Barkeater Trails Alliance

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Barkeater Trails Alliance

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Advocates and stewards for community-based and backcountry trails for ski touring and mountain biking in the greater Adirondack High Peaks region.

10/31/2026

(Re)Introducing our newest Board Member: Jamie McGiver!

Jamie is a skilled photographer (if you've followed BETA for awhile, you've definitely seen her work) with a penchant for community events and storytelling. She is also a former BETA staff member -- she paved the way as our very first Outreach Coordinator! We are stoked to welcome her onto the board.

Whenever folks join our Board we ask them a few questions, including:

How did you get involved in BETA and the local bike and ski trails?
I moved here in 2014 because of the recreational opportunities right outside my door. BETA events, group rides and trail days connected me to the trails community and the people who make this place feel like home. I’ve built many friendships over laughs and stories shared on skis and bikes.

Why are you excited to be volunteering to serve as a BETA Board Member?
It’s difficult to articulate the way that my life has been shaped by time spent on the trails. I’m thankful everyday for BETA’s work and I am honored to be a part of it.

What are your favorite trails?
On a bike, Craig Wood, top to bottom, or if I need to silence my brain, the Loggers Loops. On skis, McKenzie Pass mid-snowstorm via headlamp.

What is your favorite season?
As much as I loathe springtime bugs, there is no feeling quite like that first short-sleeved ride of the season.

10/31/2026

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER DAY: 11/07

Folks, this very well may be our last volunteer trail work day of the 2026 season. Join us if you're able!

⛏️ 11/07 | 9:00am-1:00pm
📍Hays Brook Trails | Paul Smiths
While trail crew knocked out a solid portion of side cutting on the Sheep Meadow trail this season, Hays Brook and Grass Pond trails could still use some attention. That's where you come in -- join us on November 7 to help side cut (AKA prune back vegetation along the edges of the ski trail, including branches that will droop into the corridor once they're weighed down with snow) these popular ski trails in Paul Smiths. Meet at the trailhead on Mountain Pond Road; we recommend turning off of Rt 30 north of Jenkins Brook, about 2.8 miles from the turn off for Paul Smiths' VIC.

Sign up ahead of time to help us plan + to make sure you get important updates about the work party. REGISTER: www.bit.ly/BETAvolunteer

Want to help on the ski trails throughout the winter? Let us know you're interested by filling out the form at www.bit.ly/ski-steward and we will be in touch 😊

10/30/2026

CONDITIONS REPORT 10/30/2026
Winning names for Trail 7 and Trail 8 at East Branch announced. Love ski trails? We need you!

MTB CONDITIONS REPORT
🍂 Dewey, Saranac Lake -- Back to green now that the trails have dried out a bit. Trails leaf blown in the last couple weeks.
🍂 Otis Mtn, E'Town -- Upper Currey is temporarily closed, all other trails open.
🍂 East Branch, Keene -- New names for Trail 7 and Trail 8 chosen by popular vote: "East Bound and Down" and "Hazardville," respectively. Thank you to the 171 people who filled out the voting form to pick these names! East Bound and Down, Hazardville, and the upper loops are slated to be leaf blown soon, subject to volunteer availability.
🍂 Leaf Report -- We are rich in many things, and fallen leaves is one such seemingly limitless resource. Many trails that were cleared in early October have since filled in again. Get a sense for what to expect for leaf coverage this weekend by taking a peep at trail pics captured yesterday in Wilmington and Keene. Big shoutouts to all the volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to leaf blowing each fall, it is much appreciated 🤗

SKI TRAILS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHES
Help care for the ski trails you love this winter! Be a Trail Scout or a Rapid Responder: www.bit.ly/ski-steward
❄️ Trail Scout – Visits the same trail(s) frequently, handles minor blowdown, reports on major maintenance issues.
❄️ Rapid Responder – Is called upon as needed to clear blowdown too big for Trail Scouts to handle.

UPCOMING SKI TRAIL VOLUTEER DAY
⛏️ 11/07 | 9:00am-1:00pm
📍 Hays Brook Trail | Paul Smiths
While trail crew knocked out a solid portion of side cutting on the Sheep Meadow trail this season, Hays Brook and Grass Pond trails could still use some attention. That's where you come in -- join us on November 7 to help side cut (AKA prune back vegetation along the edges of the ski trail, including branches that will droop into the corridor once they're weighed down with snow) these popular ski trails in Paul Smiths. Meet at the trailhead on Mountain Pond Road; we recommend turning off of Rt 30 north of Jenkins Brook, about 2.8 miles from the turn off for Paul Smiths' VIC.

10/30/2026

One last look at the drainage rehab and corner build we did on a section of a mountain biking trail at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center, Saranac Lake this summer.

From our previous posts about this project or from your own personal experience, you may be aware that just about the entire trail network at Dewey is notorious for holding onto water -- the trails stay wet and fragile longer than most other trails in our region because of a few factors, including its shallow rich soil. Certain sections (like the part of Mumbly Peg right above this corner) are more severe than others.

Once the drainage rehab was done, we knew riders would be coming into this corner faster than before. To keep the ride consistent (and keep you out of the woods), we built it up to handle more speed.

