Hiking the Thousand Islands #1000islands

Hiking the Thousand Islands

1000 Islands #1000islands #ThousandIslands

Happy New Year! For us, January begins the countdown until we return to our summer camp in the Thousand Islands.  Even though we have been spending our summers at the River (the St. Lawrence Seaway) for almost 30 years, it wasn't until a few years ago that we began to discover just how many awesome hiking trails there are, in the area. And just when we think we've discovered them all, we learn of others. We have already had so many breathtakingly beautiful hikes within a relatively short distance that we figured we had better start a list so we could keep track of them all.  Figuring it might be of interest to others, especially those who are new to, or just visiting the area, we thought we would share our list here and then, in subsequent weeks, share pictures and more details of each specific trail. But for starters, here is our most up-to-date list with links, where available, to trail maps and park or site information. The majority of the sites are either State Parks or area Land Trusts (Thousand Islands Land Trust and Indian River Lakes Conservancy).  We are also including a map showing the general location of these trails.

While this list includes all of the trails we have hiked so far, even as we post it, we are aware of new trails being completed, along with a couple of spots we didn't get to yet. We will update this main page as needed and will continue to link to our own photos and details of our adventures on each of the trails. Please feel free to let us know of any corrections or Thousand Islands area trails we might have missed (we’d love to go hike them in addition to passing them on to you)! Stay tuned to this blog for further hiking updates. But for now, grab your walking sticks, bug spray, and hiking shoes, and let's head out to the woods!

DISCLAIMER for All HIKING blog postings: Hike at your own risk. All information here is from our own experiences and opinions. Conditions are always subject to change. You must do your own research and safety precautions, we are obviously not responsible for anyone's lack of due diligence. See the first blog (4/17/09) for disclaimer which applies to everything.

“When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”

- Carl Gustav Boberg, 1885

Thousand Islands Trail Map 
(click on it to see it larger):

Bob and Patty's Most Excellent Thousand Islands Hiking Trail List:

Be sure to see...

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Introduction

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Abbé Picquet Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Carnegie Bay Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Cerow Recreation Park Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Chaumont Barrens Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Chippewa Bay Preserve Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Coyote Flats State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Downybrook Nature Reserve 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Foster Blake Woods Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...French Creek WMA 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grand Lake Reserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grass Point State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Jacques Cartier State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Kanik Nature Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Keewaydin State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Lonesome Bay State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Macsherry Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Maple City Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Morgan Island

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Morristown Red Barn Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Otter Creek

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Pulpit Rock State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Red Lake Indian River Trail 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Red Lake Preserve (IRLC)

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Redwood Hill Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Rock Ridge Trail 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Wellesley Island State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Zenda Farms Preserve

Update direct from Singer Castle concerning Dark Island.

 First snow on Dark Island for 2017

Photos of Singer Castle on Dark Islands by Jean Papke.

As 2017 comes to a close, we would like to share the latest news from Singer Castle.  In spite of a very rainy beginning to our season, over 23,000 visitors came to Dark Island either for a tour, a stay in our Royal Suite or to attend a wedding or party.  Film crews from French, German, and Chinese travel channels visited and in July the Travel Channel filmed at the castle as part of a program they called “Haunted Hospitality". The October airing of the show resulted in several reservations.

At the beginning of the season, the South Boathouse was flooded with over a foot of water and the south docks were partially under water. Castle staff quickly made adjustments. Floating docks were repositioned from the north side of the island, ramps and bridges were put in place over the hard dock areas covered by high water, and a temporary Gift Shop erected so that all who wanted to were able to access the castle. 

The condition of the dock area and boathouse was assessed when the St. Lawrence River began to return to normal levels in late July.  While the dock area required some repair, the decision was made to totally renovate the interior of the boathouse.  Castle staff started removing damaged walls and decking and in November contractors began the reconstruction.  The interior has been redesigned, moving the location of the office, video room, and access to the rest rooms.  The project is on schedule and should be completed in time for the beginning of the 2018 season in May when we look forward to welcome all to Dark Island. ---  by Jean Papke, Assistant to the president of Singer Castle.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

From

Tom, Scott, Jean, Judy, Chris and the Castle Staff

Author Patty Mondore to speak at Cornwall Brothers Store Museum, July 6, 2017.

Patty Mondore at the St. Lawrence River,

photo by Bob Mondore

The following article appeared in the Thousand Islands Sun - Vacationer, Alexandria Bay NY:

ATHS Gallery Presentations begin July 6 with Patty Mondore

Alexandria Bay - The 2017 Gallery Presentations hosted by the Alexandria Township Historical Society (ATHS) at the Cornwall Brothers Store Museum will begin Thursday, July 6, 7 p.m.

Author Patty Mondore, who writes the weekly Thousand Islands Sun Vacationer "River-Lations" column will present "River-Lations Revisited: An Evening of Thousand Islands Inspiration." She will re-cap a number of past columns featuring stories, photos and clips from her music videos reflective of her connection with the 1000 Islands and the St. Lawrence River.

