rhihn
New member
(cross-posted from Adkhighpeaks.com, with Turkeybob's permission)
It again was one of those trips that we all thank GOD for the great outdoors he created, our physical capabilities, closeness of family, and the friendship that dwells amongst fellow hikers and 46ers.
Our team of 7, DICK HIHN, JOANNE HIHN, KEITH HORNE (AL LOCO), SHANE HAMILTON (HAMBONE), JENNY CIECIEREGA, JOE CIECIEREGA (JUNIOR TURKEY), and myself, TURKEYBOB,
left the BURNTBRIDGE trailhead at 3:15 pm Tuesday August 4th to begin our 50 mile quest. Our packs, no matter how many times we packed and unpacked, and removed items, ranged from 38 to 48 pounds, including water and tents.
Day 1--was great, sunny, warm, great trail and immediate gelling of the 7 of us. We ranged in age from 64 down to 32, but the pace and discussions was even across the team. We ended up 6 miles in at EAST INLET at a beautiful campsite that fit all 4 of our tents. We brought 4 stoves and thus tried various combinations of home and bought dried foods and snacks. After cleanup, a heck of a wind, thunder and lightening storm came through as we took refuge in the tents until daybreak.
Day 2--started out and stayed clear and sunny all day. We plugged past one of my old hunting camps on EAST INLET, over EAST CREEK, onto CURTIS POND, through PROUIX CLEARING, past DOG POND and onto the OTTERBROOK TRAIL JUNCTION. What a great stretch of real estate. (beautiful, pure wilderness, and impressive beaver dams). Trail had some wet and fairly muddy spots but nothing unusual. The weather was great and we continued to a tent site at CHAIR ROCK FLOW; Fantastic. Set up, dried up our tents from the nite before—DR. HORNE had to administer to JENNIFER’S heel blisters with clear skin and bandages. As big as they were you’d think she was in pain—she blamed her socks this time. “She didn’t get voted off the island”. Before that, KEITH, JOE AND JENNY went swimming. Meals were again fantastic, and we sealed the nite with a nice campfire.
Day 3--Again was clear, up at 5:15 am.(some of us), sunny, around 65 degrees and broke camp at 8:45 am and heading to CAT MOUNTAIN. The loop around OLMSTEAD POND was mud, wet and many beaver dams. This was the norm. Beautiful pond and lean-to and excellent spot for lunch. Lots of water on the trail around the pond and while crossing 6 mile creek, JOANNE decided to take a one foot swim. KEITH saved her from a more extensive soaking.
Once back on the six mile trail to COWHORN POND, we hiked through that old growth forest of enormous white pines, (the redwoods of NEW YORK); they were a real treat. It took 3 of us with hands stretched, to cover the whole circumference of those trees; IMPRESSIVE. We continued onto and past CAT MOUNTAIN and by now we were ready to find our next campsite. As we hiked around GLASBY POND, TURKEYBOB couldn’t pound his wings fast enough and got stung by 2 yellow jackets. We camped at the tent site on GLASBY POND. Great site for 4 tents. And KEITH went swimming again. Ate and got into our tents just as the rain came pouring down. We were treated to a duet of excellent singing in SPANISH by DICK AND KEITH.
DAY 4--Woke up to a haze and fog over GLASBY POND and a real soaked area. Broke camp at 8:30 and hiked in lots of mud towards the SANDHILL JUNCTION and then off to HIGH FALLS. That place is always a KODAK moment. Lots of pictures and lunch and then off to HIGH ROCK. NOW is when the real underwater trails greet us as well as the long swamps and beaver dams. Got through it all; arrived at the big HIGH ROCK campsite but it was taken by a big group of kayakers. (our first encounter with people and still HAVE NOT SEEN one hiker). We decided to take the upper campsite on HIGH ROCK. Somehow we got 4 tents up there, and had a great evening enjoying the view, snakes, and activities on the OSWEGATCHIE RIVER and a unbelievable sunset. JUNIOR TURKEY,with a 44 pound pack, but skinny, and weighing only 120 pounds always impressed us.
Day 5--Again up at 5:15, cold but clear—approx 40 degrees. Beautiful pictures of fog coming off the river and the final group of HIGH ROCK pictures. SHANE’s favorite color is ORANGE and he always wears ORANGE. Reminded me of a PUMPKIN.
Trail from here to WANAKENA was mostly dry, wide and an old road. Past the ranger station, and through the PEAVINE SWAMP which also has MASSIVE, (redwood style), HEMLOCKS, that are truly impressive. Finally arrive at route 3 and get back to the BURNTBRIDGE TRAILHEAD at 1:30 pm. Changed, packed and headed to the CRANBERRY LAKE LODGE for eats and drinks. Final hugs, shakes, pictures, and good byes, to end one heck of an adventure that we’ll never forget.
