 | A picnic on the dock on a sunny day, watching osprays, ducks and heron - Great.
- Montreal, Quebec
It's a blessing to be here.
- New York, NY
Clear Lake, Clear Heart.
- Phil, PA
We've stayed here before and think there's magic here-
- Charlotte, VT
What a break in the rat race -
- Syracuse, NY |
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Our Eco-conscious Experience
A Unique Commitment
Eco-conscious Events & Celebrations
Daily Practices
Guest Offerings
Guest Water & Energy Conservation Program
Eco-conscious Memberships
Eco-conscious Experience
 Hohmeyer's Lodge on Lake Clear is in the midst of one of the largest examples of private-public land stewardship in the world:
the 6 million acre Adirondack Park. The Park is part of the Canadian Shield biosphere recognized by the United Nations. The underlying rock here is one of oldest on earth while its crust due to the ice age
is relatively young resulting in our mountains actually rising!
President Bush came to our area several years ago to discuss his Blue Sky legislation. Hohmeyer's Lake Clear Lodge is the only year-round destination Lodge within the 18,000-acre St. Regis Wilderness region
- New York State's only designated wilderness canoe region. This pristine wonderment of 58 lakes and ponds is in the foothills of the High Peaks region, home to Lake Placid, host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter
Olympic Games and Saranac Lake, a 19th and early 20th Centruy center to "cure" tuberculosis through natural treatments of mountain air that was visited by many notables including Robert Louis Stevenson and Christy Mathewson.
In our immediate area was the site of the 19th century "Philosophers' Camp" with Henry David Thoreau, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The serenity and mysticism of the Adirondacks lured many
an intellect including Albert Einstein who stayed in Lake Clear. Lake Clear is NYS 28th largest lake and the largest headwater of the Saranac River that flows into Lake Champlain - one of 4 major watersheds
of the Adirondack Park. In the immediate area (within 5 minutes) is one of two NYS Adirondack Visitor Interpretive Centers and the newly opened Adirondack Natural History Museum.
The Lodge is on State Route 30 that runs from Canada south toward New York city that has been designated the Adirondack Trail - a state designated and federal recognized by-way.
Our 1886 Lodge is a holistic part of this Adirondack alpine history as one of the last original inns still open to the public. Built by Cathy (Fisher-Otis) Hohmeyer's family in the 19th Century an Adirondack
pioneering spirit fills the Lodge that is fused with Ernest Hohmeyer's European family who revived this destination property 42 years ago. Together, we have created an Adirondack Alps culinary-based destination
that blends Old World and Adirondack natural elements that fuels the ambience of our handcrafted lodgings and the essences of our cuisine.
In a July 1st 2007 article about Hohmeyer's Lodge on Lake Clear in the New York Daily News entitled "Off the Beaten Path", our area was described as "where the scenery looks much the same as 200 years ago".
We have left the vast majority of our 25-acres in a natural state. Our building construction has been from wood from the property, milled and prepared by the family. The 25-acre estate has received a focused
nature and environmental emphasis with walking and x-country ski trails and a 3 acre lakefront that has been carefully manicured but left undeveloped for special functions and festivals - on the lake "where Einstein relaxed".
We are currently reviewing proposals to begin a conversion to solar energy.
Besides the spirit that invites you to 4 generations of our home, the spirit here is our nature where when young Theodore Roosevelt visited our county he wrote a book "The Summer Birds in the Adirondacks in Franklin County"
that forged his later environmental leanings including the formation of the National Park Service.
The Lodge provides a three part holistic experience to our guests.
1) A family operated resort that has provided, for 4 generations, hand-crafted lodgings and an original Adirondack Old World cuisine. The spirit of our hand-crafted lodgings and cuisine is based on the use of on property
natural resources such as milling our own wood, to Lodge gardens and organic local foods that we believe combine to root our guests in the natural spirit of the Adirondacks.
