I am currently reading Ray Bergman's Trout and he mentions a stream that he refers to as "River X" several times. Does anyone know the location of the water? Bergman was purposefully cryptic but it is in northern New York and contained a saw mill and a cheese factory. I assume that it is the Oswegatchie?
mardi 11 janvier 2022
dimanche 9 janvier 2022
Can you grow trees in your house?
Why yes, yes you can!
I've had an interest in starting some bonsai trees for some time but I really had no experience with them. Really didn't know much about it. I've watched a number of videos and developed an interest in trying to create a miniature beech/maple forest - they look really spectacular and you can start them from seed.
Anyway, I kind of found out a hard truth in researching that they won't survive indoors. This kind of put a damper on it for me, but I may still try to do a small micro-forest.
Anyway, I had tried to keep dwarf Alberta Spruce in the house from fall to spring, and they never made it. I admit, I didn't put much effort into them and I think I put them outside too early and shocked them, but I figured this year, I'd try again.
So far - success!
These have been inside for over a month and they've been growing like crazy. They started shooting new growth a few weeks ago and seem very strong.
My secret:
I don't know if it's a secret, but it seems to be working. I keep them right up against this south facing window, rotate them daily, only water them when the top soil is dry, mist them every night and close the shade behind them to keep them cool and moist overnight.
I'm hoping they'll make it to spring and then I'll move them outside. Or maybe I'll keep going and see how long I can keep them inside. Not sure yet, an experiment on my part. I figure if they can survive the warm, dry winter inside, they'll go indefinitely. Also not sure I'll wire them or trim them, maybe just put them in shallow bonsai pots and see how big they want to get.
Anyone ever try this and have any success?
I've had an interest in starting some bonsai trees for some time but I really had no experience with them. Really didn't know much about it. I've watched a number of videos and developed an interest in trying to create a miniature beech/maple forest - they look really spectacular and you can start them from seed.
Anyway, I kind of found out a hard truth in researching that they won't survive indoors. This kind of put a damper on it for me, but I may still try to do a small micro-forest.
Anyway, I had tried to keep dwarf Alberta Spruce in the house from fall to spring, and they never made it. I admit, I didn't put much effort into them and I think I put them outside too early and shocked them, but I figured this year, I'd try again.
So far - success!
These have been inside for over a month and they've been growing like crazy. They started shooting new growth a few weeks ago and seem very strong.
My secret:
I don't know if it's a secret, but it seems to be working. I keep them right up against this south facing window, rotate them daily, only water them when the top soil is dry, mist them every night and close the shade behind them to keep them cool and moist overnight.
I'm hoping they'll make it to spring and then I'll move them outside. Or maybe I'll keep going and see how long I can keep them inside. Not sure yet, an experiment on my part. I figure if they can survive the warm, dry winter inside, they'll go indefinitely. Also not sure I'll wire them or trim them, maybe just put them in shallow bonsai pots and see how big they want to get.
Anyone ever try this and have any success?
mercredi 5 janvier 2022
Old memories
Thinking of Neil and his family. I hope you have found peace and comfort over the past years. We remember.. God Bless....
Eastern Glades
Not sure where is most appropriate for this, but it's been a point of curiosity for me, and one I don't readily know where to look for answers.
It's not something I haven't seen before per the definitions I've found: an opening in the forest.
Well, what I'm thinking of is a little more specific. Skiers know all about them, and I think the ones at most ski areas are in the Adirondacks are fire scars, but I'm not sure that's always the case.
When staying at Bear Lake lean-to a couple years ago, I whacked up around the nearby small mountains just for something to do. There was all sorts of interesting stuff around there - a large cliff with lots of underground seepages that I could see changing from the day we came in to the next - It had rained a day or two prior and I could see the flow changing as the mountain above drained out.
But what really interested me what on an adjacent hill to the lake, I reached a really sparsely wooded section with a lot of big tufts of grass and lush ferns. It was near the summit but I could see traces of whatever caused it down the side. I walked down that way - It was really steep but there was an incredible amount of organic soil. Big tufts of grass and mosses, barely hanging on but what looked like many, many years of compost.
I really wish I would have noted what trees were up there or taken some pics, but I couldn't help think what caused this? Is this an ancient fire scar? Something odd with the soil chemistry? A prevailing wind or snow pattern?