LOVE YOU GUYS AND GALS
turkeybob
It again was one of those trips that we all thank GOD for the great outdoors he created, our physical capabilities, closeness of family, and the friendship that dwells amongst fellow hikers and 46ers.
Our team of 7, DICK HIHN, JOANNE HIHN, KEITH HORNE (AL LOCO), SHANE HAMILTON (HAMBONE), JENNY CIECIEREGA, JOE CIECIEREGA (JUNIOR TURKEY), and myself, TURKEYBOB,
left the BURNTBRIDGE trailhead at 3:15 pm Tuesday August 4th to begin our 50 mile quest. Our packs, no matter how many times we packed and unpacked, and removed items, ranged from 38 to 48 pounds, including water and tents.
Day 1--was great, sunny, warm, great trail and immediate gelling of the 7 of us. We ranged in age from 64 down to 32, but the pace and discussions was even across the team. We ended up 6 miles in at EAST INLET at a beautiful campsite that fit all 4 of our tents. We brought 4 stoves and thus tried various combinations of home and bought dried foods and snacks. After cleanup, a heck of a wind, thunder and lightening storm came through as we took refuge in the tents until daybreak.
Day 2--started out and stayed clear and sunny all day. We plugged past one of my old hunting camps on EAST INLET, over EAST CREEK, onto CURTIS POND, through PROUIX CLEARING, past DOG POND and onto the OTTERBROOK TRAIL JUNCTION. What a great stretch of real estate. (beautiful, pure wilderness, and impressive beaver dams). Trail had some wet and fairly muddy spots but nothing unusual. The weather was great and we continued to a tent site at CHAIR ROCK FLOW; Fantastic. Set up, dried up our tents from the nite before—DR. HORNE had to administer to JENNIFER’S heel blisters with clear skin and bandages. As big as they were you’d think she was in pain—she blamed her socks this time. “She didn’t get voted off the island”. Before that, KEITH, JOE AND JENNY went swimming. Meals were again fantastic, and we sealed the nite with a nice campfire.
Day 3--Again was clear, up at 5:15 am.(some of us), sunny, around 65 degrees and broke camp at 8:45 am and heading to CAT MOUNTAIN. The loop around OLMSTEAD POND was mud, wet and many beaver dams. This was the norm. Beautiful pond and lean-to and excellent spot for lunch. Lots of water on the trail around the pond and while crossing 6 mile creek, JOANNE decided to take a one foot swim. KEITH saved her from a more extensive soaking.
Once back on the six mile trail to COWHORN POND, we hiked through that old growth forest of enormous white pines, (the redwoods of NEW YORK); they were a real treat. It took 3 of us with hands stretched, to cover the whole circumference of those trees; IMPRESSIVE. We continued onto and past CAT MOUNTAIN and by now we were ready to find our next campsite. As we hiked around GLASBY POND, TURKEYBOB couldn’t pound his wings fast enough and got stung by 2 yellow jackets. We camped at the tent site on GLASBY POND. Great site for 4 tents. And KEITH went swimming again. Ate and got into our tents just as the rain came pouring down. We were treated to a duet of excellent singing in SPANISH by DICK AND KEITH.
DAY 4--Woke up to a haze and fog over GLASBY POND and a real soaked area. Broke camp at 8:30 and hiked in lots of mud towards the SANDHILL JUNCTION and then off to HIGH FALLS. That place is always a KODAK moment. Lots of pictures and lunch and then off to HIGH ROCK. NOW is when the real underwater trails greet us as well as the long swamps and beaver dams. Got through it all; arrived at the big HIGH ROCK campsite but it was taken by a big group of kayakers. (our first encounter with people and still HAVE NOT SEEN one hiker). We decided to take the upper campsite on HIGH ROCK. Somehow we got 4 tents up there, and had a great evening enjoying the view, snakes, and activities on the OSWEGATCHIE RIVER and a unbelievable sunset. JUNIOR TURKEY,with a 44 pound pack, but skinny, and weighing only 120 pounds always impressed us.
Day 5--Again up at 5:15, cold but clear—approx 40 degrees. Beautiful pictures of fog coming off the river and the final group of HIGH ROCK pictures. SHANE’s favorite color is ORANGE and he always wears ORANGE. Reminded me of a PUMPKIN.
Trail from here to WANAKENA was mostly dry, wide and an old road. Past the ranger station, and through the PEAVINE SWAMP which also has MASSIVE, (redwood style), HEMLOCKS, that are truly impressive. Finally arrive at route 3 and get back to the BURNTBRIDGE TRAILHEAD at 1:30 pm. Changed, packed and headed to the CRANBERRY LAKE LODGE for eats and drinks. Final hugs, shakes, pictures, and good byes, to end one heck of an adventure that we’ll never forget.
LOVE YOU GUYS AND GALS
turkeybob
