Tramp & Trail Hiking Club

Hiking – A tribute to a life well-lived

February 23, 2012 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

By Lu Blanchard

For those of you who have followed the Tramp & Trail (T&T) blogs you are very familiar with our President and prolific blogger, Harold Pier. After a very short, courageous acceptance of a diagnosis that left him with two months to live, he died on October 19, 2012.

Harold’s blogs were like Harold, intelligent, observant and appreciative of life, nature and others. A man of few words, when he spoke it was with consideration and often a subtle humor that cut to the core of the situation. He was known for his “one liners” that would leave you chuckling hours later. He loved playing Santa at the Club Christmas parties and with his twinkling eyes, round, elfin face and full beard he embodied the spirit of St. Nick. His knowledge of birds and bird calls was amazing -as was his knowledge of music and trivia -and he had a vast repertoire of hikes from which he could pull to introduce others to his favorite haunts.

But with all that he loved writing. Each Christmas he enclosed a poem with his card and it was one of my most anticipated gifts. He wrote many poems as well as memoirs of his youth in the hills of western Pennsylvania. This past year he started blogging and wrote beautiful stories about the hikes, memories of his youth and even tested the waters of environmental commentary in his blog on hydrofracking. Harold had many words left to put on paper, many memories left to share and I for one feel cheated that we will never be able to read them nor hear them. Harold, wherever your soul may now be, your memories will live on. Thank your for your contribution to our lives.

Hike #6019 – HUMPHREY HILL, LOCK & DAM – February 18th, 2012

February 18, 2012 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

The day was awesome; from sunshine to big snowflakes reminiscent of the winters of years past. 29 Tramps hiked, a few snow shoed, a few skied, the figure 8 trail from Bisby Road to the lock and dam on the Moose River.

John Gilbert offered up history of this site, where the steamboat came up the river to a stop at the dam. We stopped for lunch under pines beside the river. There was a long slow slope up and over Humphrey Hill to converge on the Nicks/Nelson Lake trail to head back to our parked vehicles. There were no mishaps and many met at Van Aikins in Thendara for a beer. One tramp stated this was a good hike and she would bring ADKs here.

Hike #6017 – BLACK BEAR MOUNTAIN – February 11, 2012

February 11, 2012 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

With the unusual weather we have had this winter, we did not know what to expect for our hike up Black Bear Mountain. Ted and I walked the trail a week before the hike and it was a pleasant hike. Watching the weather prior to the hike,, we decided to use crampons thus making the small stream crossing and bridges safe to cross on.

We met an interesting couple in the parking area, they were planning to climb the ledges to the mountain top. Later on the mountain top they said the ledges were very difficult to climb up.

We “cramped” along the yellow trail without any difficulty. Stream crossings and foot bridges were easy to cross. (We did not go up the blue trail that is shorter but has ledges to climb). We did not have any difficulty climbing the last 1/2 mile to the mountain top. The views at the top were absolutely beautiful — for a short climb, the views on this mountain are breath-taking.

The Tramps expressed their enjoyment of this winter outing on a beautiful day. The weather was pleasant; conditions were good and temperature comfortable.

Following our return to the parking area where our cars were, we decided to stop at the Hard Times Cafe for refreshments and conversation. Everyone expressed their enjoyment climbing Black Bear Mountain.

By: Barb Thomas

Hike #6012 – JACKSON HILL – January 22nd, 2012

January 22, 2012 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

For once we had a sunny day. Even more surpirsing, for this year, we actually had enough snow for decent skiing. We started the ski at the top of Jackson Hill.

Most of the skiers went to the inside of the loop, while a small number went to the Plantation side of the road. We had the best snow of the season. We skied to Sunfield where we went to the bottom to pick up the Merry Road trail.

After Merry Road we climbed the hill. Most people had no trouble scaling the hill.

Since this was suppose to be a short hike, we returned to the cars and drove down to the Boonville Hotel.

ByL Richard Miller

Hike #6007 – MOONLIGHT OUTING – January 9th, 2012

January 9, 2012 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

The weather was a concern before the Moonlight Outing. We were pleasantly surprised to have a beautiful warm night. The moon was visible through the clouds. Arrived at the parking area and cars began to arrive. They kept coming when everyone was there we had 45 Tramps signed the hiking sheet. We gathered together and walked up to the middle road and then down toward the South Woods gate. We could see Frank & Gene’s blazing fire as it lighted the way to the fireplace.

We gathered near the fire and enjoyed hot chocolate with a surprise in it that Meg had provided for us. Cookies and apple cake were enjoyed by the Tramps. As we were preparing to continue our hike, Frank provided us with a roaring fire to send us on our way.

We reluctantly left the fire and continued our walk up around the South Woods. The moon was becoming more brilliant and we tramped along to the upper path. Stopped at the Christmas Tree with its lovely decorations shining in the moonlight. We continued to walk back down to the gate area. Some members left to return to the parking area and other’s returned to the fire where Frank and Gene were putting the fire out. Then it was back to our cars along the path near Valley View Road. Frank and Gene provided us with a warm blazing fire, other Tramps provided us food and special drink and a beautiful evening was enjoyed by all.

