Sun penetrates the canopy, glistening off the droplets hanging from the surrounding foliage, leftovers from overnight rains. Birds joyously sing from the tree tops, apparently greeting the dawn of a sunnier and drier day. The Red Horse Creek continues roaring, refreshed from a day of off and on rain. Such is the beginning of my
Ponds East of Red Horse Trail 2015: Rain Delay at Trout Pond Lean-to
Rain delay days in the Adirondack backcountry can sometimes be a drag. This is especially true when caught within a small shelter where you must stay in a prone position most of the time. Fortunately, this is not the case in the Trout Pond lean-to, where I spend my rain delay day after exploring some
Ponds East of Red Horse Trail 2015: Return to the Red Horse Trail
Now with the western end of Little Rock Pond in sight, it is time to start thinking about returning to the Red Horse Trail for a few days. The trail remains just due west, so bushwhacking there should not require any fancy navigating, as long as I avoid a slim wetland in between the trail
FBON 2011: Sleet and Freezing Rain at Trout Pond in the Catskills
On April 21-23, 2011 my friend Dave and I participated in the 26th annual Frostbite Overnight (FBON). The FBON is an early spring camping trip taken the three days prior to Easter in the Catskills State Park. This year we hiked into Trout Pond in the Cherry Ridge/Campbell Mountain Wild Forest. The following article chronicles
FBON 2011: Investigating the Ruins of Mud Pond in the Catskills
On April 21-23, 2011 my friend Dave and I participated in the 26th annual Frostbite Overnight (FBON). The FBON is an early spring camping trip taken the three days prior to Easter in the Catskills State Park. This year we hiked into Trout Pond in the Cherry Ridge/Campbell Mountain Wild Forest. The following article chronicles
FBON 2011: Hiking into Trout Pond in the Catskills
On April 21-23, 2011 my friend Dave and I participated in the 26th annual Frostbite Overnight (FBON). The FBON is an early spring camping trip taken the three days prior to Easter in the Catskills State Park. This year we hiked into Trout Pond in the Cherry Ridge/Campbell Mountain Wild Forest. The following article chronicles
Frostbite Overnight 2011 Teaser
From April 21 through 23, 2011, my friend Dave and I participated in the 26th Annual Frostbite Overnight in the Catskill State Park. This was the fewest number of individuals to attend this annual backpacking event for many years. The last time there were this few participants the two of us hiked along the Escarpment
Stillwater Reservoir to Cranberry Lake Trip: Bushwhacking to Toad Pond
The following is an account of day five 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 and another trail
Stillwater Reservoir to Cranberry Lake Trip: Arriving at Gun Harbor
The following is an account of day four 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 and another trail
Aside: Where have all the amusing rodents gone?
Have you noticed the lack of wildlife around lean-tos in the northwestern part of the Adirondacks? Have you noticed you can leave your food unattended for 5-10 minutes and upon returning find it unmolested? Even tasty morsels like brownies? Are you able to eat meals uninterrupted without uninvited guests appearing and insistently begging for a
