POINT AU ROCHE -- It has been quite a journey for the Algonquin Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, which celebrated its 60th anniversary Friday at its annual picnic at Point au Roche State Park.

Margaret Byrne and Emily Ladue, charter members of the chapter, were among the more than 90 attending.

The Algonquin Chapter was chartered by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) in March, 1948. Quoting from the 1948 May-June issue of the Club's magazine, ADIRONDAC, It was the enthusiasm and the persistence of Wayne Byrne and Bill Ladue ... that rounded up 34 interested persons from Rouses Point, Keeseville, Morrisonville, and Plattsburgh- including our two colleges (Plattsburgh State and Champlain).'

Wayne Byrne was elected as the first Chapter Chairman, with Emily Ladue as Chapter Secretary-Treasurer. First-year outings included hikes up Noonmark, Cascade, Poc-o-Moonshine, and Lyon Mountain, averaging 18 attendance -- including those in pack baskets.

The name Algonquin was chosen for several reasons -- it brought to mind the Native American tribe that inhabited the territory 300 years ago, to certain members it signified the favorite mountain of the group and it typified the group's interest rather than localize their homes.

The main focus of the Clinton County-based chapter has been -- like that of the main club (ADK) -- protection and responsible recreational use of the Adirondack Forest Preserve and other parks, wild lands and waters vital to its members. Stewardship, recreation, conservation, and education are the chapter's goals.

There are no special requirements for membership, just an interest in the outdoors.

Algonquin has always welcomed new faces to its monthly meetings and outings. The group tries to schedule outings to cover all interests -- climbing the high peaks (the 46), hiking the hills close by, bicycling, paddling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, as well as visits to special places such as the Montreal botanical gardens. The chapter looks to balance the grade of difficulty and length of hikes on the schedule over all seasons. Phone numbers of outing leaders are given on outing schedules and in the Sports Shorts column of the Press-Republican.

The chapter is always looking to add to its numbers, especially families with young children. This, in fact, was the theme of the summer issue of ADIRONDAC. As editor Neal Burdick, a Plattsburgh native, wrote in it Children will connect with the natural world if given the opportunity -- so let's give them the opportunity.'

The Algonquin Chapter provided eight scholarships for area youth to the NYSDEC Conservation Camps this year. It hopes that interest is growing in protection of our dwindling natural/wild areas, and it is optimistic about a growth in the chapter.

Charter members

(from the 1949 ADK Membership booklet)

Fuller Allen, 5 Rugar St., Plattsburgh

George Allen, 171 Oak St., Plattsburgh

William K. Atlee, 140 South Peru St., Plattsburgh