Wolf Jaw lean to

I came up to this lean-to maybe two or three years ago to climb Upper WJ. My wife and our son's family are coming up on Sept. 8th for a few days. I am thinking about coming up before them, on Labor Day and getting a room, then packing in with my dog Maggie the following day. My thought process is that the Garden parking lot shouldn't be full on that Tuesday. I definitely know it won't be empty to say the least, but I am banking on a decent amount of privacy the two nights at the lean-to. Having been up Upper WJ I have my sights set on Lower. I am fairly confident that my dog Maggie will be ok with a climb from the lean-to of well under 2000' and only 1 1/2 miles. I won't hesitate to turn around if I think she is uncomfortable at all with her back legs. The leaf viewers won't be out yet, so I want to get my climb in before that happens.

On a side note, did Art Devlin sell his motel, and if so, anyone have the number to whatever it is called now?

Canoe cart

Anyone have any recommendations for a canoe cart? I've been looking at them online but it appears most are not designed for rough terrain. Recommendations on ones to avoid are also appreciated.

Cell Service at DEC Campgrounds

I'm curious which state (DEC) campgrounds in the Adirondacks have decent cell service for Spectrum Mobile. Forget their map, it's not 100% reliable. I want to set up some solo, mid-week work-and-play camping/fishing trips, including possibly in late August. And when my wife retires in a few years, she'll gladly join me.

Up until a few years ago when I changed jobs, I really wasn't a cellphone person, and I pretty much ditch it on weekends or go places where there's no service. But if I do this, I need to be connected at times, mainly for a wi-fi hot-spot. So, I'm curious to hear of others experiences at DEC campgrounds, or even free campsites (for a small RV). I know Lake Harris and Nicks Lake are pretty solid, and heard Eaton and Fish Creek are as well. But I'd like to know about others. Thanks in advance!

Good profile of Tony Goodwin

This is not news to most of you, but Tony Goodwin knows more about ADK trails than anyone else. This ADK Explorer profile explains why:

https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/s...eid=67a7b4970b

Wolves (for real)

WTEN Albany

Unlike the tiny mountain lions that keep turning out to be of the calico variety, this is very encouraging.

Inman Pond Ledges, LGWF, 26 Jul, 2022

I'll be the first to admit that I've been delinquent in posting some of my recent adventures. Call me lazy, lame, or socially conscious about my secret fishing holes. So, lets fix this by posting an old fashion trip report, this time to Inman Pond ledges in the Lake George Wild Forest.

Today, Tredhed and I got an early start to beat the outlet store traffic in Queensbury. We hit the Inman Pond trailhead on Sly Pond Rd. at 9:00.

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We decided to head up the unmarked fisherman's trail to the pond.

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After a ten minute climb on a beautiful path, we hit the red disked Inman Pond trail just below the height of land.

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Another few minutes brought us to the large swamp just southeast of the main pond. A beaver dam across the outlets has caused the water level to rise a significant amount. This is the first time I've seen this area under water.

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Since we were going to the ledges this morning, we took the left fork and soon were at the shore of the small pond at one of the three designated campsites. We could hear people singing at the other campsite across the pond, so we decided to stick to the southwest shore and leave them to their campfire songs.

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From there, it was an easy trek on a herd path to the base of the ledges (more like huge erratics than ledges?)

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A quick scramble up the backside of the ledges/boulder deposited us on top; about 60'-100' above the pond.

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We enjoyed a sip of water and a small snack while watching the resident broad winged hawk soar around in search of chipmunks. After a nice long break in the cool breeze and bright sunshine, we cleaned up some garbage and moved some recently cut green wood before heading back down the path.

Since we came up the fisherman's path, we decided to return on the slightly longer marked path. As this is an old carriage road, it's an easy walk despite some downed beech trees that crossed the wide trail.

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Near the trailhead, we noticed the woods had a funky feel to them. This was a forest of young oak and maple where the leaves seemed to be just sprouting. No doubt after the spongy (gypsy) moth irruption of earlier this month. The leaves were small and had that bright green color that we're used to seeing in early May. It was a strange sight that we noticed more as we drove down the hill.

