Second Pond Hike

It was such a nice day Saturday (11/25) that I had to get out on a hike. I chose the Second Pond Trail cause it's only 2.7 miles each way. The trail is in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area, off of Rt 8 up toward North Creek. You have to turn off Rt8 onto a dirt road called Chatiemac Rd and go about 2 miles. The trailhead is unmarked but the trail is marked with yellow disks. Anyway, the trail skirts the Height of Land Mountain, isn't too steep and this time of year, most of the mud holes were frozen. It only took an hour and a half to hike in. I spent about 1/2 an hour eating lunch at Second Pond. It had a skim of ice over the whole surface. The area was so quiet that my ears were ringing. On the way back, I was having so much fun I realized I was chuckling to myself as I rock hopped across a very wide muddy area. I haven't been that delighted since my last cruise when I was snorkling thru a big school of yellow fish, so close I could touch them. I laughed then too, a big mistake in a snorkle mask. Anyway, only an hour and a half out to my car. A great day.

By the way, I have decided not to hike the Appalachian Trail this year. Other experienced hikers have suggested that a little more time on long distance hikes to hone my camping out skills would be very helpful. So, next spring, as soon as possible, the rest of the Northville - Lake Placid trail will be completed. I'll also try to do the Long Trail, which covers Vermont and Massachussetts. Maybe even some of the Adirondack 46 highest mountains, to prepare for some of the 6000 footers along the Appalachian trail.

Long Time No Hike

It's been 3 weeks since my last hike. Uh Oh!, do I sound like a member of AA???? Some days it feels like I should join a support group. Oh Wait! I am a member of a couple of support groups, the Adirondack Forum and the Appalachian Trail Conference.

I'm making my mind up to schedule my hike of the Appalachian Trail (the AT) this coming spring, March 2007. My husband is more than a little uncomfortable cause I haven't done more than 3 days/2 overnights and my plan to thru hike the Northville - Lake Placid trail never came thru. He also says when I came off my 3 day hike (of the Northville - Lake Placid trail - see previous posts), I complained of aches and pains so am not really ready for a 6 month hike. My contention is that no matter how a person trains, there will be aches and pains at the end of a days (many days!) hike so no biggie. And while I agree with him that a NPT thru hike would have been ideal as a training tool and decider if I want to do a longer hike, it isn't strictly necessary. Many hikers just go ahead and hike the AT without that long distance prep.

So far, I've ordered the whole set of the AT guides, the Data Book and the Planning workbook. I got the guides and planning workbook already and read the workbook. I'm stoked about going. But, in the interest of fairness, I'd like to think a couple of more weeks on this. Perhaps get some input from other hikers before making any irreversible plans.