Write-up: Barb Kassel
Leader: Barb Kassel
Co-Leader: Madonna Fellows
After weeks of beautiful weather, the second annual “Bike Your Park” ride was hit with a miserable day–overcast, ugly and threatening. Three of us ( me–the leader, Madonna–the co-leader and Don–the good sport) did a shortened ride, managing to finish without getting wet.
Write-up: Meg Higgerson
Leader: Meg Higgerson
Co-leader: Grace McNasser
It was a warm, beautiful fall day when 14 of us regrouped at the Speculator Fire House before heading to the trail head near Indian Lake. At the trailhead, we enjoyed Grace’s delicious biscotti and banana bread.
Throughout the summer, the trail had been reported as wet and muddy but lo and behold, it was well traveled, well maintained and rarely wet!
After many ups and downs, we reached the top of the falls for spectacular views from the lookouts. There we took in the scenery and had our lunch.
Following lunch we decided to hike an additional .8 miles to the Hudson.This was a steep, root and rock-filled trail with a number of switchbacks that overlooked the river way below. On a few occasions, we stopped to question whether we really “needed” to go further!
The Hudson’s shore that we hiked to this was downstream from the Blue Ledges, and had a nice sandy beach. There we rested and some of us cooled off in the water while contemplating the return climb. With visions of more banana bread and biscotti, we just plugged along up the hill until we reached the trail junction and finally the parking lot.
A great time was had by all as we discussed our hike over a beverage in Indian Lake.
Write-up: Pete Geiskopf
Leader: Pete Geiskopf
Co-Leader: Ron Geiskopf
The hike goes through stands of hemlock and oak, and later beech and maple. At the end of the Rim trail, we hiked the gravel road back to the parking area, for a total 7.2 miles.Write-up: Nancy Coleman
Leader: Nancy Coleman
Co-Leader: Mary Pat Connors
On a chilly Fall like day, only 2 Tramps, besides the leader, showed up for a beautiful, relaxing kayak on Fall Stream. It was 52 degrees when we entered the water. The three of us dawdled hoping it would warm up. It turned out to be a perfect day for a kayak ride. The sun was warm, we remained dry, and it wasn’t windy, so we were very comfortable.
There is a rather substantial beaver dam within sight of the launch. I was really glad we had scouted out the trip. We were able to launch upstream from the dam. On Tuesday, Tom and I had been able to pass over two dams without getting out of our kayaks. By Saturday the water level had gone down 2 or 3 inches, just enough to warrant us having to get out and portage across. The 6 dams we had to cross were all do-able. Except for 1 we were able to return without getting out of our boats.
Fall Stream quickly takes you away from civilization. What a respite! We spent the day with sandpipers, a great blue heron, cedar waxwings, dragon flies, darning needles, pickerel weed, lilly pads, frogs and cardinal flowers. The water was like glass and the reflections were exquisite. The leaves are already starting to change and added so much color to the vistas.
We paddled to Fall Lake and into Vly Lake. The dams did us in. We didn’t even attempt Mud Lake. We wonder if there are any beaver dams between Vly and Mud Lakes.We counted seven beaver dams. I’m not sure how many beaver lodges there were.
I lost count. The beavers are busy. Joan saw and heard something at a lodge. If it wasn’t a beaver, it was a really huge fish.
We all really enjoyed this trip. In the future, if you’re looking for a kayak getaway, don’t be scared away by the beavers. This is a gem.