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Just before the register. we passed a family of seven from Kentucky that was out for a walk to the pond. It was cool to see Dad pointing out some spider webs to the kids as they climbed the hill. It was nice to see some other people using the area weather it be at the lakeside campsite or just taking a short hike to the pond like we did. On the way back down Sly Pond Rd. we encountered a steady stream of vehicles headed up the hill to the more popular spots, but my money was on Inman Pond ledges today and it paid off for us.

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Long Lake to Tupper Lake Fishing Trip 7/16/22 - 7/23/22

I just got back on Saturday from a truly AMAZING trip, covering the quintessential 44 miles from Long Lake to Tupper Lake via the Raquette River. It was definitely one of those trips that end up coming together in all the right ways to make for a completely unforgettable experience. The weather was good (for the most part), the fishing was amazing and there was always an open lean-to or campsite to lay my head down at the end of the night. I know most people do this trip in a quick couple days, but I really wanted to take my time and spend 2 nights fishing Long Lake, 4 nights fishing the Raquette River and 2 nights fishing Tupper Lake. I ended up catching and cooking my first Adirondack Walleye that I caught in a deep hole on the Raquette, blasted through the Raquette Falls Carry in my own record time, and had some absolutely stunning views from camp and the canoe.

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Kempshall Mountain Long Lake

Has anyone attempted Kempshall Mountain recently. At the Kelly?s Point former trailhead. I?d like to hike it if the trail is still reasonably there. Last I?ve read, it was. How?s the view??

Too soon?

I know it's from heat/drought stress, but...

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Environmental Notice Bulletin

Anyone else here receive notices of these and lok at them? I don't think I have ever submitted a comment but kind of interesting.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/125763.html#reg7

I'm signed up for a few more DEC notices. Interesting. Allowable in retirement I think.

Horseshoe "Tigers"

Anybody spend anytime fishing for Tigers in Horseshoe in Piercefield? Even if you haven't, could you provide some tips. Would like to try trolling with my "Nucanoe" this Fall.

Thanks,
Patrick

Forked Lake - June 26-30 2022

Glad to report on a rejuvenating trip to a beautiful spot in the heart of the park.

Spent a half-day covering the trails along the east shore of the north bay (the trails that lead to the sites), and then the dirt road up to Buttermilk Falls and the overlook.

The star of the show was the paddling -- choppy at times in the open water, but a great, long, wild lake with a ton of awesome shoreline and history.

The sunsets were amazing, the loons were loud, and my fellow campers were courteous and friendly.

I'll be back for sure!wwww

Swimming in Crane Pond in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness?

I might hike Pharaoh Mountain this weekend and was thinking of swimming in Crane Pond or Pharaoh Lake on the way out. What's the 411 on leaches? How do you get leaches off you? Any swimming thoughts would be appreciated.

Indian Falls trail Lean To

Hello,

Can anyone recall if the Lean-To site on Indian Falls trail closest to Heart Lake also includes designated tent sites? Looking at a trip. Plan A would be LeanTo but like to have a plan B and respect that "at large" camping is being phased out in high peaks.

Thank you.

John

Little Tupper / Arrive Sunday or Monday

We're planning to canoe camp on Little Tupper next week for three days. I was originally going to arrive Monday, early afternoon, but now I'm thinking the weekend crowd will be leaving Sunday afternoon, freeing up the good sites then and it might be better to get there Sunday afternoon. Anybody have an opinion on whether it's better to arrive Sunday afternoon, or wait until Monday?

Eureka 4 person tent

Eureka 4 person dome tent for sale. Excellent condition. $100. 518-638-8531, leave message.

Is this a leech?

Saw it swimming in the shallow warm water of a pond in Central Adirondacks today...I am guessing leech but the colors are throwing me.

