This morning, Tredhed and I had another opportunity for a short explore in the southern Adirondacks. Today's shakedown hike was to make sure all our winter gear worked properly and the new gadgets integrated with our kit. We usually do this on a short, low key hike and today, Nine Corner Lake in the Ferris Lake Wild Forest was the chosen destination. It has easy access off of Rt. 29A, just west of Pine Lake.
1a TH - Copy.jpg
I've said it before, but this is a very popular destination in the soft water season with swimmers, the boulder crowd and people looking for a short hike. To say it's over loved might be an exaggeration, but I counted 300+ groups who signed in during the month of August 2025! We didn't have that problem today as we were the only people in this part of the forest.
1b Register - Copy.jpg
The trail, a sparsely marked, but well maintained snowmobile route, climbs a little over 300' towards the lake. We saw recent evidence of snowmobile traffic, but didn't see or hear anything today. The snow conditions were pretty good, but there were a few bare spots along the way that might cause some difficulty for anyone skiing.
1k trail - Copy.jpg
Yesterdays fresh snow still clung to the trees and occasionally dropped on us as we made our way up the well packed trail. There were some fresh bare boot prints from a hiker from Washington DC who did the trail yesterday. We commented on the few postholes and how much of a pain that must have been.
1l trail - Copy.jpg
After about 45 minutes of snowshoeing, stopping frequently to check gear, take a picture or catch our breath, we made it to the lakeshore. The main snowmobile trail continues on towards the Burnt Vly trail, but we branched off at the lake. Unfortunately, this is the most visited corner on the lake and it shows. Even though there are several "No Camping" signs, this is a very impacted peninsula. Gouged trees, bare rock, blue paint graffiti, cleared brush and chopped stumps. All the things. Fortunately, the fresh snow covered most of them, so it looked pretty nice.
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Since there were snowmobile tracks on the ice, we figured it was safe to strike out across the lake for the distant point and Campsite #1.
2d 9CL - Copy.jpg
Walking across the lake was a dream even though the wind picked up and a little frozen precipitation started to pelt our cheeks. Soon enough, Campsite #1 came into view.
2j 9CL - Copy.jpg
We decided to seek the shelter of the campsite as opposed to sitting out on the rocks as we've done before. The transition from the smooth lake to the sheltered woods was abrupt. The snow was a little over 3' deep in the woods and we thanked our trusty Tubbs to get us through. Campsite #1 is fairly large and has a great view of the west shore of the lake. You could easily fit several tents here.
2e 9CL - Copy.jpg
After setting up our chairs and pouring the hot chocolate, it was time for lunch. Nothing special today, just a sammich from Stortz. After lunch, we tweaked some of our gear and headed back. As we transitioned back on to the ice, we noticed our prints were starting to slush over. We didn't have any issues, but we glad to be on the open ice and heading back down the lake.
2o Pat - Copy.jpg
Just prior to exiting the lake, we checked out some of the massive glacial erratics that populate the north shore near the outlet. I can definitely see why the bouldering crowd is drawn to this place.
2m Boulders - Copy.jpg
Once we hit the marked trail, it was an easy downhill back to the car. Soon enough, we saw the fog shrouded outline of Kane Mt. through the trees and knew we had arrived back at the highway. All in all, it was a successful shakedown. Bindings were adjusted, packing protocols were updated and layering tactics were discussed. Of course, the sun came out during the ride home. It always happens.
1a TH - Copy.jpg
I've said it before, but this is a very popular destination in the soft water season with swimmers, the boulder crowd and people looking for a short hike. To say it's over loved might be an exaggeration, but I counted 300+ groups who signed in during the month of August 2025! We didn't have that problem today as we were the only people in this part of the forest.
1b Register - Copy.jpg
The trail, a sparsely marked, but well maintained snowmobile route, climbs a little over 300' towards the lake. We saw recent evidence of snowmobile traffic, but didn't see or hear anything today. The snow conditions were pretty good, but there were a few bare spots along the way that might cause some difficulty for anyone skiing.
1k trail - Copy.jpg
Yesterdays fresh snow still clung to the trees and occasionally dropped on us as we made our way up the well packed trail. There were some fresh bare boot prints from a hiker from Washington DC who did the trail yesterday. We commented on the few postholes and how much of a pain that must have been.
1l trail - Copy.jpg
After about 45 minutes of snowshoeing, stopping frequently to check gear, take a picture or catch our breath, we made it to the lakeshore. The main snowmobile trail continues on towards the Burnt Vly trail, but we branched off at the lake. Unfortunately, this is the most visited corner on the lake and it shows. Even though there are several "No Camping" signs, this is a very impacted peninsula. Gouged trees, bare rock, blue paint graffiti, cleared brush and chopped stumps. All the things. Fortunately, the fresh snow covered most of them, so it looked pretty nice.
2b 9CL - Copy.jpg
Since there were snowmobile tracks on the ice, we figured it was safe to strike out across the lake for the distant point and Campsite #1.
2d 9CL - Copy.jpg
Walking across the lake was a dream even though the wind picked up and a little frozen precipitation started to pelt our cheeks. Soon enough, Campsite #1 came into view.
2j 9CL - Copy.jpg
We decided to seek the shelter of the campsite as opposed to sitting out on the rocks as we've done before. The transition from the smooth lake to the sheltered woods was abrupt. The snow was a little over 3' deep in the woods and we thanked our trusty Tubbs to get us through. Campsite #1 is fairly large and has a great view of the west shore of the lake. You could easily fit several tents here.
2e 9CL - Copy.jpg
After setting up our chairs and pouring the hot chocolate, it was time for lunch. Nothing special today, just a sammich from Stortz. After lunch, we tweaked some of our gear and headed back. As we transitioned back on to the ice, we noticed our prints were starting to slush over. We didn't have any issues, but we glad to be on the open ice and heading back down the lake.
2o Pat - Copy.jpg
Just prior to exiting the lake, we checked out some of the massive glacial erratics that populate the north shore near the outlet. I can definitely see why the bouldering crowd is drawn to this place.
2m Boulders - Copy.jpg
Once we hit the marked trail, it was an easy downhill back to the car. Soon enough, we saw the fog shrouded outline of Kane Mt. through the trees and knew we had arrived back at the highway. All in all, it was a successful shakedown. Bindings were adjusted, packing protocols were updated and layering tactics were discussed. Of course, the sun came out during the ride home. It always happens.
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