Northeast Wild

  Jan 18, 2015 - NORTHVILLE-PLACID TRAIL thru ski from Upper Benson (Godfrey Rd) to Benson Rd. New parking area on Benson Rd is on the S side 4.7 miles from Rt.30 - despite that I still skied to the old new (of last winter) parking turnout on the N side of the road 4.5 miles from Rt.30 - NPT markers that were there last winter have been removed near this end. From the hunting camp at the end of Godfrey Rd the trail is now marked with yellow markers & is no longer part of the NPT. 1.75 miles to the bridge over the N Branch W Stony Creek & picked up the new section going E. Lunch at Abner Brook then 280' climb over a hill (1,700' el) then fun 150' downhill run. Excellent conditions for the most part with 4"-6" powder on hard icy base. On the harder side of intermediate. Some exposed rocks later in the trip - needs 2' of snow in the Woods Lake area to cover up the rocks in the softwoods. Light rain for last hour, heavier rain & freezing rain on drive ...

  Apr 19, 2004 - DUTCH HILL & HOOSAC RANGE skiing. Green Mountain NF. Good skiing on 0-15" corn, some wet spots. Started at ~2,200' on Rue Madeline in Heartwellville VT. Some bushwhacking, some old woods roads, some old ski trails. Climbed to the N of DH. View E to MA & NH? from ledge on 2,657' peak. Found an old camp & abandoned vehicles incl. school bus. Looped back on woods road to DH. Nice view across Aiken Wilderness to Prospect & Glastenbury Mtns from top of the old (closed in 1985) Dutch Hill Ski Area. Went partway down one of the old runs (not much snow down low). Sunny, temp rising thru the 40s to mid 50s, skied in shorts again. 4.7 miles, 4.5 hours.  Visit us on Facebook

  The Huyck Preserve is a non-profit research organization located in the scenic hamlet of Rensselaerville.  The preserve's 12 miles of trails are spread out over 2,055 acres and lie between 1,600' and 1,900' in elevation.  An excellent map can be found on their website (huyckpreserve.org) or picked up at the visitor center on weekdays.   The best starting-off point for the skier is at a small parking area and kiosk on Pond Hill Road across the street from Lincoln Pond.  From there, it is a short walk to the beginning of the Wheeler-Watson Trail which climbs away from the road and soon reaches a 19th century cemetery.  On a clear day, you may get a view to the Catskills before reaching the flat Race Track, an old horse-racing oval.  The Partridge Path's 3 loops are the preserve's newest trails and are ideal for skiing with plenty of ups and downs through open hardwoods with little understory  I especially love skiing the glade on the southwes...

  Feb 24, 2025 - CRAB POND xc ski. There are 2 Crab Ponds in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, this is the southern one (el 1050') & the trail is relatively new. Started on Pharaoh Lake Rd (935' el) - well-used over the weekend, folks mostly heading to Pharaoh Lake (no other cars in the parking area today). At 1 mile, the trail to CP is on the right* - no sign but there is a camp here disc pointing in the right direction. But before heading for CP, we checked out the status of the bridge over Mill Brook - it is still there but the boardwalk beyond has been removed. DEC website says: "The bridge over Mill Brook on the Pharoah Lake Trail is out. This bridge is located a little over 1 mile from the trailhead. The Pharoah Lake Trail is closed at that point. The Crab Pond Trail can still be accessed from the Pharoah Lake Trail prior to reaching Mill Brook. (1/22/2025)"Breaking trail from here* - skis sunk in 4-6". Yellow foot trail & ski markers - a few times we ha...

  Feb 20, 2025 - EAST BRANCH SACANDAGA RIVER trail to Sacandaga Lean-to from Old Farm trailhead. Siamese Ponds Wilderness. The first couple of miles were easy, with a slight gain in elevation. The next couple of miles had some ups & several fast downhills as the trail dropped 200' to within sight of the frozen-over river. Crossed on a good bridge. Rolling terrain beyond with some sharp dips in & out of frozen brooks. One big tree across the trail, & a smaller one. Could sometimes make out the river & Big Shanty Flow thru the trees. A moose had postholed the trail. Turned R at a junction & soon arrived at the lean-to. Woods were sometimes open hardwoods, sometimes evergreens. Good skiing on 20", with 3" of powder on firm crust base - unbreakable with skis on, breakable crust in bare boots, poles would sometimes break thru. Mostly sunny, temp rising from single digits to upper teens. 14+ miles, 1375' el gain/loss, 7.2 hours. Legs are tired! Sept 15, ...