I may never know, but it's fun to think about... perhaps I'll have to go back and have another look.
It's not something I haven't seen before per the definitions I've found: an opening in the forest.
Well, what I'm thinking of is a little more specific. Skiers know all about them, and I think the ones at most ski areas are in the Adirondacks are fire scars, but I'm not sure that's always the case.
When staying at Bear Lake lean-to a couple years ago, I whacked up around the nearby small mountains just for something to do. There was all sorts of interesting stuff around there - a large cliff with lots of underground seepages that I could see changing from the day we came in to the next - It had rained a day or two prior and I could see the flow changing as the mountain above drained out.
But what really interested me what on an adjacent hill to the lake, I reached a really sparsely wooded section with a lot of big tufts of grass and lush ferns. It was near the summit but I could see traces of whatever caused it down the side. I walked down that way - It was really steep but there was an incredible amount of organic soil. Big tufts of grass and mosses, barely hanging on but what looked like many, many years of compost.
I really wish I would have noted what trees were up there or taken some pics, but I couldn't help think what caused this? Is this an ancient fire scar? Something odd with the soil chemistry? A prevailing wind or snow pattern?
I may never know, but it's fun to think about... perhaps I'll have to go back and have another look.
lundi 3 janvier 2022
2022 Icefishing
Looks like some sustained cold weather coming in and I'm getting itchy to do some ice fishing. Can anyone provide some intel for lakes in the Indian Lake area. Any info appreciated
Stewart, Green, Slide, Pitchoff and Morgan this past weekend
I stayed in Lake Placid over the long New Years Eve weekend and climbed Stewart, Green, Slide, Morgan and Pitchoff.
Stewart - Rain down below, snowing a bit high up. Not very cold. I am always super mindful of safety so I brought enough gear to give FEMA emergency relief, opposed to the other way around.
I was carrying a huge amount of backup stuff, and my satellite phone. I also gave my wife my route.
The last 100 meters were apocalyptically thick and also very steep. Although one of the steep sections afforded a beautiful view of fog and snow. I could close my eyes and imagine what the view might have looked like. Hahaha. This part of Stewart made me feel like a lobster dragging the Transatlantic cable across the ocean.
Thick, tight and tangled. 7.7 miles and took 6 hrs and 35 mins RT. 2775' of vertical gain. I burned all my hiking gear after this climb in a giant sacrificial bonfire to the God of Open Woods hoping for better whacking next time.
Green - And Green it was - as in Green Conifer boughs attacking you at every turn. I felt like an Egyptian sarcophagus wrapped in balsam Mummy bandages trying to get out. I took a fairly direct line up Green from 9N between Knob Lock and Tripod. Generally followed the drainage. Bad footing, tons of blowdown and matchstick woods made for a world-class wilderness beatdown. The terrain was chaotic which made navigation a challenge - especially higher up. The respite came though in the form of open woods on the back westerly side of Green from about 3500' to the summit. This was a welcome relief for the final push to the top. Bad weather all day. Most of this weekend felt like being on the set of Stephen King's "The Mist."
6.2 miles RT. 6 hrs and 15 minutes. 2326' of vertical gain.
Slide - I made great time on this one. 4 hrs and 30 mins round trip. Much better woods than Green and Stewart. I took the traditional approach from the jackrabbit trail and then followed the drainage that is southwest of Black Mountain. High up on the east flanks of Slide were pockets where there was two feet of snow, which was odd since this was much greater than any other snow depth I experienced the whole long weekend. A couple obstacle course gymnastics sections, but by-and-large good woods when compared to the conifer shellacking I endured the previous two jaunts.
Pitchoff - I definitely saw the monsters from Stephen King's the Mist on this one, but otherwise a walk-in-the-park compared to everything else.
Morgan - Snowing steadily yesterday during Morgan. Nice hike and definitely parts of this climb are readily skiable on the trail section - especially at first when The Copper Kill trail is also a Snowmobile trail. The Morgan hike had the ease and tranquility of Morgan Freeman's narration voice, which must be how the mountain got its name.
Even though there is a short whack at the end, it was still like playing with kittens and eating pretzels at the Mall. (in comparison to the first 3 bushwhacks).
