Unnamed ponds are always hit or miss when it comes to camping. Perhaps that is why they remain without a name. The pond halfway between Crooked Lake and Sitz Pond is no different in that regards. So, when I reach the swampy outlet of this unnamed pond, the thought of camping in this slop is
Carpet Spruce Swamp: Racing North from the Oswegatchie River’s Confluence in Search of a Campsite
Looking for a campsite in the Adirondack backcountry is neither science nor art, it is a struggle, especially so within the remote southwestern Five Ponds Wilderness. The chance of finding one of those flat areas so common along the trail system, devoid of vegetation and other debris due to many years of human use, is
Carpet Spruce Swamp: Hiking On What Passes For The Upper South Pond Trail
My bushwhacking trip through one of the remotest parts of the Five Ponds Wilderness begins on the Upper South Pond Trail. The rough and rugged trail crosses the Middle Branch of the Oswgatchie River and meanders through a wild Adirondack forest on its way to a wilderness pond. My first encounter with moose droppings on this trip occurs on the trail just before approaching Upper South Pond, near where I leave the trail behind and begin bushwhacking south toward Lower South Pond.
Isle Royale Trip: Lakes Livermore and LeSage on the Indian Portage Trail
A description of the first part of three for the thirteenth day of my adventure to Isle Royale National Park during late summer 2011. the route takes me over the Greenstone Ridge passed Lakes Livermore and LeSage along the Indian Portage Trail.
Isle Royale Trip: Wish Fulfillment at West Chickenbone Lake
A description of the final part of three for the twelth day of my adventure to Isle Royale National Park during late summer 2011. Descending from the Greenstone Ridge to West Chickenbone Lake for the evening. Deer mouse, great horned owl and moose are just a few examples of the wildlife encountered.
Isle Royale Trip: Moose of a morning at Rainbow Cove
It is a cold and foggy morning at Feldtmann Lake. Despite the less than ideal conditions, I am overjoyed the bone-chilling cold of the previous morning at Washington Creek campground does not make a reappearance. Hopefully, the weather gets warm enough to finally drink down that Foster’s beer stuck in my backpack since leaving Windigo
Aside: My first moose encounter on Isle Royale, times two!
Moose. Isle Royale‘s moose are legendary. However, during the past eight days on the island, there has not been much sign of any except some old antlers, a few tracks and some piles of scat. By the morning of the ninth day, I am starting to lose hope that I will ever see one in
Oven Lake Trip: Bushwhacking Along the Robinson River
The following is a description of an eight-day bushwhacking adventure into some of the most remote areas within the Five Ponds Wilderness in the northwestern Adirondacks. The trip includes traversing areas of intense blowdown along the oddly-shaped Oven Lake, exploring a cluster of wilderness ponds and following the wild Robinson River. The second part of
Oven Lake Trip: Robinson River, Here I Come!
The following is a description of an eight-day bushwhacking adventure into some of the most remote areas within the Five Ponds Wilderness in the northwestern Adirondacks. The trip includes traversing areas of intense blowdown along the oddly-shaped Oven Lake, exploring a cluster of wilderness ponds and following the wild Robinson River. The first part of
Oven Lake Trip: Getting Lost Following a Stream to Gal Pond
The following is a description of an eight-day bushwhacking adventure into some of the most remote areas within the Five Ponds Wilderness in the northwestern Adirondacks. The trip includes traversing areas of intense blowdown along the oddly-shaped Oven Lake, exploring a cluster of wilderness ponds and following the wild Robinson River. The second part of
