By Isabella Padrón

Tuesday, August 30th 2016: The weather called for a clear day with continuous sun. What a lovely day for a hike. And with school starting in less than 24 hours, what better way to spend the last day of “freedom”? The inhabitants of Saranac Lake are so blessed with the mountains and lakes to recreate during the summer, be it swimming, hiking, paddling, biking, or climbing. For me that Tuesday, Mount Baker, a mountain right in Saranac Lake and an official “Saranac 6er” was the perfect option for a quick but enjoyable excursion.

The primary trail was vacant of any other hikers. The solitude allowed me to hear the calls of the woodlands creatures and the wind hitting the trees. The vibrant colors of the leaves were just beginning to turn. There is a viewpoint just before the top, looking west towards downtown Saranac Lake. The last few minutes of the ascent are the most anticipating for me, knowing how close I am to reaching my goal. Though there is no sign at the top (hooligans, most likely), there is hardly a better feeling than reaching the Scots Pine marking the summit.

But this time, instead of the familiar view of McKenzie Pond with the High Peaks as it’s backdrop, Mt Baker greeted me with the most dismal of views. Half-charred logs were thrown everywhere. A pile of green branches ripped from surrounding trees lay next to the scene. Burnt Miller Lite cans were scattered across the forest floor. Some embers were still hot to the touch, evidence that the fire was made only a short time before. Remnants of a “good time” poisoned the natural landscape I have learned to love and respect.

This may not seem to be the biggest of deals, however these individuals who decided to loiter atop Mount Baker broke the law. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has camping rules and guidelines for any and all who use specific land units. On August 30th I saw that several rules had been broken that day, or the night before.

According to the DEC website,

“Fires should be built in existing fire pits or fireplaces if provided. Use only dead and down wood for fires. Cutting standing trees is prohibited. Extinguish all fires with water and stir ashes until they are cold to the touch. Do not build fires in areas marked by a “No Fires” disk. Camp stoves are safer, more efficient and cleaner.”

As a recreation student, these principles are imprinted in our minds. Not everyone is familiar with the ethics taught as Leave No Trace. The recreation department at Paul Smith’s College emphasizes the seven principles encompassed in Leave No Trace. For further information on this organization, check out the Leave No Trace website. It is safe to assume that whoever decided to use Mount Baker for their festivities was either unaware or did not care about both DEC guidelines as well as Leave No Trace.

The fire-makers did not use an existing fire pit or fireplace. By starting their fire on the delicate surface of dirt and roots, they created the potential of a root fire. Just recently, a backpacker came across smoke emanating from the forest floor while hiking MacNaughton Mountain. She called the DEC who sent helicopters to address the fire that, though it was “put out,” travelled to the root systems underneath what the naked eye can see. Those who fought the fire ended up ripping up a section of the ground in order to stop the flames from travelling. What was once a designated campsite is now impassable and unusable because of the actions made by uninformed, and, in my opinion, careless hikers.

We are now entering our second week of school. With the start of any semester, many students are travelling with old and new friends, enjoying the outdoors, and gathering for celebrations. If you are unfamiliar with Leave No Trace and the requirements of living in such a unique and fragile environment, it is important to educate yourself.

When recreating anywhere in the Park, one must travel smart and responsibly. For those unwilling to meet these standards, recreate elsewhere.

Photo above: After I cleaned….