Tramp & Trail

Write-up: Tom Smith
Leader: Tom Smith
Co-Leader: Nina Belmar

This past Sunday night twenty-seven intrepid hikers decided to put their safety and well-being in my hands as I led the group on a moonlit hike through the South Woods switchbacks.  I was aided by my trusty co-leader, the lovely Nina.  Nina was definitely surprised that so many people would follow me, but to be honest I was a last-minute substitute and everyone was expecting someone else to lead.  Actually I believe we would have had more hikers but quite a few had emergencies pop up that needed immediate attention once they discovered I was leading.  Strange, so many people with so many emergencies.

We heard it was going to be icy so a note was sent out to the club, letting everyone know to bring spikes. I thought that Yaktrax would suffice and suggested the same to Nina. Unfortunately, Nina listened to me, which turned out to be a mistake. We survived but the spikes would have been a much better choice.

As we set out Nina realized that with me leading we would need two co-leaders to offset my navigational skills.  I disagreed but she enlisted Darlene to be her assistant, which turned out to be a mistake. Once Darlene noticed Nina’s Yaktrax and the reason she wasn’t wearing spikes she spent the next thirty minutes lecturing her never to listen to me. She must have mentioned not listening to someone else also since I heard her say, “how could you ever believe anything that clown says.”  Not sure who the guy was but it was obvious one should never listen to him.

Off we went heading out on the Valley View Golf Course fairway heading to the switchbacks.  As we got near the entrance I saw a blazing fire that was welcoming us with its warmth.  But as I got closer I saw what appeared to be a mean old witch and her young assistant stirring a giant cauldron over the fire. (We’ll call them Sharon and Amanda although that’s not their real names, just something I made up.)   I admonished everyone to keep looking straight ahead and not to make eye contact with the witch.  Unfortunately several in the group succumbed to the allure of heat and headed over to the fire. I knew I should help them but I realized it’s better to lose a few than risk the lives of many.

Off we went hiking through some of the most difficult terrain known to mankind with only my wits and directional skills to navigate this backcountry wilderness. So with me chopping a trail through the thick forest we managed to complete our loop and head back to where the witch had her fire going. I once again admonished the group to look straight ahead and follow closely to me. But the witch was heating up hot chocolate in her cauldron and had a table full of liqueurs to tempt the unsuspecting hikers. The group headed to the bait like moths to a flame. I knew I should go for help but to tell you the truth the hot chocolate looked so good that I too made a beeline for the refreshments. When I got closer I realized that what I thought was a mean old witch with her young assistant turned out to be two nice and very cute witches from Hogwarts. I still kept my guard up as I slurped up hot chocolate like there was no tomorrow and talked of my exceptional job of leading the group back to safety. Funny though, about this time I heard quite a few of the hikers and the witches mention something about wanting to toss that clown in the fire. I still hadn’t figured out who this clown was that they kept referring to.

After everyone had a little hot chocolate and a lot of the liqueurs we headed back to the cars with me proudly leading.  At that point we had had no major injuries and only one guy temporarily lost his wife.  She was quickly found by the assistant co-leader and despite her protesting and screaming was escorted back to her waiting husband.

When we got back to the cars everyone was once again talking about the guy who they refer to as a clown. I heard them say, “I never thought I’d see my car again with that clown leading us.”
I pity that poor guy, who ever he is.

Thank you all for making the hike fun,
The Cool Dude
Sir Tom

Blog master’s note: That should be corrected to say “The Cool Clown.”

Write up: Debra Roberts
Leader: Debra Roberts
Co-leader: Halsey Bagg

The day started with a weather report stating a 40% risk of rain in the Tully NY area starting about 1pm. With a 10:30 am start the risk seemed low.

After meeting at the Madison Central School parking lot, the group of 18 caravanned, stopping at the McDonalds in Cazenovia to Morgan Hill State Forest to hike the Fellows Hill Trail.

Apples and candy, not candied apples, were offered to get everyone at the trail head, so Halsey didn’t have to carry them up the hill.

