Adirondack Mountain Club facts for kids
Logo of the Adirondack Mountain Club
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| Founded | 1922 |
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Membership
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30,000 |
The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is a group that helps protect nature. It started in 1922 and has about 30,000 members. The ADK works to keep New York's forests, parks, and wild areas safe. They also teach people about nature and how to enjoy it responsibly.
The club has 27 local chapters. These chapters are located in New York and New Jersey. The ADK has helped increase protected land in the Adirondack Park. They also work to stop too much building in the area.
Contents
How the ADK Started
The idea for the ADK came from Meade C. Dobson. He thought a private group was needed to help New York State. This group could build trails and shelters. These would make remote parts of the Adirondacks easier to reach.
Dobson got support from important people. George Dupont Pratt, a New York State Conservation Commissioner, helped. William G. Howard, Superintendent of Forests, also agreed. Dobson then invited others who shared his ideas.
First Meeting and Goals
The first meeting happened on December 5, 1921. Forty people attended this meeting. It took place in a log cabin in New York City. This cabin was on top of the Abercrombie & Fitch store.
An organizing committee was formed. It included people from different areas. These included outdoor groups, schools, and businesses. The club set clear goals for itself.
Their goals were to:
- Build and take care of hiking trails.
- Build and take care of campsites and permanent camps.
- Print trail maps and guidebooks.
- Teach people about protecting nature.
- Help prevent forest fires.
Early Work and Famous Members
In its early years, there were not many trails. The ADK helped the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. They cleared and marked 140 miles of trails. One of their first trails was the 133-mile Northville-Placid Trail. This trail goes from north to south across the Adirondacks.
Some famous people were early members of the ADK. Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service, joined. Even Franklin D. Roosevelt, a former U.S. President, and his wife Eleanor Roosevelt were life members.
In 1942, President Roosevelt wrote about the club. He said the Adirondack Forest Preserve belongs to the people. He believed in using the forest wisely for everyone.
Making Areas More Accessible
The Adirondack Mountain Club has worked to make places easier to use. In August 2023, they opened two new accessible campsites. These are at the Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake.
Starting in 2020, the group worked on the Long Trail up Mount Jo. They finished this new trail in October 2023. On October 14, the ADK held a special ceremony. Fifty members hiked the new trail to celebrate.
This trail is near Lake Placid. More than 18,000 visitors use it every year. Because of this, the trail needed to be fixed up. Money for the trail repair came from a special fund.
What the ADK Does
The club runs two lodges for visitors. One is the Adirondak Loj in North Elba. The other is the Johns Brook Lodge in Keene Valley. Both lodges offer bunkrooms and private rooms. They also serve meals to guests.
The ADK also provides campsites. Johns Brook Lodge is at the base of the Great Range. You can only reach it by hiking. The easiest path is a 3.5 mile (5.6 km) hike from Keene Valley.
The ADK offers many programs all year. These programs take place across New York State. Activities include:
- Hiking
- Biking
- Paddling
- Snowshoeing
- Skiing
- And much more!
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The Loj, a place where hikers can stay.
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Heart Lake, seen from the Loj.
