BlackSpruce
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One needs a hiking license and an affliction for maze games to complete a loop around the mostly man made Putnam Pond. In the 1930s the CCC crew worked on the dam and build some trails, completion of the work and the building of the large campground was completed in the 1960s. Several decades later the 46Rs crew took over and under DEC guidance have realized countless projects the two full weekends they dedicate every summer to the Putnam Pond Trails. The crew, all volunteers, have completed extensive “trail renovation” projects: bridge re-building, rock-work, side-cutting, etc. And it shows as not only the scenery is spectacular but the trails are a treat for body and mind. The plus perfect section was the half-mile bordering Clear Pond. Nevertheless to fully enjoy the area a map is a must and a compass or GPS would certainly be needed in the dark at this time of year when dry leaves thoroughly hide the trails. We first climbed Treadway where slanted sun rays were beaming on the summit area extensive granite rocks highlighting the milky whites, the pinks and the purples. Having the mountain to ourselves we managed a thorough and complete tour of the summit, successively recognizing numerous “high” and “low” peaks but only a few lakes and ponds, all the while being blinded by the sun shining over Pharaoh Lake!
As the day was still young we had plenty of time to return via the West Shore and circle the pond named after General Putnam. In the High Peaks no need to keep an eye on the markers to hold onto the trail just stays in the trench and follows the mud. Here every intersection offers multiple choice routes which can lead to a far away dead-end or a long scenic but unwanted detour. We found plenty of hairpins turn and hills to conquer, wondered at times if all the distances indicated were accurate but enjoyed every step. That is till we reached the now closed for the season campground. At or near the trail register at the end of trail 43 there are no indications whatsoever on how to reach the hikers parking lot. Not even a good luck sign. Only as we finally could see the entrance appeared an EXIT sign with an arrow pointing towards the gate 100 yards away! We then resigned ourselves to another half-mile on the asphalt. We felt we deserved a prize for getting out of the campground before dark even though we had our choice of campsites to spend a quiet night. We just could not imagine what it must be like in the summer: 72 campsites!
Had we known what we know now we would have printed this map http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/permits_ej_operations_pdf/putnampond120709.pdf to get to our car via the campsites and over the dam...
More about the CCC here: http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/ccc/salmond/chap7.htm
& http://www.cccstories.com/
As the day was still young we had plenty of time to return via the West Shore and circle the pond named after General Putnam. In the High Peaks no need to keep an eye on the markers to hold onto the trail just stays in the trench and follows the mud. Here every intersection offers multiple choice routes which can lead to a far away dead-end or a long scenic but unwanted detour. We found plenty of hairpins turn and hills to conquer, wondered at times if all the distances indicated were accurate but enjoyed every step. That is till we reached the now closed for the season campground. At or near the trail register at the end of trail 43 there are no indications whatsoever on how to reach the hikers parking lot. Not even a good luck sign. Only as we finally could see the entrance appeared an EXIT sign with an arrow pointing towards the gate 100 yards away! We then resigned ourselves to another half-mile on the asphalt. We felt we deserved a prize for getting out of the campground before dark even though we had our choice of campsites to spend a quiet night. We just could not imagine what it must be like in the summer: 72 campsites!
Had we known what we know now we would have printed this map http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/permits_ej_operations_pdf/putnampond120709.pdf to get to our car via the campsites and over the dam...
More about the CCC here: http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/ccc/salmond/chap7.htm
& http://www.cccstories.com/
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