The hike started with an ascent of almost one mile to the hill top, which is the second highest elevation in Onondaga County. There was discussion at the summit about Don Fellows’ relatives who were from this area and probably the namesake for the hill. We entered into the registry box at hill top “1/27/18 – 18 Tramp & Trailers”.

Deb & Halsey had pre-checked the trail the previous weekend when there was over a foot of snow by snowshoe. The trail looked much different in many spots as most of the snow had melted with the rain during the week and the ground had refrozen. Micro-spikes ended up being the preferred footing and at each rest stop more and more Tramps put them on.

Lunch was on a peaceful spot with enough downed trees for everyone to find a seat.

Circling Spruce pond, we stopped to read a display documenting the “North Country Trail,” which intersected with our trail. Halsey challenged the group to find the mysterious coffee pot he and Deb had seen last week.

The remaining part of the 3.9 mile hike was a gradual descent alongside a cascading stream engorged with the snow melt off. The trail map looked like there was a side trip to see a waterfall, but in reality the trail had to circumvent the step sides of a ravine.

Finally, near the end of the hike, the group stopped at the place near where Halsey had seen the coffee pot. After a while, Kathy Countryman spotted the old and decaying Granite Wear blue and white swirl enameled coffee pot about 15 feet in the air hanging on a small tree branch.

Write-up: Madonna Fellows
Leader: Don Fellows
Co-Leader: Madonna Fellows

Although we were hoping to be able to ski the trail to Constable Pond, Mother Nature managed to alter our plans. We found it necessary to recommend snowshoes due to the soggy trail caused by the rain and thaw the week prior.

Nonetheless, thirteen tramps strapped on their snowshoes and off we went for an enjoyable trek in the woods. Mike H. brought only skis so he made a brave attempt at it only to be discouraged after the first mile.

It was a most pleasant day just to be with our good friends and enjoy the beauty of the area we are so fortunate to have nearby.

Of course some of us managed to stop at our favorite watering hole for an adult beverage before heading back home.

6712
Leader: Bobbie Scarpino
Co-leader: Carolyn Eastman

6713
Leader: Meg Higgerson
Co-leader: Mary Pat Connors

Write-up: Bobbie Scarpino and Meg Higgerson

THE HIKES THAT ALMOST NEVER WERE

We always say we “never cancel a hike.”
What happens when the weather is 17 below zero, waking up to heavy ice on all surfaces, blizzard conditions dumping 12-16 in. of snow for an 8am start-time, and a long drive to the Newcomb area? The Tramps figure it out and start tramping!!

Unable to meet at 8, Bobbie’s group of bundled skiers waited out the storm. After shoveling out driveways and allowing plows to take care of all secondary and main roads, they met and left Mapledale at noon. As it was much too late to drive to Newcomb and ski into Great Camp Santanoni, they stopped at Blue Mountain and snowshoed the trail into Tirrell Pond for a total distance of 3 miles. Surprisingly although the outside temperature was a frigid -7, there were many wet areas and running water to avoid!

Meanwhile on Friday, Meg and Mary Pat in an attempt to beat the horrible CNY Saturday forecast, arrived in Newcomb in 60 degree heat. Waking up to 1/4″ of ice on the windshield, below 0 temps with added wind chill and 6 inches of snow, they checked out the Santanoni ski on Saturday. Ski conditions were great though they found that being the only ones out, they were breaking trail.

On Saturday night, the Tramps were snuggled in their hotel or B&B beds with visions of icicles dripping on their heads.

But, alas the temps again dipped to -16 on Saturday night. In the morning we all met at Great Camp Santanoni instead of Goodnow Mountain.

The sky was blue, the noses were blue, but before long we were shedding layers as most of the skiers went the full 5 miles to the camp.  At the camp they were met by several AARCH volunteers (including honorary Tramp member Nina Caruso) who had a blazing fire going in the fireplace to warm up  body parts and dry out wet clothing.

