Beaver vly

The following is the third and final part of a report on the fifth and final day of a bushwhacking trip through the interior of the southern portion of the Pepperbox Wilderness. The majority of the trip follows along streams and beaver vlys with the exit from the area following a marked herd path from the wild interior of this wilderness area. Highlights along the trip included the Threemile Beaver Meadow, Bear Pond, Moshier Creek and Moshier Reservoir. The third part of the fifth day consisted fleeing the forest on the hunter’s path as the tree canopy swayed dangerously in the stiff breeze.

Date: September 4, 2010
Length: 2.44 miles (3.74 miles cumulative)
Difficulty: Easy

Before departing the beaver vly I took several pictures of the meadow with my camera since I had no idea when I would return this way again. After several pictures I headed south along the hunter’s path.

The old hunter’s path was frequently marked with gray slashes of paint and therefore relatively easy to follow. Although it headed directly south for a short ways after leaving the beaver vly it soon turned to the southwest and remained in such a direction for almost the entirety of my exit from the Pepperbox Wilderness. In some places the slashes became scarce and the path was harder to follow but after a few seconds of searching the surrounding area I would detect some evidence of the trail and return to my hike out.

Soon after the trail turned southwest I encountered a rock cairn along the trail (point #64). Passed the cairn I started to see some old tracks in the mud along the trail that resembled possible moose tracks. Given their present condition it was impossible to tell for sure but they were of the proper size and shape to belong to these large ungulates of the north woods.

The wind seemed to pick up as I made my way along the hunter’s path. I frequently looked up to see the entire forest swaying in unison. In response, I picked up my pace as I continued to scan the canopy for any possible limbs and/or trees that might tumble down on my poor head.

When I was not staring up into the canopy I noticed holes in and around the trail where rocks had been removed and rolled off onto the adjacent forest floor. This phenomenon started just south of the beaver vly and continued nearly all the way to the Beaver River. Although there was no evidence of recent human tracks along the trail these rock removals appeared fairly recent with a faint dusting of dirt still present on the side of the rocks once embedded in the Adirondack soil. Could this recent construction be to facilitate the movement of equipment for hunting camps in the near future?

Hunter's path

The hunter’s trail passed a side trail off to the west but I continued straight ahead. I knew from previous trips to the area that this side trail continued west until it crossed the Threemile Beaver Meadow stream and then took a hard right northward along the stream until reaching the Threemile Beaver Meadow. This path along the western shore of the stream was the same path I used on my first day to gain access to that fascinating beaver meadow.

The hunter’s path turned increasingly southward until I finally arrived at the intersection where the old survivalist shelter was located on my previous trip into the area (point #65). I had now come full circle as this was where I originally headed west along an old loggers road on my first day of the trip (read about my first day here). I knew at this point I had only a short distance to travel before reaching the power line and then the Beaver River Bridge.

Old survivalist camp

After traveling though the forest for a ways further and passing a small open area to the west I arrived at the power line right-of-way. Although still windy and much less humid, the sun was warm within this open area as I quickly weaved my way through the brushed out area and back into the forest.

Powerline right-of-way

I could hear voices as I approached the bridge over the Beaver River. A family was located upstream near the Brookfield Power building but I did not stop to see what they were up to but instead pressed on. This time I followed the canoe carry up the hill instead of the trail along the shore of the pond. After cresting the hill along the canoe carry I took a hard left and then descended down a hill to the bridge over the Sunday Creek.

After crossing the Sunday Creek I soon reached the Pepperbox Wilderness parking along Moshier Road. I found my car exactly where I left it (thank goodness) and after cleaning up I was off back to the Syracuse area.

And thus concluded my last bushwhacking trip of the 2010 season….

Bridge over the Beaver River