2) This spirit is combined with the natural wonderment of the 6 million acre Adirondack park whose "forever wild" mandate as a State park in which half the land is private and half is to be "untouched and unspoiled"
provides a rejuvenating magic that has drawn intellects like Emerson, Einstein, Robert Louis Stevenson, Calvin Coolidge and many others. The Lodge is the only destination resort in the 18,000 acre St Regis Wilderness region
(the only designated wilderness canoe region in NYS) Even Einstein found time for contemplation on our shores here at Lake Clear.
3) We bring this holistic experience of Spirit, Space and Culinary Magic in unique, innovative and interactive packages for our guests. Our eco-conscious packages include an Adirondack Alps Culinary package;
Bird, Bask and Indulge ; Paddle and Pamper and others are based on "natural adventure" and inward rejuvination. We believe strongly that a holistic package that includes hand-crafted accommodations, our unique culinary
experience with natural activities and surroundings is important. Even our dinner guests are encouraged to walk the trails, experience the sunset - where their dining table is a 25-acre experience and "theirs" for the evening.
We provide additional concierge, information packets on the region and the use of local guides and services to help experience the region. We also provide on property boats, bikes, lawns and walking trails.
Our cuisine is an original fusion of Old World slow cooking essences with local Adirondack grass fed and organic meats, herbs and vegetables with the latter grown directly from our Lodge garden.
A truly unique Adirondack Rathskeller with a large stone fireplace that houses the Adirondacks only hand-crafted Wine & Bier Keller with over 125 Old World Biers and 300 boutique wines from all over the world with many of them organic.
The Lodge has on staff meeting facilitators that can develop unique sustainable development workshops citing the Adirondack Park model as well as team building culinary workshops based on the Adirondack Alps holistic cuisine.
Hohmeyer's Lake Clear Lodge partners with a host of eco-tourism organizations including:
- The Visitor Interpretive Center: a living celebration of the diverse natural amenities of the Adirondack Park including walking trails and indoor exhibits
- The Natural History Museum: a historical account of the natural development of the Adirondacks
With co-owners Ernest & Cathy Hohmeyer's experience in eco-conscious disciplines you have a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a wider range of Adirondack Alps holistic eco-conscious experiences. These include:
- A Nourishing Traditions Adirondack Alps style Culinary Workshop. Co-owner and chef Cathy Hohmeyer is pursuing her doctorate in Naturopathy and is a leading voice in the Adirondack Park in this field. Cathy is also the founder of the Adirondack Chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
- The Adirondack Park as a model in sustainable development. An informal fireside chat by Ernest Hohmeyer on sustainable development practices in the Adirondack Park. For 22 years Ernest was the founding director of the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation and Center for Sustainable Tourism.
His work in micro lending, community planning and sustainable development was recognized by President Clinton and invitations to Eastern Europe.
- Lodge garden and local Adirondack hor'dorves: in the Fireplace Rathskeller with a Wine & Bier tasting of organic wines and biers
It is of vital importance to our 4 generations of family to not only sustain but enhance our natural wonderment we call the Adirondacks. Items such as pathways, lighting, construction materials and landscaping are derived from materials from the property whenever possible.
Natural plant life indigenous to the Adirondacks is highlighted on our Lake property, our walking trails throughout our woods and in our gardens. Our vegetable and herb gardens, the cornerstone of our original fusion cuisine of Adirondack products and Old World essences
is a center piece of seasonal and "northern" plants that would be grown and offered as food staples here. Wild thyme and cold weather veggies are grown. Colorful pansies and nasturtiums (both edible flowers and able to withstand our northern frosts) adorn the plates in the restaurant.
The herb garden is right outside the kitchen door.
Our experience comes from our heart - from now 4 generations of 2 families who have sought to invite you to their home because this is our home. We invite you as a best friend would with the best silverware, personalized cooking and personal attention.
