9Like the smooth entry of an Adirondack guideboat, The Hedges transports the reader to the golden years of Blue Mountain Lake when a Civil War hero and extraordinary businessman built a private camp on its shore. This book traces the camp's fascinating history and its conversion from private use by a socially elite family to a rustic resort open to the public. The remarkable story of the first innkeepers, the former caretakers of Great Camp Sagamore, is followed by those of subsequent owners facing their own unique challenges. In recounting their experiences and our changing perspectives on the Adirondack wilderness, the author unlocks the secret of why generations of guests have so deeply treasured The Hedges.