the camp fire....we enjoyed retracing your steps while we forged our own.

If you are intersted I recomend that you try e-mailing Tom. He hasn't visited here in a while.

[Justin]

Brand new footbridge over Notch Brook along the new section of the NPT, Silver Lake Wilderness: