In [...]]]> Ruffed grouse require a specific combination of habitats to survive.  They live in mature deciduous forests that include nearby stands of poplars or birches.  During most of the year, they eat the buds and twigs of these trees. They roost in coniferous trees when they’re available, but they also roost in large deciduous trees.

In the fall Ruffed Grouse layer in stores of fat, grow a long downy covering for body and legs and put on their snowshoes, which consist of little horny comb-like appendages (pectinations) that grow from the sides of the toes to help support the weight of the body on the snow.

Ruffed grouse survive winter snow storms by diving full speed into deep snow at dusk to sleep.  They may tunnel a short distance (10-14″) to form a burrow, known as a kieppe (kee-ep-ee).   Falling snow can hide the evidence of its entry.  The insulating qualities of both their feathers and the snow itself prevent the birds from freezing.  In the morning, the birds break out of their caves and take off again. If there is a cold snap or heavy snowfall, the ruffed grouse might remain in a snow cave for a few days, making them vulnerable to predators such as foxes and bobcats.

A grouse bursting at one’s feet from flat snow covered ground can be quite startling. This grouse had left before I approached on snowshoes, but one can see the faint feathery outlines of it’s wings and tail around the escape hole.

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The plan [...]]]> It was cold, about 19 degrees, as four of us-Jim Muller, Mark Hay, Jay Katonica and Scott Handy set out on a slippery, snow-covered bushwhack up Warren County’s Mount Blue.  Our canine escort, Maddux, a German shepherd/husky cross, bounded ahead with enviable ease as the rest of us struggled on the slick footing.

The plan was to drop our packs along the trail to Lizard pond, bushwhack up Mount Blue, then return to our packs and hike along the shore of the Lizard pond to the lean-to sited on the western shore of the pond. The mile-long trail to Lizard pond begins on the southwest shore of Garnet Lake, where there is a campsite and a trail sign at the foot of the valley between Mount Blue and Gillingham Knoll.

Donning snowshoes it was easy and straight forward crossing over Garnett Lake.  then we followed the mile-long trail leading to Lizard Pond on the southwest shore.

According to Bill Ingersoll “long ago, some unknown surveyor recorded the name of this small pond as “Lixard Pond,” probably in error. This simple misspelling shaped the topographic maps of the next century, for the name “Lixard” appeared on the U.S. Geological Society maps for decades to come. The metric USGS maps currently available label it as Lizard Pond, but this restoration of proper spelling has gone largely unnoticed. People still refer to it as Lixard Pond as though it is the actual name – or else they just haven’t updated their maps”.

But as soon as we hit the shore line Mark pulled out the trail guide. Now I am all in favor of excessive planning but it is with some trepidation that we watched Mark consult the trail guide. Although Mark had been on many winter camping trips he was not known for organizing and planning any trips. His previous attempt at organizing resulted in the “The Much Anticipated Never Accomplished Rainbow Falls Trip“.

OK, at least Mark is sure where we came from…  While Mark shed his Beyond Fleece Steel Windshirt and consulted the trail guide Scott hydrated and kept an eye on Maddux. Jay decided to surreptitiously check his GPS Unit. Not that Jay would betray a trust in Mark, but hey it never hurts to measure twice.

We left the Lizard Pond trail where the swamps in the pond’s valley first become visible, and headed up the mountain.
Mount Blue, which rises from a solid ledge deep in Garnet Lake to a height of 2,940 feet with an elevation gain of ~1500′ from the lake.  Mount Blue is part of the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, a popular winter recreation area in the southeastern corner of the Adirondack Park.

 
Although Mark, who had planned the trip, touted the hike as “relatively easy,” we found out later that DEC’s Wilcox Lake Wild Forest Draft Unit Management Plan characterizes it as offering “moderately difficult bushwhacking opportunities to adventuresome hikers and snowshoers.” This proved an apt description. Fortunately, Jay had packed trekking poles, which he graciously loaned Jim for the bush whack up and down Mount Blue. Needless to say, they were a great advantage and a set of trekking poles where purchased after the trip.

Treeless patches on the southeastern side of the mountain-the result of a 1908 fire-affording us splendid vistas. Taking advantage of these open areas, ledges and false summits, one can enjoy 270 degree perspectives of Crane Mountain, Lizard Pond, Bearpen Peak, Baldhead Mountain and Moose Mountain. To the west are Georgia Mountain, Harrington Mountain, New Lake Mountain and Wilcox Mountain. With these glimpses of the impressive panorama providing inspiration, we scrambled onward and upward.

As we climbed up Mount Blue there were several ledges and false summits offering views of Garnet Lake and Lizard Pond.

At the peak, we posed for the requisite group photograph and enjoyed a quick snack while the wind blew in increasingly dark cloud cover.

It was steep and slippery climbing up, but nothing like the journey downslope when each of us experienced a ‘Jay-nami’.
Then it was time to head back down Mount Blue. If the way up was steep and slippery, the way down was steeper and slipperier.

Fortunately, no one got hurt as we tumbled and slid our way down the mountain and soon we re-joined our backpacks and made our way to the lean-to along Lizard Pond. We hiked the remainder of the trail along Lizard Pond to spend the night at the lean-to on the western shore.

Once we settled in at the lean-to, we boiled water for hot drinks and wolfed down reconstituted freeze-dried meals. In other situations, what passes for food in these highly processed packages would be turned back to the kitchen. However, the salty, hot food tasted great to four tired, wet and cold winter campers.

but for Maddux was dried dog food.

Afterward we sat around a fire and talked until bedtime as flurries floated down. This is one of the best parts of winter camping. Since it is dark early, there is lots of time to chat, laugh and discuss future trips. Not only does a campfire help pass the time during the long nights, but the sense of camaraderie is enhanced as the night deepens around a campfire circle. As our fire dwindled, we settled into warm sleeping bags and took advantage of the extra darkness to log a solid night’s sleep.

We settled into warm sleeping bags. This was possibly the maiden voyage for my Western Mountaineering winter sleeping bag – an extra long, over stuffed, over engineered Puma.

In the morning, we awoke to the sun illuminating the back side of Mount Blue across Lizard Pond. Mark was the first to arise while the rest of us lingered in our warm sleeping bags and offered breakfast ideas. Despite our imaginative suggestions, Mark gave us hot water, which we used to make a simple breakfast of hot oatmeal washed down by coffee and hot chocolate.

Following this quick breakfast, we snowshoed out the Lizard Pond trail to our cars and searched for a convenient diner for a well-earned second breakfast.

Tirrell Pond is reached by [...]]]>

With participants coming from many distances and directions it was decided to meet at a diner.  In this case, we chose the diner in Indian Lake at the intersections of Routes 30 and 28 for a 10am rendezvous.  We ate a big breakfast and drove to the trail head.

Tirrell Pond is reached by using a portion of Northville-Placid Trail which heads north from Route 30 near Lake Durant.  From the trail register on the north side of Route 30 the trail extends 3.5 miles to the south end of Tirrell Pond. It is a roller coaster of a trail which begins on state land and passes through primarily hardwood forests.  Shortly after crossing a finger of O’Neill Flow, the trail crosses Finch Pruyn Paper land and then re-enters state land before O’Neill lean to on south end of Tirrell Pond (1,918′ elevation). Since our visit the O’Neil Flow lean-to has been removed, the site of the old lean-to is closed to camping and new lean-to has been constructed nearby.

It took us 1.5 hours to snowshoe into the lean-to.  I was flying along breaking trail for the 1st 45 minutes. During our trail break Mark attributed it to my new dedication to yoga, but I then settled down to occupy a position further back in the line and I was glad to see the lean-to.  Below Mike, Ian, Mark and Skip snowshoe to Tirrell Pond.

Jason and Mark watch the snow blow into our lean-to.  Who knew that Jason  wore the silk shirt under his parka and would later debut slippers?  He would also be borrowing an additional jacket as the wind rose and temperature dropped.

After dropping our packs in the lean-to and changing out of damp clothes we began to gather and cut firewood for our evening fire.

A few of the larger logs were used to create a platform and reflective surface for the fire.

We took pictures of Tirrell Pond and Tirrell Mountain.

And occasionally took pictures of the picture takers.

Mike and Jason did some exploring and continued on the trail along the western side of Tirrell Pond reaching a 2nd lean to at 4.6 miles. Blue Mountain Village can be reached by continuing another 4 miles.

As darkness fell we cooked soup over the fire, roasted hot dogs and had snacks.

Laying our our sleeping pads and bags in the lean-to we realized that six bodies was maximum capacity as we were all laying shoulder to shoulder.  Mike and Jason tried to snooze in their sleeping bags while Mark, Skip, Ian and I played a game of “I Doubt It” (also call bullshit or cheat).  It was cold enough that we hide our bare exposed hands under jackets or in pockets until it was our turn to play.

We turned in a little before 9pm.  With everyone in their sleeping bags I read the perfect winter camping bedtime story – “The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert Service using my headlamp for illumination.

It was cold that night.  I had a 0 degree Northface Snowshoe sleeping bag and got a little chilled.  I pulled  my down jacket into the sleeping bag with me for extra insulation.  With the plummeting temperatures everyone began snoring.  While Skip got blamed for being the principle protagonist (“That’s funny, I had a dream that Skip was yelling in my ear all night.”) at one point during the night I woke up and heard two distinct snorers to my right and one to my left.  I can’t claim that I didn’t join the chorus at some point.

We were packed into the lean-to so tight that one person couldn’t move without affecting others.  Skip awoke during the night and being unable to roll about he sat up and stared at the darkness for several hours until sleep returned.

In the morning we awoke at 7:30, had breakfast and were on the trail out at 9am.  We were back to our vehicles at 10:30 and I was home by 1pm to put away my winter camping gear.

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Bartley Kives  wrote of snowshoeing, winter biking [...]]]> Clara Chandler went on a guided winter camping trip with her significant other.  They dig a snow cave and experience intimate moments sharing during their night together.  Clara’s article, “Some moments define a couple, we found ours while snow camping“, appeared in the  Squamish, B.C.  Globe and Mail.

Bartley Kives  wrote of snowshoeing, winter biking and cross country skiing in his article “What to do when winter finally comes“, which appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press.

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Peaked Mountain, (Latitude: N 43° 43′ 42.74″  Longitude: W 74° 08′ 58.70″) elevation 2919 feet, is a modest sized mountain located north-west of Thirteenth Lake.  It is very steep sided which affords great views of the surrounding forest, lakes, and mountains, including the high peaks.  The trailhead is at the parking lot for public [...]]]>

Peaked Mountain, (Latitude: N 43° 43′ 42.74″  Longitude: W 74° 08′ 58.70″) elevation 2919 feet, is a modest sized mountain located north-west of Thirteenth Lake.  It is very steep sided which affords great views of the surrounding forest, lakes, and mountains, including the high peaks.  The trailhead is at the parking lot for public access to Thirteenth Lake.  The lot is reached by taking Thirteenth Lake road off of NY route 28 north of North Creek.

In 2000 Matt, Jim and Brian followed Brian’s lead as he bushwhacked from the parking lot to the summit of Peaked Mountain on fiercely cold day and were rewarded by fantastic views.  That trip was done as a day trip over Martin Luther King Weekend.

In 2002 the  motto “Its the journey…not the destination” was born.  Matt, Jim, Mark, Len, Rob and Jason pitched their tents in the hopes of climbing Peaked Mountain but the group got a late start and were thwarted from achieving the summit of Peaked Mountain.

For this venture Matt, Skip and Jim met in Speculator for breakfast and were leaving the trail head by 10:30am.  The trail head log book was full.  We followed turkey tracks on the trail that paralleled the west side of 13th Lake for .85 miles.  The sun was shining with partly cloudy skies and the lake was open water without ice.

We turned northwest along the outlet of Peaked Mountain Pond.   Here the trail ascends ~600 feet for the 2.6 miles  from 13th Lake to Peaked Pond. This is a pretty walk alongside numerous cataracts and water chutes.

A short way into the ascent we passed the junction to Hour Pond.  The bridge across the stream provided a scenic backdrop that was irresistible for the photographers.

