Ferris Lake Wild Forest ๐Ÿ“

Encompassing a vast expanse of 147,454 acres, the Ferris Lake Wild Forest is characterized by the presence of ancient spruce stands. These can be observed along the Powley-Piseco Road, the northern banks of Alderbed Stream, the vicinity of Blind Manโ€™s Vly, and the slopes of both Big and Little Alderbed Mountains. Adding to its allure, the region boasts an array of ponds, lakes, and streams, attracting outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen year-round.

The Wild Forest accommodates 14.6 miles of hiking trails, along with an extensive 117-mile network of snowmobile trails (many of which are multi-use), catering to various recreational preferences. With 97 primitive campsites, a boat launch, and a boat dock, the area is well-equipped for adventurers. Furthermore, the public can access 10.95 miles of roads, granting motorized entry to this expansive and captivating property.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/114279.html

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The $80,000 wing wall that took one year to complete … ๐Ÿšง

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Your government at work, sometimes.  I shouldn't complain, at least the road is open again. 

Saturday November 28, 2020 — Piseco-Powley Road — Big Alderbed Lake Trail 🗺 — Clockmill Corners to NY 10 🗺 — Edick Road Swimming Hole 🗺 — Goldmine Stream Falls 🗺 — House Pond Trail 🗺 — Lower Powley Bridge to Sugarbush Mountain 🗺 — Meco Lake Trail (Piseco-Powley Road) 🗺 — Overview Map Piseco-Powley Road 🗺 — Piseco Road Swimming Holes 🗺 — Powley Place - East Canada Creek - Kayak Canoe 🗺 — Sand Lake 🗺 — Sand Lake Trail 🗺 — Sugarbush Mountain to Clockmill Corners 🗺— PDF with All Maps 📚
Map: Cod Pond Trailhead Camping Opporunities

Camping in the mountains โ›ฐ

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Friday November 27, 2020 — Piseco-Powley Road — Big Alderbed Lake Trail 🗺 — Clockmill Corners to NY 10 🗺 — Edick Road Swimming Hole 🗺 — Goldmine Stream Falls 🗺 — House Pond Trail 🗺 — Lower Powley Bridge to Sugarbush Mountain 🗺 — Meco Lake Trail (Piseco-Powley Road) 🗺 — Overview Map Piseco-Powley Road 🗺 — Piseco Road Swimming Holes 🗺 — Powley Place - East Canada Creek - Kayak Canoe 🗺 — Sand Lake 🗺 — Sand Lake Trail 🗺 — Sugarbush Mountain to Clockmill Corners 🗺— PDF with All Maps 📚
Thematic Map: BOCES Districts

November 29, 2020 Morning

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Big Red’s DIC says this morning was only 21 degrees before sunrise. ๐ŸŒก๏ธI’d believe it, kind icy outside with all of the fog ๐ŸŒซ and moisture from yesterday’s rain and sleet turning into ice on the trees. It’s pretty and the road is free of ice so no complaints. I did start the truck up briefly to top off the batteries ๐Ÿ”‹ – mostly the starting battery because it is cold and the voltage was down a little bit because of that – and the solar panel isn’t going to produce much power covered with ice. โ˜€๏ธ

Ran out of propane this morning โ™จ but fortunately not before I cooked breakfast and warmed myself by the heater. But it still left me with cold hands ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป when I took down camp and gave me an incentive to get moving sooner. ๐ŸŒ… Sun didn’t get above the mountains until after 8 AM which is about the time the tank ran out. Totally my fault, it had been nine nights since I last filled the tank and in the winter I usually try to fill it every six nights camping so I don’t end up with a cold start to the morning. โ˜• But regardless it was fine, I enjoyed my coffee and just got moving.

Hiked up to House Pond this morning after I took down camp. ๐Ÿฆ† Woodpeckers and a duck breaking through the ice and the occasional distant gun shot ๐Ÿ”ซ but no deer ๐ŸฆŒ to be seen where I was. I am surprised ๐Ÿคจ I thought more would be moving this morning. Once I get back to camp, I’m going to drive down to Fort Hunter and explore the Schoharie Crossing and the bike path ๐Ÿšฒ around Fort Hunter until around 3:30 and then head home before dark. That’s pretty early this time of year.

November 29, 2020 Morning

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Good morning folks! ๐Ÿ˜ŠI hope your Saturday is going well and you are healthy. This morning started out with rain โ˜” and now it’s been breaks of sunshine โ˜€ and blue skies but mostly pretty gray. โ˜๏ธ Definitely late November here in the woods although it’s pretty nice sitting down by the heater. A little bit of sunshine though could go a long ways. I heard later it was supposed to clear out.

I have to say it is kind of cold and damp morning โ™จ and it would have been downright chilly if not for the Big Buddy Heater to warm myself. ๐Ÿ”ฅ I guess I could have started a fire to warm myself but fires are smoky and smelly compared to sitting by the heater which you just switch on.

Last night that lantern ๐Ÿฎ was super bright ๐Ÿ”† except at the lowest setting. I’m hoping with the propane filter on it the preformance will remain high and not super smokey or dim. I think it’s the plasticizers on the propane hose that clog things up. I am hoping between using the propane tree and the filter I will have years of bright light as neccesary here at camp.

I am thinking that it will clear out later in the day ๐ŸŒค๏ธand I’ll hike up to the Potholers. After looking at the forecast yesterday I don’t have any great expectations for today but it’s good to get away, if only because it means I’m fully off the internet for a few days.