By: Barb Thomas

Hike #6006 – WILSON POND – January 8th, 2012

January 8, 2012 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

What started out as a pleasant hike on a cold 9 degree day through the pristine snowy woods toward Wilson Pond was shattered by that ominous call, “Tramp Down.” While marching through the woods approaching the first beaver meadow, the hike leader searched for a low plank bridge crossing the stream coming out of what was once a large beaver pond. Unfortunately, the words emanating from the leader to stay single file across the narrow, “bridge” didn’t reach the last person in line, the co-leader. Mary Connors followed the person ahead of her and cross on what she thought was solid ice or ground, not a debatable subject any longer. Both guesses were wrong and when I heard the call, I turned, only to see an arm sticking up fifty feet away. Running back, Madonna Fellows and Dianna Morris had pulled Mary out of the icy water that proved to be chest deep with a soft bottom. First and only “Polar Bear Swim” of the year…..so far.

Fortunately the quick response by Madonna and Dianna help prevent further disaster. We were a good half mile from the parking lot and Mary was soaked in almost 0 degree temperatures. It was decided that Dianna would accompany Mary back to the car where she had a change of clothes and could get warmed up. In true Tramp fashion, Mary was more concerned about the hot dogs for roasting then she was about getting back to the safety of a warm car and dry clothes.

Sixteen hikers continued on toward Wilson Pond ever mindful of, “I hope Mary is alright.” From the side of the mountain Madonna made cell phone contact and found that Mary was well and enjoying a glass of wine and the New York Times at the Hard Times Cafe where we were going after the hike.

After reaching Wilson Pond and finally getting a fire started thanks to the persistent efforts of Dick Blanchard and Tom Schenck, we were able to enjoy hot dogs and brats. I have always though that Wilson Pond is one of the coldest places in the Adirondacks and today was no different. Heading to warmer places, most all Tramps gathered at Hard Times and were greeted by Mary who welcomed everyone with homemade cookies….that didn’t get wet.

Disaster was averted and everyone had a good time.

Lesson Learned: Don;t rely on, “pass it back instructions”, SHOUT IT OUT.

By Roger Felske

Hike #6005 – OTTER CREEK HORSE TRAILS – January 7th, 2012

January 7, 2012 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

This has been a disappointing winter for skiers and snowshoers with a snow-free December and only a few flakes falling in early January. Because of this we were grateful to Mary Misek, who lives in the area and graciously informed us by phone that the Horse trails had 6 inches of powder.

When we checked out the ski on Friday we found she was right; and that the trails were almost unspoiled by snowmobiles. Unfortunately, by Saturday warm weather and Snowmobiles had moved in, exposing sticks, mud and the occasional rock.

As a result most of the six non-skiers were able to negotiate a five mile circuit up the Old Number Four Trail, across the Cleveland Lake Trail and back by the Frost Pocket and Proceeding trails without even using their snow shoes.

The rest of us skied the Payne Lake Loop, taking the Beach Mill Trail and straddling the esker above the Lake before skiing down the Frost Pocket. Four skiers, not wanting to make that climb, and in a hurry to watch Syracuse defeat Marquette in basketball took a shorter way back via Beach Mill Road. As a result, we arrived at our post hike destination, the River Valley Inn, at different times, and the late comers discovered that earlier arrivals had eaten all the chicken noodle soup.

By: Harold Pier

In spite of all the obstacles, everyone enjoyed one of our favorite winter outings.

Hike 6002 – Trenton Greenbelt – Dec 24, 2011

December 24, 2011 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

Though this Christmas Eve Day outing was to be a ski or snowshoe our record breaking warmth this December resulted in a several mile hike on a crisp, snowless December morning. Twenty one participants enjoyed the trails of the Trenton Greenbelt and then “tailgated” with good cheer, Christmas cookies and cider.

Hike #6000 – Holiday Party – Dec 17, 2011

December 17, 2011 mconnors921 Comments 0 Comment

Sixty Nine Tramps showed up to celebrate the fact that the club has conducted six thousand hikes during its ninety year history. Due to a total absence of snow we hiked the frozen BREIA Egypt Road Ski Trails and honored the custom of hanging food for the birds on trees along the way. We divided into three groups depending upon the difficulty of the hikes. One group, led by Carol Dippolito hiked around the Rim Trail, Mike Huss led another group up and down the Gully Trails, while Harold Pier led a group on a longer hike on the Great Trail out to Echo Lake Road and back. We had completed about 2/3 of the Great Trail hike when we realized that it would be getting dark in about 45 minutes so all but three of us turned around and returned to the lower parking lot. The rest of us hiked to the top of the hill where we had a view of Echo Lake road before turning around, and sure enough, we had to hike that last half mile out in the gathering darkness. As a penalty for our zeal, we didn’t get back to the Knights of Columbus hall until after five, missing the social hour in front of the fireplace downstairs and almost being late for dinner.

And what a dinner it was! Louie Casatelli, Meg Higgerson, Grace McNasser, Dianna Morris, Lu and Dick Blanchard and Nancy Coleman had set out tables decorated with LED candles and spruce bows and several groaning boards had been erected to accommodate the many, many “dishes to pass” that even included a whole roast turkey supplied by Lu.

After dessert Bonnie Sanderson introduced Santa Claus who reminded us that this was also the anniversary of the births of Carole Huxtable and Joan Purpura. Bonnie then led us in singing a medley of familiar carols and popular Christmas songs. A special feature was a rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas with individual groups being responsible for the French Hens, The Pipers Piping, The Golden Rings, etc. Each group acted out the different days and improvised their own gestures. No one will easily forget Charlene’s use of a beer bottle to portray a Piper Piping.

In past years we have employed Santa for a grab bag gift exchange, but this time we replaced this custom with a gift box for donations to the Food Bank of Central New York. Our Treasurer, Mike Huss, tells us that as a result, a check for $416 will be sent to the Food Bank. It is nice to know that others will have a little share of our Christmas feast.