Tramp & Trail

Write-up: Roger Felske
Leader: Roger Felske
Co-Leader: Mary Pat Connors

The Shanty Brook hike is always intriguing with its many twists and turns, usually centered around wading across the East Branch of the Sacandaga River to reach the trailhead to Mud Ponds.

This year was no exception. On the previous Thursday, while doing the pre-hike with Doug Waz, the river was extremely low and the trail very dry, also very faint and overgrown in the upper reaches near the Mud Pond outlet.

Following the pre-hike, heavy rains had raised the water levels…and made the trail rather wet and muddy. Not to be deterred, a merry band of 16 Tramps crossed the river and headed toward Mud Ponds. A fine mist dissipated, and though there were threats, the day stayed dry.

The first half-mile was wet from the encroaching undergrowth that almost totally covered the trail.

We stopped to view the Shanty Brook Falls that seems to be a regular stopping point to take a water break.

Progress seemed to be slowed by the trail conditions and that did not improve when we reached two beaver dams that had to be crossed one mile from our destination. Water was flowing over the dam. After starting to cross over it was obvious there were going to be a lot of wet feet if we continued. We decided to have lunch in the beaver meadow and voted to forego our original destination and started our return to the parking lot. Seven miles was going to have to be enough.

Back in the parking lot we enjoyed chilled bottles of water and watermelon before either stopping at the newly owned Oxbow Restaurant for further refreshments, or heading home.