Northeast Wild

  Mar 14, 2022 - the video Mar 14, 2022 - TIRRELL POND from the south, Rts 28/30.  Temp rising thru the 30s, plenty of snow with 8" powder on top of a good base, rolling intermediate terrain.  No one had signed in for 9 days but breaking trail was not too difficult.  Fun hills come early then you go thru easement lands where the logging roads of Finch, Pruyn cross the trail.  A short detour to the edge of O'Neil Flow reveals a good view across a vly to Snowy Mtn.  Several crossings of small brooks were not too difficult thanks to good ice/snow bridges (that could change later this week with warmer temps).  Back into state land (Blue Mtn Wild Forest) & soon arrive at the new bridge (there used to be a narrow log bridge here that I would never attempt to cross in winter) over the scenic outlet of Tirrell Pond which leads to a short trail to the O'Neil lean-to for lunch.  Skied out onto the E side of the pond (1,919' el) to get a look at Blue Mtn...

  Mar 4, 2022 -  SECOND POND xc ski. Siamese Ponds Wilderness. Very nice snow conditions, & you can't beat those blue skies in winter. Elevations between 2,235' & 2,525'. It often seemed like we were going up or coming down. Good powder skiing on the pond - no slush/wetness. 3.8 hours. Apr 16, 2019 - April 16 - SECOND POND ski. The trailhead on Chatiemac Lake Rd is at 2,320" - one of the highest elevation trailheads in the Adks. Siamese Ponds Wilderness. 0-30" of snow, the trail had a hard spine/monorail & softened somewhat as time progressed, off-trail the snow was nice. Soon went off-trail to the R down to a vly with a view of Gore Mtn but less than half the vly had any snow. Back on the trail it was ok for a bit then I started hitting bare & wet spots so decided to ski off-trail wherever the snow took me - found 2 more small vlies & a flagged route to the S. 2.6 hours. Last ski of the season? Mar 17, 2014 -  SECOND POND  from C...

  Feb 17, 2017 -  BENNETT, MIDDLE & MURPHY LAKES ski, from Creek Rd. Wilcox Lake Wild Forest. 600' climb in 3 miles to Middle then over 100' drop to Murphy & lean-to. Rocky mountain views at Murphy. Nice run back out. Snowshoe tracks went half way, a snowmobile came in after us but only got near Bennett - altho it is an official snomo trail it is not used for that purpose much - someone wrote in the register: "trail not passable with snowmobile". Very good to excellent skiing on ~15", some easily avoidable wet spots. 7.7 miles, 4.5 hours. Nov 7, 2012 -  BENNETT & MIDDLE LAKES  hike, from Creek Rd, N of Northville.  Temp in the 30s, gotta get acclimated to colder temps & you don't do that by staying inside.  The trail is along an old road, now also a snowmobile trail.  Have to leave the main trail to get a good look at Bennett.  Also left the main trail & followed a fisherman's path counterclockwise around Middle passing ...