Southern Adirondacks -- Girlfriends first real camping experience

[snifflyfro]

Hi,

I go to Union College and am looking at taking my girlfriend on her first real camping experience. I’m looking for somewhere no further than an hour drive, so either southern Adirondacks or northern Catskills. I’ve done a fair amount of the high peaks and Catskills, but have no experience with other areas of the Adirondacks. From my library I checked out a handful of books, including “50 hikes.”

I’m thinking of doing Murphy, Bennett, Middle, but want to hear a little input. I know this trail has been discussed before, and hopefully I hear from “redhawk” who seems to be one of the resident experts in this region. Where would you guys suggest camping if I were to go to Murphy? Right now I’m thinking one of those Bennett sites because I figure it gets far less traffic than Murphy and because I’d like to go swimming and the leach situation in Murphy that I’ve been reading about does not sound too inviting.

I’m not attached to this route, so any suggestions are welcome. It needs to be about an hour from Schenectady, not too difficult of a trail because of the new camper and pretty secluded (I’ve never stayed at an official “campground” where lots of people pitch their tents on top of each other and hope to keep it that way).

Thanks for the help!

[Kevin]

Redhawk's definitely your man. Middle murphy and bennet would be easy enough hikes for someone who doesn't do it regularly, but remote enough to feel you're outdoors. Murphy's got a nice lean-to. I'm sure Redhawk will add more.

Here's some photos from the time I hiked these:

http://www.the-boogiemen.com/hiking/#Murphy

[marzrw]

Hiked with my wife to two of the ponds. Both seemed nice, can't quite recall which ones we were at. My wife looked down and said, "What's that swimming in the pond (she also said it looked inviting to swim in)?" I said, well it appears to be leeches. Overall nice hike.

[Kevin]

Hiked with my wife to two of the ponds. Both seemed nice, can't quite recall which ones we were at. My wife looked down and said, "What's that swimming in the pond (she also said it looked inviting to swim in)?" I said, well it appears to be leeches. Overall nice hike.

I've heard similar things about (I believe) Middle. Don't know anyone whose swam in Murphy though. I'd imagine similar conditions for both.

Very picturesque, and they do look like real nice swim spots (Middle's got a real nice rock outcropping on the opposite side of the lake from the trail that takes you gradually into the lake). I'd like to know if there's leeches in these because I was thinking of heading in there sometime this summer for an overnighter. Would be nice to wade in the waters during the afternoon heat.

[redhawk]

I like the back side of Middle Lake the best. Several great tent sites right near the water, an abundance of firewood (Neither Jeff nor Kevin have camped there! ), Little or no ground brush, because of the shade from the hemlocks and the carpet of pine needles. Reasonably flat and drr and an easy Bushwhack around the back from the trail.

I have heard there are leeches in Murphy, I haven't swum there or seen any, and I don't know about Bennet. Last Summer I was on the back side of Middle Lake and it was hot and no one was around so I skinny dipped for about 15 minutes and there were no leeches on me when I came out.

Middle is my favorite of the three lakes, it's an easy hike in and the backside usually has some privacy.

There is also a lean to at Murphy if that's more suitable. Murphy is only anout a half mile beyond Bennet so you can check it out before making your decision.

If you do decide to go in, let me know. If you have a gps I can send you some waypoints for where to get off the trail to go to the backside of the lake as well as the waypoints for the prime camp sites. I can also email you a topo jpg of the area with the route and waypoints.

[snifflyfro]

Sounds great redhawk, would love to get a hold of the topo (don't have my GPS up here, but it sounds easy enough).

Any other Southern Adirondack places you would suggest with a similar easy hike in, but still with a pretty good amount of privacy? In one of your old posts you mentioned a hike with some gorges, lakes, waterfalls etc. but never gave the name. I thought about hiking up Hadley and finding a spot to set-up camp, but it sounds like on nice days that place is basically a highway (although the views do look stunning).

Thanks to everyone for you quick response!

[redhawk]

Sounds great redhawk, would love to get a hold of the topo (don't have my GPS up here, but it sounds easy enough).

Any other Southern Adirondack places you would suggest with a similar easy hike in, but still with a pretty good amount of privacy? In one of your old posts you mentioned a hike with some gorges, lakes, waterfalls etc. but never gave the name. I thought about hiking up Hadley and finding a spot to set-up camp, but it sounds like on nice days that place is basically a highway (although the views do look stunning).

Thanks to everyone for you quick response!

pm me your email and I'll attach the topo to an email.

As for the Gorge, it's my favorite spot in the Dacks but I wouldn't even consider it until mid June. T%he last two miles of the road to the trailhead in Whitehouse is closed, the West Branch has a lot of flow right now so you have to climb up to the top and can't really see the river, plus to get out on the other end, you have to practically get naked to get across the river because it's so high there (as opposed to mid calf other times), the flow is fast and the water is cold.

There are places along route 8, Cod Pond, a place along the East Branch of the Sacandaga nearr 11th mountain. Auger Falls although it tends to get quite a bit of foot traffic. Wilcox lake, thats about four miles in from Pumpkin Hollow off route 30.

[davidvanierjr]

Pharoah Lakes wilderness area

Pharoah Lakes is great. It is relatively flat, with 2 mountains to climb if you want a challange (Pharoah and Treadway, Treadway is easier). This area is very accesable from Putman Pond state campground. The area has at least 13 lean-tos and 15+ ponds and lakes. In your "50 hikes" book, there is a great chapter on this area. It describes a 20 mile loop, featuring 11 or 12 ponds and lakes. This may be a bit long for your girlfriends first hike. No problem. Just get the adk map of the eastern akds. There are a ton of trails here making loops of 7 to 20 miles possible. Actually, my girlfriend are on our way there this morning. It's her first overnight trip that included a walk too. I think we will probably do a loop to Pharoah lake, including climbing Pharoah Mt.

I hope you have a great time on you trip, just remember that if she dosent enjoy the first trip, you will have trouble getting her to go again, so pick an easy trail, with not a ton of milaege. Good luck!

-Dave

[Gray Ghost]

This may be a bit outdated, but the Pharaoh LAKE Wilderness Area is outstanding, though it's a lot further than an hour, especially if your base is going to be Putts Pond. Try more like two hours. Not trying to be a technical jerk, but this area is my backyard, and the word lake is not plural! There is only one Pharaoh Lake. Hope you have/had a great time, and this area is an outstanding suggestion, if you want to make the extra drive. -GG

[gjsullivan135]

Hello all,
I am in a similar situation to Sniffly; traveling from downstate to the ADKs and traveling to Western NY after the trip. I hiked Pharoah last summer, it was rewarding and fairly easy. With that in mind, could you recommend a slightly more challenging trip to be made in early June? My friend will be accompanying and has little backpacking experience but frequently runs half-marathons. She looks forward to this 3-4 day experience with hopes of views, some swimming, camping and altitude. I appreciate any and all feedback!
Thank you very much
-George