MOOSE POND xc skiing in the High Peaks Wilderness

 


Jan 22, 2023 - MOOSE POND ski. A few inches of base with a few inches of powder - could not ask for anything better. The trail was broken all the way altho I believe we were the only ones to reach the pond on this Sunday. Gentle rolling terrain most of the way on old roads. After the junction with the trail to Newcomb Lake, there is a good uphill with Moose Mtn towering 1000' above to the left, then a nice downhill to the pond bearing left to get to the campsites. Unfortunately, low clouds obscured Santanoni Peak & the Ermine Brook Slide as we sat on a downed tree eating lunch at the edge of the pond near a campsite. No wind, very quiet. Cloudy with temp in the upper 20s. I was feeling almost beat over the last couple of miles, but it actually took us less time on the return to the start. Elevations range between 1600' & 2000'. 15 miles, 1500' gross el gain, 6 hours.










  

Mar 19, 2012 - CAMP SANTANONI.  Took a walk on the carry trail to check out the rapids.  Took my time breaking camp - got down to 40F degrees in the am.  Checked out a snowmobile trail S of Newcomb - shot.  Checked out a trail that goes around Vanderwacker Mtn - went less than a mile before hitting a wet area.  Back to tried & true Camp Santanoni on Newcomb Lake.  Temp in 60s again.  Boathouse open - hung out on the ramp in front, put the pad down, took off shirt & absorbed the rays.  A couple of lawn chairs in the boathouse too.  Packed snow, lots of icy spots, and some short bare spots.  9 miles, 3.9 hours.  10+ miles on the day.  

Newcomb Lake & Camp Santanoni skiing, paddling, camping.  

Mar 18, 2012 - MOOSE POND from Newcomb, same trailhead as Camp Santanoni.  8"-15" of snow - variable conditions, some unconsolidated deeper sections where skis sunk in, some very good sections, some wet spots, some icy spots esp on the road to the camp (nice & fast on the gentle downhills) - temp rising into the 60s.  Nasty stream crossing about 2/3rds way in - almost got across makeshift log bridge before slipping in up to top of my thighs - made handrail for rest of Dagang to make things easier.  Nice views of Santanoni Peak (& the Ermine Brook Slide) & the Sewards from campsite on S side of the pond.  Mostly novice, perhaps easy intermediate closer to the pond.  Wetter & thinner snow on last hill.  14.4 miles, 6.8 hours.  Camped at 1 of 2 Deerland lean-tos at foot of rapids on the Raquette River where it enters the S end of Long Lake. 

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