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Category: 2011

Hike #5905 – Mohegan Lake – 2/27/2011

Hike #5905 – Mohegan Lake – 2/27/2011

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This hike was scheduled for Mohegan Lake, but an inspection of the trailhead on February 26 showed that its parking lot was snowed in.  Additional heavy snow fell that evening, so upon regrouping at Thendara we decided to ski Cascade Lake instead.  This proved to be a wise decision.  Even with an additional six inches of powder, trail breaking was easy, and the blow-downs that used to encumber this trail had either been removed or were buried in deep snow.

The lake, nestling between low hills on either shore is always beautiful, but fresh snowfall, alternating sun and flurries, spruce and balsam weighted down with heavy snow and countless cris-crossing tracks of otter, mink and deer made it even more-so today.

As the sun broke through and temperatures warmed we experienced some icing on our skis, but Don and Sheila quickly produced cakes of paraffin and soon everyone was once more gliding swiftly through the forest.  The falls that give the lake its name were completely frozen and anyone who didn’t know they were there would have thought them just an ice-bound cliff.  We had a pleasant lunch and after more applications of wax, resumed our journey.

The trail on the west side of the lake provides gentle ups and thrilling downs and in no time we were back in the parking lot from which we proceeded to the Screaming Eagle in Inlet where Paul treated the whole group to a large pizza.

Hike #5904 – Blue Mtn to Lake Durant – 02/26/2011

Hike #5904 – Blue Mtn to Lake Durant – 02/26/2011

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The following describes a ski/snowshoe taken by 9 members of the Utica Tramp and Trail Club on February 26, 2011 from the Blue Mountain Trailhead to the Durant Lake trailhead and includes pictures taken on the trip.

On a snowy February 26 nine members of the Utica Tramp and Trail Club left cars at the Durant Lake Campsite parking lot on Route 28 and returned to the Blue Mountain trailhead.  At 10:30 am five skiers, led by Harold Pier, and four snowshoers, led by Deb Roberts, set out on the trail to Terrill Pond.  About 4 inches of powder had fallen the night before and this lay on top of a two-foot base of frozen snow, providing easy kick, swift glide, and good control.  As an added bonus, four members of the Iroquois Chapter ADK had skied out ahead of us, so we didn’t even have to break trail.  The trail climbs moderately, skirting around the shoulder of Blue, and providing beautiful views through snow laden trees down a steep slope to the north. Deep snow prevented any of the many small stream crossings from being a problem.  Shortly after crossing the road leading to the radio tower on Blue we began a long descent with steep pitches relieved by wonderful, moderate grades that we hoped would never end. One large blowdown blocked the trail near its terminus at Terrill pond, and shortly after that a certain amount of finesse was needed to avoid a large stump crowding our left. After a few falls we reached the Northville Placid Trail, turned south, and to our surprise encountered snowmobile tracks.  The lean-to was occupied by a group of friendly snowmobilers who had brought in a massive pile of equipment and had spent the night warmed by a large wood stove they had placed in the lean-to.  They invited us to cook our hot dogs on a huge bonfire they had built in the fireplace and then left, planning to return for another night.  Nice as they were, I question whether they ought to be using the trail and the lean-to, which should be reserved for hikers.

After lunch and pictures of our group posed on the pond we skied its length, enjoying bright sunshine and marvelous views.  Rejoining the trail we proceeded without incident to Route 28 where we were joined by two other skiers from Connecticut who needed a ride back to the Blue Mountain trailhead.  Anyone who has skied this part of the trail can relate to the fun of its gentle ups and thrilling downs and the frozen beauty of the long vly on the left of the trail.  There was one very small wet spot that iced up a couple of skis, but no evidence of the water problem reported earlier in the season.  This eight mile trip has to have been the best of a memorable winter of cross country skiing.

