On a damp chilly Sunday, we had 15 tramps attempt the challenging compass course around the water tower and parkland at Sherrill Brook Park. We started with a brief intro on using a compass and how to use it to take headings to find landmarks.
A few did complete the course and find the landmarks. Many found this course challenging but did learn from it. We also worked on orientating a map and correcting for declination. A handout was given to those who wanted to try this out at home. After the course work, we discussed how to use the compass and map if you get lost, what effects the needle of a compass – causing it to steer you wrong!
Many of the participants asked for another course in the near future to continue to progress on this skill.
In spite of the poor weather, we had a great time.
The hike started out with the goal of 10 of us getting to the lean-to. The weather cooperated, with snow on and off throughout the day. Crossing the beaver dam was a breeze with the log placements. Most of the trail was wet, making frequent diversions around pools of water, and crossing multiple streams along the way.
We were stopped about a mile short of the lean-to due the Priests Vly outlet running fast. The group made a decision not to attempt to cross, worrying someone would wind up in the drink. We ate lunch and headed back with everyone enjoying the day. 10 completed the 6.5 miles. We’ll attempt the lean-to again on a warmer day.
Patrick Hooker and Karen Huxtable-Hooker hosted 35 Tramps at their sugarhouse that Patrick built himself on their property. The new sugarhouse is located down the road from the original Huxtable sugarhouse in Millers Mills that many Tramps fondly remember. We enjoyed homemade muffins, cookies and warm chili as we listened to Patrick explain the sugaring process. It was apparent how much he and his entire family love the land, the trees, and turning sap into sweet syrup.
Karen then took us on a 3.5-mile hike on trails all around the property that included slushy snow, mud, water and many hills. The vista views were beautiful and the forest was enchanting. In fact, we had to pay the troll to cross a log bridge over a stream! Another fast moving stream was a bit more challenging to cross and some chose to ride across in the land rover instead.
Making our way across a field we were entertained by a herd of deer doing ballet through the air over a fence as they tried to escape from our group that had intruded their space. We did our own acrobatics as we did the limbo under and hops over the sap lines that crisscrossed one section of woods. Once back at the sugarhouse, we warmed ourselves with hot chocolate, coffee, and more chili and made purchases of the delectable maple syrup produced on the premises. On the way home, some took a short detour to take a gander at the unique creatures that adorn the roadside on a hill in West Winfield.
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 SirtoliCo-Leader - Dave RockwoodPhoto 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.
Wilder Vly … Not this time! Déjà vu is a real phenomenon. Today’s hike was reminiscent of the attempt to Wilder Vly in Feb 2023, with some eerily similar outcomes. Two Tramps went into the drink, not the polar plunges that we are accustomed to from Paul, but enough to reassess the hike. The weather you ask about, it was cold, hovering around 12 degrees with sun all day long. Not much in the way of wind. The snowmobile trail did make most of the hike easy to traverse.
We came up short actually hitting our target today and ironically it was the lack of tech that would be the Achilles heel. With the clear skies and no obstructions to the 74 GPS satellites, it was the Gaia app not being set to show the tracked hike that prevented us finding Wilder. Once home; the track was downloaded and showed we were short of our goal of Wilder Vly by 1⁄2 mile. It just may be time for “someone” to buy a new map. It was beautiful regardless of where we were or where we were going. The women’s baby blue snowshoes that Tom had was a fun topic of conversation by all, or as he calls them, masculine man blue. Pauly went off script as he usually does and when asked “where are we going”, he responded “not sure”. Not a typical Paul answer. We chalked it up to residual effects of the bike accident. Therapy is a long road. 5 Tramps went in and all came out, some did 10 miles and some did 11 miles. Tom started hiking late and consequently did less mileage playing catch-up to the group. At least he was going in the right direction. Stay tuned for Wilder Vly, attempt 3 – We’ll get there.
7458 Cropsey Pond-Stillwater Rock Ledge February 17, 2024
The Pepperbox Wilderness, situated west to Stillwater Reservoir, is a vast coniferous forest consisting of many ponds, numerous wetlands, and low-lying hills. Starting from the bridge spanning the Beaver River, just below the Stillwater Dam, is the Bear Pond Jeep/Snowmobile Trail. It is the main thoroughfare lending access to this remote region. Our two -part adventure begins roughly one mile from the bridge.
Stillwater Scenic cliffs, on the east side of the trail, is a twenty minute bushwhack through relatively open hardwoods and conifers. The broad, open rock summit allows a clear line of sight of the reservoir. Racing snowmobiles were mere specks on the vast sea of white ice. Stillwater Fire Tower dominated the southern landscape of the reservoir, while Peaked Mt. governed the western shoreline.
Back on the jeep trail, just before noon, we now prepared for the second part the adventure – Cropsey Pond. For various reasons, three members of our party of eight departed for afternoon commitments. We were now five.
Bushwhacking through six (+) inches of powder on a frozen surface was the easiest part of the day. Facing and navigating over/around several steep cliff pitches was totally unexpected. Overcoming these obstacles, we now slogged through an unforgiving thick forest of balsam fir, spruce thickets, and spruce traps. Thankfully, we found and traversed several relatively open wetlands that provided respite from branches that tore at clothing, or poked the face and extremities.
A silent winter scene with snow powder on tree limbs, drifting snow on a beaver marsh, or sentinel rocks on a remote pond is well worth the effort to engage the challenges of off trail winter exploration. These areas during the summer would be nearly impenetrable; flying pestilence making the hiker wacky! Let your imagination fill the gaps with the accompanying photos provided by Jeremy Alexander.
Participating on different portions for this 6-hour, 6.5-mile ordeal were Carl, Jeremy, Carolyn, David, Kevin, Bill, Cynthia, and Paul.
