For todays low-key snowshoe hike, Tredhed and I went to another one of our "Happy Places"; the Hammond Pond Wild Forest. Since we've never been to the HPWF's name-sake, we figured today was a good time to stop there on our way to Bloody Pond. Sadly, Bloody Pond will have to wait for another day as high water kept us on the wrong side of Black Bk.
We hit the Ensign Pond Rd trailhead (Photo 1) and were pleasantly surprised to find it plowed out. After signing in at the register, the .8 miles to Hammond Pond went quickly. There was only one noticeable blow-down on the wide trail. Snow conditions were spring-like with granular packed snow on the trail and mushy snow off trail. There were plenty of wet spots and wind blown branches on the trail to keep us on our toes.
The trail paralleled Black Bk. which was running very high and out of its banks in some spots. Soon after the fork in the trail, the Hammond Pond spillway came into view (Photo 2). After a few more steps, the rest of Hammond Pond lay before us. We were impressed by the massive cliffs on Sweet Fern Hill (Photo 3) and Hail Mt. climbing up from the edge of the pond (Photo 4).
After a quick re-hydration break, we backtracked to the fork and struck out towards Bloody Pond. It was immediately obvious that this trail wasn't as well maintained as the main trail to Hammond Pond. Several large blow-downs blocked the way making for some interesting detours. However, we were surprised to see a PVC pipe coming out of the side of the hill adjacent to the trail that was tapping a free flowing spring. :thumbs: Yum! Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was when we got to the crossing of Black Bk and discovered there was no bridge (Photo 5). :eek:
We contemplated the thigh deep water, which would have been our fate had we attempted to cross the one skinny spruce log that spanned the stream. Discretion being the better part of valor, we declared victory and headed back to the car. One the way back, we made up for our disappointment by checking out the raging waterfall on the Berrymill Bk. (Photo 6). It was just a hundred yards upstream from the bridge and definitely worth the detour.
This winter we're 0-2 on finishing our hikes as planned. I guess the good lesson here is to be flexible in your itinerary and don't get target fixation on the destination. Besides, if we had got dorked up trying to cross Black Bk. we wouldn't have been able to enjoy a delicious Switchback on tap at Flannigan's in Schroon Lake.
We hit the Ensign Pond Rd trailhead (Photo 1) and were pleasantly surprised to find it plowed out. After signing in at the register, the .8 miles to Hammond Pond went quickly. There was only one noticeable blow-down on the wide trail. Snow conditions were spring-like with granular packed snow on the trail and mushy snow off trail. There were plenty of wet spots and wind blown branches on the trail to keep us on our toes.
The trail paralleled Black Bk. which was running very high and out of its banks in some spots. Soon after the fork in the trail, the Hammond Pond spillway came into view (Photo 2). After a few more steps, the rest of Hammond Pond lay before us. We were impressed by the massive cliffs on Sweet Fern Hill (Photo 3) and Hail Mt. climbing up from the edge of the pond (Photo 4).
After a quick re-hydration break, we backtracked to the fork and struck out towards Bloody Pond. It was immediately obvious that this trail wasn't as well maintained as the main trail to Hammond Pond. Several large blow-downs blocked the way making for some interesting detours. However, we were surprised to see a PVC pipe coming out of the side of the hill adjacent to the trail that was tapping a free flowing spring. :thumbs: Yum! Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was when we got to the crossing of Black Bk and discovered there was no bridge (Photo 5). :eek:
We contemplated the thigh deep water, which would have been our fate had we attempted to cross the one skinny spruce log that spanned the stream. Discretion being the better part of valor, we declared victory and headed back to the car. One the way back, we made up for our disappointment by checking out the raging waterfall on the Berrymill Bk. (Photo 6). It was just a hundred yards upstream from the bridge and definitely worth the detour.
This winter we're 0-2 on finishing our hikes as planned. I guess the good lesson here is to be flexible in your itinerary and don't get target fixation on the destination. Besides, if we had got dorked up trying to cross Black Bk. we wouldn't have been able to enjoy a delicious Switchback on tap at Flannigan's in Schroon Lake.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire