Panther Mountain, Adirondack Park

If you get bored with the Mohawk Valley, one of the great things about living here is our proximity to the Adirondack Park. It's a well kept secret it seems as on most of my hikes or canoe trips, I rarely see anyone else. This view on the top of the south side or the overlook( accessible on Piseco Lake Road off rt8) of Panther Mountain is stunning and worth the hike. Although logging cleared out most of the old growth forest here, you can still find a remnants of ancient hemlocks tucked away in some hard to get to areas. On one trip up, there were many trout in the stream, and overhead a couple of turkey vultures flew overhead.

Uticas Val Bialas Parkway Ski Hill

I've always thought they should open this ski lift in the summer so people (tourists and locals)
can enjoy this view. Plant tulips on the ski hill too to create a showy burst of color in the spring. And reopen the back entrance to the zoo so they could stop in if they wanted at the same time. Connect some running trails from the "Switchback" and you would see a whole
lot of good things start happening up there! Take this one step further and put concessions and small boutique type businesses in the chalet area. Really a lot of possibilities with this great asset!!! If nothing less show your stamina and hike up the hill ( take the 1st hill to the left-facing up as it is a less strenuous climb) the shorter hill to the right is climable if you are in good shape and the ground is dry. Enjoy the view!
Pat Huther