The Oregon Trail to North Bend was in fine shape for a March hike. Parking lot was plowed out with plenty of room- although very icy. Snow was hard-packed enough that micro-spikes were able to be used, although some preferred snowshoes and all carried them for the way out in case the snow softened. (Except for one Tramp who let himself be talked into leaving his in the truck!)
The trail is a steady uphill for at least ½ mile, enough to get your heart racing and call for a steady shedding of outerwear. The woods were pretty quiet, not a lot of songbirds back yet. The stream along the left side of the trail was flowing hard and the beavers have widened it at certain points forcing the trail further to the right unless you want to wade. The first bridge afforded beautiful views of the vly and the stream and we stopped to enjoy them for a bit.
After the first uphill there are just steady rolls of up and downs with a few flat areas in between. There is a corner about 2 miles in that I’d forgotten about and we started down a trail to the vly, but about ½ way down I remembered that led only to the vly and probably was used by snowmobilers to take a shortcut across. Just a bit more in we met the other half of our group who left earlier and they reported a lot of blowdown and we couldn’t make it all the way to North Bend without major hassles. Since no one wanted to continue we turned around. Some decided to get extra miles by going into Cod Pond others did Auger Falls on the way back. The day was beautiful and we all worked up an appetite for the great dinner at the Camp.
Over the last few years, we have been met with extreme weather conditions during our stay at Camp Fowler. We have dealt with a blizzard, -20 below temperatures, flooding, and the loss of electricity. This year however, except for the wind, we enjoyed nearly perfect conditions.
23 people descended upon the lodge in the woods off Pelcher Rd. in Speculator. After settling in, a spread of the snacks and beverages brought everyone into the central Great Room. Walt’s mulled wine and Jiao’s ginger tea were a hit.
Even with the rain and warm temperatures from the week before, the ground was still covered with snow and ice. So, either spikes or snowshoes were the gear for our hiking adventures, and there were lots of options for both. Walks around the property were good until the lake was approached. With the freezing wind whipping across and hitting anyone venturing toward it smack in the face on Friday and Saturday, the only alternative was to turn back. Alas, there was no skiing done on the lake this year even though it was solidly frozen.
The popular option on Saturday was to hike the Oregon Trail in the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, the regularly scheduled club hike led by Lu. Off with bag lunches, 16 headed off to meet 3 more coming up from Utica. The trail was great for most of the way until a blowdown forced the group to turn back. Some ventured off a spur trail to beautiful Cod Pond.
OREGON TRAIL
Another group of 6 ventured off to climb Watch Hill with fantastic views of Snowy Mt. and Indian Lake. 4 stopped on the ledges, while 2 having never been there before, continued the climb to the summit. Turning back on the ledges became a challenge as strong wind gusts threatened to sweep anything not rooted to the ground off the top of the mountain. A few hugged a tree to avoid that fate.
TRAIL TO WATCH HILL
FROM WATCH HILL
Saturday afternoon, a few explored the beautiful Auger Falls along the Kunjamuk River, a couple decided to snowshoe up Oak Mt., and some decided to stay close to the lodge with a walk on the Camp Fowler property. Many chose to partake in a beverage and listen to the music by a guitar duo at the Oak Mountain’s Acorn Pub.
AUGER FALLS
By Sunday the wind had calmed and some fluffy snow fell overnight. The plan was to S/SS the Kunjamuk Trail to the Kunjamuk Cave. But upon checking out the trail the day before, and finding a “river” on the trail about ¾ of a mile in, it was decided to abort that idea. Instead, one group headed to snowshoe Oak Mt., a smaller group hiked the snowmobile trail off Elm Lake Rd. to the Kunjamuk Cave, and a few hiked into Auger Falls. Après hike some of the group met at the Oxbow Inn to finish off a great weekend.
KUNJAMUK CAVE
Night time at the lodge is always great fun. There were lively ping pong matches, pitch games, Qwirkle, Tarot card readings by Christina, and conversations by the fire. It wouldn’t be Camp Fowler without a few night time shenanigans. There was the short-sheeting of beds of the newbies, although none seemed to notice, as well as some squeaky toys left in another bed.