As we climbed the trail we followed canid tracks that we believe were from a fox.  As we neared Peaked Mtn Pond there were several stream crossings as we bore off to the NE skirting Peaked Pond.

We bushwhacked around new beaver ponds that showed a lot of recent activity.

We found a suitable campsite to the NE of Peaked Mtn Pond and took a break for lunch to discuss our options.  By this time the skies had clouded up and light snow squalls flurried around us.  Since the primary purpose of climbing Peaked Mtn was to witness the view we debated the merits of continuing our hike or waiting until Sunday morning when the weather forecast called for clear sunny skies.  We finished lunch, cut wood for the evening’s fire and pitched our Black Diamond Megamid tent.

The  Megamid is supposed to sleep 4 persons, but I am sure they never made those calculations with 6’4″ campers in mind.  It  fit 3 sleeping forms quite well, especially if it can be hung from line rather than using a center pole.  For this trip I packed a piece of Tyvek building wrap that fit nicely as a ground cloth.  We set out our sleeping bags to loft.  Matt happily set out his new Marmot CWM -40 sleeping bag which he coupled with  a short Ridgerest and long Thermarest inflatable pad and a basic bivy bag.  The loft of  Jim’s  Western Mountaineering Puma paled by comparison.

We completed our chores and we saw a few breaks in the sky.  At 1:30pm we felt it was too early to spend the rest of the day hanging around camp and made the decision to summit Peaked Mtn.  We estimated it would take roughly an hour to climb to the summit, 30 minutes of hanging around on the summit and another hour to return; giving us a small margin of error before darkness came at 4:30pm.

The bushwhack to the summit trail was steep, clogged with deadfall and icy near the summit.  Skip used crampons, while Jim relied on his trekking pole and Matt prevailed relying on sheer athleticism. The final approach to the rocky summit worked its way around the base of the sheer cliffs.  The steep climb was challenging on the way up and precipitous on the return. We used trees and roots as hand holds to cross the particularly icy sections.

At the summit we were rewarded with a panoramic view of the southern Adirondacks and took numerous photographs, including the requisite group photo.  Similar to our trip to Peaked Mtn eleven years prior we noticed snowshoe hare tracks on the summit.  We hadn’t noticed any at lower elevations.

Shortly after 3pm we began our descent and returned to camp.  Back at camp we changed into dry clothes and were mocked by clearing skies and a view of a sunlight Peaked Mtn.

We boiled water and began our dinner preparations.   Water from the stream off the hillside was boiled in a large pot with half of the water used for hydrating and the other half used for chicken noodle soup.  We combined two packages of dried soup mix with chicken flavored ramen noodles and a can of chicken.

Skip started up our fire and we ate the  hot, salty soup with a bagel.  The combination of dry clothes, extra insulation, hot soup and cheery fire warmed us.

Skip brought waaay too many brats for us to eat and we sat up talking around the fire until 8pm.

During the night we received an inch of fluffy snow which we heard slide down the tent walls.

Strangely enough we heard a grouse drumming through out the night.  We noted that we had never heard one drum during the winter or at night.  The bright full moon must have deceived the male into being active all night.

The next morning we stirred at 7am and dealt with a frosty tent. We opted for a quick snack with the promise of a full breakfast at the Indian Lake diner.

We packed up and were on the trail by 8am.  The hike out was ideal with sunny, warm conditions under clear skies.

We past the several beaver ponds that we skirted on our hike in.

We returned to the trail head at 10 and were at the Indian Lake diner by 10:30.

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There were a “few” snowflakes in the air as we made a cook fire against this huge boulder.  The meal that night was Brats – easy to prepare and no clean-up.

The Sawvivor saw can be seen hanging from the tree.  Two thumbs up for the Sawvivor!

Below Mark, Len, Jason, Rob and [...]]]>

There were a “few” snowflakes in the air as we made a cook fire against this huge boulder.  The meal that night was Brats – easy to prepare and no clean-up.

The Sawvivor saw can be seen hanging from the tree.  Two thumbs up for the Sawvivor!

Below Mark, Len, Jason, Rob and Matt wait out the storm.

After a while the snow flurries diminished and everyone settled in for some fire gazing and conversation.

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