Write-up: Kathy Countryman
Leader: Kathy Countryman
Co-Leader: Francis Roy
Eighteen of us hiked into Brandy Lake on a hot, humid July morning. After a hasty lakeside lunch, we beat it back to the cars while playing “slap and tickle” with the deer flies. Several of us reduced the population of those pesky critters a bit by catching them with sticky tape on our hats. Apparently height is an advantage in that contest, because Dick Blanchard bagged the most.
Write-up: Mary Pat Connors
Leader: Mary Pat Connors
Co-Leader: Kathy Countryman
THE PRE-TRIP
The hike that was scheduled was Indian Lake to John Mack Trail. Since neither of us had paddled Indian Lake before, my trusty co-leader and I dutifully set out to check out this kayak.
Navigating this huge body of water was not as easy as it looked on the map. Neither of us felt the map accurately depicted the locations of the the bays and islands. We happily explored, doing much more kayaking than we had expected. We finally found the correct bay, island and trail. This trail was not difficult, but took us 2 hours through beautiful but bug-ridden forest. There was a beached rowboat available for exploring the pond, but nowhere to sit and enjoy the view. If we had, we probably would have been eaten alive. Not the gem of an Adirondack pond I was hoping to find.
The day’s efforts were rewarded with the sighting of a bald eagle, mother and baby ducklings, and loons.
The entire trek however, was VERY long, and we decided to first cancel the hike portion, then in the interest of time and energy, change the destination to Lewey Lake.
LEWEY LAKE
After a Keystone Cop scenario involving leaders going the wrong way and a flailing boat, 12 of us took to the waters on a warm, beautiful day. There is an easy put-in at the Lewey Lake Camprgound. The circuit around the lake and side-trip down the Miami River seemed to be just the perfect length. We decided not to attempt going over the first beaver dam on the river, rationalizing that there would just be more ahead.
We had our lunch in our boats and then went on to finish our loop.The trip left us time to enjoy the beach and swimming.
We topped the day with liquid refreshments at the Oxbow.
Write-up: Deb Roberts and Halsey Bagg
Leader: Deb Roberts
Co-Leader: Halsey Bagg
Twenty-four hikers gathered at the beginning of Tooley Pond Road in Cranberry Lake and caravanned 8.5 miles to the trail leading to the first stop, Copper Rock Falls. After a short hike through a muddy trail we were rewarded with views of cascading waterfalls over copper-colored rocks.
The group returned to their cars and continued on Tooley Pond Road to the eleven-mile trailhead for Rainbow Falls. Another short hike led to a small bridge over a relatively small narrow falls. This was as far as Deb and Halsey had proceeded originally when doing their preview of the hike. Don Fellows noticed the trail continued on the other side of this small bridge and fortunately located a beautiful section of the Grasse River, the actual Rainbow Falls. Many in the group took beautiful pictures as the mist from the roaring falls created a beautiful rainbow.
Next, 13.8 miles down Tooley Pond Road, the caravan again parked along side of the road at Twin Falls. Here some of the group crossed a small man-made stream on a makeshift bridge of fallen trees and saplings. This was the site of an Iron Ore Smelting plant. Remains of this could be seen on the site; a cylindrical structure of brick that looked like what once was a furnace or chimney and slag rocks on a beach at the river’s edge below the main falls. One notable picture was taken of Lu inside the old furnace structure where a burst of sun rays magically surrounded her. A minute later the rays were gone.
Sinclair Falls was the fourth stop on Tooley pond road, 15 miles to the intersection of George Road. After Mark found the designated trailhead by going up George Road a few hundred feet, the group proceeded to the riverbank just below a raging falls. It was noted how the falls became larger and more robust as we travelled from one falls to the next.
The last Falls seen on this trip along Tooley Pond Road is called Basford Falls, with its trail head 15.5 miles on the left. A half-mile hike led to the river basin that is surrounded by a stand of virgin white pines. One of these large trees is growing up from a rock completely surrounded by the river.
The caravan continued to the end of Tooley Pond Road (17 miles) and turned right onto route 27. After four miles we found the trailhead for Lampson Falls, which is a very popular swimming spot demonstrated by the large number of cars parked alongside the road here. Another short hike led to a large basin created by the wide and ragging falls. We saw fishermen, swimmers and tubbers. And, at the lookout on the top of the falls, was a wedding party taking pictures.
At this point, the planned hike concluded. Some of the group decided to continue on to Harper Falls located a few miles further up route 27.
