Willis to Murphy Lake

Randy, Spot and I took a hike today. We spotted the Jeep at the Creek Rd trailhead to Bennett, Middle and Murphy Lakes. Then we went up to the Pumpkin Hollow Rd trail head to the same lakes. End-to-end it's a 7.6 mile hike. The hike is great, no real ridge climbs and lots of nice woods. The views around Murphy Lake are really great. Only problem, the trail to the Murphy Lake lean-to is flooded. We tried to bushwhack around the raised lake levels and swamp but after 1/2 an hour realized we were not going to get around the swamp. So, back we go the the trail and take another look at the flooded trail. Decision time, go back to Pumpkin Hollow or wade through the lake/swamp? Decided to wade. The water came to mid-thigh. Once out the other side, about 20 feet, we were right at the lean-to. Sat down, emptied boots, wrung out socks. I zipped off my pant legs. We ate some snacks and rested. Only took an hour and a half to go the remaining 3.5 miles. Overall, about 8 miles in 5 hours. I include of course the bushwhack. Spot was glad to get into the Jeep and have a lie down on the ride home.

Test Hike

Tested my new shoe inserts this morning. Did 5 miles in 2 hours. Got a blister on one toe. I expect it's rubbing on the top of the toe box. Solutions may be less heavy socks and/or loosening laces to allow the toe box on the boot to expand. A longer (timewise) hike will be the next test. Perhaps a 10 miler in one day.

Wilcox Lake Hike

Well then. Tuesday afternoon I hiked up to Wilcox Lake in the Adirondacks. I wanted to test myself and my equipment on an overnight hike. From the East Stoney Creek trailhead, it's about 5 miles to the lake. For a good distance, the trail follows E. Stoney Creek, very picturesque. Once there, there are 2 shelters to choose from and good lake access and views. The access and views are not common on Adirondack lakes so I was pleasantly surprised. I was also surprised that there wasn't as much insect or frog noise as I had anticipated. I did hear loons. Also, late in the evening, some animal snuffling around in the brush next to the lake and near my tent. I pretended I didn't hear it.

Some good points to the hike. 1. I know I can do it now. 2. I lost 2 pounds. 3. This particular hike was fairly level, only 2 spots that were really any climb at all.

Bad points. 1. The collapsible bottle I took to be my intake for unfiltered water had too small an opening for the water to open the collapsed bottle. I finally gave up and used the 2 quart juice bottle that was at the shelter. I can't rely on that kind of serendipity so I'll have to find something else. 2. I was surprisingly not hungry after 4 hours of steady hiking. I ate dinner anyway. Same with breakfast the next day. Also a snack at 10am on the hike back. Even so, I'll have to be aware of that kind of problem when doing longer distance hikes. 3. By the time I got back to the trailhead where my car was parked, my feet felt like they'd been beaten. (Which I guess they had!) Not good if I want to do longer hikes. I bought some "orthotic" insoles today. I'll try them tomorrow with a quick 5 mile hike (with full pack) to see how they work out. Since I could barely walk Wednesday night, this problem has to be solved. 4. My pack, at 40 pounds is too heavy with only 2 days worth of food with me. While I think a pack weight of 40 pounds is about right, I need to carry more food. Therefore, I need to cut weight and bulk.

First Posting Introduction

This is my first posting and my first experience with BLOGing. I'm opening this BLOG to allow friends and family to follow me on my hiking adventure.
I've been acquiring gear and getting into shape since January. I have finally completed my gear acquisition and am practicing hiking with a full pack. I went Saturday on a practice hike with my husband, Randy, dog Spot and my brother Don and 3 of his children. We went to Hadley Mountain in the Adirondack Mountains. I took my 40 pound pack. The hike was short, 1.8 miles to the summit. However, it seemed to be straight up. Lesson learned for the day: more squats and more calf stretches.