Northeast Wild

  Feb 28, 2023 – BLACK & LONG PONDS, JENKINS MOUNTAIN TRAIL ski, from St Regis Mtn trailhead (Black Pond trailhead not plowed) on Keese Mill Rd. Black Pond east side trail – lots of ups & downs – came close to groomed trail of the VIC – some icy base noted. Lean-to. Saw a deer shoot across the pond. Pond-ski to N end & picked up the trail to the W side of Long Pond. Half-mile to Jenkins Mtn Trail & went L. Groomed for a bit. Ups & downs over eskers & hardwoods (deeper powder). Gave up when the trail got steeper. Path to top of esker that parallels the ponds – L to the summit of the esker – decent views of Jenkins & Long Pond – saw 3 yellow paint blazes & there were some old snowshoe tracks. S on esker & woke up a deer. Ups & downs for a while then a short traverse down to the S end of Long Pond. Checked out the fish barrier dam then skied down the W side of Black Pond then across the pond, into a good headwind, to the Black Pond lean-to for a nic

  April 23, 2024 - NOOSA'S BLUFF on the blue Berry Pond Trail hike. A creative spectacle-shaped (double-ended lollipop) route via marked trails, old woods roads, & bushwhacking. I am not fond of the blue trail where it leaves the rec ctr, so avoided that. Temp rising thru the 50s to the mid-60s, sunny, breezy. Saw 3 ruffed grouse, chipmunk, beaver, & blackflies; yellow violets; 2 tree stands. 7.5 miles, 1660' el gain, 4.8 hours. Jan 17, 2024 - Skied a clockwise lollipop loop to BERRY POND on closed (the local club has threatened to groom & open the trails for the weekend so I had to get out quickly) snomo trails. Only had to herringbone up a couple of spots but mostly moderate climbing. Wind chill at the pond was nasty so I found a sunny spot in the woods for a quick lunch. Mostly fun skiing down altho I would have liked 6" more powder in some spots. Saw no one. Up to 5" of light fluffy powder on top of groomed a few days ago base. Temp rising thru the tee