26 Tramps enjoyed a leisurely 2-mile roundtrip stroll to the Great Lot camp. Some took additional hikes of 1-3 miles and all of us enjoyed their hospitality. A St. Patrick’s day lunch of Reubens and Rachels was provided by the camp along with beverages. Some sang sea shanties and enjoyed bonfires on an unusually snowless day for Tug Hill in March.
While others were basking in feet of snow at Camp Fowler, we had the “gull” to take a different path. The trek to the lake was lightly dusted with snow like a powdered-sugar donut. We reached the lean-to after a one hour and fifteen minute walk where Paul managed to find trail treasure.
The lake was thawed, serene and whisper quiet. The leader and co-leader facilitated a reasonable break and set the group out for the longer and wetter balance of the loop. With the several “ponds” encountered, it was surprising that there were no sea gulls to be discovered given the name of the lake. Fellow hikers were heard to say “this has been a great hike!”, even so. It might have been the beaver hut we saw or the promise of peanut M & M’s. At the four-hour mark, we arrived at our vehicles with various mileages of 8.5 to 9 miles and a 100% return rate.
Camp Fowler Weekend is always full of hiking adventures old and new, stories and jokes (mostly bad dad jokes) told, pre-dinner cocktail parties, after dinner games, and weather surprises all shared with good friends to make new memories. This year didn’t disappoint! 23 made the drive up to the lodge situated on the shores of Sacandaga Lake in Speculator on Friday. Normally this is a weekend to enjoy xc skiing across a frozen lake and snowshoeing on the trails in the Speculator area. But this year, Speculator hasn’t had much snow and with the warm temperatures, the lake is thawing and the trails are a mixture of slushy snow, ice, and mud!
Some took advantage of the beautiful spring-like weather Friday by going earlier to take a hike up Panther Mountain and then Foxey Brown. Panther was spectacular, while Foxey was a 6 mile walk in “mashed potatoes.” To complete the loop, the hikers realized they should have brought kayaks to cross the lakes that covered the trail. Toward the end it was necessary to build a bridge to make the crossing. A few others chose Watch Hill to climb with its beautiful view of Snowy Mt. and Indian Lake. That evening we received winter storm warnings on our phones! A system with Speculator at its center, was to dump up to 16 in. of snow starting around noon on Saturday with high winds. . . Surprise!!! We had all brought rain gear for the expected rainy weekend! No snow yet in the morning, so off we went in various directions to get in as much hiking as possible before the storm. This was after Tom presented his Patty with roses at breakfast on the anniversary of the day he met Patty and was hopelessly smitten.
Walt took a group to Pine Orchard, with its impossibly enormous trees, as well as a huge beaver dam. Hearing rave reviews for Watch Hill, a group with Mike as leader headed in that direction. Another group went in search of the Kunjamuk Cave by way of Elm Lake Rd and Cave Hill Rd. With the cave only a tenth of a mile away, the group encountered the road flooded with a lake of water. Solution; Build yet another bridge to get over the stretch too deep to cross. Nothing stops Tramps! Some decided to stay close by and walk to Moffitt Beach. Sharon and Mandy chose to make a day-long strenuous hike up Oak Mt, then the long way to the cave, topping it off with Moffitt Beach in the afternoon. After lunch with the skies just beginning to pelt some ice in our direction, a group ventured up Oak Mt. to defy Mother Nature. At the top, we discovered that Sharon and Mandy were stars! Their picture was taken that day by the staff at the top and was on display! Our entire group gathered at the Oak Mt. lodge apres hike for beverages and live music by Rome local native, Isaac French. Peter showed off his dancing skills with staff and other patrons. The place will never be the same! By the time we left, the snow was coming down heavily, covering the ground and roads.
Next morning we woke to a winter wonderland, but only 6-7 in. of the white stuff, not the predicted 16. Heavy, wet snow clung to the trees, which is probably why we lost power during the night. But never fear, Camp Fowler has generators that still keep the lights on, and the kitchen up and running! Because of the weather, the majority decision was to forego the scheduled hike on the Northville Lake Placid Trail and snowshoe the trails around Camp Fowler. This turned into a snow festival at the beach! Snow people were created, snow angels formed! On to Moffitt Beach only to have a tree branch give way from the weight of the snow to fall right on top of Joe’s head and shoulders. The blow knocked the wind out of him and so, he and 4 others made their way back to the lodge. Good news is that Joe seems to be OK. The rest of the group trekked to the state beach and back and when Bobbie decided to take another trail, all but four left to shorten their way back to the lodge. So much for the 10% rule! The fearless four ventured onward with Peter in the fore to dance with the snow-laden trees and straighten them up off the path of the trail. It was often an obstacle course of wet areas and downed trees that eventually spit us out onto Pelcher Rd. It must be mentioned that the staff at Camp Fowler is exceptional! Harv’s friendly greeting, making sure we had coffee in the morning when the power went out, and plowing us out on Sunday. Jen who kept us well-fed with scrumptious meals, accommodating everyone’s dietary needs, and a special touch of flowers on each table. Doug, who is Jen’s right-hand man in the kitchen, helping to keep the lodge clean and rooms comfortable, and mints on the night tables. These three people go above and beyond. Come join us for the fun and weather surprises next year!
Write-up: Paul SirtoliLeader - Paul Sirtoli
Co-Leader - Dave Rockwood
Photo Credit - Jim Wasielewski
I should have realized that trouble could be brewing when 23 tramps in their usual caravan of vehicles parked at the Hinckley State Park entrance where multiple “no public parking” signs were ignored. Even the sign “do not block the gate” was seemingly disregarded by several participants. But I digress. The entourage walked a seasonal gravel road and a snowless snowmobile trail one-plus mile to a scenic picnic/camping site on a sandy escarpment overlooking the reservoir.
Walking on the now relatively dry, frozen flood plain of the reservoir, we traipsed north until we encountered a large inlet creek. Here we stopped to admire a minor waterfall and have lunch.
Upon our return trip to the escarpment point, the state park was sighted .5-mile further down wide, sandy beach. What was not seen were the three creek channels impeding a direct approach. The group, now divided into adventurers vs. conformists, separated. Two roads diverged into the wood; the adventurers were in for a big surprise. Mud, snow, steep embankments, flowing water, large, thick ice sheets choking the creeks did not deter this hearty group of aged explorers.
There was no cry of despair as we struggled along the slippery embankment, with some taking the nearby woods for safer passage around each channel. Sighting a porcupine in a tree provided a brief respite from the challenging journey. Arriving at the backside of the park, there was a collective sigh of relief. That is, until we walked to the vehicles. Two DEC law enforcement officers greeted the adventurers. Arriving before the second group, the conformists threw their leader under the bus, pointing out that he organized the trip, and is responsible for all infractions. Thankfully, the officers were very reasonable, and were duly impressed that that such an aged group hiked 6 + miles. We (I) were reminded that a permit was needed for a group size of 20 or more. That said, no severe reprimands or tickets were issued. Our ordeal was christened by Carolyn who delighted our palates with wonderful gluten-free cookies.
