kwc
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2016
- Messages
- 938
The weather forecast looked and my wife was more than encouraging (is that a red flag?), and I really needed to get out onto the trails to see how much work I need to do on myself before hitting the trails with some unnamed BCP scallywags later on this year. It would also be a test of my new REI Flash 55 backpack. The original plan was 4 days, 3 nights, on a roughly 40 miles southern section of the trail. Ended up doing it in 3 days, 2 nights, simply because I pushed myself to go longer the first two days. So I am bit sore today and I need to do some more extended trips over the next couple of months.
After the first couple of miles you drop down to this view of Mud Pond, a shallow beaver pond
![047956A1-9160-4F03-AF5B-43CA76788F52.jpeg 047956A1-9160-4F03-AF5B-43CA76788F52.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110690-7dc0e7cd7c10943c18b08c1567b9900a.jpg)
Another view of the pond
![13111AE5-1B19-456B-BEBC-FAB7518FDEDD.jpeg 13111AE5-1B19-456B-BEBC-FAB7518FDEDD.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110691-27532d504c957d73e2b546c5869a7e92.jpg)
one of the many rocky water crossings that I encountered along the way
![BA4DC842-E5B1-428E-8D92-C7EC4C24CC8F.jpeg BA4DC842-E5B1-428E-8D92-C7EC4C24CC8F.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110696-6a508305985226715c3e470328a649ff.jpg)
cool fungi![B1C3A3DA-1227-4F43-A76D-EB84EFF37EA3.jpeg B1C3A3DA-1227-4F43-A76D-EB84EFF37EA3.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110699-52b590792a2248506a7c1b56af9cb123.jpg)
Stoney Creek that you have to wade across, ankle deep
![4A9EF0EA-150A-4C4E-9D12-C9DDC3D196B3.jpeg 4A9EF0EA-150A-4C4E-9D12-C9DDC3D196B3.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110700-1e865b50e22123d87df6da417d921fe7.jpg)
![FF75380D-FE82-4064-B555-49907E3CC7BF.jpeg FF75380D-FE82-4064-B555-49907E3CC7BF.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110701-94f97ffaf64728c1181de43928f039ee.jpg)
![3244AB53-9F1E-4C90-9314-A2CC6FD8781A.jpeg 3244AB53-9F1E-4C90-9314-A2CC6FD8781A.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110747-7ba391ecbbec57c69538bf269a1d23bb.jpg)
one of many vlies that you encounter along the trail
![9FBA463F-3298-43CC-9225-17453D26B7F1.jpeg 9FBA463F-3298-43CC-9225-17453D26B7F1.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110708-2672cdd2ec6c23d99c7df2c24c0f8cdb.jpg)
![C22C0171-2B34-46DD-BE19-B00A6B14BC32.jpeg C22C0171-2B34-46DD-BE19-B00A6B14BC32.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110709-a8ebb0324b1e77768088f577229160e6.jpg)
Silver Lake
![1CF04C37-8901-4503-B50E-5890BFF66876.jpeg 1CF04C37-8901-4503-B50E-5890BFF66876.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110710-6b531c6b3a76415191aa188dfb74dd26.jpg)
flowering tree along the way, found near a boggy area
![6651EB80-185A-4394-BD00-53D40BB4DD6D.jpeg 6651EB80-185A-4394-BD00-53D40BB4DD6D.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110712-588036e88b7b528dbbbb9a245631e925.jpg)
The wood plank bridge through the bog
![E5B9D296-4A63-4538-B3A6-552C88D6F1FE.jpeg E5B9D296-4A63-4538-B3A6-552C88D6F1FE.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110744-9f1082127959a72b71c7d71e34a2366d.jpg)
the area around that plank bridge
![930D8B29-8989-4DB5-B34C-E0FB67F47B30.jpeg 930D8B29-8989-4DB5-B34C-E0FB67F47B30.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110714-8b9c442769ca453365cc36ecf1d047b3.jpg)
![468512C4-E5D2-4063-BD34-EBE2356E9B9F.jpeg 468512C4-E5D2-4063-BD34-EBE2356E9B9F.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110716-1028bf656d5ec40883ea47688d4c3b8b.jpg)
![FA0F255F-55C2-4FDD-808C-F363F2116FCF.jpeg FA0F255F-55C2-4FDD-808C-F363F2116FCF.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110717-81b9f6878289f69b5f610b543a44f64e.jpg)
Another vlie![781B9D74-CABD-4AE8-B458-237D4DCC2833.jpeg 781B9D74-CABD-4AE8-B458-237D4DCC2833.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110718-baffba419705bb55cd95d887c55a25f3.jpg)
