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#6534 and #6535 – Newcomb Weekend #10 – July 16 & 17, 2016

#6534 and #6535 – Newcomb Weekend #10 – July 16 & 17, 2016

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Write-up: Meg Higgerson
#6534 Down the Hudson
Leader: Meg Higgerson
Co-Leader: Bill Higgerson

#6535 Stoney Pond to Irishtown
Leader: Meg Higgerson
Co-Leader: Grace McNasser

TnT Newcomb weekend - Hudson kayak

Learning the number of attendees would exceed thirty and with low lake and stream water conditions, the Higgersons puzzled over a location that would be new and exciting, could accommodate numerous cars and avoid shuttles. After meeting at our camp on Goodnow Flow, the flotilla of 31 boats proceeded another 5 miles on the dirt Chain Lakes Road to the Polaris or Iron Bridge on the Hudson. Following a carry of about ¼ mile, thirty-one kayakers bushwhacked over logs and down an embankment to the put-in on the Hudson. We had beautiful weather, scenery and companionship as we paddled up the Hudson and Goodnow Rivers, portaging over, around and sometimes through a number of beaver dams to a sand bar for lunch.

TnT Newcomb weekend - Hudson kayak

After lunch we took the current down the Goodnow, into the Hudson and paddled around the calm Blackwell Stillwater for 5-6 miles.

TnT Newcomb weekend 2016TnT Newcomb weekend 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

Returning to the camp on Goodnow Flow, 35 Tramps enjoyed a BBQ and a smorgasbord of dishes as well as numerous recounting of the days various adventures. What a surprise to see no water in the Goodnow Flow! The dam is under repair and the water was significantly lowered. We went out on the rocks between the shore and island for a picture.

TnT Newcomb weekend 2016

On Sunday we set up a shuttle for 14 hikers. Taking a rarely used trail from Hewitt Pond, Barnes Pond to Stony Pond, we were often looking for the trail as we climbed over hill and dale. Visiting the shore of a number of special trout fishing areas, we also crossed marshes and beaver dams. The only person we met on the trail all day was Dick Blanchard’s dentist. We had a few laughs over that on the way back to our cars where we munched on refreshing watermelon before heading home.

TnT Newcomb 2016 Don

TnT Newcomb 2016 DonTnT Newcomb 2016 Don

TnT Newcomb weekend - Hudson kayak

Hike #6298 Newcomb Weekend, Blue Ledges – July 13, 2014

Hike #6298 Newcomb Weekend, Blue Ledges – July 13, 2014

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Write-up: Meg Higgerson

Leader: Meg Higgerson

At 9 am 20 hikers dressed in color coordinated clothing met at the Campsite Road and 28N for our ride to Minerva.   We parked at the Post office and consolidated drivers to cut down on the number of vehicles.

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Following a jostle up the unpaved but well maintained Moose Pond Club Road, the leader almost missed the trailhead but we soon started our hike.   Although humid, we had a nice 2.5 mile hike through the woods, where we could hear the river on our right.

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Just before noon we descended down the trail. We then picnicked on the banks of the Hudson and some swam in the shadow of the famous Blue Ledges.

Blue Ledges on the Hudson - 04Within 5 minutes there were at least 12 rafts full of adventurers pulling up for lunch before they floated and paddled toward the Class III and Class IV rapids we saw downstream.

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   After watching them bounce by, get stuck, get unstuck and hear them scream, we started our return trip hoping to and just able to avoid oncoming rain. We stopped for refreshments in Minerva and from there the majority of the Tramps headed back home from Newcomb Weekend #8.                                  

 

Hike #6179 – YAHOO DOWN THE HUDSON – July 13, 2013

Hike #6179 – YAHOO DOWN THE HUDSON – July 13, 2013

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Write-up by Meg Higgerson

Twenty two brave Tramps equipped with Kayaks or canoes met at the Newcomb Overlook and proceeded to the Tahawas Iron Mine Bridge.  This bridge is the most upstream bridge on the Hudson open to vehicles.  After putting in on a steep bank we first paddled down a very wide segment of the river and before long entered a rather winding and twisted section of the Hudson.   The current varied from slow to moderate as we meandered down the serpentine river around sand bars, downed logs and sometimes not so hidden boulders. It was a wilderness kayak and we met no other humans but saw much beaver and wildlife activity.

As we rounded a bend we came upon a jam composed of fallen trees, brush and logs. It was roughly 12 feet high and at the narrowest place, 20 feet wide.   The only way to get around the jam was to go over it!!!   So that is what we did in usual Tramp style…All assisting one another in and out of boats; all managing to climb over the jam.  Then the boats were moved up and over the dam as they were handed from one tramp to the next.

The remainder of the trip was uneventful in comparison.  We disembarked and portaged the kayaks. To the amazement of all, one participant was determined to not get his feet wet the entire trip! We shuttled back and got the cars, loaded the boats, had a minor medical emergency but we were all loaded and moving out in a short time.

To end the day’s event, the group met at the Higgerson’s for a pot luck meal and celebration of a day well done!!  We believe a great time was had by all!!!

 

Hike #6047 – HUDSON RIVER SCHOOL ART TRAIL – May 26th, 2012

Hike #6047 – HUDSON RIVER SCHOOL ART TRAIL – May 26th, 2012

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We carpooled down the Thruway to exit 21, regrouping at Cedar Grove, the home and studio of Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School of Painting.  From there we proceeded over the Catskill Creek and through the Kaaterskill Clove up to the Kaaterskill Falls.

The trail starts with the beautiful Bastion Falls and proceeds upwards one half mile to Kaaterskill Falls, the highest falls in New York State , as if climbing a natural staircase. It was nice to see so many young people and families out in nature.

Next we stopped at  North-South Lake State Park.  We parked in the South Lake Parking Lot and walked along both lakes through the woods to the shores of North Lake where we had lunch.  From there we took the trail up to Artist’s and Sunset Rocks.  The shaded forest felt cool as we  climbed steadily to our destinations.  The views of the Hudson River, the twin lakes, the farms in the valley, the mountains in the distance were wonderful in spite of slightly hazy skies.  When we checked out this hike a month before, the mountain was encased in fog and we saw nothing but white mist.  On our way back to the cars, we took a short side trip to the site of the Catskill Mountain House for more spectacular views.  The Catskills differ from the Adirondacks in several respects but the most important on this day was NO BLACK FLIES!!!!!!!!!

By:  Nancy Coleman

Hike #5942 – Rich Lake to the Hudson – July 3, 2011

Hike #5942 – Rich Lake to the Hudson – July 3, 2011

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After shuttling cars and kayaks, 13 kayakers, started off in beautiful Rick Lake.

We soon came to the first and largest “rapids”.   With high water, it appeared that it would be navigable and Don, brave soul, took the lead.   As he disappeared, Madonna soon followed.  Don in the meantime rushed back to tell us that it was a 2 foot drop off as he watched Madonna gracefully take the plunge.   The rest of us carried around but many of us regretted for the rest of the day that we had not tried it!!

We had a few more rapids and some tried to go down them backwards but not having the experience of Grace, we were unable to maneuver it!

We lunched at Great Camp Santanoni where Bill brought us beverages, and then proceeded to the Hudson and back.    It was another perfect day and those in the group who were staying the night in Newcomb came back to the Higgerson’s for “leftovers”.

By:  Meg Higgerson