Adirondack Mountain Club to sell John's Brook property to New York State
The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) has announced a controversial plan to sell their John's Brook property to New York State. In addition to the historic John's Brook Lodge, the 15 acre property located in the heart of the High Peaks Wilderness Area contains several cabins and camping shelters (commonly referred to as “lean-tos”) that are operated by the ADK and rented out regularly to the public.
Under the conditions of the deal, the property will be included in the Forest Preserve, those lands owned by New York State in the Adirondack Park that are deemed “forever wild.” As required by the New York State Constitution, all permanent buildings, with the exception of the camping shelters, will be removed to bring the property into conformation with wilderness standards, which won't allow for any buildings on the property.
“This was not an easy decision for us to make,” says ADK president Mary L. Ponds. “Ultimately, as an organization, we had to do some soul searching. We asked ourselves, 'does our operation of this property as a backcountry resort comply with our other objectives in terms of wilderness preservation?' And it turned out that our answer was 'no, it doesn't.' Our hope is that by completing the sale of this property, and removing the lodge and associated cabins, we can take positive action in making the John's Brook Valley area a true wilderness atmosphere.”
Not all within the ADK agree with the decision. “It's a shame,” says ADK Board of Directors member Albert Gonkin. “Yes, part of wilderness is the absence of human habitation. But there is an important historic and cultural aspect as well, and that's what the lodge represented for many. By tearing down the lodge, we risk forgetting the hard work of those who first took up the fight to protect our wilderness areas.”
Gonkin has announced that he intends to look into the possibility of lobbying for an amendment to the state constitution that will allow the lodge to remain in operation even after it is transferred to New York State. The amendment process, however, is a lengthy one, and typically takes several years to complete.
Johnathan Rich, director of the Keene Vally Tourism Board, has also spoken out against the plan. “Not everyone who visits the Adirondacks wants to camp out primitively, sleeping in the mud and with the bugs,” he says. “John's Brook Lodge offers a perfect middle ground for those who want to be able to experience the backcountry, but don't want to sleep in a tent or lean-to.” He added that he's concerned about how the purchase will be paid for, given the current financial situation in New York State.
John's Brook Lodge was built by the ADK, and was opened to the public in 1925. The ADK has announced that it plains to keep John's Brook Lodge, and the associated cabins on the property, open to the public through end of the 2011 hiking season, at which point they will be closed in preparation for the sale.
And I saw the 'white text'! 
