Palmer Pond in LGWF -w/J & D.

 Met up with Justin and Dan for an overnight into Palmer Pond. We started at the Friends Lake Inn and used their trails to eventually connect with the small section of state land upon which Palmer Pond is located. The usual access is from the North on a seasonal rd. The trail system had many side trails but was very well marked with arrows leading to Palmer and also back to the Inn. The trail also needed to get around a large cattle farm on the hill. Staright line distance the hike would be a mile, bit on trail it was closer to 3, mostly uphill as well. Fortunately the trail was broken out. Even so we needed snowshoes. At one of the main junctions we passed by an employee with two dogs who were very interested in us; friendly too. Soon we passed another couple doing a short hike. They needed to turn around to get to a sleigh ride appointment. A few steep sections, then the cattle farm which we had to almost circumnavigate in its entirety. Was pretty up on the ridge though. We entered the woods and soon hit the state land boundary. Justin knew the campsite to the east was nice, so we pushed on to there crossing a small bay instead of sticking to the trail.

Setting up and gathering firewood ensued. A small fire was lit to help with a late lunch. As the weather warmed, snow melted from the trees onto us. Fortunately this didn't last all too long. Justin headed back to the Inn to see a friend who was bartending. He said he would be back before dark. A weak cell signal out on the lake, J sent a text when he was on his way back. Palmer is a pretty pond, likely some good fishing based on the stocking reports. As the sun dropped below the horizon we were greeted with some nice colors.

While Dan and I were sitting around by the fire talking I heard snowshoes in the distance. They grew louder as J arrived from a different direction. Took the more direct route from the main trail instead of following it around. We had dinner and jovial banter.

As it got dark the stars and planets became visible. The constellation Orion was straight out over the pond. Our perch on the rocky knoll just above the pond made a nice viewing platform. Justin opted to go onto the lake for a wider view. The temp was dropping and we expected it to be a chilly night. We had plenty of wood for tonight and the next morning.

I tried to sleep in. I suppose by the clock standards I did only because of the time change due to DST. Since I was up, I lit the fire and put on some water. Justin was up soon after and eventually Dan who stoked up the fire. With the short hike out, we did not rush. We enjoyed the sun emerging in the forest behind us and illumintaing the far side of the pond, slowly brightening the snow on the pond. We departed camp between 10:30 and 11 and made the quick hike back, The portion around the farm while seemingly long went by rather quickly. 

Good times!

 Honka Honka!

So far this winter... (FLT and Preston Pond)

 In late January I did a quick trip on M1 of the FLT to a lean-to I have not yet spent the night. My college friend Colin joined me. We spotted a car at the Red House Chapel lot and then drove tot the Park Police office. After checking in and leaving our car details we headed up the hill towards the FLT. We were on the spur trail for most of our journey, passing by another hiker coming in from a different access point. Soon we were on the FLT proper and only about a quarter mile to the lean-to. The trail was easy, no snowshoes or microspikes needed. At the lean-to we collected firewood and chilled. A mom & son hiked by and stopped at the lean-to for lunch. We eventually built our fire, had dinner and reminisced. Colin and I did a similar trip last year. Hopefully this summer I can join him and some other college friends on a canoe/boating trip. Would be great to see some of the other guys again,

February break has arrived which means the "annual meeting" of the Preston Ponds Club. We met up at the Stewarts in Indian Lake and then proceeded to Upper Works. With snowshoes and pulks we headed to Henderson Lake. After this past December's near miss with Dan, we were very cautious about the ice. We kept away from the shoreline and other areas which might be sketchy. Every once in a while we could feel the snow settle which unsettled us. Later we would measure the ice thickness to bo over a foot, closer to 2 feet. So we worried needlessly. Crossing Henderson is always a nice view. I have taken countless photos from this vantage. At the lean-to we took a lunch break. Always an hour from the parking lot to here. The next portion is where is is sometimes slow. Sam had gone in on Thursday, so the trail would at least be broken out by one. The snow was not deep and a bit crusty. It made travel rather easy. We crossed the first bridge and Bob took a spill. No injury. The rest of the trail went quick. I took over on the heavy pulk from Matt a little ways up the big hill. We made it to Preston 2 hours after we departed the lean-to. This is average for non-winter conditions. We commented on how easy the pulk slid over the crusty snow. Sam met us at camp. 

We set up, and stowed food and chatted. I cooked dinner for the gang as is typical for the first night. Swan's sausage. George & Tammy arrived not long after dark. We were sure to save some wurst for them. I went to bed early as did the other older members of the group. We allowed the younger to chat way. I slept ok, Sam and I were the first up and got the coffee water on.

Plans for the next few days were fluid. We needed to cut and stack some wood for the camp. Other additional options were to day trip to Duck Hole or to cut some holes in the ice and try our luck with the tip-ups. We eventually opted for the latter and had three holes cut in the ice. The ice was quite thick and took some time to get through. The depth of the water for one hole was about 30' and the other two closer to th 50'. We baited the hooks with a small bit of bacon and set the depth to be a few feet off the bottom. Over the course of the next few days we would hook up with only a single brook trout. A small guy about 8inches. We let him go back into the depths. 

Our next few meals included a lot of venison, bacon, sausage and ham. Also potatoes from Sam's garden. We ate well and downed a few beverages too. The last night we ran out a little early. Probably a good thing though.

Cleaning up camp with 8 people makes the chores easier. We were back on the ice heading home around 10am. Preson Pond was all ice, just a bit of snow ot top. It was easy going with just microspikes. A short break at the lean-to and then back across Henderson. We all commented on how great the conditions were; the best we have ever had in winter perhaps all seasons. On the drive home I stopped with George & Tammy in Long Lake for lunch at the Adirondack Hotel.