Page 21 - Summit Trail News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The recent nor’easter that bedeviled much of the Northeast was a godsend to the Alleghenies. About a foot of wet-based powder descended upon Laurel Ridge, creating nearly perfect conditions for cross-country skiing atop Laurel Summit – conditions that have been exceedingly rare there for the past two or three winter seasons. Rarer still was that those conditions persisted into the weekend, giving my close friend, neighbor and outings’ companion, Tom Gray, and me the opportunity to “go out and play.” Just the drive in along Laurel Summit Road was worth the trip. Snow l...

This month, I’m excited to visit Drowned Lands Swamp, one of Columbia County’s hidden treasures. Drowned Lands is located at 645 County Route 3 in Ancram. If you’re using GPS to navigate, you may need to watch for the entrance sign as you approach. When you visit, keep your dog on a leash, carry out everything you carry in, and bring a pair of binoculars, if you have them! Drowned Lands is an incredible spot for birding, especially during spring and fall migrations, so you may wish to download the eBird app before you head out so that you can track who you’re seeing.