Write-up: Paul Sirtoli
Leader: Paul Sirtoli
Co-leader: Eric Boney

After [leading] my first successful Tramp hike, I had high expectations for this second adventure. My hopes were initially dashed when the co-leader failed to show up (apparently had his clock sprung ahead a day too early!), and one of the participants had non-functioning ski poles. And there I stood without the sign-in sheet. Thanks to Bobbie for coming to the rescue by making a temporary “affidavit” for all to sign and to Eric for volunteering to co-lead.

Despite the rocky start at Mapledale, the winter hiking god blessed us for the remainder of the trip, as the accompanying photos will reveal. Cool, crisp temperature hovering near freezing, brilliant sunshine in a sky true blue, and a solid snow surface for easy snowshoeing. Two hours into the hike saw us having lunch at the frozen edge of Little Woodhull Lake, mesmerized by the wintry landscape, as well as being cooled by a “whippin” wind howling across white frozen lake surface.

Eric and Bobbie opted to return to their vehicles after lunch, and with a hearty farewell, Mark, Chris, and I sauntered over the very solid frozen lake surface toward Lake Lily, roughly 0.5 mile distance. We wandered about the frozen expanse, eventually following its drainage onto Little Woodhull Lake.

Crossing the lake at a safe distance from the Lake Lily drainage, we snowshoed the huge marsh meadow that comprised the Little Woodhull Creek watershed. Our attempts to identify the diverse animal footprints roaming about the frozen tundra challenged us all . . . a bobcat, mink, coyote, otter? Well, at least we knew the turkey tracks!

At the far end of the meadow, I set a heading for Otter Brook, and the yellow-marked trail just beyond it, a total distance of roughly 1.5 miles from our position. En route, we crossed a large wilderness vly, and at Otter Brook, a minuscule waterfall. Thankfully, and this is not always the case with bushwhacking, the hardwoods were very open, thereby accentuating easy navigation. Out by 3:30 pm, the “whackin” trio hiked about 7.5 miles in about 5.5 hours of time. I estimated that Eric and Bobbie covered just over 6 miles via the trail for their safe return trip.

Photos by Christine Ceely and Mark Perrin