![7E609502-5CAC-4A0D-9B96-9A4E0903CDD8.jpeg 7E609502-5CAC-4A0D-9B96-9A4E0903CDD8.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110719-d9342864896cae24b2aa2d19293ec06b.jpg)
an Adirondack mud pit … figured this would be good practice for the scallywag adventure
![109F05B2-812A-47B8-A6AE-6E7D02E838A8.jpeg 109F05B2-812A-47B8-A6AE-6E7D02E838A8.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110720-b467235443759de628337c972c17196a.jpg)
![9BFCD74A-26E7-4942-9299-F1C083CB57D4.jpeg 9BFCD74A-26E7-4942-9299-F1C083CB57D4.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110721-e0229162607968dbed544b5a5e248739.jpg)
Pink Lady Slipper
![4D83F95A-C8B4-40B3-9CDF-92BB91927C7E.jpeg 4D83F95A-C8B4-40B3-9CDF-92BB91927C7E.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110745-c47cd2d90bfe0c5aaf9f6262ea526c7d.jpg)
Suspension bridge over the West Branch of the Sacandaga River (we canoe this same river several miles to the west of here)
![C66E70A0-065B-459A-B5BC-49FB9FE80F4D.jpeg C66E70A0-065B-459A-B5BC-49FB9FE80F4D.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110742-e116ca06d0c47fb5bf0f6b515383c69a.jpg)
The river
![72F39267-0D9C-447E-A3C2-274F681AE03D.jpeg 72F39267-0D9C-447E-A3C2-274F681AE03D.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110725-c700268b289e1269a27cffd8fd1caba9.jpg)
![4FE3A108-1383-4B29-B479-EA7DAB2860A7.jpeg 4FE3A108-1383-4B29-B479-EA7DAB2860A7.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110726-3085f362afdd87c976756a707415abde.jpg)
Old fireplace on the north side of the river after crossing the bridge … there used to be some sort of hotel or lodging here long ago
![ED6ED722-1656-47DE-81B6-FEB375831A3E.jpeg ED6ED722-1656-47DE-81B6-FEB375831A3E.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110739-3c6eb1029a09bdadda438740f4800f61.jpg)
Another vlie
![BB3C6456-BF2D-4BC2-B54F-1F70AA82B38F.jpeg BB3C6456-BF2D-4BC2-B54F-1F70AA82B38F.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110731-c96c5e20a9cbf4162ea889b72eb0eef7.jpg)
Some blowdown along the way. There was a considerable amount of blowdown in the one part of the trail on day two which slowed me down a bit
![05C397BD-F5BC-4C52-B306-EA2DEC357CB9.jpeg 05C397BD-F5BC-4C52-B306-EA2DEC357CB9.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110732-f74fa7db15340fd5d80fb10c4927ae3d.jpg)
another suspension bridge, this one going over Hamilton Lake Stream. Very bouncy with some missing planks
![F95DAAAE-2239-4C92-9A56-86DF579D4F74.jpeg F95DAAAE-2239-4C92-9A56-86DF579D4F74.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110740-a89f048d2626e434a4dd8501b5cbb76a.jpg)
As you get closer to where I was ending my trek in Piseco, you come across this beauty of a water/beaver pond/swamp. Just before you cross on these logs you have to navigate over some slippery rocks, roots, and logs.
![B157E1E1-DF49-4CB0-90CB-421BF00E29A7.jpeg B157E1E1-DF49-4CB0-90CB-421BF00E29A7.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110737-779fd4b41db47bb95ed747e972795ac5.jpg)
And after managing to stay upright for many miles I slipped on one of those logs before crossing and this was the result. It’s only a flesh wound.
![B0BBE850-3999-4F83-BEC9-AC15A36F65D2.jpeg B0BBE850-3999-4F83-BEC9-AC15A36F65D2.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110738-8d31fcaf5d0ccb6a2543ea34f0482703.jpg)
Much of the trail has not had very much maintenance over the past few years. Some sections were very good, most were in dire need of some work. In true Adirondack fashion there are no switchbacks so the trail goes straight up or straight down which leads to excessive erosion from water running down the trail during heavy rain. And even though the air temperature was never more than 68 degrees, it was very humid/muggy in there and you are in the forest much of the time.
Night number one I tented in an off trail campsite that was on my Gaia map. Night number two was spent at the Mud Lake lean to (not to be confused with the Mud Pond that you encounter early on in day one) where I was serenaded by owls and the loons in the middle of the night.
I saw five people during my hike, 2 day trippers on day one and a group of three day trippers on my last day.