More photos may be seen in Gallery – 2019.
Write-up: Deb Roberts and Halsey Bagg
Leader: Deb Roberts, Hike
Halsey Bagg, Kayak
The day was clear and sunny at Cranberry Lake. Most of the hikers stayed overnight at the DEC campgrounds on the east side of the lake or at Packbasket Adventures in Wanakena.
The group met at the Cranberry Lake Community Center. Those wishing to kayak followed Halsey to Inlet Road and the put in at the Oswegatchie River. The 21 kayakers all loaded into the river starting their 3.3 mile journey upstream. The water was calm, but flowing steadily. The change in altitude from the put in up the river to High Rock was less than two feet.
The five hikers carpooled to Wanakena in Deb’s car and then set off along the old lumber railroad trail to High Rock. Hiking the 4.2 mile trail they beat the kayakers by 40 minutes. They stood on High Rock and cheered as the kayakers meandered through the last few curves on Oswegachie river.
The kayakers all arrived upstream to high rock safely and all unloaded, creating a large pile of kayaks along the river bank.
We enjoyed lunch at the top of the rock formation with a scenic view of the river where it zigzags through the meadow. A huge blue heron and many red-winged blackbirds entertained us with their flight.
The hikers marched back to Wanakena checking out side trails along the way for future reference. They saw many berries still green and flowers that Dianna was able to identify. They also saw broken down vegetation/trail probably created by bears.
The kayakers enjoyed their anticipated lazy float downstream back to Inlet Road.
After the hiking/kayaking the group went back to Cranberry Lake for a swim and then to Deb & Halsey’s for the cookout and campfire at their home.
More photos of the weekend may be found in the Gallery – 2019
Write-up: Madonna Fellows
Leader: Madonna Fellows
Co-Leader: Don Fellows
We were fortunate to have picture perfect weather for our hike. Cool temperatures for the start with clear blue skies made for an enjoyable day. As the day progressed it got a little warm and the mosquitos became a little bothersome.
We stopped at the lean- to at Tirrell Pond got a fire going and got some expert lessons in how to cook hot dogs. After indulging, we continued on our trek toward the finish line.
We found that a lot of logging was taking place along the route and at one time the trail had been obscured by heavy equipment. It took a little searching but we managed to get back on track.
At the end of the hike we stopped at Tony Harper’s 2 for liquid refreshments and comradery. A most enjoyable day with fellow tramps.
Write-up: Jean Yost
Leader: Jean Yost
Co-leader: Al Grenning
On Saturday, the 6th of July 2019, the Tramps took on the “Super Secret” double waterfalls on the Black River Canal path about 3 miles north of Pixley Falls State Park. This was a quality back-up to the cancelled kayak on the open waters near Lake Ontario (Colwell Ponds) because of severe thunderstorm forecasts.
It was a very enjoyable hike overlooking interesting locks. A stack of triple locks were on the trek along the way. Upon arrival at the falls almost everyone partook of the extremely steep descent down to the bottom of the gorge. From the floor bottom, the entire Black River canal flow from Forestport can be seen roaring down a height from the west, while Lansing Kill streams over a high cliff from the east formed a picturesque plunge pool – with both roaring into the same compact basin! Although it’s not really ‘super secret,’ it is off the beaten path and presents a truly interesting and unique setting. Lots of “WOWS!”
The watermelon was a refreshing treat after the warm hike.
Write-up:Meg Higgerson
Leader: Meg Higgerson
Co-Leader:Bobbie Scarpino
After meeting at Mapledale, we drove the 1 3/4 hours to the trailhead. The day was going to be warm, but blue skies were in our forecast.
We had a nice hike over rolling, and sometimes muddy terrain to the falls. We enjoyed our lunch overlooking what is noted as the highest waterfall in the Adirondacks. According to article in the Adirondack Explorer 2019 Outing Guide, the unusual name for this waterfall comes from the “loggers warning cry of “OK slip” when releasing logs from the OK Slip Pond toward the Hudson River.”
On our return we passed a number of hikers with dogs on leashes but only one hiker with a South American coatimundi on a leash! A member of the raccoon family, the Coati had a long ringed tail. We understood it to be a “rescue” coati, and though it was cute from a distance, it was not the sweetest of pets, nor the easiest to take care of.
Our return hike was in the heat of the day and thus we were delighted to have a slice or two of cold watermelon when we reached the cars!! A nice hike for a July 4th.