This project turned out really well, and we've heard from members that it has already improved the riding experience on Mumbly Peg. We'll never really overcome the shallow, wet soil at Dewey, but we can make tweaks as needed to address specific issues and keep the trails in good shape for the long term.

10/30/2026

SAVE THE DATE -- IT'S OUR BIRTHDAY! 🥳

We've been celebrating BETA's 40th year throughout 2026, but now we're putting on a serious party. We'll share more details soon, but for now you can count on music, food, history, friends, drinks, prizes, and a bonfire on December 12th, 2026.

This will be one for the books. Mark your calendar -- don't miss it!

10/29/2026

Welcome to the BETA Board, Adam!

Adam DeSantis has worked with BETA before in his role as the Director of Economic Development at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourist (ROOST). We're excited to have him on the BETA Board of Directors.

Whenever new folks join our Board we ask them a few questions, including:

How did you get involved in BETA and the local bike and ski trails?
I discovered the Jackrabbit Trail in the winter of 2020, before we lived here full time. The ski conditions reports on BETA’s website became a connection back to a place I loved, helping me follow what was happening on the trails even when I couldn’t be here. Since then, exploring the trails with my wife and daughter, on cross-country skis and mountain bikes, has become a big part of our life here and deepened my appreciation for BETA’s work.

Why are you excited to join the board?
My family and I appreciate being part of a community where getting outdoors is a priority. It’s the trails, but also the people who care for them, welcome others, and make riding and skiing part of everyday life. Joining the board feels like a meaningful way to give back. Through my work in community and economic development, I see how much those shared opportunities contribute to the vitality of our towns, and I’m excited to bring that perspective to BETA.

What are your favorite trails?
Jackrabbit to ski, East Branch to ride - I can ride there from our home in Jay, and it has such a great variety of terrain.

What it your favorite season?
I’ve found I love them all. The changing seasons are one of my favorite things about living in the Adirondacks. But few things get me as excited as those first flakes in the air.

10/28/2026

Talk about a makeover!

Last week, a seasoned trail scout reported blowdown on the ski trail to Whiteface Landing. This blowdown was too complicated and large for the scout to handle on his own, like he typically would. The scout called in reinforcements: Dusty, BETA's Trail Coordinator, and his trusty pup Rekker.

This was a perfect example of how our Ski Trail Stewardship Program works: trail scouts monitor and report on the ski trail(s) that they visit frequently. If they encounter blowdown that they can't handle on their own, they relay that information to us -- how big the tree(s) are and where they are exactly (GPX pts deeply appreciated). We take it from there and find someone who is able to clear the blowdown ASAP so that it doesn't end up buried in a foot of snow. While snow is not a problem quite yet, it will be soon -- winter is coming!

We need your help to monitor and clear ski trails throughout the winter. To sign up to help regularly with scouting and/or clearing blowdown this season, fill out the interest form at www.bit.ly/ski-steward and we will be in touch.

10/28/2026

The iconic Jackrabbit Ski Trail spans from Keene to Paul Smiths -- that's a lot of mileage! Each section has different maintenance needs.

The Lake Placid side of McKenzie Pass (from Whiteface Inn Lane westward to the height of land) needs the drainage ditches and culverts to be cleared of leaves each autumn, otherwise snowmelt and summer rain leads to excessive erosion. This simple project makes a huge difference in the condition of the trail throughout the year.

Volunteers ranging in age from their mid-20s to mid-70s joined us on a beautiful Sunday morning last weekend to work our way up from Whiteface Inn Lane to the lean-to, clearing ditches, culverts, blowdown, and encroaching branches. Big shoutout to all the volunteers for joining BETA staff members Dusty and Megan to take care of this important maintenance, we got a lot of great work done!

Our next volunteer trail work day is Saturday, 11/07 at Hays Brook Trails in Paul Smiths. While trail crew knocked out a solid portion of side cutting on the Sheep Meadow trail earlier this season, Hays Brook and Grass Pond trails could still use some attention. Meet at the trailhead on Mountain Pond Road; we recommend turning off of Rt 30 north of Jenkins Brook, about 2.8 miles from the turn off for Paul Smiths' VIC.

10/28/2026

Another view of the drainage work we did on a section of a mountain biking trail at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center, Saranac Lake this summer.

From our last post about this project, you may remember that just about the entire trail network at Dewey is notorious for holding onto water. Certain sections (like this one on Mumbly Peg) are more severe than others. Check out our previous post about this project to see just how little soil was left to remove before we filled with crush.

Crush fill (AKA small rocks usually quarried near the worksite and broken apart) has improved the drainage by letting water seep deeper into the ground instead of staying near the surface. The crush was capped with mineral soil and tamped to create a finished surface for riding.

This project turned out really well, and we've heard from members that it has already improved the riding experience on Mumbly Peg. We'll never really overcome the shallow, wet soil at Dewey (and we wouldn't want it any other way -- that's called character!), but we will make tweaks as needed to address specific issues and keep the trails in good shape for the long term.

Address

Lake Placid, NY
12946

Website

http://www.betatrails.org/, https://betatrails.networkforgood.com/projects/182319-membership, https://betatrails.dm.netw

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