On Friday, Tredhed and I took a long planned hike to Rock and Long Ponds in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area. Although it started off a little cool, it was a great day for a hike. After stocking up on provisions in Speculator, we made the short drive up Elm Lake Rd. In the Speculator Tree Farm area. It was a good road that ended in a good parking lot complete with new outhouse!
We walked the couple hundred yards to the boundary of the wilderness area and across the bridge at Cisco Brook. Tredhed pointed out a comment in the trail register (photo 1) that this was a boring trail. Oh, was this guy ever so wrong.
The red disked trail started out following the Kunjamuk valley and passed through some superb white pines and even a few scotch pine plantations. The trees were absolutely glorious. As the trail left the valley, the woods changed abruptly from pine/spruce to almost pure maple. Too early for good color yet, but in a couple weeks this will be fantastic. The trail also became choked with witch hobble and while never difficult to follow, was certainly overgrown. Tredhed counted ten blowdowns.
As we approached Rock Pond, it became a more mixed forest with several small ledges adjacent to the trail. We took a break at the designated campsite on Rock Pond and it was very nice (photo 2). The view across the pond was enhanced by the red maples showing their stuff and the large rocks jutting out into the pond. I tried in vain to catch the resident fish in the pond as Tredhed watched with amusement.
After giving up on fishing, a short 20 minute hike led us to Long Pond (photo 3). I've seen many pictures of the pond and it's cliffs, but seeing the cliffs up close was very cool (photo 4). Sadly, we didn't budget time to climb the cliffs, but that's on my list of things to do. Although, it looks pretty thick up there. Any comments?
Again, I tried to catch a fish or two and only had a small pickerel flip me the fin. So much for my fishing skills. Lunch on the rocky point was a highlight of this walk as we enjoyed watching two loons catching their lunch. That might explain my poor luck with the rod and reel.
On the hike back, we decided to detour and follow the blue disked Kunjamuk Trail to where it gets swallowed up by it's namesake river. Another beautiful stretch of river valley trail led past towering white pines and spruces and soon came to the swampy terminus (photo 5). It looked like there was a light foot tread over the 200yd long beaver dam, but we didn't attempt the crossing. Looks easy enough to snowshoe, but getting here in the winter might be a challenge.
It was a quick and enjoyable walk back to the parking area on a sandy trail covered with fallen pine needles. I definitely want to explore this area of the SPWA a little more. It's remote, didn't seem to be used very much, and was very diverse (regardless of the comments in the register). All in all, a great hike!
We walked the couple hundred yards to the boundary of the wilderness area and across the bridge at Cisco Brook. Tredhed pointed out a comment in the trail register (photo 1) that this was a boring trail. Oh, was this guy ever so wrong.
The red disked trail started out following the Kunjamuk valley and passed through some superb white pines and even a few scotch pine plantations. The trees were absolutely glorious. As the trail left the valley, the woods changed abruptly from pine/spruce to almost pure maple. Too early for good color yet, but in a couple weeks this will be fantastic. The trail also became choked with witch hobble and while never difficult to follow, was certainly overgrown. Tredhed counted ten blowdowns.
As we approached Rock Pond, it became a more mixed forest with several small ledges adjacent to the trail. We took a break at the designated campsite on Rock Pond and it was very nice (photo 2). The view across the pond was enhanced by the red maples showing their stuff and the large rocks jutting out into the pond. I tried in vain to catch the resident fish in the pond as Tredhed watched with amusement.
After giving up on fishing, a short 20 minute hike led us to Long Pond (photo 3). I've seen many pictures of the pond and it's cliffs, but seeing the cliffs up close was very cool (photo 4). Sadly, we didn't budget time to climb the cliffs, but that's on my list of things to do. Although, it looks pretty thick up there. Any comments?
Again, I tried to catch a fish or two and only had a small pickerel flip me the fin. So much for my fishing skills. Lunch on the rocky point was a highlight of this walk as we enjoyed watching two loons catching their lunch. That might explain my poor luck with the rod and reel.
On the hike back, we decided to detour and follow the blue disked Kunjamuk Trail to where it gets swallowed up by it's namesake river. Another beautiful stretch of river valley trail led past towering white pines and spruces and soon came to the swampy terminus (photo 5). It looked like there was a light foot tread over the 200yd long beaver dam, but we didn't attempt the crossing. Looks easy enough to snowshoe, but getting here in the winter might be a challenge.
It was a quick and enjoyable walk back to the parking area on a sandy trail covered with fallen pine needles. I definitely want to explore this area of the SPWA a little more. It's remote, didn't seem to be used very much, and was very diverse (regardless of the comments in the register). All in all, a great hike!
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