This was our first time back to Camp Fowler in 3 years, thanks to Covid. The last time we went, we experienced the worst blizzard of 2019! This time we experienced the worst temperatures in history! Despite the prediction of -20 or below temps, with a possible wind chill of -40, 29 brave (or crazy) Tramps made the trip to Speculator.

For about half the group, this was their first time at this wonderful camp in the woods on the edge of Sacandaga Lake. Upon arrival cocktails of many kinds and snacks enough to feed an army were enjoyed by the group in the great room, with a fire roaring in the enormous stone fireplace. Dinner followed, prepared by the new chef, Jen, who outdid herself all weekend with delicious meals. Games of backgammon, pitch, Pass the Pigs, and Rummikub rounded out the evening.

With many blankets piled upon our beds, we retired for the evening as the temperatures outside plunged. The lodge stayed warm in the brutal temperatures, but one cabin lost heat, and those staying there woke to an inside temperature of 50. The other cabin experienced frozen water pipes. Harv, the caretaker, did his best to remedy the problems, never having experienced those kinds of extreme temperatures before.

When we awoke, the thermometer showed -23. Should we attempt to venture out? 12 decided to stay warm by the fire for the morning, 3 decided to drive to Plattsburgh for the day to take in the Rockwell Kent art collection at SUNY, and 14 braved the cold to find Auger Falls via Griffin Falls. Unfortunately due to car trouble, 5 didn’t make it to Griffin Falls and instead proceeded to the Auger Falls trailhead to hike. We waved to each other across the river! Both trails were packed enough that we were able to hike without microspikes or snowshoes. The trail from Griffin Falls was a snowmobile road, but we only encountered 3 sleds on the entire route. Must have been too cold for the sledders! It was a beautiful winter hike along the river, but alas, we never saw Auger Falls. The spur trail that was to take us in off the main trail was unmarked and after several attempts to bushwhack where All Trails indicated, still put us above the falls. Look for a hike on the schedule in the spring or summer to go back and find the trail when there is no snow on the ground.

After lunch, the temperature was a balmy -5, so many more people decided to get a little exercise on a walk from the lodge to Moffitt Beach, which adjoins the Camp Fowler property. 5 others took to skis and made a trek across the lake.

Walt had a wonderful warm German drink awaiting for all of us when we returned. Another delicious meal and more games rounded out the day.

Sunday dawned sunny with temperatures above 0. We checked out after breakfast and 15, along with one person that drove up from Utica, met at the Speculator Firehouse to hike the Kunjamuk Trail. It was decided to use microspikes, but in retrospect, Joan was smart to wear snowshoes. It was like walking on sand at the beach most of the way. After 1.5 miles, 5 turned back. The rest trudged on to find the historic Kunjamuk Cave, said to have been inhabited by hermit, French Louie. The cave was quite interesting. The opening cut in the top, either to allow light in, or allow smoke from a fire out, created a solid column of ice from the ceiling of the cave to the floor.

Some of the group stopped at the Oxbow Inn to top off the weekend.