Nice X country ski

Start at the old farm on 13th Lake. A nice trip, stoping for a break at the leanto where the trail branches off to the Siamese Ponds. Continue downstream along the East Branch, over the col of 11th Mtn. From there to the Siamese Pond trailhead on Rte 8 is a rocky, icy, descent. Two cars are needed. For those who want to, a quick ski up to the Siamese Ponds over the swinging bridge at the leanto is a fun trip. An easy up to the Ponds and a nice glide back to the leanto and then back along the river to Rte 8.

1/3/2021 Gulf Brook Road to Boreas Ponds

We skied Gulf Brook Road to the dam at Boreas Ponds on Sunday. The parking lot was unplowed since Friday night's new snow, but there was one set of tracks where someone had done a loop through the lot. We didn't have an issue with 4wd. No one had skied the road since the new snow, but we were mostly able to see where the previous track had been and we tried to stay in them as much as possible.

There was good snow cover the entire way. At the first washout, about 1/2 mile from the parking area, there is a bit of a divot, but you don't have to take off skis. The only other obstacle is a large tree across the road maybe 4 1/2 or 5 miles in.

We were surprised that no one had skied it Saturday, and also surprised that when we finished in the early afternoon on Sunday we were the only ones to be there.



Boreas River at LaBier Flow




View of Gothics from the dam




LaBier Flow and Boreas Mountain

Three bobcats?

On 12/27, I was driving slowly down a seasonal dirt road in Franklin County on my way to a hike when I saw a bobcat walk onto the road from the right with a second bobcat following closely behind. Almost immediately, they saw/heard my vehicle, turned around and jumped back into the brush. As I drove up to the spot in the road they had departed from, I was able to look down an access trail along a swamp. Lo and behold, there were three bobcats! They all appeared to be the same size, though I only had about three seconds total to observe them before they disappeared from view down the trail.

I had been under the impression that most wild cats were solitary creatures. Has anyone else seen or heard of multiple bobcats hanging out together outside cub raising season?

Snowshoe conditions?

Hey there everyone. Hope everyone had a good new year. I just picked up a pair of snowshoes and I’m looking for a day hike tomorrow . How much snow is in the Lake George WF are? Also considering going to Pharaoh Lake WA. Thanks everyone

South Pond Information

I’m interested in South Pond off of 28N just north of Blue Mountain Lake I see the species listed on the DEC site are lakers and brook trout has anyone done any ice fishing there in the last few years how is the fishing? Thank you in advance for any information!

Number 1 Camp Steam Boiler (Watson's East Triangle)

Does anyone have any information if the old steam boiler or any of the buildings still exist?

From the DEC:

The entire management unit has a long history of lumbering. At the site of the Old Number 1 Camp are the remains of a sawmill and associated buildings. There is also an old steam boiler which was used to power the sawmill. The boiler, which weighed nearly 16 tons, was brought to the area by T.B. Basselin, a prominent early lumberman. As the timber supply within one area became depleted the boiler was relocated and another mill constructed. A wooden dam exists on the West Branch of the Oswegatchie River creating Mud Pond.

(emphasis added)

Tent cozee

So there was not a subforum for whacky ideas... maybe this fits here.

Happy hammock camper but in the winter months I would enjoy a space out of the weather slightly warmer than the ambient temperature. I know and appreciate that the DEC already resolved this by sprinkling the ADK's with lean-to's and fire rings.

But I started looking into 'hot tents' (thank you for feedback on other thread) and got excited about a better weather shield with an event greater edge against ambient tents. Could be our last trip in January where we climbed Porter in 12F and as we were coming back down the weather took a nose dive - wind up, temp down and snow sideways. We had the gear but in hammock camping the evening's agenda was "heat something, cram it in your mouth and retreat to warm hammock".

So on the hot tent trail I found out stoves are pricey, tipi type tents were less expensive and less weight but dark and smaller. Canvas more expensive, super heavy. Was zeroing in on Kodiak's flexbow line. Fantastic reviews. Ability to stand. Has a floor. Super heavy. Rather expensive but comfy. Canvas a better insulator than the man made double wall tent material. Great reviews of a Kodiak canvas with a Buddy propane heater [used only during waking hours, vented]. But that weight would restrict to car camping or maybe a pulk (50lbs).

Hiking partner works at a nice outdoor Retailer Experienced In outdoor activities so she enjoys a nice discount. They have a 6 man tent rated for 4 seasons. 20lbs so not back packing but that is ok - still love our hammocks for back country camping although 20lbs is more pulk-able than 50. Tent has top and bottom vents and two vestibules - could park the Buddy Heater in a vestibule for "cocktail hour" and "brunch" only. Could stand. Nicely sheltered. She gets experience with stuff she sells and adds to her collection of gear.

Here is the crazy part. It is a double walled typical dome tent. Will not hold heat as well as canvas. But if I were to rig something around the shoulders of the inner fly - leaving top mesh open for ventilation. I thought wool surplus blankets, a bit heavy. I thought insultex which weighs less and prevents the government from stealing your thoughts :eek: then I thought of simple fleece. Cheap, slight insulation, easy to find. Heck, I could even stitch together some canvas from drop clothes.

Note that this is not a replacement for a proper cold weather sleep system, just for taking the edge off a bit at breakfast and dinner. We enjoy cold weather back country camping - this is mostly for front country car camping where the focus is on a winter ascent and a bit of glamping night before and night after is appreciated.