Most of the Tramps had never been into Camp Santanoni before, so Nina gave a shortened version of the history and explained photos of the camp in its heyday. The main building was open for visitors to peek through and get an idea of what it may have been like to be a guest of the Pruyn’s for a stay at this summer retreat. Hot chocolate (some with peppermint schnapps), coffee, and tea added some additional warmth before heading back out into the cold for the 5- mile trek back to the entrance and cars. The travel back home was much calmer than the drive up. A stop at Kratzy’s topped off another great Tramp adventure.

Write-up: Pam Carrier
Leader: Pam Carrier
Co-Leader: Meg Higgerson

Eleven of us met at Deerfield Town Park to get in a little hike and feed the birds before Santa came. We welcomed two first-time hikers that fit right in with our Christmas Eve trek.

Once back at the parking lot, we had a tailgate party with Christmas cookies and hot chocolate with “added warmth.”  All was well as we departed to finish our chores for the big day!

Write-up: Meg Higgerson
Leader: Meg Higgerson
Co-Leader: Karen Oeink

On a cold and blustery Thanksgiving weekend day,

The turkey was boned, leftovers stashed away.

Forty-nine Tramps came out for the hike,

The leader should probably have had a mike!

The neighbors had questions. Where were they all going?

We hiked and we chatted as the wind was a’ blowing

Six miles were covered; turkey calories burned.

With laughs and fun by the time we returned.

Write-up: Lu Blanchard
Leader: Lu Blanchard
Co-Leader: Dick Blanchard

Where can you hike and see a pileated woodpecker, beautiful stone stairways, an old canal, a reflecting pool, a peregrine falcon and a 9-11 Memorial – all within the Utica city limits?
We had a 5-mile hike in Proctor Park and up the parkway that amazed even the leaders!
Since gaining designation as a National Historic Park, Proctor Park has been working to repair existing stonework, build new trails and bridges and generally make this landmark an inviting and exciting destination. Twenty-nine hikers, including 2 young grandchildren, walked the paved paths and lesser known woodland paths along the creeks and were treated to unexpected sightings of wildlife.
We followed one path that took us all the way to the Masonic home properties through a dense copse of trees and vines crisscrossed with deer tracks and herdpaths. The trail itself was well maintained except for a couple of recent blow downs and we could see where a bridge used to cross the stream to a parallel path on the other side. There was evidence of very high water and we wondered if the bridge fell victim to the July flood this past year. We then followed the paved path up the parkway to the relatively new 9-11 memorial.

Saplings line the path the full distance and memorial pavers can be found at the base of some. These stones commemorate deceased veterans from various wars. The rain held off and we were all surprised by the historical and interesting sights of the day making this hike a great one for after a holiday when you really don’t want to drive far.
Afterwards a large group went to Piggy Pat’s to continue the fun!

Write-up: Pam Carrier
Leader: Pam Carrier
Co-Leader: Margaret Decker

We had a nice day and a great turn-out for the Canal clean-up.

Write-up: Jerry Stewart
Leader: Jerry Stewart

Saturday’s hike was the Greenbelt trails in Trenton. Though cold in the morning, 21 showed up to get a little exercise in before going to the club harvest dinner at the Franklin that evening. I was asked to lead, the scheduled leader had to be elsewhere, so I was it. I don’t know the trail very well but when you are with the Tramps, there are very few trails at least one of them doesn’t know. In this case I had a few that helped keep me on track. It’s a nice trail, not far away, I would recommend it to those of you wanting to get started as it’s an easy hike close by. Leaves still out, quite picturesque isn’t it? 1/2 way thru the hike we paused for a moment of silence to remember the 2 past presidents of our club who passed this week. Dave and Roger’s spirit will be forever with us on the trails. The hike ended up being about 5 miles. At the conclusion I suggested a stop at a local watering hole or ….. Stewart’s for an ice cream. Most opted to go take advantage of the weather and do some end of season yard work. I met a couple for my favorite frozen treat! I was out Sunday exploring the Brookfield horse trails on another tramp hike. That story is for Bobbie to write. I hope you all had a great weekend, see you on the trails.