And then it started to rain when I was on y way home. Glad I was out of the woods then. Bugs were bad in some areas, not so bad in others. Mosquitoes most of the time with some deer flies appearing towards the end of my last day. Head net was used much of the time. And the backpack worked out fine.
After the first couple of miles you drop down to this view of Mud Pond, a shallow beaver pond
![047956A1-9160-4F03-AF5B-43CA76788F52.jpeg 047956A1-9160-4F03-AF5B-43CA76788F52.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110690-7dc0e7cd7c10943c18b08c1567b9900a.jpg)
Another view of the pond
![13111AE5-1B19-456B-BEBC-FAB7518FDEDD.jpeg 13111AE5-1B19-456B-BEBC-FAB7518FDEDD.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110691-27532d504c957d73e2b546c5869a7e92.jpg)
one of the many rocky water crossings that I encountered along the way
![BA4DC842-E5B1-428E-8D92-C7EC4C24CC8F.jpeg BA4DC842-E5B1-428E-8D92-C7EC4C24CC8F.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110696-6a508305985226715c3e470328a649ff.jpg)
cool fungi
![B1C3A3DA-1227-4F43-A76D-EB84EFF37EA3.jpeg B1C3A3DA-1227-4F43-A76D-EB84EFF37EA3.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110699-52b590792a2248506a7c1b56af9cb123.jpg)
Stoney Creek that you have to wade across, ankle deep
![4A9EF0EA-150A-4C4E-9D12-C9DDC3D196B3.jpeg 4A9EF0EA-150A-4C4E-9D12-C9DDC3D196B3.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110700-1e865b50e22123d87df6da417d921fe7.jpg)
![FF75380D-FE82-4064-B555-49907E3CC7BF.jpeg FF75380D-FE82-4064-B555-49907E3CC7BF.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110701-94f97ffaf64728c1181de43928f039ee.jpg)
![3244AB53-9F1E-4C90-9314-A2CC6FD8781A.jpeg 3244AB53-9F1E-4C90-9314-A2CC6FD8781A.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110747-7ba391ecbbec57c69538bf269a1d23bb.jpg)
one of many vlies that you encounter along the trail
![9FBA463F-3298-43CC-9225-17453D26B7F1.jpeg 9FBA463F-3298-43CC-9225-17453D26B7F1.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110708-2672cdd2ec6c23d99c7df2c24c0f8cdb.jpg)
![C22C0171-2B34-46DD-BE19-B00A6B14BC32.jpeg C22C0171-2B34-46DD-BE19-B00A6B14BC32.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110709-a8ebb0324b1e77768088f577229160e6.jpg)
Silver Lake
![1CF04C37-8901-4503-B50E-5890BFF66876.jpeg 1CF04C37-8901-4503-B50E-5890BFF66876.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110710-6b531c6b3a76415191aa188dfb74dd26.jpg)
flowering tree along the way, found near a boggy area
![6651EB80-185A-4394-BD00-53D40BB4DD6D.jpeg 6651EB80-185A-4394-BD00-53D40BB4DD6D.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110712-588036e88b7b528dbbbb9a245631e925.jpg)
The wood plank bridge through the bog
![E5B9D296-4A63-4538-B3A6-552C88D6F1FE.jpeg E5B9D296-4A63-4538-B3A6-552C88D6F1FE.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110744-9f1082127959a72b71c7d71e34a2366d.jpg)
the area around that plank bridge
![930D8B29-8989-4DB5-B34C-E0FB67F47B30.jpeg 930D8B29-8989-4DB5-B34C-E0FB67F47B30.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110714-8b9c442769ca453365cc36ecf1d047b3.jpg)
![468512C4-E5D2-4063-BD34-EBE2356E9B9F.jpeg 468512C4-E5D2-4063-BD34-EBE2356E9B9F.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110716-1028bf656d5ec40883ea47688d4c3b8b.jpg)
![FA0F255F-55C2-4FDD-808C-F363F2116FCF.jpeg FA0F255F-55C2-4FDD-808C-F363F2116FCF.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110717-81b9f6878289f69b5f610b543a44f64e.jpg)
Another vlie
![781B9D74-CABD-4AE8-B458-237D4DCC2833.jpeg 781B9D74-CABD-4AE8-B458-237D4DCC2833.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110718-baffba419705bb55cd95d887c55a25f3.jpg)
![7E609502-5CAC-4A0D-9B96-9A4E0903CDD8.jpeg 7E609502-5CAC-4A0D-9B96-9A4E0903CDD8.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110719-d9342864896cae24b2aa2d19293ec06b.jpg)
an Adirondack mud pit … figured this would be good practice for the scallywag adventure
![109F05B2-812A-47B8-A6AE-6E7D02E838A8.jpeg 109F05B2-812A-47B8-A6AE-6E7D02E838A8.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110720-b467235443759de628337c972c17196a.jpg)
