Late September the Preston Ponds Club gathered. Well, just a few of us. I arrived at the Upper Works parking area a couple days after the others. The lot was full, and the road was filling in with cars. I dropped my canoe and gear near the gate and went to find a parking spot. After changing into my paddling/hiking clothes I walked back to the gate and readied my pack and canoe. I talked to a few guys from Paul Smiths who were on a multi-week trip. Sounded like a great adventure.
Donned my pack and hoisted the canoe over my head. Only about a half mile to Henderson Lake. I have walked this many times but this would be the first with a canoe instead of snowshoes. The lake was windy but it subsided mostly as I turned the corner. As I entered the long northern section heading towards Wallface the wind and waves were in full force. Glad I had dealt with worse on Lake Ontario earlier so i knew I could handle this. Still, I ducked into the bays to the east for some protection and easier paddling. About a mile of rough paddling and then I was close enough to the inlet the wind was less so I could bear west across the channel to the landing by the lean-to. I spotted a few folks on a rock nearby. I am sure they saw me paddling, but never said anything.
Carried the canoe and gear up to the lean-to. A brief rest and then the 2 mile carry to Preston including the big hill (~450'). I did not rush it as I was expecting to be at Preston while everyone was checking on the Duck Hole lean-tos. I had a few jobs to do while I waited for their return. As I made my way across Preston to camp I saw the canoes and rowboat at the landing. Turn out they did not make it to Duck Hole. I changed my shoes and got some work done. Tammy did some fishing and landed a nice brookie. We had dinner and socialized.
On Sunday we cleaned and packed up. I barely got back to the car before the rains came. George and Tammy were not so lucky. With the long drive and significant carries this was a good test for me with the canoe on an overnight. I was always hesistant to pack the canoe for just one night, but this proved it was easy.
Early October, the day after the memorial service for my mother I woke up late. I was supposed to text Andy at 5am. I woke up at 7. After some back&forth with myself I capitulated and told Andy I was on my way. I needed to get out even though at the moment I didn't feel like it. Glad I listened to myself. Andy drove us to Wanakena where we had planned to do some trail exploring. the weather was rotten so we stuck to the known trail and hiked the 7ish miles to the lean-to. I was surprised seeing a group of 8 on the Leary Trail. Andy mentioned it was now shown on the map so not as much of a surprise. Spotted a alrge owl flying from one tree to the next. We had our rain gear on for a while and the rain seemed to have subsided. I stopped to take off my jacket. Maybe 30 seconds later it started raining again. Just slightly. Then a bit more. We stopped again and got our jackets on with just enough time before the rains really started coming down.
I paused at one of the beaver ponds since it looked pretty. We stopped at the junction for lunch. By now the rains have stopped, hopefully for good. After luch, we crossed the Oswegatchie on the bridge. The we section with the beaver dam was low and the old dam was an easy walk over. Another beaver dam later on was the drier spot. Andy took the dam while I mucked through the slop. At the bridge were two green canoes. Folks hiking to the five ponds I thought.
About halfway to Big Shallow, we passed by two hunters who had come from Big. They had spent the last couple nights there. Said the wind was brutal, blowing smoke into the lean-to. They mentioned a group of 8 had arrived as they were leaving. Good thing we were heading to Little Shallow. We rovk hopped over the outlet instead of taking the slippery log. At Big Shallow the lean-to was slightly full of packs and one sleeping person. I was a little worried they would be skip Big and go to Little, but it appeared to not be the case. We crossed the outlet again and followed the esker for just under a mile to Little Shallow.
Fist order of business was a little wood gathering. Andy also scooped up some water to filter but not before sinking his boot into the muck. We gathered a fair amount of wood and cleaned out the firepit. A read of the shelter log confirmed how little use this lean-to gets. Mostly Sam Eddy stopping by doing lean-to checks. Started the fire and relaxed. The late afternoon turned to evening and we both made dinner. After which was some step two. The sun sets early and it was barely 7 o clock when I asked Andy if it was 8 yet? I was already getting tired. I dount I made it to hiker midnight.
I did sleep well, at least for the first big chunk of hours. The moon light kept the wood fairly lit while the inside of the lean-to stayed dark. Rains came over night. Rather heavy, at least it sounded like it on the roof of the lean-to. Easy morning routine. Just a big cup og coffee for me. I snacked on the hike out. Not an epic adventure like the last time Andy I hiked in this area, but a good time nonetheless. One I definitely needed. Thanks Andy!
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