As Cathy's family did as an Adirondack stage coach stop and similar to Ernest's family who ran Guest Houses in the Old World, we have been a destination for travelers seeking something real, a restful respite and comfortableness. Our Rathskeller is in
the spirit of it original use as a pre-meal gathering of relaxation from weary 19th Century Adirondack stagecoach travelers and similar to Old World Guesthouses where you partook in the family wine and beer. Our handcrafted Wine & Bier Keller recently
built from pine trees hit by lightening is a testament to that spirit. Our 1886 hand-hued dining room is dinner with family. We take only 40-50 guests per evening where your table is yours for the evening. There are no turnovers and no waiting lines.
Your table is our 25 acres - Adirondack Great Camp Style where you can roam the property. Bring a glass and stroll to our lake front and listen to our resident loons, smell the cooking emanating from the kitchen where the chef is still the owner.
Feel the spirit of 4 generations who were about giving guests everything from their heart. It seems you can feel them. Oh yes our experience is also about personal service, handcrafted accommodations, local and indigenous culinary products.
More importantly is about restoring our guests energy - it's something that cannot be created - it's just here in these original 19th Century Adirondack pioneering walls and an Adirondack and Old world family that seeks to provide you with
what a guest wrote as "homespun elegance".
A Unique Commitment
 Sustainable tourism and natural health elements - two areas Hohmeyer's Lake Clear Lodge strives to incorporate both "in front of" and "behind" the scenes. Some of the areas below are either incorporated into or being transitioned into "daily operations and offerings". Also just in, Jan/2007, Hotel Interactive's Top Story The Green Frontier By Glenn Haussman. It reads: Some hotels have taken environmental conservatism to the next level. Take for example, Hohymeyer's Lake Clear Lodge.... this intimate resort has embraced the eco-conscious ethic and provides some valuable and realistic suggestions other property managers can adapt. Click here to read more about the The Green Frontier
Co-owner and Chef Cathy Hohmeyer has 25 years experience in the health, wellness and food industries. She currently is a contributor to several Northern New York and Adirondack publications including "Tips for Healthy Living". (Click here for Articles)
Ernest Hohmeyer for 22 years was the founding director of an Adirondack sustainable development organization recognized with national, state and regional awards and invited as keynote presenter to several international missions on sustainable development. Ernest continues this important work with his consulting company Mountain Community Visions
Eco-conscious Events & Celebrations
On the Lake
All Adirondack Festival
19th Annual Juried Craftfest and 2nd Annual Adirondack Sustainable Festival
Click Here for Details
In 2007, we transformed our 18 year-old Craftfest into the first of its kind Adirondack Sustainable Festival. In 2008, the addition of sustainable Adirondack offerings were. Adirondack Harvest and
local food purveyors, farmers were present as well as the Adirondack Chapter of the Weston Price Foundation.Also there were exhibits on the latest sustainable methods of living including architects,
energy suppliers, environmental organizations, and sustainable forestry and eco-tourism practices. A celebration on Adirondack life and its history was also showcased with exhibits on the region's sports and health industries.
Adirondack Heritage Culinary Festival
September 6th & 7th, 2008
Click Here for More Details
It is our intent to create for the first time, a region-wide Adirondack celebration of Adirondack cuisine and its heritage.
The Adirondacks are known as an outdoor destination with world-class sporting and cultural events. Not prominent to the visitor has been the region's rich culinary history based on local products.
It is proposed to raise this awareness by marketing multiple, thematically related assets into an Adirondack-wide destination event that places Adirondack culinary & agra-tourism along side these
traditional Adirondack activities. There has not been an opportunity to bring these efforts together as a regional destination event and celebration of Adirondack cuisine and its heritage through
an outdoor festival format, tours of producers and culinary venues, interactive activities and new events such as the "Adirondack Iron Chef" competition with celebrity chefs, and ongoing educational
and awareness programs. The Adirondack Heritage Culinary Fest is designed to create an integrated and thematic destination event that recognizes and promotes Adirondack cuisine, its heritage and emphasis on local products.
Tourism and agriculture represent the anchor industries of our region and is our way of life. Farming and the culinary arts have played a vital role in Adirondack history through the grand hotels of the
19th century to the importance of local and natural foods in the famous Adirondack cure cottages related to the cure of tuberculosis. In addition to the natural beauty of the Adirondacks that lured the
wealthy, entrepreneurs, intellects and outdoor enthusiasts, modern tourism was always closely linked to local farms and local food purveyors as goods from outside the region were difficult to obtain.
For the first time, thematically related entities that include Adirondack businesses, tourism agencies, educational institutions, visitor interpretive centers, museums, non-profits and media outlets
have joined together to create the first-ever Adirondack celebration of Adirondack cuisine. This inaugural thematic and integrated regional culinary initiative will be highlighted by three (3) major events:
I. Tours of Specialty Adirondack & Northern New York Farms
In conjunction with Adirondack Harvest, ANCA and Cornell Cooperative Extension, Fall foliage tours of local farms that produce specialty products, grass-fed and free range items.
How these items are produced and why, history of the farm, sample tastings and retail sales opportunities will be offered. They are proposing to move their tours and events to
coincide with the kick-off of the 2-day outdoor Harvest Fest. Just as exciting the 8 counties of the Adirondack region will call the the 2nd week in September Adirondack Harvest
Week and it will kick-off the Adirondack Heritage Harvest Festival!
II. Tours of Adirondack Restaurants and Food Outlets
Adirondack products will be highlighted with tastings, special culinary workshops and exhibits. Adirondack Heritage Culinary Packages will be available for accommodations with Adirondack heritage culinary menus and activities.
Adirondack Culinary Festival Tour Map of Adirondack producers will be integrated in a proposed tour map with Adirondack inns, B&B's and motels.
III. 2-day outdoor "Adirondack Harvest Festival: September 6th - 7th
A 2-day outdoor "Adirondack Harvest Festival" with Adirondack farms, food outlets and Adirondack producers that will display their products and conduct tastings will highlight the Adirondack Heritage Culinary Fest. The 2-day outdoor Harvest Fest will also include:
- - Adirondack Chef Demonstrations
- - Educational programs on "green cooking"
- - Adirondack culinary authors, columnists, food critics, regional print, radio and television culinary programs will conduct a fun-filled forum on "What is Adirondack Cuisine?"
- - The inaugural "Adirondack Iron Chef" Competition based on the "100 Mile Diet"
- - The Great Adirondack Cake-off" with amateur and professional competitions in cake decorations using local design elements
- - Adirondack Craft Brew, NYS Wines, Exhibits, Tastings and Food Pairings
- - Adirondack Scenic Railroad Special Culinary Festival Train Excursion (TBD)
- - Adirondack Farmers Market
- - Adirondack Heritage and Pioneering Living and Eating Exhibits
- - Farm to Table Dinners "the Adirondack 100 Mile cuisine" will be promoted throughout the fall harvest season as an on-going promotional event.
It is proposed that the Adirondack Heritage Culinary Fest will become an annual event to be held the first weekend in September as a symbolic kick-off to the Adirondack harvest season, fall foliage and fall fest activities that take place throughout the Adirondacks.
Adirondack Chapter of the [International] Weston A Price Foundation.
We have sponsored/supported/started the Adirondack Chapter of the [International] Weston A Price Foundation. Its "way to prepare foods"
in truly traditional methods coincides with what the Lodge foods have been about for all its 40 years - Old World! And with that the ideals of
"foods, farms and healing arts" (see www.westonaprice.org) The Lodge sponsors monthly meetings of our
Chapter. We develop lists of our local farmers, get to know our local producers and share recipes and foods made with the products.
They will be a showcase booth at the Festival for local education.
Continued Leadership in Adirondack Sustainable Development
For 23 years Ernest was the founding Director of the Adirondack Economic Center and the creator of the Center for Sustainable Tourism.
These initiatives which covered the 6 million acre Adirondack Park were innovative in their approach to sustainable development.
Beginning in 1984 Ernest was a pioneer in entrepreneurial development, community planning and sustainability culminating in the 1994 National
Award presented to him by President Clinton in a White House ceremony as the US Small Business Administration's Financial Advocate of the Year.
In 1998 Ernest's organization received the NYS not-for-profit of the Year award and later received the Community Conservationist award from the Adirondack Council
- a leading environmental advocacy group. Since his formal retirement from that sector in 2006, Ernest continues his work as a volunteer by sponsoring
community grass roots organizations such as the Saranac Lake Area Community Task Force, local comprehensive planning and an effort to share municipal services.
The Lodge currently hosts monthly meetings as an in-kind service to Adirondack community functions. Organizations that we support include the Adirondack Council,
North Country Public radio, Tri-Lakes Humane Society, PBS and we are the founder of the All Adirondack festival which includes a celebration of sustainable Adirondack
initiatives. This is in the spirit of Ernest's 23 years of work in sustainable development in the Adirondacks and is the foundation of our experience at
The Lodge which is based on four generations of Adirondack hospitality and the enhancement and continuation of Adirondack made products. It is an extension of
Cathy's life time interests in foods, farms and the healing arts.
Beyond Sustainability Culinary Classes
The Lodge tries to go steps further than buying and using local foods. As Cathy pursues her Doctorate in Naturopathy, she uses and teaches principles of her knowledge.
Cathy gives cooking classes to highlight natural food production/cooking. Natural fermentation, sprouting, kefir making are demonstrated among other great Old World methods
like bone broth soups, slow roasts and the use of the "whole" animal or plant when cooking. We introduce cooking with essential oils. Within this - organic, local foods are encouraged.
Cathy is working with an area beef supplier to develop a brochure to assist customers on how to cook grass-fed beef.We are one of the first restaurants to cook with essential oils -
these replace artificial additives, add flavor and even "antiseptic" and anti-bacterial qualities, not to mention adding a higher energy component to the foods.
It is a challenge to not get commercialized in a business world that we are forced to live in, to not take the cheaper way out when the season is short and
to keep the heritage that our forefathers gave us. It is a craft to offer new age offerings in an Old World environment - to offer amenities but keep it in a
rustic style. Our cuisine has returned - in new cuisine style to the traditional ways of healthy cooking. In this though - we are finding a return, I think as all of us are,
that these places are needed and should strive to be maintained. We, in effect , are hoping to "sustain" this piece of the Adirondacks for our children, and the continuation
of locals and visitors that enjoy THIS type of outlet.
Daily Practices
- Use of eco-conscious cleaners. Brands include Meleluca, Ecosense products and essential oils.
- We Support community businesses by purchasing as many locally made products as possible.
- Washing towels and sheets on request only during your stay. Towels or sheets on the floor mean - please change; if they are on the towel racks - guest chooses to use again. This reduces energy and water usage and detergent waste.
- Photocopy materials on both sides; reuse one sided copies for drafts, etc.
- Use E.P.A. and Energy Star recommended equipment whenever possible.
- Use native plant species in landscape design.
- Grow herbs and flowers for kitchen and resort use.
- Recycle soda cans, wine bottles newspapers, glass, plastic, tin.
- Cut up used office paper for notepads.
- Distribute recycling bins throughout the property for use by guests.
- Have available our Green Retreat Guide for groups and business meetings.
- Compost kitchen organic waste.
- All older construction has had new insulation and energy efficient heaters installed.
- All lodgings have emergency pull switches installed ; all lodgings have back-up generators.
- All lodgings have heat (and message) switches wired-in to The main Lodge; heat is immediately turned down to 55 degrees (fall-spring) when guests check out at the "front desk".