![9BFCD74A-26E7-4942-9299-F1C083CB57D4.jpeg 9BFCD74A-26E7-4942-9299-F1C083CB57D4.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110721-e0229162607968dbed544b5a5e248739.jpg)
Pink Lady Slipper
![4D83F95A-C8B4-40B3-9CDF-92BB91927C7E.jpeg 4D83F95A-C8B4-40B3-9CDF-92BB91927C7E.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110745-c47cd2d90bfe0c5aaf9f6262ea526c7d.jpg)
Suspension bridge over the West Branch of the Sacandaga River (we canoe this same river several miles to the west of here)
![C66E70A0-065B-459A-B5BC-49FB9FE80F4D.jpeg C66E70A0-065B-459A-B5BC-49FB9FE80F4D.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110742-e116ca06d0c47fb5bf0f6b515383c69a.jpg)
The river
![72F39267-0D9C-447E-A3C2-274F681AE03D.jpeg 72F39267-0D9C-447E-A3C2-274F681AE03D.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110725-c700268b289e1269a27cffd8fd1caba9.jpg)
![4FE3A108-1383-4B29-B479-EA7DAB2860A7.jpeg 4FE3A108-1383-4B29-B479-EA7DAB2860A7.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110726-3085f362afdd87c976756a707415abde.jpg)
Old fireplace on the north side of the river after crossing the bridge … there used to be some sort of hotel or lodging here long ago
![ED6ED722-1656-47DE-81B6-FEB375831A3E.jpeg ED6ED722-1656-47DE-81B6-FEB375831A3E.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110739-3c6eb1029a09bdadda438740f4800f61.jpg)
Another vlie
![BB3C6456-BF2D-4BC2-B54F-1F70AA82B38F.jpeg BB3C6456-BF2D-4BC2-B54F-1F70AA82B38F.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110731-c96c5e20a9cbf4162ea889b72eb0eef7.jpg)
Some blowdown along the way. There was a considerable amount of blowdown in the one part of the trail on day two which slowed me down a bit
![05C397BD-F5BC-4C52-B306-EA2DEC357CB9.jpeg 05C397BD-F5BC-4C52-B306-EA2DEC357CB9.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110732-f74fa7db15340fd5d80fb10c4927ae3d.jpg)
another suspension bridge, this one going over Hamilton Lake Stream. Very bouncy with some missing planks
![F95DAAAE-2239-4C92-9A56-86DF579D4F74.jpeg F95DAAAE-2239-4C92-9A56-86DF579D4F74.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110740-a89f048d2626e434a4dd8501b5cbb76a.jpg)
As you get closer to where I was ending my trek in Piseco, you come across this beauty of a water/beaver pond/swamp. Just before you cross on these logs you have to navigate over some slippery rocks, roots, and logs.
![B157E1E1-DF49-4CB0-90CB-421BF00E29A7.jpeg B157E1E1-DF49-4CB0-90CB-421BF00E29A7.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110737-779fd4b41db47bb95ed747e972795ac5.jpg)
And after managing to stay upright for many miles I slipped on one of those logs before crossing and this was the result. It’s only a flesh wound.
![B0BBE850-3999-4F83-BEC9-AC15A36F65D2.jpeg B0BBE850-3999-4F83-BEC9-AC15A36F65D2.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110738-8d31fcaf5d0ccb6a2543ea34f0482703.jpg)
Much of the trail has not had very much maintenance over the past few years. Some sections were very good, most were in dire need of some work. In true Adirondack fashion there are no switchbacks so the trail goes straight up or straight down which leads to excessive erosion from water running down the trail during heavy rain. And even though the air temperature was never more than 68 degrees, it was very humid/muggy in there and you are in the forest much of the time.
Night number one I tented in an off trail campsite that was on my Gaia map. Night number two was spent at the Mud Lake lean to (not to be confused with the Mud Pond that you encounter early on in day one) where I was serenaded by owls and the loons in the middle of the night.
I saw five people during my hike, 2 day trippers on day one and a group of three day trippers on my last day.
And then it started to rain when I was on y way home. Glad I was out of the woods then. Bugs were bad in some areas, not so bad in others. Mosquitoes most of the time with some deer flies appearing towards the end of my last day. Head net was used much of the time. And the backpack worked out fine.