The food prepared by Camp Fowler Chef Jen was outstanding. Baby back ribs for dinner, mousse and bananas foster in rum sauce for dessert, fried eggs, and pancakes with homemade sausage for breakfast were just some of the delicious items on the menu. Unfortunately for us, Jen is leaving Camp Fowler to move with her family to South Carolina. We wish her the best.
Everyone enjoyed the Camp Fowler experience and look forward to next year!
Originally scheduled for California Road, the hike was moved to Gull Lake in Forestport due to reports of heavy logging in the California Road area. Seven tramps started out on snowshoes joined by Bobbie and 3 others who cross-country skied. The snowshoers made the 7-mile round trip in deep snow, stopping at the leanto for a quick lunch. A good work out and very pleasant day!
The days of 3 or 4 signing up for one of Paul’s hikes are long gone. There has been an uptick in participation, with Saturday being no exception. Nine showed up for another roll of the dice adventure.
Sunday Lake was the scheduled destination, but due to parking issues, that wasn’t going to be the case. So, the decision was made to park down at Stillwater Reservoir and snowshoe from there. As you can see, we snowshoed across the reservoir. If it could hold up the three planes and the snowmobiles, we were safe.
We hiked about 2.5 mile on the reservoir, it was like driving on the thruway, monotonous! Once in the woods, it was picturesque with all the snow. We make it to Cranberry Pond. A soft mutiny formed when Paul suggested we continue onward, to another pond on the map. He reluctantly conceded to the group, who didn’t want to walk the lake out with headlamps. 8 miles was a good day on snowshoes.
Three tramps traversed the timber trek in tepid temperatures towards Twin Lakes which thwarted their throes. Try as we did, the toil was tussled as the impending concern of twilight transpired. These three true believers thought…only one more tor until the lake would appear. Last calmer, tempered thoughts were transferred pierced by “One of the Three”, not to be confused by the song by James Laid. Turn around… Turn around was the verdict.
The hike started as cold, windy and snowy; but the snow ended, and it was partly sunny for the rest of the hike. The trail was microspikable even with a few inches of fresh snow. Seventeen Tramps were present and nobody was lost. Several adjourned to the Grow Brewery after the hike.
Every leader knows that a hike should be checked out beforehand, especially if unfamiliar with the trailhead and trail. This leader did just that on the Saturday before the hike. Finding the entrance to the trails and parking area, I decided there was not enough snow for snowshoes, but spikes might be needed if icy spots might be encountered. With spikes on and poles in hand, I started out on my planned route. I hadn’t gone far when I remembered I had forgotten my phone in the car. Being alone, I thought it would be a good idea to have it in case of emergency. So, back to the car I went.
Now with phone in pocket, I headed back to continue my pre-hike. Five steps later I found myself in a Superwoman pose flat out in the snow . . . WT_ ! After checking that nothing was bleeding or broken, I rolled over and attempted to get up. I discovered that was impossible and the reason why I fell. (If you tried to do this while walking you could not!) The spike on my boot was off the heel and a link of the spike was attached to the upper boot hook on my right foot (kind of like having your shoes tied together). I could not detach the spike from the boot, so removing the spike from the left boot and dragging it still attached to the right, I made my way back to car, propped my trekking poles on the side car and sat in the car to try to get the spike off the hook of my boot. Try as I might, it would not come off. I resigned myself to the fact that checking out the trail would not happen and tomorrow’s hike would be an adventure. (Little did I know atthat time how much of an adventure it would turn out to be!) I wiggled my right foot out of my boot and drove off with my shoeless foot on the gas pedal.
About 15 minutes on the road, I had one of those moments when you remember you think you forgot something. Pulling over and looking in the rear of the car, I realized my trekking poles were back in the parking lot. Back I went and retrieved the poles right where they had slid off the car as I had pulled away.
