Tweet
Hello again ADK forum! I haven't been here for a while.
Sun-Mon, 9/12-13/04
General trail conditions: Despite the low relief and frequent marshes, swamps, and beaver activity in this region, and the remnants of Frances soaking the area 4 days earlier, the trails and woods were remarkably dry. Started and ended at Wanakena's trailhead towards Dead Creek Flow. Went around the lake counter-clockwise. There are marked trails or roads for all but about 2 miles of this loop. On the east side of the lake, my route went through the Cranberry Lake Biological Station which is private property. I had previously talked to the caretaker and gotten permission to cross that property. From the northern boundary of the Bio Station to the Dog Pond Loop was about a mile of herd path ranging from well defined to undetectable. From the south end of Columbian Rd. to the Peavine Swamp trail there was a hunters trail that was distinct and well marked at first, but I eventually lost it. But that happened between 5 and 6 AM when it was dark and I may not have been at my most brilliant.
Bring all the food you'll need, as it may be hard to count on getting to Cranberry Lake or Wanakena at times when stores/restaurants are open.
There's plenty of water along the way. Just bring your purification system.
The DEC has plans on a drawing board somewhere to make a hiking route all the way around the lake. I couldn't wait for them to complete it (or even start), but was surprised to find trails pretty much all around. On the S. side of the lake, I opted to bushwhack almost 3 miles from the Olmstead Pond jct across to the Chair Rock trail (or was it the Darning Needle Pond trail?) rather than hike trails near/through some private property on the south shore. During the bushwhack I came across and used the old Ash Pond trail, but it is abandoned, and requires alertness to follow it.
The whole hike took 28 hours, hiking 'round the clock at a mellow pace with frequent stops to put my feet up. For most of those stops I lay on the ground and did not get wet, despite all the factors mentioned under "Trail Conditions". It was a worthwhile hike and a good test of mental endurance. I found it easier than the college style all-nighter. Total of 35-40 miles, with roughly only 2,300' vertical gain/loss the whole time.
At 2:30 AM while walking Route 3 through the village of Cranberry Lake, I saw a coyote come down someone's driveway and saunter west along the road.
Sun-Mon, 9/12-13/04
General trail conditions: Despite the low relief and frequent marshes, swamps, and beaver activity in this region, and the remnants of Frances soaking the area 4 days earlier, the trails and woods were remarkably dry. Started and ended at Wanakena's trailhead towards Dead Creek Flow. Went around the lake counter-clockwise. There are marked trails or roads for all but about 2 miles of this loop. On the east side of the lake, my route went through the Cranberry Lake Biological Station which is private property. I had previously talked to the caretaker and gotten permission to cross that property. From the northern boundary of the Bio Station to the Dog Pond Loop was about a mile of herd path ranging from well defined to undetectable. From the south end of Columbian Rd. to the Peavine Swamp trail there was a hunters trail that was distinct and well marked at first, but I eventually lost it. But that happened between 5 and 6 AM when it was dark and I may not have been at my most brilliant.
Bring all the food you'll need, as it may be hard to count on getting to Cranberry Lake or Wanakena at times when stores/restaurants are open.
There's plenty of water along the way. Just bring your purification system.
The DEC has plans on a drawing board somewhere to make a hiking route all the way around the lake. I couldn't wait for them to complete it (or even start), but was surprised to find trails pretty much all around. On the S. side of the lake, I opted to bushwhack almost 3 miles from the Olmstead Pond jct across to the Chair Rock trail (or was it the Darning Needle Pond trail?) rather than hike trails near/through some private property on the south shore. During the bushwhack I came across and used the old Ash Pond trail, but it is abandoned, and requires alertness to follow it.
The whole hike took 28 hours, hiking 'round the clock at a mellow pace with frequent stops to put my feet up. For most of those stops I lay on the ground and did not get wet, despite all the factors mentioned under "Trail Conditions". It was a worthwhile hike and a good test of mental endurance. I found it easier than the college style all-nighter. Total of 35-40 miles, with roughly only 2,300' vertical gain/loss the whole time.
At 2:30 AM while walking Route 3 through the village of Cranberry Lake, I saw a coyote come down someone's driveway and saunter west along the road.