Post Wedding -Hour Pond

My good buddy was getting married Friday evening and I would not miss it for the world. After work, I drove to Latham and checked into my hotel right down the street from the venue. I had looked to see if there was a place nearby to camp. There was, but it being a place I was not familiar with, I opted for the hotel instead of hiking in the dark to an unknown location.

The wedding was fantastic. The officiant entertained us as well as performed his duties in a delightful way. 

Congrats Keri & Justin.

On Saturday I drove to the trailhead only to find the IP road was gated. Had to switch to a plan B location. No big deal as I have plenty of options. Looking back I should have planned a different spot from the get-go. I pulled into the parking area near 13th lake. A few cars already here. Not surprising as the lake is a good fishing/camping spot and the nearby mountains are easily accessible from this trailhead.

I loaded up my pack and ventured down the gravel trail. Right after the trail register was a brand new ADA compliant outhouse. Soon the trail switched to rocks, roots and mud. Was not that bad, just no longer wheelchair accessible. I passed by some campsites; in use and vacant. A hiker came up from behind and I let him pass. Some boats and canoes on the lake fishing.

The trail meandered along the shoreline only heading up to avoid major wet or steep sections. Soon the junction to Peaked Mtn and the continuation of my trail around 13th lake. A couple swollen streams cascading from the hillside to cross. About midway down the lake, the trail turned up a draw towards my destination. A long steep climb marred by considerable blowdown. The trail was well marked and in some places the tread was obvious. Still, it did not seem like the trail got much use. The creek through the draw was very nice. Some neat cascades and pools. Open hardwoods and giant boulders on the hillside.Reminded me of the NPT in the Silver Lake Wilderness. Evetually I made it to the saddle and headed down to the next junction. From here a major tree had come down obscuring the trail I was on, the junction signs were broken and scattered. I placed the signs against neaby stumps. A short break and then North to Hour Pond.

The trail here seemed to be an old roadway. It approached a beaver pond whose dam has significantly increased the natural size. The trail used the 100m dam to skirt the depths. I picked up a stick to aid in balance. The temp was in the high 40s and the sun was shining, but I had no interest in taking a swim.

At the far side, I leaned my balancing stick against a tree for the return trip. The trail swung around and soon Hour Pond was visible, just barely. A sign for the lean-to guided me away from the water and slightly up hill. There was plenty of downed wood in the area so a fire would be easy.

I set up camp and gathered a bit of wood. Sun was still shining, but I expectrd this to change. Had some lunch and poked around the pond a bit. The shelter log shows the atea gets little use. Also a crew regularly comes in clearing the trail. They have some work to do after this past winter. Much appreciated. A few mentions of fishing.

The wind was picking up which made being down by the water unpleasant as it was strong enough to be throwing water sideways. When it would calm, I would head down to throw a line in the water but the winds would immediatly pick back up. Instead I checked out the other campsite down by he southern end. A large area suitable for many tents. The site is hidden from the main trail and protected in the trees.

After dinner and an unremarkable sunset, the stars emerged. A saw a momentary bright flash, possibly a fireball meteor from the Lyrids but cannot be certain. I was soon in bed watching the nying fire. 

I awoke a few times overnight. The mostly full moon illuminated the area such that a headlamp was not necessary. Also a huge wind storm came through. Certainly this toppled some trees in the area. I tried to sleep in, at least it was light when I got up. 

Made some coffee and packed up. The trail out was quick. Mostly downhill. The wind had finally calmed down.

Three-nights=Three Lean-tos

 Having a four day trip in the middle of a long school break offers me many options. I always have a difficult time trying to make a decision as I seem to try, with futility, to do "everything" on one one trip. I often tell myself during these planning sessions, "just pick something and do the rest on different trips". I had a few lean-tos on my list that either were quite far away on the eastern side of the park or I had orphaned on previous trips. So I decided to use these four days to just "bag lean-tos" and enjoy the spring temperatures. In hindsight, I should have brought my fishing gear if for no other reason but to pass time and assuage any feelings of having missed out on the opportunities.

There was a possibility that Dan would become available towards the end of the trip and he would let me know his destination so I could join him. The weather turning sour later in the week dissuaded him so my final night was just another lean-to on the way home.

