Snow Shoe to Auger Falls

Randy and I decided, since the weather was predicted to be good on Sunday, 2/1/09, to do a snow shoe hike into Auger Falls from the east direction. This trail head is off of Rt 8, just north of Wells NY.

We invited Kathy, our usual hiking partner. Then decided to invite Emily and Haleigh. Haleigh couldn't go but Emily could. At the last minute, we also invited Steve. He had to borrow snow shoes and fortunately, Kathy had an extra pair. She invited her neice, Nancy.


We met at the corner of Rt 30 and Rt 8 at 1040 and drove the 2.5 miles to the trail head. The day was overcast but not windy and in the high 20's, so very comfortable for a snow shoe. We walked a plowed road .2 mile to the bridge over the East Branch of the Sacandaga and got to the start of the seldom used snow machine trail on the opposite side of the bridge. This trail goes all the way to Speculator, about 10 miles away.


We all put our snow shoes on but Randy and Steve. The trail was firm enough that they decided to hike in their boots. The trail was good, and very pretty, going through snow covered trees. At about 1.6 miles, we were about .3 mile from MacCumber Creek and were ready to take the sharp left (west) to Auger Falls.
The only trail was a deer path so Randy and Steve got their snow shoes on and I broke trail about 1/4 mile to an overlook, just upstream from Auger Falls. Since the weather has been cold, the snow has stayed pretty powdery. Even in show shoes, I was sinking to my knees. It made breaking trail pretty difficult. Since Kathy, Nancy and Steve had to get back, we decided not to push on but did take a quick lunch break.

Going back was very quick since all trail had now been broken, only 45 minutes to go about 1.7 miles. A good bit of exercise on a really good day for snow shoeing.