A mature paper birch blowndown is all that exists between me and my final destination of Merriam Swamp on day five in the Jay Mountain Wilderness. The blowdown combined with a steady slope and a constant horde of black flies makes the last leg of my day memorial. After reaching Merriam Swamp, I am captivated by the view of the Jay Mountain ridge dominating the view. Entertainment in the backcountry after the bushwhacking is complete includes watching a lone hiker make progress on his/her journey on the ridge after climbing Jay Mountain.
Jay Mountain Wilderness 2014: Over the Ridge, Through the Forest, In Search of a Stream We Go
My last full day in the Jay Mountain Wilderness Area welcomes me with some arduous and undulating ridge bushwhacking before finding the drainage that leads down to Merriam Swamp. Although the drainage provides some much needed water, it also contains thick vegetation and a good deal of blowdown, with the worst being yet to come.
Jay Mountain Wilderness 2014: Climbing McDonough (nee Slip) Mountain
My climb up McDonough (nee Slip) Mountain starts with a bushwhack from the beaver swill along Derby Brook up a herd path to a col along the ridge connecting McDonough and Saddleback Mountains. An arduous hike east along the ridge pays off with beautiful views to the south from McDonough’s summit before retracing my way back west to set myself up for the journey down to Merriam Swamp the following day.
Jay Mountain Wilderness 2014: Following Along Derby Brook
Having explored Lot 8 before it was turned into another open pit mind, my bushwhacking adventure through the Jay Mountain Wilderness Area continues as I head west back toward my vehicle. From my second Lot 8 campsite, I follow the rocky Derby Brook westward to its headwaters before deciding whether or not to climb McDonough Mountain or head straight for Merriam Swamp.
Central Pepperbox Wilderness Trip Report Day Three: Losing my way along the feeder stream
The following is the second part of a report on the third 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
Central Pepperbox Wilderness Trip Report Day Two: In Search of Water Access along Threemile Beaver Meadow
The second day of my bushwhacking trip through the interior of the Pepperbox Wilderness finds me following along the northern ponds of the Threemile Beaver Meadow. Along the way, I stop at the beaver dam of the northern-most pond to filter water before heading to Bear Pond.
Stillwater Reservoir to Cranberry Lake Trip: Hiking Through the Five Ponds Wilderness
The following is an account of day one of my epic hike from Wanakena, NY to Stillwater Reservoir, Cranberry Lake and then back to Wanakena. The entire trip required backpacking via trail into the heart of the Five Ponds Wilderness, a lengthy bushwhack to the northern terminus of the Red Horse Trail, another trail hike,
Wanakena to Stillwater Reservoir to Cranberry Lake Trip Plan 03-2010
Last year when I was backpacking within the Five Ponds Wilderness around Memorial Day I read an entry in the Little Shallow Lean-to register about someone who had hiked from that lean-to to Stillwater Reservoir and back within a 24-hour period. To see a trip report from that individual click here. At the time I
Pepperbox Birdathon 2010 Day One
The following is an account of the first day of my trip to bushwhack my way through the Pepperbox Wilderness while participating in the National Audubon Society’s Birdathon. The Birdathon is a 24-hour contest to detect as many bird species as possible and this was the first time I participated since 2002 and the absolutely
Pepperbox Birdathon 2010 Trip Teaser
On May 14th through the 16th I went for a bushwhacking trip into the Pepperbox Wilderness in the northwestern part of the Adirondack Park. The primary reason for this trip was to participate in the National Audubon Society – Onondaga Chapter’s Birdathon on May 15th. The Birdathon is a 24-hour contest to identify as many
