On a beautiful day, 12 excited hikers enjoyed a journey through an amazing history of rock changes which began in glacier times.
We were awed by waterfalls of epic proportions after descending the 180 steps of Jacob’s Ladder. Of course, what descends must ascend so 9 miles later, we had to climb those 180 steps since we were all too frugal to take the 6 dollar shuttle back to the upper parking area.
Our trek included the Gorge trail (breathtaking), the North rim (sky high), the spiral tunnel (twisty), the South rim (quiet wooded trail), and then the Finger Lakes Trail where we found an abandoned pavilion and an opportunity to access the water. Thanks to Peter for wearing red so I could identify the group under the rainbow falls and to all who joined the hike and made it a success!
The Moss Island trail was closed due to construction so plan B was to regroup at the Little Falls Harbor. It was nice to see the sun but the wind, which gave us a boost going east made the return more difficult.
Finally the clouds parted, the sun shone and the weather was right down hospitable. It felt like a rebirth which made this hike so enjoyable.
The after hike rendezvous was outside and Walt got the best of it. As Rod Stewart sang ” Some guys have all the luck”. Thanks to Mike and Peter for leading.
Examine the attached map closely. Notice that the red trail is the track of our July 2023 hike to Murphy Lake. The blue trail is today’s hike. Interesting huh…….It appears that none of us paid any attention to the sign or remembered which way to go. And we had this year’s top 3 hikers aboard. You may also wonder why there are so many photos of just Lorrie. I was having a difficult day (maybe a premonition) and we turned back early. After 4 miles Peter checked his all trails app and not a lake to be found. Otherwise they’d still be hiking. A nice hike despite the rain and wet leaves, roots and rocks. Thanks to Phil for leading.
The rain held off and the temperature was balmy, and got warm as we continued to hike. This ascent up McCauley is from the back side most of the way and provided a different perspective of the land geography. Springtime conditions prevailed as the trail was wet but not intolerable. And yes, the skies opened, the moisture descended upon us and the temperature began its noticeable nosedive. A very enjoyable hike and many thanks to Bob Myers for this new adventure.
The cleanup was on the Erie Canal Trail from Oriskany to Whitesboro. The weather held off and we didn’t experience any rain or snow. On the contrary, the temperature was in the 70’s.
Thanks to Mike for coordinating the event and the trash pickers supreme who discovered tires, hub caps and road cones, were they at a NASCAR race?
A bunch of fairly new hikers today,three first time hikers, 2 hikers with 2 hikes and 2 hikers with 3. A lotta young people searching the woods for the runaway beaver and me wearing my beaver hat. No wonder they weren’t too friendly. A pileated woodpecker was hacking away at a stump at the Eagle. Good hike for a rainy Saturday. Thanks to Lorrie for leading.
Eleven walkers showed up today for a stroll along the Rayhill Trail and through the environs of Whitestown. Only 9 are shown in the photo as Bobette recorded the event and the new lady didn’t want her photo taken. Either shy or in the witness protection program. Thanks to Mike for guiding Lorrie through the streets of Whitesboro and Karen for sweeping.
The Oregon Trail to North Bend was in fine shape for a March hike. Parking lot was plowed out with plenty of room- although very icy. Snow was hard-packed enough that micro-spikes were able to be used, although some preferred snowshoes and all carried them for the way out in case the snow softened. (Except for one Tramp who let himself be talked into leaving his in the truck!)
The trail is a steady uphill for at least ½ mile, enough to get your heart racing and call for a steady shedding of outerwear. The woods were pretty quiet, not a lot of songbirds back yet. The stream along the left side of the trail was flowing hard and the beavers have widened it at certain points forcing the trail further to the right unless you want to wade. The first bridge afforded beautiful views of the vly and the stream and we stopped to enjoy them for a bit.
After the first uphill there are just steady rolls of up and downs with a few flat areas in between. There is a corner about 2 miles in that I’d forgotten about and we started down a trail to the vly, but about ½ way down I remembered that led only to the vly and probably was used by snowmobilers to take a shortcut across. Just a bit more in we met the other half of our group who left earlier and they reported a lot of blowdown and we couldn’t make it all the way to North Bend without major hassles. Since no one wanted to continue we turned around. Some decided to get extra miles by going into Cod Pond others did Auger Falls on the way back. The day was beautiful and we all worked up an appetite for the great dinner at the Camp.
Over the last few years, we have been met with extreme weather conditions during our stay at Camp Fowler. We have dealt with a blizzard, -20 below temperatures, flooding, and the loss of electricity. This year however, except for the wind, we enjoyed nearly perfect conditions.
23 people descended upon the lodge in the woods off Pelcher Rd. in Speculator. After settling in, a spread of the snacks and beverages brought everyone into the central Great Room. Walt’s mulled wine and Jiao’s ginger tea were a hit.
Even with the rain and warm temperatures from the week before, the ground was still covered with snow and ice. So, either spikes or snowshoes were the gear for our hiking adventures, and there were lots of options for both. Walks around the property were good until the lake was approached. With the freezing wind whipping across and hitting anyone venturing toward it smack in the face on Friday and Saturday, the only alternative was to turn back. Alas, there was no skiing done on the lake this year even though it was solidly frozen.
The popular option on Saturday was to hike the Oregon Trail in the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, the regularly scheduled club hike led by Lu. Off with bag lunches, 16 headed off to meet 3 more coming up from Utica. The trail was great for most of the way until a blowdown forced the group to turn back. Some ventured off a spur trail to beautiful Cod Pond.
OREGON TRAIL
Another group of 6 ventured off to climb Watch Hill with fantastic views of Snowy Mt. and Indian Lake. 4 stopped on the ledges, while 2 having never been there before, continued the climb to the summit. Turning back on the ledges became a challenge as strong wind gusts threatened to sweep anything not rooted to the ground off the top of the mountain. A few hugged a tree to avoid that fate.
TRAIL TO WATCH HILL
FROM WATCH HILL
Saturday afternoon, a few explored the beautiful Auger Falls along the Kunjamuk River, a couple decided to snowshoe up Oak Mt., and some decided to stay close to the lodge with a walk on the Camp Fowler property. Many chose to partake in a beverage and listen to the music by a guitar duo at the Oak Mountain’s Acorn Pub.
AUGER FALLS
By Sunday the wind had calmed and some fluffy snow fell overnight. The plan was to S/SS the Kunjamuk Trail to the Kunjamuk Cave. But upon checking out the trail the day before, and finding a “river” on the trail about ¾ of a mile in, it was decided to abort that idea. Instead, one group headed to snowshoe Oak Mt., a smaller group hiked the snowmobile trail off Elm Lake Rd. to the Kunjamuk Cave, and a few hiked into Auger Falls. Après hike some of the group met at the Oxbow Inn to finish off a great weekend.
KUNJAMUK CAVE
Night time at the lodge is always great fun. There were lively ping pong matches, pitch games, Qwirkle, Tarot card readings by Christina, and conversations by the fire. It wouldn’t be Camp Fowler without a few night time shenanigans. There was the short-sheeting of beds of the newbies, although none seemed to notice, as well as some squeaky toys left in another bed.
The food prepared by Camp Fowler Chef Jen was outstanding. Baby back ribs for dinner, mousse and bananas foster in rum sauce for dessert, fried eggs, and pancakes with homemade sausage for breakfast were just some of the delicious items on the menu. Unfortunately for us, Jen is leaving Camp Fowler to move with her family to South Carolina. We wish her the best.
Everyone enjoyed the Camp Fowler experience and look forward to next year!
