Dismal Pond
Bushwhacking from Diana Pond to an unnamed slim pond was the easy part of my second day; now the more arduous trek around Dismal Pond begins. If memory serves me correctly, navigating around the southern shoreline definitely lives up to the pond’s name. Unfortunately, there is no alternative, as the northern shore crosses into private property at one point, removing that as an option.
The unnamed slim pond’s outlet stream is my first obstacle, albeit a minor one. Fortunately, despite the wet early summer, only a trickle of water escapes the beaver dam, so crossing proves easy enough. Good job beavers! After a few rock hops, the crossing is over and I am looking forward to my next forested leg of my trip.
From the other side of the trickling stream, I start climbing through a forest almost immediately as I head east toward Dismal Pond. The climb is not long however, but is quite steep, as it rises 100 feet in only a tenth of a mile. At the top, open conifers abound with some lichen-covered rocks scattered about.
Section Stats:
Date: June 26, 2015
Length: 2.4 miles (3.7 total daily miles; 10.0 total trip miles)
Difficulty: Easy
The descent is just as steep as the climb, appearing to plummet even further than my last descent to the unnamed pond now behind me to the west. Short cliffs abound here, so I make small switchbacks to wind my way down in an attempt to avoid falling off any. At one point, I cross over what looks like a significant cave in the rocks below. Turning around, I work my way back to its entrance, but peering into its interior fails to show any evidence of bear activity, or any other wildlife, for that matter.
The descent continues until reaching a wet area, with another short rise afterwards. Finally, another short descent leads to the broad and open outlet from Dismal Pond. The forests surrounding the stream contains mostly fir and spruce, typical of Adirondack wetlands. Unfortunately, this outlet is so wide, with herbaceous vegetation dominating both sides, that there is little chance of me crossing without getting wet, as in the soaking kind.
As a wet crossing is a non-starter, I scan upstream and downstream looking for a more promising way to get across. South looks open for as far as the eye can see, with the open area expanding in width as it gets farther away. North looks more promising, as the stream exits the forest just a short distance away from my current location. This forest area must be a pretty thin ridge, as Dismal Pond lies just a short distance beyond it according to both my map and GPS.
The forested ridge it is!
It is easier to head back uphill onto the ridge a short distance than stay near the open outlet as I attempt to head upstream. Staying in the open area along the stream would be easier, and therefore preferable, but it proves very soggy, so the drier route back in the forest wins out.
Once fighting my way back up onto the ridge, through fir, spruce and an occasional hemlock, I double back toward the forested bridge upstream. After another short descent toward the forested bridge, a scattering of rocks provide for a dry crossing under the forest canopy, allowing me to reach the other side of Dismal’s outlet stream without so much as a wet toe.
Given the soggy conditions predicted for the next four days, staying dry today is a must.
After crossing, I head east a short distance until Dismal Pond comes within sight through the trees. From my vantage point at the pond’s western end, the open water zig-zags around multiple broad and forested peninsulas before presumably reaching the main portion of the pond. Boggy vegetation surrounds much of shoreline, especially along the southwestern shoreline. My only choice moving forward is following along the shoreline to the south, making sure to cut across any protruding peninsulas rather than getting caught out on one.
If memory serves me from my only other visit years ago, this is not going to be easy.
Forest between unnamed and Dismal Ponds
My memory serves me well, as the going is not for the faint-hearted, giving me more insight into the naming of this odd-shaped waterbody. Although the canopy is somewhat open, dominated by conifers but with many hardwoods mixed in, the on-the-ground conditions are horrendous at times, with blowdowns frequently providing arduous, and often, treacherous conditions. Trying to minimize the effort, I avoid hugging the shoreline as much as possible, instead staying back into the forest a short distance.
Unfortunately, it does not help much.
At times, I descend a short distance into either a swampy area or small stream, only to climb a short ridge and return to the treacherous conifer forest with its frequent blowdowns. The forest’s open canopy allows for ample light penetration, providing an opportunity for both thick hobblebush and plentiful ferns in the understory. The open canopy, combining with the frequent wet areas, provide plenty of habitat for mosquitoes and deer flies, with a few black flies mixed in. The constant assault from the biting fly horde just adds to the difficulty; Dismal Pond, indeed.
After more than two hours of treacherous bushwhacking, my time along Dismal Pond’s southern shoreline draws to a close; my relief being almost palpable. After climbing over blowdowns and forcing my way through young coniferous ingrowth, I sure can use some open hardwood forests to hike through, if not a full-blown vacation on a tropical island. Unfortunately, there are many miles to go, including getting past Dismal Pond’s eastern end.
The eastern end of the pond is shaped like a dog’s head, or perhaps more aptly given the coniferous forest, the state of Maine. When I near the end of the pond’s snout, the open water starts becoming more clogged with marshy vegetation. This changing habitat provides more opportunities to observe wildlife, at least in theory. My only opportunity is when a female hooded merganser speedily guides her eight or more young away from me and into open water. Given the clamor I make moving through the thick forest, this is completely understandable.
Southwestern Dismal Pond
Western Dismal Pond
Soon after leaving Dismal Pond behind, the climbing starts once again in earnest, now toward Hawk Pond. It does not take long before it becomes steep as I attempt to thread the needle through a col between two small peaks, trying my best to reduce the climbing as much as possible given my depleted energy level from Dismal Pond. Thankfully, the majority of the climb remains mostly within hardwoods, with more conifers appearing near the top of the ridge.
The descent is steep, but not nearly as steep as the previous two descents earlier in the day. As open water appears through the trees, the forest takes on a more significant coniferous component, foreshadowing Hawk Pond’s proximity. The steep slope leads directly toward the pond itself, leaving no means in which to cross nearby. Instead, I turn south before even reaching the pond’s shoreline, toward the outlet where a more likely crossing may be found.
Forest at Dismal Pond
Eastern Dismal Pond
My trepidation about crossing the stream ends when I see a sturdy beaver dam in the outlet. After getting over the beaver dam, I continue along the pond’s southern shoreline, until I climb up onto a short rise. The forest is rather open, although mostly coniferous, and easy to bushwhack through, a welcome change from Dismal Pond’s horrendous effort.
Spotting an open, level area at the location where the outlet widens into open pond, I head for it. From this vantage point, I should obtain a commanding view of the pond off to the east. A more perfect place to eat lunch would be hard to find, especially in this remote area. At half-passed two and with almost four miles of intense bushwhacking under my belt since leaving camp at Diana Pond this morning, a lunch break is more than overdue.
First glimpse of Hawk Pond
Hawk Pond Dam
While eating my late lunch of a tuna sandwich combined with plenty of snacks, I filter water and shed my shoes, allowing my feet time to dry off and take a break from the arduous journey of the day thus far. The rest is much appreciated, especially for my poor feet.
With the frequent wind gusts, audible natural sounds are few and far between, so I take part of my rest break to turn on the radio and listen for the weather forecast. If I meant for it to inspire me, I am sadly mistaken as rain is still in the forecast for the next few days. Just like most of the summer, it appears dodging raindrops is a skill I need to master, and soon.
At least I have the rest of today and until tomorrow afternoon to do so.
Hawk Pond
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