Hike Leader: Roger Felske
Co-Leader: Mary Pat Connors
Write-up: Roger Felske
Photos: Mary Pat Connors and Paul Fortin

Seventeen Tramps left the Trailhead on Route 28 and headed down the snowmobile trail towards Brandy Lake. Mary Pat Connors, co-Leader, and I checked out the trail on the previous Sunday and there was considerable snowmobile activity on that day. With two miles of sharing the trail with snowmobiles, it was best to be cautious and try to maintain a single file and keep to the right. Best made plans! The trail is wide but rather icy so skiing was not recommended. Fortunately for us there weren’t a lot of snowmobiles this day and we covered the two miles rather quickly on snowshoes. At the two mile point there is a side hiking trail that goes ½ mile to Brandy Lake and .4 mile further on ending at Little Long Lake. The Sunday before the weather was warm making the deep snow soft and difficult for snowshoeing so, Mary and I tried to break trail that would be suitable for snowshoeing this weekend with the Tramps. Of course the weather had cooled from the previous week and it was easier to snowshoe on top of the snow outside of our beautifully made path.

Upon reaching Brandy Lake we cleared a spot to build a fire amongst the hemlock trees to cook some hot dogs and roast a few marshmallows. In a matter of a few minutes the Tramps had gathered enough dry firewood to last the whole day. A tablecloth was laid on the ground for the condiments, cookies, marshmallows etc. Mary Pat brought some homemade cookies that she made and offered them at the trailhead CYO, “Carry Your Own.” I should have done that with the five pounds of hot dogs. Actually, I divided the dogs into two unequal bags and gave Doug Waz the heaviest one, just trying to slow him down.

 After lunch seven Tramps, Doug and Deb Waz, Nancy Coleman, Tom Schenck, Paul Fortin, Donna and Geoff Horan decided to continue on to Little Long Lake while the rest of us returned back toward Route 28. When the returning group of ten arrived at the trail junction leading to Otter Lake, 1 mile, nine of us decided to add another two miles to our hike. Carolyn Eastman, Paul Fortin, (sans snowshoes turned back from Little Long Lake), Karen Bernard, Bobbie Scarpino, Jean Yost, Joan Egan, Meg Higgerson, Gail Hannahs and I went to Otter Lake. A light snowfall had started to fall, making for a rather pleasant additional couple of miles. It’s hard to beat a hike in the woods when there is a light snowfall to go along with it. Just another great day!

Once everyone had returned to the trailhead it was time for an adult beverage and more food at Kratzy’s, let the stories begin!

More photos may be viewed at:
https://trampntrail.wordpress.com/gallaries/gallery-2015/march-2015/