Murphy, Middle, Bennet Lakes Hike

[Edelweiss]

xxx

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1&Uc=tdpb2qu.7xvlkn3i&Uy=-1o71ey&Ux=0

Redhawk and I enjoyed a walk into Murphy, Middle, and Bennet Lakes on Thursday, Oct. 6. This was the first time I had hiked since my cataract surgery 3 weeks before. My eye is completely healed and I now see as well in my right eye as I do in my left corrected eye. I now wear one contact! The early-morning drive from Voorheesville to Wells was glorious - little traffic and plentiful views of fall foliage along route 5 and 30N. After collecting Redhawk at his house in Wells, we drove to Creek Road off of 30N to the trailhead. The woods looked especially brilliant today with my new "bionic eye!" We walked slowly, stopping to take pictures along the way. We weren't tied to any particular schedule so we were able to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the forest without any time restrictions. (Ahhhh-the joys of retirement!!!!!) We explored the back side of Middle Lake. Hawk introduced me to several outstanding campsites. I will file away the location of one site in particular for use in the future. We found artifacts from an old settlement, had lunch on the open rock next to Middle Lake, crossed an amazing beaver dam, checked out Murphy Lake Lean-to and continued in a loop past Bennet Lake back to the trailhead. Thanks to Manitowah for dinner. On the return drive home, I missed a turn-off to route 5 in Amsterdan and wound up on the Thruway. My bionic eye didn't enjoy the glaring headlights and the rest of me didn't enjoy the gargantuan trucks but this was a small price to pay for a great day in the southern Adirondacks. Thanks Hawk!

[NukedRocket]

Awesome pictures as always! That little un-named mountain is actually a shoulder of Huckleberry Mountain, the higher cliff-faced bump in the back. I've been dreaming of making that my first ever bushwhack, cause those outcroppings look so appealing. Thanks for feeding my craving.

[kwc]

Great pics Joann!!

Jackie hiked into Murphy Lake a couple weeks ago (on a Monday) from the Pumpkin Hollow Road ... I told her to stop up at Hawk's and see if he wanted to tag along, but alas, Jackie's shy, and declined to go up and ask.

Isn't there supposed to be remnants of an old paint mine up along the trail somewhere? Or has time covered up whatever might have been there?

I think this is a nice area for snowshoeing too!

[redhawk]

Great pics Joann!!

Jackie hiked into Murphy Lake a couple weeks ago (on a Monday) from the Pumpkin Hollow Road ... I told her to stop up at Hawk's and see if he wanted to tag along, but alas, Jackie's shy, and declined to go up and ask.

Isn't there supposed to be remnants of an old paint mine up along the trail somewhere? Or has time covered up whatever might have been there?

I think this is a nice area for snowshoeing too!

Geez and she could have brought some berry pie!

As for the paint mine,
Yes there is. I don't know that it's been covered up, I have never been ale to get any specific information as to it's location.

Hawk

[Edelweiss]

Thanks Nuked Rocket and KWC.

NR:
I was also intrigued by the cliffs on Huckleberry Mt. Hawk says that several years ago he met two 84-year-old-young women on the trail who had just bushwacked up and down the mountain. Does that give you any incentive to try?
KWC:
Jackie should call me next time she gets the urge to hike in the southern dacks. I'd love to join her. Maybe we'll even ask Hawk to come along.....and Jackie could bring along one of her blueberry pies. I agree - Murphy/Middle/Bennet area would be great for snowshoeing this winter!

[kwc]

Geez and she could have brought some berry pie!
Hawk

exactly what I told her ...

or an apple pie (we have a few of those too).

although you might have to wait until the next forum feast.

[jan]

I did this hike yesterday with a small group of friends. We just stayed with the trail, but a couple of us would like to go back and check out the other side of Middle Lake. Is there a path around the lake or do we just find our own way. I figured if there is an established path we should use that rather than create a new one. Thanks.
Jan

[redhawk]

I did this hike yesterday with a small group of friends. We just stayed with the trail, but a couple of us would like to go back and check out the other side of Middle Lake. Is there a path around the lake or do we just find our own way. I figured if there is an established path we should use that rather than create a new one. Thanks.
Jan

There is a small Cairn on the right side of the trail as you get to Middle pond. you can follow that down to a campsite and then just hike around the lake. It's pretty open and there is a faint trail that follows around. Only tricky part is crossing the beaver dam
and then working around the northern end of the lake. Just travel due East and you'll come back to the trail.

[jan]

Thanks Hawk. We may wait until next year, and plan on camping a few days to explore the area.