Colvin Brook -Orionids and Birthday

 For the last few years I had been having a camping trip on my birthday weekend. These were quite fun, but we did not do much hiking. This past year I realized I had to take advantage of my ability to backpack in, or portage my canoe to backcountry sites while I am still able to. Not that Colvin Brook lean-to is very far into the backcountry, but it does require about six miles and wading across a river.

Kalie joined me on the trip. I always have big plans to explore more of the area in the vicintiy of the lean-to, but never get around to it. Maybe this would be the trip. Kalie was a few minutes ahead of me arriving at the trailhead. The weather was perfect. The leaves on the trail obscured rocks and such which was annoying and the rustling of the leaves underfoot made communication while hiking difficult. So we mostly hiked in without talking much. We stopped at the Carry lean-to for a break on the way. 

Once at the Cedar River we put on water shoes and waded across the very cold water. My feet were red and numb from the cold by the time I reached the other side. 

I set-up in the lean-to and Kalie put up her tent.Firewood was collected and broken up. I decided to take a bit of a stroll down the trail towards the beaver flooded area. After some poking around I found a good way to get across a bit more downstream. I made my way back upstream to reconnect with the trail. It has been quite a few years since I came this way. I headed back and lost my original path across the flooded area. I realized I went to far downstream. I made my way back up and found the easier crossing. 

On my way back to the lean-to, I checked out the "island" and then headed back. A fire was built and dinner was made. The sky had been clear all day, so we were hoping for a clear night to possible see some meteors from the Orionids. Interestingly, when I left home Saturday morning I saw a bright one as I drove down our dark street at 5am. It did not take long for the lean-to to get dark in the waning daylight. I put up my white christmas lights which really does a good job of illuminating the inside of the lean-to. 

As darkness finally set in, Kalie stood on a rock in the river to look for meteors. It reminded me of the August many years ago when Ben and I stood in the river watching the Perseids. Kalie took a nice time lapse photo of the sky. I think she just changed the shutter speed to a few seconds. Came out nice though. She also spotted a few meteors but did not capture any on film.

Soon it was time for bed. Kalie decided to move into the lean-to for the night. I expected it to get cold, possibly below freezing. It stayed warmer than I thought possibly due to the river. I slept well. It was much needed. I had a nice large cup of coffee in the early morning. Knowing Kalie likes to sleep in, I stayed as quiet as I could.

 Eventually we packed up and headed back across the river. Again the water was frigid. It would take at least a mile of hiking before my feet would really warm up afterwards. By then I realized I forgot to take pictures of the shelter log book for the  "Colvin Brook Lean-to blog". Not that big of a deal, there were only two entries since my last visit with Lance this past spring. Probably will not be any new ones next spring.

I cut the two blowdows near the trail junction, and filled up my water bottle from the spring. The leaves were not as loud walking through them. Seems that the morning moisture has softened them a little. As we neared the Cedar Flow it appeared some other blowdowns had been cut; possibly a chainsaw. I wondered if it was Jon with the DEC crew. He had told me they would be coming through at some point. (After I returned home I learned it was not). Back at the cars, we checked out of the register. Not a super adventure, and not a sedentary campout either. A good hike in with a good friend, a relaxing campfire by the rushing river with a good nights sleep. Not a bad way to spend my birthday weekend.  

Preston Ponds and Five Ponds (two trips)

 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!