Hike #5901 – Forth, Spectacle, Dexter, Dry Lakes Loop – February 18, 2011

Hike #5901 – Forth, Spectacle, Dexter, Dry Lakes Loop – February 18, 2011

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.  Harold Pier (L)

  1. Nancy Coleman
  2. Paul Fortin

Because the DEC circulated a warning about dangerous conditions on Adirondack lakes and because the loop described in the title above required us to ski across Spectacle Lake we changed the route to a straight in an out ski from Route 29-A to Third Lake and back, a distance of about 8 miles.  Heavy snow fell on February 17, and Saturday dawned to winds of fifty miles an hour wind chill below zero and whiteouts of blowing, drifting snow.  Because of this we were expecting a low to no turnout but were not really surprised when Paul Fortin joined us at the NBT Bank in Middleville enthusiastically exclaiming at what a beautiful day it was.  All three of us fit into Nancy’s Subaru and we began climbing Barto Hill, often having to open a window to find the edge of the road, hoping that the center was somewhere in front of us.  Conditions improved after the road branched to route 29A and upon reaching the trailhead we found an immaculately groomed snowmobile trail with evidence that one sled had already preceded us.  Conditions were fast, with good control, and the woods kept the wind down to an acceptable minimum.  When we reached the trail junction to Nine Corner Lake we saw a sign saying “Poker Run Today” so from there to Third Lake we had to diligently watch for snowmobiles headed for the Arietta Hotel.  The hills on this trail are quite steep but the trail is very wide and well maintained and today’s snow gave us excellent control.  For a good bit of the way the trail follows the edge of Burnt Vly, providing magnificent views.  We ate a quick lunch at the lake and then retired to Arthur’s in Dolgeville for hot soup. Returning to Middleville we found the road over Barto Hill was closed.  We had to get Paul back to his car, so risked a ticket or worse driving back on the closed highway through whiteouts and encroaching drifts.  Those who stayed at home probably did the sensible thing, but I suspect we had more fun.

Hike 5894 – BREIA Trails – 1/23/2011

Hike 5894 – BREIA Trails – 1/23/2011

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This was a two part hike with five Tramps taking part in a cross country skiing class taught by Paul Fortin at the Boonville Rescue Station and the rest of us skiing out the Great Trail on Egypt Road.  Paul’s class had as their first assignment learning the sequence “Turtle, Duck, Dog” guaranteed to get a novice skier back on his/her feet after a fall.  After this they learned the fundamentals of kick and glide, which they practiced on a two mile round trip down the Black River Canal Trail to Rt. 46 and back.

Deb Roberts and Roberta Mathews drove to Boonville to join three other students already under Paul’s tutelage.  Skiing conditions on the Great Trail were ideal with a few inches of powder providing good control over the recently groomed surface.  This ski was tailored to satisfy the wishes of people with varying degrees of skill.  The Great Trail starts out mostly level, crosses the power line and then enters a hemlock swamp that provides some tricky moguls.  After this it becomes more challenging with a series of long, steep hills, finally terminating at Echo Lake Road.  Skiers were free to turn back at any time they chose, so only three of us eventually reached the end of the trail.  After this most of us joined Paul and his class for a very pleasant meal at the Boonville Hotel where we recounted our day’s activities.

Hike #5890 – Deansboro Old RR Bed – 1/9/2011

Hike #5890 – Deansboro Old RR Bed – 1/9/2011

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On a day when the temperature reached 26 we started with 10 people heading out on marginal snow. We had five walkers and five skiers. The skiers had to stay on the far left or right of the trail in order to find enough snow. The walkers went down the center. As we headed back, it started snowing, which made the return skiing better. After we returned eight of us headed to the Boro Tavern for drinks and conversation. As we sat at a table next to the window, we watched the snow intensify. Departing the tavern, we all had to scrape the snow off our cars before heading home.

Hike #5888 – Tassel Hill – 1/2/2011

Hike #5888 – Tassel Hill – 1/2/2011

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With temperatures in the low 30s and no snow to snowshoe, we had 39 people turn up for the hike up to Tassel Hill summit.

It looks like there were 4 new people and one on their second, one on their 5th hike!  The hike was at least 4 miles total  with an additional trek down a side road which some of us thought might connect to Janis Rd., however it ended at posted private land.

At the summit, we were treated to a short show of 3 four-wheeling jeeps spinning in the deep mud holes.  The sun NEVER came out even though the 3 sunshine girls were there!!   Their magic power is in question !!!  It was  a great adventure which ended with detours for fire trucks,  NOT ONCE; BUT TWICE, in the same day!!