Duck Hole excursion

[Fitz]

After all these years, we have decided we finally ought to visit Duck Hole. Plan on going in at the end of June (I know, blackflies! ).

Our initial thought is to park at Upper Works and go in from there. Any other suggestions? A favorite Leanto we should try to snag? If no leanto available, suggested campsites? Suggested dayhikes and points of interest?

Thanks,

Fitz

[Kevin]

The upper works entry is my favorite one. There's some elevation gain, but it's only for a short stretch (6.5 miles?). You save a lot of mileage versus taking the other route in (Blueberry Pond trail, 9+ miles).

I did the Santanoni's from Duck Hole 2 years ago. The trail from Duck Hole to just before the Bradley Pond lean-to was nice and in generally good condition (not used much). Of course the trail near Bradley Pond was disgusting as usual. Along the way you follow an outlet from Bradley Pond and there's a lot of open areas to see the Santanonis. The views looking north from Duck Hole are nice too.

There's other hike possibilities, like following the Cold River for a ways or climbing McNaughton (there's a route a few miles back on the same Upper Works trail - PM me if you would like to know more).

The entire Seward/Cold River area is an ideal place for exploration. Tons of old logging roads and remains from the logging days to be found. There's many books and explorers like Cold River Bob (see below) that spends weeks each year exploring and mapping the area. It's such a unique and significant area that the Backcountry Heritage Association expects to be using the Cold River area's historical significance as leverage to get funding for the Duck Hole dam restoration project. If you're good at map/compass navigation then the possibilities are endless. If not, the only remnants that are easy to find/marked would be the hermitage along the Cold River (which I hope to finally see first hand very soon).

The lean-to closest to the dam needs work and I heard it leaks. The other one nearby is in good condition. There's a few spots to pitch a tent in that area.

[Cold River Bob]

If you can , Go in buy canoe, it is well worth it.

Like Kevin said get the upper lean-to,

Two years ago when I was in there that time I saw a moose on the far side at dusk feeding, Maybe you will be lucky enough to see one to.