Write-up by Meg Higgerson

Leader: Meg Higgerson
C0-Leader: Barb Thomas

It was a bright sunny day when 18 Tramps set out for a lovely hike to the Cedar River. We would visit  the 17,320 acre Chain Lakes Tract, a very recent acquisition of New York State. We consolidated cars in busy Indian Lake and found just enough parking at the Outer Gooley Club trailhead which once was the original farmhouse of Olive and Mike Gooley. What a lovely setting on the confluence of the Indian and Hudson Rivers!

We have hopes that this interesting landmark will be placed on the State and National Register of Historic Places.  After passing through the gate and signing in we walked the dirt road looking for moose tracks. We did spy some but they unfortunately were several days old. Reaching the Cedar River in a little over an hour, we had lunch; some of us on a bedrock outcrop overlooking the motionless river which reflected the surrounding mountains and others in a cool and shaded wooded area.

On the return trip many took a side trip to Clear Pond. The DEC sign indicated .3 miles but we soon realized that it was closer to .6mi. We descended a hill to find vistas of this beautiful wilderness lake with a not to be forgotten perfect picnic spot.

We then took time to explore the Gooley Steps on the Hudson.

Along the way there were many questions and  discussions about the Gooley Club and Olive Gooley.

Here is a web site on Olive : http://www.adirondackhistory.org/newguidesl/olive.html and an article from 2007 which describes the concerns of hunting clubs.   http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/gooley-clubs-last-stand.

It is our fortune that NYS did open the lands to the public and that we had this opportunity to enjoy them.