Camping

Camping. Spending time in the woods. Having a fire. What can go wrong?

How the hell did I end up going to Hicks Run, Pennsylvania for four nights ? β›Ί

How the hell did I end up going to Hicks Run, Pennsylvania for four nights ? β›Ί

That was my reaction when I printed up the camping permit today. Did I really intend to spend half of my vacation there? I don’t know, the camping permit was free. Technically I’m supposed to set up on the first night of the permit or risk forfeiting but I’m pretty sure nobody would notice either way – especially in November before regular season opens.

I honestly still don’t know if I want to go that far – it’s a long ways west and the end of next looks unsettled. The permit was free – I could always write back to cancel or just not show up, I highly doubt there is anybody else who would want the site. That said, Hicks Run isn’t that far from PA 555 which is plowed year round – and I’m not seeing any massive snow storms coming down the pike – although Lake Effect is still a possibility although I’ll be pretty far south.

The truth is that I’ve been watching the Real Appalachia channel on the YouTube and thinking a lot about the small towns in West Virginia – or for that matter elk country in Pennsylvania. Not too different. I like exploring the hollows and going somewhere that’s just different from New York. I haven’t gotten out of the state in two years now bar a brief jaunt over the border to the Green Mountain National Forest last summer. I’ve never spent much time in Elk Country PA except for passing through and that one night I covert camped years ago. Listening to those elk at 5 AM were so magestical.

I don’t have to go there if I don’t want. I’m no fan of campground camping but I expect I’ll have it mostly to myself. The second half of the week might be stormy or cloudy. That said, I’ve been studying up on scenic vistas and hikes nearby. I can always park and walk the dirt roads and trails. I’ll wear plenty of blaze orange for safety.

I still haven’t figured out where I will start my trip. I kind of want to do some time in Madison County and Cazenovia and then take NY 13 to the Finger Lakes through the Otselic Valley and Cortland. Been a while since I’ve gone that way. Maybe it’s because of the good memories of November 2020 at Stoney Pond. Not certain to be repeated. Or if could do an overnight at Long Pond then out to the Finger Lakes. But if I want to go to West Virginia then I really should head down to PA on Saturday for County Bridge campground and straight to West Virginia thereafter on Sunday via the 99. But that’s such a long drive and gas is so expensive. I only have a New York hunting license.

I really haven’t started packing yet. I should have a plan but none really exists. I need to get a lantern globe but I’m not sure where. Dicks at Crossgates? I hate both of those businesses. Walmart locally doesn’t have them although I’ve gotten it before at Walmart Oneonta. I also am very low on groceries – will need at least some to get started. I need to find my map of the Elk State Forest although I’ve been studying online. Pennsylvania has good, free maps. 

Just want a quiet week for camping πŸ•

Just want a quiet week for camping πŸ•

Some years I put together great adventures for my week long road trip in October and November. But this year I’m not super ambitious and just want some quiet time in the woods to read, think and do some hiking and hunting. Gas prices are so high these days, which puts a damper in traveling, and my bank account is anything but healthy. But more then that, I feel like everything is just a rush and I’m tired and just want to spend more time away from it all, enjoying the woods.

Final Campfire

Backcountry

I always think it’s odd how people crowd into developed campgrounds and designated wilderness areas when there is so much more backcountry for people to enjoy, where you don’t have to worry about the noise, smoke or bothering anybody else.

This June I’ve been thinking about places I want to go now that it’s gotten hot out and summer is underway … πŸ•

This June I’ve been thinking about places I want to go now that it’s gotten hot out and summer is underway … πŸ•

 Schoharie Valley

Schoharie County

The next two weekends are the Gas Up. The Mine Kill Pool opens on July 1st. Strawberries and so many other good things from farm stands in Schoharie Valley. Camp up at Burnt-Rossman State Forest, maybe connect up with some of my buddies out that way. Maybe do some fishing.

Camping At Betty Brook

Madison County

I have been biting to get out for another paddle on the Nine Mile Swamp. I also think a hike along Chenango Canal again would be delightful as long as it’s not ungodly hot. Also some bird watching and fishing in Sherbune at the Rogers Center. Of course if it’s hot, the beach at Glimmerglass Park might be nice.

Along One of Twists in Creek

Black River Valley

I haven’t been to the Black River Valley in about 5 years and it would be fun to spend a long weekend out that way in the Otter Creek Area, and meet up with some friends and poke around the Western Adirondacks.

 Keener Hill Road

Piseco-Powley Road

The Potholers of course. But also just a quiet, maybe extended weekend off the grid would be nice. I do like that swimming hole at House Pond Campsite, and some of the other hikes. And just relaxing and being off-the-grid for a few days. Maybe do clams in beer, that was so good that one hot summer weekend down at the House Pond Campsite.

Camp

 

Strolling around camp

I often enjoy going for a random stroll around my campsite, surveying the land. Not because it’s my land for any length of time but because I want to survey it and understand it as fully as possible during my brief occupation of the land. A simple walk is a way to pass the time without going anywhere.

 Camp

 

Β 

Β 

This year I spent 63 nights in the wilderness. πŸ•

Rise and Shine, Finger Lakes Campers

April 2020 – 2 nights

  • Two nights on the East Branch Sacandaga River

May – 8 nights

  • Two nights on the East Branch Sacandaga River
  • Three nights at Mason Lake, Memorial Day Weekend
  • Three nights on Hardwood Hill after Memorial Day

June – 15 nights

  • 3 nights on Hardwood Hill
  • 3 nights at Mason Lake
  • 3 nights at Mason Lake
  • 1 night Hardwood Hill
  • 3 nights at Horseshoe Lake
  • 2 nights at Jones Pond

July – 13 nights

  • 3 nights on Forest Road 71 Green Mountain National Forest
  • 2 nights near Somerset Airfield Green Mountain National Forest
  • 3 nights on Piseco Powley Road near Potholers
  • 3 nights at Spectulator Tree Farm, Old Route 8B
  • 2 nights Piseco Powley Road

August – 10 nights

  • 8 nights – Finger Lakes National Forest (summer vacation)
  • 1 night at Cole Hill State Forest (hammock camping in the back country)
  • 1 night at Burnt Rossman State Forest near Duck Pond

September – 7 nights

  • One night on upper Forest Road 71 Green Mountain National Forest, Thursday Labor Day Weekend
  • 3 nights Forest Road 71 Green Mountain National Forest near Shep Meadow Labor Day Weekend
  • 3 nights at Mason Lake

October – 1 night

  • One night Cherry Ridge Camping Area in Brookfield

November – 5 nights

  • Stoney Pond State Forest during second week of November
  • Piseco-Powley Road – House Pond Campsite, two nights after Thanksgiving

December – 1 night

  • New Years Eve – East Branch Sacandaga River in the Adirondacks