On Sunday I took a long drive to the pharaoh lakes region to visit Berrymill Pond, and the final lean-to in this area. The trail is not part of the larger system, so it was orphaned on previous trips. The parking lot was empty except for a single truck near the trail-head. The register did not indicate they were headed in my direction. The trail was less muddy than expected for this time of year. As usual the trail construction closer to the parking area was in much better condition than further in. The trail followed an old roadway for most of the 2 miles to the pond. As it neared a grassy area with a creek running through, the trail detoured around and crossed the outlet of Berrymill twice, once below the falls and again at the top. From here the trail had some snow cover remaining as it was in the shadow of the hills to the South. Soon the trail regained the old roadway. I will need to ask Justin if the grassy area is typically flooded hence the re-route.

As I approached the pond, I could tell this would be a very nice area. The pond itself is almost a series of three ponds with the outlet cascading down a significant drop before meandering to the previously mentioned waterfall. This meant I had climbed up a couple hundred feet in just the last mile. The view of the pond was remarkable. I especially liked the narrows between the last two ponds with the giant stone ledges on either side. I climbed atop the one on the near shore after paddling (in circles) the jon-boat. This is definitely on the list of a place to return in the future.

The next morning I awoke to some frosty ground. The muddy areas on the trail on the way out were a bit stiffer and the hike went quickly. I talked to gentleman at the parking area who was planning on fishing as it was the first day of trout season. He was hoping some of the interior trout ponds would be ice free. I mentioned the main pond at Berrymill still had some ice.

Drove to Taylor Pond where Shannon, Dan and I had spent 4 days a few winter's back and discovered a new lean-to. I would hike in the approx 6 miles enjoying the snowmobile trail without snow. I paused at the first lean-to anticipating lunch, but I was not hungry yet. I noticed a new circular steel fire-pit, the type found in state parks, had been delivered and was next to the large rock fire pit. Not sure why. I continued to the new lean-to, had a late lunch and boiled some water for later. So far I have had very nice weather the two days of hiking and hanging out by the fire. With the clear skies the temps would drop quickly as the sun set. This new spot had plenty of downed trees nearby so firewood collection was easy. 

Another great day and evening with solitude on what is likely a very busy area during the summer. the lake was clearing of ice. but some areas still had significant amounts. I marked the coordinates of the new lean-to so I could share them with Jackson when I return. Another colder night, was just below freezing when I awoke. Some of the shallows in the lake had made some new ice. This would likely be gone by the end of the day. The hike out was crisp, I needed gloves. 

Back at the car I received notice that Dan would be delaying his trip, so I needed to choose a location for my final night. Knowing that the weather was likely to involve snow & rain later tomorrow, I opted for a lean-to along the Racquette River easily accessible and about half way home. I figured this early in the season would be a good time for it before all the canoeists paddled by. At the parking area were two cars. I expected they were just in for the day.

The hike in followed and old road like all the others previously this trip so the hiking was easy. A few wet spots and some lingering ice & snow in the shadowy areas. As I neared the lean-to I spotted two hikers ahead with their dogs. I walked quietly as to not disturb them. they headed straight to the river's edge while I turned up towards the lean-to. On their way back out, they spotted me and stopped to chat. Two local ladies from Tupper Lake. We talked about paddling and the old ski area in Tupper. The dogs were really enjoying each others company, running and chasing each other. After the ladies departed I collected firewood, it was sparse in this area relative to the previous night. The open hemlock and pine woods were nice to walk through. I wandered around a bit, found a spring and dug it out. Very low flow, it will take a while for the sediment to settle.

The sun was shining so I sat in the chair, had a beverage and soaked in the rays. I would spend my time alternating between relaxing and wandering through the woods. Later in the afternoon the spring had settled enough for me to top off my water bottle. South and upstream from here is the infamous Racquette Falls. From the falls it is 30 miles of gentle river for paddling. I read that the river drops 12 feet over that distance.

The night was significantly warmer than the last two. I packed up as soon as I was awake so as to beat the impending rains. I was expecting to get a little wet, but so far the skies looked favorable. I did not rush back to the car trying to enjoy the last few miles of nice hiking before the long drive. The rain and snow started part way home on the drive. I only hiked about 20 miles total over the 4 days, but just being in the warm open woods was nice. Total solitude as well.