Needing both boots and spikes for the hike the next day, help to detach the trickster spike was sought. After three phone calls to various Tramps, surgeon Dr. Mark Decker answered the call. Using his surgical tools of both a small and large pair of needle nose pliers, the spike and boot were finally separated in perfect condition.
30 Tramps showed up for the hike the next day and off we went on my planned route. Two decided they would rather ski the trails, so returned to the car to get their equipment, never to be seen again! We hiked on, stopping at each intersection to make sure our group of now 28 was together. Coming to another intersection at about 2.5 miles in, I waited to make sure my co-leader was at the rear. Spotting Lu and turning to continue, I heard shouts of “Wait! We don’t have Mike!” So, we waited, and waited, and waited! Where was Mike last seen? Come to find out, he decided to put on his spikes at the last intersection about a half mile back and said he’d catch up. Sir Tom offered to go back and find him . . . Not a good idea! We all agreed that we should all retrace our steps to locate him.
Thankfully with cell phone coverage and after numerous calls, we were in contact with Mike. At the last intersection, he had not turned left like the group had, and had continued straight instead. Convincing Mike that he was on the wrong trail and to turn around, we continued to the intersection where he was last seen. The group got there before him so, Sir Tom and Kevin took off down the trail Mike was on to walk back with him. Since the crowd was growing restless, cold, and tired, we began to walk slowly back on the trail to our cars, the original loop hike being aborted. As Mike made his way back to the fold, he was greeted with an arch of trekking poles to welcome him back.
The Recovery Room in Verona seemed an appropriate place to finish off the day. All’s well that ends well! Thank you, Lu for co-leading a hike that won’t be forgotten. (Skiers, Don and Madonna, made it home safely too!)
It was 4-degrees above zero when our small group convened at Madison with “de-fault” co-leader Peter Franz. I use the word “default” loosely since the co-leader position cycled through several volunteers before Pete agreed to assume the position. The anonymous co-leaders opted out given the frigid temperature. Nonetheless, the brilliant sunshine lent an aura of warmth and excitement for our impending snowshoe excursion to the ponds.
At the trailhead, leader Lisa greeted us warmly, all excited and rarin’ to go. The sun was still shining, and the temperature less than 10-degrees when a discussion ensued regarding the use of snowshoes vs. bare-booting the trails. During this “heated” debate, an individual saunters out of the woods without snowshoes, claiming that he bare-booted 2.5 miles. Snowshoes were not necessary. The die was cast, and off we go. Within 60-minutes of our departure, we are moaning over our decision. At the higher elevation, the snow pack was deeper, the trail not as packed thus warranting the use of shoes.
From some remote lean-to, God knows where, we trudge back to the parking area. Lisa graciously provided tea and ginger snaps, mellowing our mood. Our calves certainly got a good workout after the five-mile hike. Three tramps, refreshed, and using snowshoes, continued hiking for the balance of the day. The temperature a balmy 12-degrees.
After several Tramp cancellations due to being sick, five were left standing. We started off breaking trail, snowshoeing in about 3’ of snow, all uphill.
Once we got off trail, it got a little easier with less snow in the woods. Having no wind made the temp hovering around 24 a great day to be out. We hit the destination of Frenchs Vly. The Vly and woods were picturesque with the snow.
We made a loop back to the South Branch. The suggestion of walking along the South Branch back to the car wasn’t the best idea. It seems like the winter excursions with Paul sees someone going in the drink, and this time it was me. Fortunately, it was only about two feet of water and about ½ mile from the car. All in all, fantastic day!
Its been snowing for days! The windchill is bitter. There are State of Emergency Warnings flashing across the TV screens of those who are smart enough to stay inside.
In spite of this, fourteen of us decided to venture out. On the schedule it was listed as an EASY WALK. Nope! The day before, it was changed to moderate. Throughout this rather icy and often snowy hike to the Eagle, it didn’t matter what direction we went in: the wind came straight at us giving us all “winter facials “ whether we wanted one or not!!
All were invited back to the Higgerson’s where we enjoyed chili and cornbread prepared by chefs Heyboer and Higgerson!