- Elimination of Styrofoam products.
- Provide products that are natural and sustainable whenever possible.
- Reduce waste through careful buying to eliminate excessive packaging including buying in bulk when possible including "PC" packaging for creamers and butters.
- Encourage Environmental Education by producing Lodge developed and printed brochures explaining local or Lodge property items.
- Maintain environmental educational materials on bulletin board.
- Promote visits to the Adirondack Park Visitors Interpretive Center nearby.
- Make available birding, animal tracks and plant ID books with property sighting map.
- Developing a self-guided Eco-Scavenger Hunt to encourage environmental awareness for children.
- Designated spot for building Fairy Houses, to sit and "take in" nature.
- Natural Music available for use in the lodgings and for sale. Including nature sounds music, classical music and local artist's music.
Guest Offerings
 - "Natural Exercise Circuit". The Lodge has developed a "natural" exercise circuit for both indoor and outdoor use. Developed by Cathy Hohmeyer (using her degree in occupational therapy and background in kinesiology, and assisted by a recent grad who received her degree in kinesiology. )
- These exercises use outdoor activities like chopping wood and canoeing in a total body exercise program.
- Organic Fabrics. The Lodge is phasing its sheets, towels and bedding to organic fabrics. Organic fabrics are friendly to the environment without using harmful chemicals and pesticides. The Lodge sells Lodge logo and custom embroidered towels.
- Natural lighting. The Lodge is phasing its reading lamps and some of the indoor lighting to bulbs to "Sunlight" lamps that "bring the sun indoors". A great benefit especially during the winter months.
- Use of Natural/Handmade Soaps, shampoos and amenities
- Use of sustainable, local and/or homegrown food supplies in the restaurant whenever possible. The Lodge maintains a garden in summer, an herb garden all year and chooses Adirondack Harvest vendors when possible.
- Reduction of guest room waste stream by encouraging recycling.
- Reduction of energy and water waste by encouraging energy and water conservation programs.
- We request Quiet Hours between 10PM and 8AM. Please no "boom boxes" outside. Nature provides a wonderful concert. Feel free to enjoy the classical, nature related music and Adirondack Cd's in your lodging IF you wish.
Guest Water & Energy Conservation Program
 Be Comfortable, Use What You Need but Don't Exceed!
Heat:
Be comfortable while you are in your lodging however: If you will be out for more than half a day, turn the thermostat down 5 degrees or so - when you return it only takes a few minutes to resume desired temp. Please DO NOT leave windows open in the winter time or when temp drops below where you want the heat inside to be.
Water:
Don't let faucets run unattended. Please let management know if you hear excessive water running - this may be a broken pipe, a toilet that is "running", something left on by mistake.
Lighting:
You don't need in while you are gone, please turn off all lights when you leave the lodging. If you are returning well after dark - the outside lights will come on automatically upon your return. We provide night lights for low level lighting when you are gone OR during sleep (instead of leaving full lights, such as the bathroom light on overnight) inside so that you can see to walk in and turn on other lighting.
Recycling:
Please recycle glass, plastic and tin, returnable bottles in bins provided in your lodging or by the garbage bins.
If we missed an area in disrepair, ie window seal, drippy water faucet, please let us know. There is a request for maintenance form in your lodging info manual.
We and the earth Thank you.
Any other suggestions? Send us an email.
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Eco-conscious Memberships
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For more information, e-mail The Lodge, stop by, or call (877)6 ADK ALPS for your complete Adirondack Alps Planner. Fill in our mailing list and win a chance at Two Nights Free? Click Here!
"Your hospitality is exceptional and matched by the food"
Hohmeyer's Lake Clear Lodge
6319 State Route 30 · Lake Clear, New York 12945
518-891-1489 or (877)6 ADK ALPS
Email:info@lodgeonlakeclear.com
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