At summit of Stewart, December 31st. Abandon all hope of your clothes ever drying:
Look at this paved bike path. Great route to bring your unicycle while juggling:
Stewart - Rain down below, snowing a bit high up. Not very cold. I am always super mindful of safety so I brought enough gear to give FEMA emergency relief, opposed to the other way around.
I was carrying a huge amount of backup stuff, and my satellite phone. I also gave my wife my route.
The last 100 meters were apocalyptically thick and also very steep. Although one of the steep sections afforded a beautiful view of fog and snow. I could close my eyes and imagine what the view might have looked like. Hahaha. This part of Stewart made me feel like a lobster dragging the Transatlantic cable across the ocean.
Thick, tight and tangled. 7.7 miles and took 6 hrs and 35 mins RT. 2775' of vertical gain. I burned all my hiking gear after this climb in a giant sacrificial bonfire to the God of Open Woods hoping for better whacking next time.
Green - And Green it was - as in Green Conifer boughs attacking you at every turn. I felt like an Egyptian sarcophagus wrapped in balsam Mummy bandages trying to get out. I took a fairly direct line up Green from 9N between Knob Lock and Tripod. Generally followed the drainage. Bad footing, tons of blowdown and matchstick woods made for a world-class wilderness beatdown. The terrain was chaotic which made navigation a challenge - especially higher up. The respite came though in the form of open woods on the back westerly side of Green from about 3500' to the summit. This was a welcome relief for the final push to the top. Bad weather all day. Most of this weekend felt like being on the set of Stephen King's "The Mist."
6.2 miles RT. 6 hrs and 15 minutes. 2326' of vertical gain.
Slide - I made great time on this one. 4 hrs and 30 mins round trip. Much better woods than Green and Stewart. I took the traditional approach from the jackrabbit trail and then followed the drainage that is southwest of Black Mountain. High up on the east flanks of Slide were pockets where there was two feet of snow, which was odd since this was much greater than any other snow depth I experienced the whole long weekend. A couple obstacle course gymnastics sections, but by-and-large good woods when compared to the conifer shellacking I endured the previous two jaunts.
Pitchoff - I definitely saw the monsters from Stephen King's the Mist on this one, but otherwise a walk-in-the-park compared to everything else.
Morgan - Snowing steadily yesterday during Morgan. Nice hike and definitely parts of this climb are readily skiable on the trail section - especially at first when The Copper Kill trail is also a Snowmobile trail. The Morgan hike had the ease and tranquility of Morgan Freeman's narration voice, which must be how the mountain got its name.
Even though there is a short whack at the end, it was still like playing with kittens and eating pretzels at the Mall. (in comparison to the first 3 bushwhacks).
At summit of Stewart, December 31st. Abandon all hope of your clothes ever drying:
Look at this paved bike path. Great route to bring your unicycle while juggling:
dimanche 2 janvier 2022
Piercefield Flow overnight, 6/1 - 6/2/21
Took advantage of a couple of nice mid-week days this past spring to check out another new area via an overnight trip by boat- the Piercefield Flow easement. The Piercefield Flow is an artificial lake formed by the Piercefield Dam on the Raquette River, just downstream of Tupper Lake. The shoreline of the flow is privately owned, but the state owns a conservation easement that allows for some public use of the lands adjacent to the flow. Public use is limited to the time period between May 1st and September 30th, and only to those lands within 300 feet of the shoreline. Camping is permitted at designated sites only. At present, only one such designated campsite exists- the Piercefield Flow Lean-to, which would be my destination for the evening.
I elected to launch at the Setting Pole Dam at the outlet of Tupper Lake. A large gravel pulloff at the end of the road hear allows for some limited parking, and there is a path down to the base of the dam that allows for the hand launching of canoes, kayaks, etc. While there can be some turbulent currents at the base of the dam depending on the flow, the river quickly turns calm as you paddle downstream.
It didn't take long to reach the flow itself, and soon I was turning east to paddle up the flow. The lean-to is located on the north shore, not far from where the Raquette River joins the flow- maybe 700 or 800 feet away at most. Before long I was pulling up at the signed takeout for the lean-to.
The Piercefield Flow Lean-to is located back up and away from the water, in a beautiful clearing in hemlocks and mixed hardwoods. It's a nice, quiet and serene spot.
