Write-up: Paul Sirtoli

Leader: Paul Sirtoli

Co-leader: Jeremy Alexander

Photo Credit, Jeremy Alexander

The Pepperbox Wilderness, situated west to Stillwater Reservoir, is a vast coniferous forest consisting of many ponds, numerous wetlands, and low-lying hills. Starting from the bridge spanning the Beaver River, just below the Stillwater Dam, is the Bear Pond Jeep/Snowmobile Trail.  It is the main thoroughfare lending access to this remote region.  Our two -part adventure begins roughly one mile from the bridge.

Stillwater Scenic cliffs, on the east side of the trail, is a twenty minute bushwhack through relatively open hardwoods and conifers. The broad, open rock summit allows a clear line of sight of the reservoir.  Racing snowmobiles were mere specks on the vast sea of white ice.  Stillwater Fire Tower dominated the southern landscape of the reservoir, while Peaked Mt. governed the western shoreline.

Back on the jeep trail, just before noon, we now prepared for the second part the adventure – Cropsey Pond.  For various reasons, three members of our party of eight departed for afternoon commitments. We were now five.

Bushwhacking through six (+) inches of powder on a frozen surface was the easiest part of the day.  Facing and navigating over/around several steep cliff pitches was totally unexpected.  Overcoming these obstacles, we now slogged through an unforgiving thick forest of balsam fir, spruce thickets, and spruce traps.  Thankfully, we found and traversed several relatively open wetlands that provided respite from branches that tore at clothing, or poked the face and extremities.

A silent winter scene with snow powder on tree limbs, drifting snow on a beaver marsh, or sentinel rocks on a remote pond is well worth the effort to engage the challenges of off trail winter exploration.  These areas during the summer would be nearly impenetrable; flying pestilence making the hiker wacky! Let your imagination fill the gaps with the accompanying photos provided by Jeremy Alexander.

Participating on different portions for this 6-hour, 6.5-mile ordeal were Carl, Jeremy, Carolyn, David, Kevin, Bill, Cynthia, and Paul.