Write-up: Paul Sirtoli

Leader:  Paul Sirtoli

Co-leader:  Greg Sipp

Photo Credit:  Jeremy Alexander

The cliche “don’t judge the book by its cover” would be an apt description regarding the weather for this pond odyssey.  Dense cloud cover, mist, and rain inundated the Utica region, and indeed the ride to Inlet.  But, by the time we commenced our first hike in the Moose River Plains, the weather had dramatically improved – no drizzle, clouds lifting, and by mid-afternoon, rays of sun.  Aside from the scenic ponds, the temperature was conducive to hiking, with absolutely no bugs. En total, Greg, Paul, Dave, Art, and Jeremy hiked nearly 12 miles visiting these ponds, as described below. If there is a down side to visiting these ponds, it takes roughly 45 minutes to drive the 10-mile gravel road to the first pond, which, by the way, is part of the black fly race route held in June every year. I will let the photos from Jeremy depict the uniqueness of each pond.

Mitchell Ponds – Since there were two vehicles, we spotted a car and hiked a four-mile loop on essentially an old logging road, which, coincidentally, was quite conducive to mountain biking. The forested lane terminated on the east side of the lake at a picturesque campsite near a small boat dock.  A nearby marked trail (.8 mile) enticingly led us to the west side of the lake, terminating at a handsome camping area on a knoll. Upon completing the loop, several hundred yards from our spotted vehicle, the road was flooded.  The engineers in the group took charge, and built a flimsy log bridge to span the flooded section; it was too early in the day for wet feet!

Helldiver Pond – This very short hike on a hardened path is wheel chair accessible – need I say more – that led to a dock. The water was high, and the dock partially submerged.

Icehouse Pond – At .4-mile, this reclaimed brook trout lake has a wide and hardened path for anglers to roll their canoes (or kayaks) to the shoreline.

There is a spacious camp site with a picnic table to clean the fish, or have lunch.

Beaver Lake – A 2.2-mile bikeable “log road,” now a wide path leads to an exquisite camping area on the north side of this beautiful body of water.

Greg led a torrid pace; took us 40 minutes to walk one way.