February 14, 2021
7080 Powley Piseco Rd.
February 14, 2021
Write-up: Dave Rockwood
Leader: Dave Rockwood
Co-leader: Meg Higgerson
After parking at the East Canada Bridge near the region called Oregon, our group of nine, headed North up the snowmobile trail on the Piseco Rd. We went about 2 miles and then headed east to the “Potholers” section of the East Canada. The river is covered in deep snow and ice, so we could not see any examples of potholes formed from swirling sediment and small rocks that make the tell-tale round holes in the rock.
We then went back to the road and headed west and picked up a trail made by a group of Tramps the weekend before. This made for very easy walking (I am very thankful for the hard work to pack this trail down the week before – thank you Paul, Carolyn, Diana, Bobbie and Meg!). We followed the path up to an old road and headed northwest along the road until we came to the tarpaper-covered cabin. We had lunch on the road nearby. After lunch and chocolate most of the group headed back to the snowmobile trail and back to the parking lot while two of us headed farther to the northwest, probably another mile, and then returned on the same path. At the end of the hike, Meg treated us with delicious homemade cookies, cheese and crackers. Very nice!
The Piseco Rd. is a wide-groomed snowmobile trail, but has some blind turns. We would advise you stay to the left side and be careful on the blind turns, make sure they can see you from a distance. The snowmobilers that we saw were courteous and slowed down and gave us a safe distance when they passed. There weren’t many snowmobilers out this day.
It was a great day to be in the woods with plenty of snow and great company.
Sunday was the “Hills and Dales of Sherrill” outing with the Tramps. 14 arrived at the meeting place and off we went into the fields. Some of you no doubt think snowshoeing is just walking along taking in the sights with no obstacles. Ask anyone who was with us, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our intrepid leader Howard Regner blazed a trail thru 2 1/2 feet of snow giving everyone a view of the smallest city in the state that most have never seen. We went down and up ravines, crossed a small, steel- grate bridge, a river crossing with no bridge and even climbed a small ladder on snow shoes!
We were nine, then seven, then six, then at last count, two who finally arrived at Twin Lakes. And why would this be? Possibly because the North Wilmurt Road was not plowed. Perhaps due to Tom O’Hara getting his van stuck in the snowbank, blocking the already narrow, snow filled road, and ultimately being towed out by a town snowplow truck. Perhaps because we had to shovel out the parking area using our snowshoes? This after most of us shoveled our own driveways at five in the morning!
At the trailhead of the Burlingame Trail System, we 9 pulled out our noisemakers and welcomed in 2021. This is the start of our 100th year as a hiking club. To celebrate, Tom O’Hara, donned the garb his Dad would have worn to ski… a shirt, necktie and sweater!
A small group of us went on a bushwhacking adventure with Paul Sirtoli. We started by going up part of the trail to Sand Lake, then we headed toward Sugarloaf Mountain, following Paul and his map and compass. Paul showed us how to orient the (topographical) map and determine how to set heading so we could use the compass to guide our direction. Paul also used topographical features to help determine where we were on the map. We also had All Trails app loaded and that also helped us determine where we were.
Four of us enjoyed a snowy winter wonderland on our adopted club trail. Upon arrival, several checked the depth of the snow and determined it to be less than back home. A decision was made to leave the snowshoes in the cars, perhaps not the best choice once we had ventured deeper into the woods! We had the trails to ourselves. Only the tracks of deer, rabbits, grouse, and an otter slide gave evidence that there were animals somewhere nearby watching us trudge our way through their territory. Even the beavers at the pond stayed snug in their den by a cozy fire enjoying their hot chocolate. We trekked a total of 6 miles as the snow fell silently around us. Thank you Dave for breaking trail!
From Jones Mt, we hiked to Little Round Top Mt, then descended to the lean-to at Nelson Lake where everyone enjoyed lunch. All told, we did 8 miles through some dense terrain.
