Northeast Wild

  Mar 12, 2024 - Started out (1635' el) on the CHAIN LAKES ROAD SOUTH again - Indian Lake had reported close to 12" of new snow over the past 3 days. Soon reached a washed-out section which was easy to get past - no other wetness issues on the rest of the trip. Rolling terrain but more downs than ups to the Red Finch Gate. Soon passed a clearing on the R & then took R at a gate. Followed this unmarked trail to a junction & took a R - this unmarked trail leads to a cool spot at the junction of the INDIAN & HUDSON RIVERS. Back to the junction & bore R & soon back on the CLRdS. 2 other skiers were taking a break at the Outer Gooley parking area - we dropped down a path to the edge of the HUDSON RIVER (1425') & stopped for lunch under clear blue skies.  Back on the road passing a gate & register kiosk - no one had signed in since our 2/21 trip! Further up the road then L on the rugged hard-to-follow 0.7-mile trail to CLEAR POND. This climbed to 1730...

  Siamese Ponds Wilderness . April 8, 2024 - SKICLIPSE!!! Started out from Barton Mines Rd (2100'), lunch at Botheration Pond, got past Botheration Brook bridge & returned, totality at The Vly. 8-12" firm snow (skis sunk in 1-2"), very light breakable crust before noon but the sun... Temp mid-40s to low 50s, mostly sunny. 7.3 miles, 512' el gain/loss, 4.7 hours. Elevations between 2000' & 2200'. Very good skiing. The parking area was not plowed. There were some old ski tracks on the Raymond Brook Trail, the Halfway Brook Trail was untracked - the latter was the better choice for eclipse viewing. The bridge next to the road had caved in but it was easy to bypass it. Some wet spots were also easy to get past. At a half-mile, Halfway Brook was crossed on a beaver dam - it is good that skis don't get iced up when temps are well above freezing. Short side-trip to The Vly - decided that was where we wanted to be at ~3 pm. Climb up to the junction of the...