This has been a disappointing winter for skiers and snowshoers with a snow-free December and only a few flakes falling in early January.   Because of this we were grateful to Mary Misek, who lives in the area and graciously informed us by phone that the Horse trails had 6 inches of powder.

When we checked out the ski on Friday we found she was right; and that the trails were almost unspoiled by snowmobiles.  Unfortunately, by Saturday warm weather and Snowmobiles had moved in, exposing sticks, mud and the occasional rock.

As a result most of the six non-skiers were able to negotiate a five mile circuit up the Old Number Four Trail, across the Cleveland Lake Trail and back by the Frost Pocket and Proceeding trails without even using their snow shoes.

The rest of us skied the Payne Lake Loop, taking the Beach Mill Trail and straddling the esker above the Lake before skiing down the Frost Pocket.  Four skiers, not wanting to make that climb, and in a hurry to watch Syracuse defeat Marquette in basketball took a shorter way back via Beach Mill Road.  As a result, we arrived at our post hike destination, the River Valley Inn, at different times, and the late comers discovered that earlier arrivals had eaten all the chicken noodle soup.

By:  Harold Pier

In spite of all the obstacles, everyone enjoyed one of our favorite winter outings.