Overnight Camping Trip with Colin -Sugar Hill SF

 Colin and I haven't seen each other since college. We had communicated on/off about doing a trip together but it never went beyond the concept stage. This winter we decided to set a date and meet up. Since it was still winter, we kept it easy and base camped at one of the twin lean-tos in the Sugar Hill State Forest. We pulked in some gear and had backpacks too. Aftfer setting up camp, we went for a snowshoe hike along the finger lakes trail and then returned via the snowmobile trail. Was great weather and had an awesome time catching up and reminiscing about old times.

Day Skiing and Overnight in the Woods -Sugar Hill State Forest

 Spent the day xc-skiing with Dan on the rail trail in Canandaigua. The temp was supposed to get a bit too cold for Dan to camp so afterwards I drove to Sugar Hill SF to find a spot to camp. There are a few lean-tos int he area I have not slept in. The parking area near the VanZant was not plowed so I drove to the Tower Rd parking area. As I was getting my gear in my pulk sled a family came down the trail back to their cars. They commented on what a great idea my pulk sled was for hauling gear. 

I headed up the hill towards the tower and then down the hill through the woods to the Twin Lean-tos. Neither of which I have slept in that I can recall. I know I was here as a scout, but my guess is we still slept in tents. With waning daylight my first priority was gathering firewood. I was surprised at how much dead and down maple I could find just across the snowmobile trail. With a good pile started I then set-up my sleeping area and dug out the firepit. Another round of wood gathering and then started the fire. With the snow, the little daylight left kept the campsite rather bright. I bought a 6fgt string of white LED christmas lights which I put up in the lean-to. These really illuminated the inside. Made dinner, had some beverages and went to bed. The clouds cleared just enough to provide a clear star view for a short time before enveloping the sky.

I slept great. Nice and warm. With the short hike out I took my time enjoying the morning. Watching the sunrise through the trees while having coffee was a treat. Not sure how cold it got, but the extra water in my water bottle did freeze.