The lean-to had clearly been occupied not long prior to my arrival, judging from the piping hot bed of coals someone had left unattended in the fire pit. No matter, the afternoon was a bit humid and there were black flies out and about so I took advantage of the coals as well as some rotten logs I found in the woods nearby to get a proper smudge fire going.
With the bugs held at bay for the time being by the smudge fire, and camp gear unpacked and arranged in the lean-to, it was time to relax. I spent a nice, quiet afternoon reading and hanging out in the lean-to site.
My perception of the lean-to had been that it was a relatively newly-built one- constructed within the past few years. I was a bit surprised when I opened the log book to find entries going back much further in time. It must've taken the DEC some years after building the lean-to (or allowing it's construction) to get around to actually advertising its existence.
I'd also sort of expected to see motorboats out on the flow and was mildly surprised that I was the only person there even though it was a weekday. I don't think there's any HP restriction on that body of water, but I did realize after the fact that aside from the hand launch at Setting Pole dam, there's only a small beach launch off of Route 3 by the Piercefield Dam... so access to the water by larger motor boats is essentially non-existent. And with dams pretty close both upstream and downstream there's not really a whole lot of surface water area to explore. I imagine that both of these factors probably help to limit the usage levels somewhat, especially in comparison with Tupper Lake just upriver.
As the afternoon waned, I decided to take a short stroll out to the broad peninsula where the Raquette River joins the flow a few hundred feet from the lean-to. There were some more nice views from the rocky outcrop at the end of the peninsula.
It's obvious that the end of the peninsula sees some occasional camping use... but any such use would be illegal. Normally, it would be a violation of the 150 foot rule, but in the case of the Piercefield Flow easement it would also be a violation of the regulation permitted camping at designated sites only. Which, to my mind, brought up an interesting question: If the lean-to is the only legal camping spot on the flow, what are groups expected to do if/when they show up to find the lean-to occupied? Your only options in those circumstances would be to either move into the lean-to with the first group (assuming everyone was friendly enough to make this work), or leave the flow entirely and make the drive of shame back home. It would seem logical that there should be at least 1 or 2 designated tent sites in addition to the lean-to, especially given how popular lean-tos tend to be.
There was also an old mooring hook of some kind fastened to a rock at the end of the peninsula. What purpose it had once served I could only image. Tying up boats? The end of a boom stretched across the river to hold back logs until the time was right for sending them down river?
It was still yet spring and I also found a few pink lady slipper blossoming in the woods not far from the lean-to.
Satisfied with my short ramblings, I returned to the lean-to for more R&R. The afternoon progressed into evening, and soon the shadows were lengthening. Dusk wasn't far off.
The evening remained warm but at least the black flies turned in for the night as they usually do. I crawled into my sleeping bag early and was up with sunrise, to be greeted by a warm and muggy morning. The black flies once again out in force, and another smudge fire was necessary for my sanity as I broke down camp and packed the canoe.
I had plans for the afternoon to explore yet another corner of the Adirondack Park, so I packed quickly, dowsed the fire, and was back on the water just as my wrist watched signaled that it was 8 am. I did decide to take a quick loop out to the east before starting back to Setting Pole Dam, to check out that end of the flow.
As one paddles further and further east up the flow, the water gets shallower and shallower. Eventually, there's a number of old stumps protruding from the murky and muddy waters- evidence that this was once dry land prior to the building of the Piercefield Dam and the raising of the water levels.
Satisfied with my meanderings around the head of the flow, I turned around and paddled my way back to the Raquette River, and from there up to the takeout at the Setting Pole Dam. At some point after I'd set out the day prior, someone had opened up a portion of the dam to let more water out from Tupper Lake above, and I had to dig hard to get back to the small beach at the takeout. The potential for strong currents here is something to be aware of for anyone launching/landing at Setting Pole Dam.
All in all, it was a short but fun trip. Again, the Piercefield Flow area seems to get less use than I would've expected otherwise- but this is likely due to the limited area to explore in either direction without portaging around a dam, as well as the limited options for accessing the water if you've got a larger boat.
It's definitely a beautiful spot well worth visiting- but again, anyone planning to camp there should go mentally prepared to make the journey back to the takeout in the event that the lean-to is occupied, as there's zero options for legal overflow camping anywhere on the flow. Hopefully the DEC designates a tent site or two in addition to the lean-to at some point in the future.
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