Northwind Publishing has released her most recent book, "River-Lations Revisited." An element of mystery will be added to the evening by her invitations to: "Come and find out the link between a castle in the 1000 islands and an outreach to children in Uganda." This will be her third appearance at the Cornwall Brothers Store Museum.

Patty and Bob Mondore live in Jamesville, and summer in the 1000 Islands. Patty Mondore is and award-winning author of several books: "River Reflections, A Bird Lover's Reflections," and "Nature Reflections," "To Love, Honor, and Oh Boy!," "A Good Paddling," and "Proclaim His Praise in the Islands." She and her husband co-authored "Singer Castle" and "Singer Castle Revisited," have produced music videos and "Dark Islands Castle of Mysteries," a documentary DVD. The Mondores are co-owners of Gold-Mountain, a web based, multimedia business that features all of their movies, books and music about the 1000 Islands. She will sign any books purchased at the museum that evening.

When not at the river, she is pediatric residency program coordinator at SUNY Upstate Medical Center University in Syracuse.

Gallery Presentations are held at 7 p.m. on the handicap accessible first floor of the Cornwall Brothers Store Museum on the waterfront at 36 Market St., Alexandria Bay. Admission is free to ATHS members and a $3 donation is suggested for nonmembers.

[Credit: Thousand Islands Sun - Vacationer, newspaper published June 21, 2017]

The Art Showcase - Singer Castle on Dark Island, Summer 2017

This summer there will be four Art Showcases at Singer Castle on Dark Island; June 29th*, July 20th, August 3rd, and August 17th. Each night will feature a Dinner Cruise which will leave the Alexandria Bay docks at 5:30. All food will be provided by Mullin's catering (from Gouverneur NY). *June 29th showcase is cancelled due to forecasted stormy weather.

Once guests arrive on the island, they will be given a brief tour. Then they will be able to interact with the artists and view and purchase the array of unique art on display. The artists being featured on June 29th are David Liddy (piano), Joan Applebaum (paint), and Mary Mitchell (jewelry.) The boat from Uncle Sam Boat Tours will arrive back at Alexandria Bay docks around 8:30pm. 


Tickets are $73 and are now available for purchase. Tickets MUST be purchased in advance. This can be done by calling (315)324-3275 or click on the following link for online reservation sheet: RESERVATION (on a Secure Server).

Above Singer Castle notice provided by Jean Papke/Carrisa Sweet of Dark Island Tours, Inc.

Singer Castle on Dark Island bulletin concerning the 2017 season opening!

Photo of Singer Castle on Dark Island 4/10/17

by Jean Papke, Assistant to the president of Singer Castle.

Opening for tours in 2003, Singer Castle has been increasingly popular with visitors to the 1000 Islands thanks to word of mouth, advertising, news coverage and travel documentaries. The 2016 season saw a marked increase in visitors with a total of over 26,000. The castle will open for a 15th season on Saturday, May 6, 2017. The castle will be open for tours seven days a week. Hours will vary based on boat tour schedules during May, June, September and October. Call the day before you plan to visit to confirm our schedule. During July and August tours will be offered hourly beginning at 10 a.m. with the last tour of the day at 4 p.m. In addition to regularly scheduled tours, we offer extended private tours of the castle and grounds by appointment. Transportation to the castle will again be provided by Uncle Sam Boat Tours, Schermerhorn Harbor, Rockport Boat Lines and 1000 Islands and Seaway Boat Tours and there are over 600' of dockage available for private boaters.

A series of Art Showcase Evenings  will take place over the course of the summer. We will be having a total of 12 guest artists coming to showcase their talents at the castle. The Showcases are planned for four Thursday evenings: June 29, July 13, August 3 and August 17. Three artists will be showcased per night. There will be artisans, musicians, and/or others with special talents.

The evening will begin at the Alex Bay dock at 5:30 p.m. Attendees will board an Uncle Sam tour boat and start their journey to Dark Island. Dinner will be served on the boat and will be included in the ticket price. Once they arrive on the island, guests will be ushered through the castle to see three different artists perform or display their work. The boat will depart Dark Island at about 8:00 p.m. and guests will be served dessert and watch the sunset over the river as they return to Alexandria Bay. If you have any questions about the Art Showcase Evenings contact Carissa Sweet at singercastlearts@outlook.com or (315)663-4105 for more information. We are currently seeking interested artists and more information about the nights will be released later this spring. At that point, tickets will also be available for purchase.

Please visit our webpage www.singercastle.com or contact us at 1-877-327-5475 or 315-324-3275 with any questions about tours, overnight stays, weddings and special events at Singer Castle.

This bulletin direct from Dark Island by Jean Papke, Assistant to the president of Singer Castle.