Solo trip plan with weather looking crappy was to camp at some lean-tos. Original plan was Grass Pond Laan-to in the DeBar Mtn WF. There were a few trucks at the trailhead. At the register, a party of 5 had signed in headed to Grass Pond for 7 days. Apparently a hunting group. I headed that way anyway hoping they either had lean-to space or were just camped at a different site. I noted some footprints in the latent snow headed away from the lean-to and then another set. Figured guys were out hunting different locations. I had on me orange hat, and orange pack cover.
Approaching the lean-to I saw a large tent and carts. My guess as to a hunting group appeared accurate. No one was at the site, and 5 cots were side by side in the lean-to so I called an audible and opted to head to Sheep's Meadow. So far the weather was ok. The mileage on the map and trail signage seems off, or the trail was just easy as I made good time to the lean-to. On my way back I crossed paths with a family day-hiking. One of the hikers had a moose call, I suppose trying to call one in for a look.
I took the horse trail as it appeared a straight shot than the old road which was likely just a smoother trail. The horse trail was easy to follow and did have some ups & downs but nothing big. I am sure it was a prettier walk than the old roadway. At least that is what I am telling myself. Perhaps I will take it on the way out. Soon after I rejoined the roadway I approached Hay's Brook. Off to the side was an old outhouse. Probably a popular campsite in years past. The bridges over Osgood and Hay's were is very good condition from what I could see.
I was well ahead of schedule approaching Sheep's Meadow. Fist in view was the stable barn to the left. The meadow, as it once was, is now rather overgrown. The temp was in the low 40's and the little bit of snow was dripping off the roof. The areas seems to be mostly conifers but I am sure to be able to scare up a little bit of hardwood for a longer lasting fire.
I made a quick cup of soup for a late lunch, then set up camp in the first lean-to and went to gather wood. I quickly gathered some spruce kindling in case the weather turned. Then I wandered around for a bit finding no hardwood, but pleanty of spruce and hemlock. On the far side of the stable I found a lone piece of maple, a nice large piece which would need to be cut first to transport. Between that and the other smaller bits nearby, I could get by for the nice supplementing with spruce.
I relaxed a bit, and gathered more wood. Grilled some dogs for dinner. The sun would set early and I wanted to eat before it got too dark. Some light snow appeared in the air, not enough to make me wet.
After the sun set, there was still some good light due to the snow reflecting the little that remained. Inside the lean-to was dark of course, the "christmas lights" provided enough to see. I read a bit on my phone, but soon I was in bed.
The temp dropped over night, with it came a dusting of snow. Was in the mid twenties when I awoke with the sun. Slept quite well, as the ten+ hours I was in bed went quickly. While I was well prepared for the cold, I was surprised how unaccustomed I was to these temps. Some soupy oatmeal for breakfast mostly just as a hot sweet drink. Instead of hiking out and driving to a different area for another lean-to, I figured I would stay here and bag the other one. The location was not that special that I would look forward to making another trip here.
So I moved my gear to the other lean-to and spent the day gathering wood. Some more on-off snow dust. While scouting a bit farther away for wood, I spotted some old rotting cherry stumps. Looking around I would find a decent log which could be cut and carried. More exploration I found more dead cherry. between this and spruce I could really get a hot fire going. I set up the largest (and wettest) pieces of cherry as backers and made a small fire with the remnant wood from last night.
I had also located the stream down the hill behind the stable. Water was quite tannic. Between wood gathering I made some more soup. The day was spent wandering, gathering and cutting wood. Temp was barely above freezing by midday. Thnking it might get even colder in the evening and I had procured a good stash of wood with easy access to spruce at any time, I built up the fire to get a good solid base of cherry coals.
Did some more reading between wood gathering runs. Found another large cherry which took a number of trips to carry back the pieces. It was wet on the outside so after I cut it to 4 foot lengths it was laid across the fire to dry. Made another early dinner with the possibility of a late one if needed. I had plenty of soup too. As the fire built up a bed of coals the radiant heat was really felt. I wondered if the inside of the lean-to would capture any of it. The temp did rise to 36, but I never moved the thermometer outside of the lean-to.
After sunset, I loaded up the fire with 4 foot logs of cherry and spruce intermixed. The blaze was intense, and the heat radiating from the cherry coals could be felt quite a distance away. I either got sunburned from the reflected uv off the snow, or I slightly cooked my face in the fire. Knowing it was an easy hike out I would forego coffee and just head out when I awoke so I pre-packed most things. I was in bed even earlier this evening. The light from the fire illuminated the lean-to enough that artificial light was not needed. The fire collapsed on itself and re-ignited brightening the lean-to at some point in the night.
Again I slept well. It was light when I awoke. The temp was 25* but did not feel as cold as yesterday. Body is quick to accustom to the temps? I was packed up and moving just before 7am and was at the car a quarter past 8.
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