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Dams and Culverts - Reconnecting Our Waterways

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZmvoVE4dAg

This video shows how culverts and dams can impact flood risk and fish habitat. We can reconnect our rivers for fish and climate resilience. Ways to do this include upgrading (or ?rightsizing?) culverts and removing aging dams. Partners are supporting local communities to reconnect our rivers and streams. This helps restore the Hudson Valley?s natural areas. This video highlights projects in the towns of Ancram and Cortlandt, and the City of Newburgh, NY.

To learn more:
? See if you live in a Climate Smart Community and earn points by taking action on Culverts & Dams
? Stream Crossings: Protecting and Restoring Stream Continuity, NYS DEC
? Information for Dam Owners, NYS DEC
? Funding support for climate adaptation and resilience, NYS Water Resources Institute
? Aquatic Connectivity and Barrier Removal: Restoring Free-Flowing Rivers in the Hudson River Watershed, NYS DEC
? Interactive Map of Aquatic Barriers in the Hudson Valley, NYS Water Resources Institute

Quehanna Trail-June 2022

Last month I hiked the 70+ mile Quehanna Trail in the PA Wilds. For the full TR and lots of photos I have a full write up at my website at the link below. http://www.tomcatsadventures.com/202...trail.html?m=1

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Trip options- Jones Pond to Osgood Pond, or Lower Osgood River to Meacham Lake?

Hey All,

I'm considering 2 different trips in an area new to me for mid to late August. I'm wondering if folks have any insights/advice on these 2 options.

1st Option- Jones Pond to Osgood Pond via Jones Pond Outlet, taking out at Church Pond along Rt.86. Likely I would camp a night or 2 at one of the sites on Jones, and also a night on Osgood in the northern bay near the Osgood River. Both Jones and Osgood look to have a good amount of private land along the shore- just how much development is there? I'm also wondering about the quality of the campsites and fishing.

2nd Option- Lower Osgood River to Meacham Lake, putting in along Rt. 30 and hopefully camping along the way at the designated site near Baker Pond. From the descriptions I've read, this trip is very appealing to me, but I'm concerned that there is only 1 campsite on this route. If it's occupied, there does not appear to be any other option except to continue on to Meacham.

Anyone done one or both of these trips and have any thoughts or advice? Thanks in advance.

Mini Tornado

Mini tornado actually sounds too dramatic, it was more like a wet dust devil...a water devil?

MDB and I paddled Minerva Stream yesterday, it was a very pleasant day trip, we went just shy of Irishtown, starting from Olmsteadville.
It was a tad breezy in spots, but with such small water, any wind effects were barely noticeable until-- MINI TORNADO!

As I paddled slightly ahead of MDB, I got pushed to the side of the stream quickly and violently by a strong gust, seemingly out of nowhere.
A moment later I hear MDB behind me, hooting and hollering. I thought she was losing her hat in the wind.

No, she wasn't losing her hat.

When I turned to look, she was on her second full spin in the stream, with no hope of controlling her 12 ft Swift. Then she get pushed to the side, and starts to take water over the gunnel! Not from rolling the boat, but from wind pushed water. MDB compared it to when we sail close hauled, with waves flooding over the deck into the cockpit.

In a moment her exciting ride was over, and I watched the swirling winds pass behind her and start twisting of the grasses in the marsh behind her.
And then it was over.

All of this on a section of the stream that was no more than 30 or 40 ft wide.

She says "Well, that was a new one!" And comments that it was kinda fun, but if that happened in the middle of some big water, it would have gotten really serious very quickly. It was certainly a new experience for me too, although I didn't get the full ride.
The whole event was maybe 45 seconds, but I'm sure we'll both remember it for quite a while to come.

West canada creek LT cut trees?

Does anyone know why the trees in front of the leanto were cut down? I stayed there this week and noticed an bunch of big trees were felled in front of the leanto. Couldn't come up with a good reason for this happening. The leanto recently had a new roof and floor installed, but I wouldn't think that would be any sort of reason to fell a bunch of trees.