Write-up by Mary Pat Connors

Twenty-three tramps snowshoed in the Otter Creek Horse Trails of the Independence River Forest.

A January thaw warmed temperatures to the mid-40’s, forcing lots of stops to shed clothing.

Despite the melt there was still plenty of snow and at least in the forest, snowshoes were very helpful. We followed Proceeding Trail to Frost Pocket through some peaceful pine forest.

Payne Lake was our destination for lunch; too warm to skate, too cold to wade but very pretty nonetheless. Continuing on the loop clockwise, the trek  followed established snowmobile paths along Old Number 4 trail, so this portion of the trip went quite swiftly.