Johnson Hill Trail (Willow Oak) DEC Hemlock/Canadice State Forest – January 19, 2014

Hiking a ridge along a waterfall can be quite slippery when it involves climbing a steep embankment and traversing over an inch of light snow covering leaves. I would consider this hike one of our most adventuresome endeavors, thrilling, but at times being very cautious at the waterfall area. 20 hikers bundled up and put on their ice treks in 15 degree temperature to explore the Johnson Hill Trail, cross a creek above a gorgeous frozen waterfall, and wander into a large eastern hemlock forest at the top of the loop trail high above the northern ridge of Reynolds Gull.

IMG_0962WUsing a dog rope, Mark and others assisted hikers to climb up the embankment next to a waterfall at the county line, as others searched for an alternative route, sometimes crawling and using the assistance of trees. At one point Mark and Char decided to slide down the hill together, knocking each other to the ground. Other hikers drove or walked to Johnson Hill Trail to start their hike on more flat terrain. The highlight of the ice covered waterfall was worth every minute of the slippery uphill hike. Hikers took time to admire and photograph, being careful not to get too close to the edge. Next time a rope will be tied to Wil and Wade for their bravery. This area is known for unexpected accidents and hikers being Mercy flighted out of this remote area.

Turtle Rock on north side of waterfall

Turtle Rock on north side of waterfall

Since the main trail was only a mile and 1/2 long, many hikers extended the hike to include bushwacking through the DEC forest to find the south boat launch road to Hemlock Lake and walking on the frozen lake. Seeing an ice fisherman on the lake, hikers felt the ice was safe for exploring, then proceeded on a long walk back up the road to the trail head parking lot. Trying to find a safe spot to photograph the waterfall, tourists found a very large turtle rock on the south side of the upper waterfall. Naturalists eventually picked up the climbers by mistake, managing most of the way to survive the extended hike.

Tailgate social along the Reynolds Gull Creek proved to be a eatting frenzy for 10 cold hikers who beared the cold weather and although difficult, ate with their gloves on.

keeping the grill going in the wind

keeping the grill going in the wind

Hot dogs were grilled, tasty appetizers,salads, chili, lentil soup, and sweet potatoes were consumed eagerly. Thanks to the Binders and Carol for offering their home for an alternative social location and for Georgia for appearing with a warm soup. We’ll take you up on a social location another time.

 

Georgia's hot lentil soup

Georgia’s hot lentil soup

 

tailgate social

tailgate social

Johnson Hill Trail/Reynolds Gull, DEC Hemlock/Canadice State Forest, Springwater – January 19, 2014 2:00

Picture7 Weather Update:  Some nice snow out here, should be pretty. Ice traks may be a good idea, but not deep enough for snowshoes.

For those that remember the “golden tree” that Linda Slade found “once upon a 2011 hike”, Bob attempting to pull himself up a cliff by rope, and Mac and Duff walking at the top of a ice covered waterfall, we will return to the Johnson Hill Trail this coming Sunday. Note due to the muddy, rutted and apparently logging activity at Rattlesnake Hill, we have changed this week’s hike to a closer location. According to the new naming of the DEC Hemlock/Canadice State Forest trails, this trail is also called Willow Oak and is located just off Rt 15A on Johnson Hill Road. reynoldds-gull-020WOn your way to or after the hike you may want to take an alternative route on Old Bald Hill Road South for a spectacular view of the Springwater Valley and Creek. We will meet at 1:45 at the trail head parking lot at the entrance to the South Boat Launch of Hemlock Lake. A tailgate social will follow the hike across the road at Reynolds Gull.

Also called the “Waterfall Trail” this mile and half trail passes through a hilly, deciduous forested area that accommodates hiking, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. Johnson Hill from PamThe trail passes through oak, hickory, white pine, black oak, tupelo and eastern hemlock forests. Most spectacular in the winter and spring is a double waterfall which offers outstanding photographic opportunities. Skirting along the upper ridge of Reynolds Gull, the roar of another waterfall deep within the gorge can often be heard but not seen due to the dangerous undercut. (map of Johnson Hill Trail from Hiking the Little Finger Lakes)

Picture12Trail conditions can change from mud to hard mud, ice to snow, 50 degrees to 5 degrees in January, so be prepared. Naturalists will stay on the trail, take time by the waterfall and creek to explore, and hike at their ability level. The upper part of the trail can be bit steep, but if taken slowly, it is worth it. A side trail can offer a view of Hemlock Lake. Tourists and Climbers will hike the entire trail at their speed level, exploring adjacent lands on both sides of Reynolds Gull or down to Hemlock Lake for extended hikes.

Our after hike social will be a tailgate in the parking area at the Reynolds Gull Creek. Similar to last year, a camping stove, gas grill, and hot dogs will be provided. Bring a dish to pass and your drink of preference, or make a small ($5) contribution toward the social funds.

Directions: Rt 15A to Springwater. We will meet at the large parking lot at the entrance to
the South Boat Launch at Hemlock Lake. From the large parking lot some hikers will car pool up to the small parking lot on Johnson Hill Road if parking conditions are acceptable.

Surviving the Winter – Heating by Wood

Aside

Many of our hikers in the rural area heat by wood, either as a supplemental or primary heat source. Experienced homeowners have already prepared their wood stock in the fall, and if smart, have at least a two year supply built up, allowing the wood to season properly. Managing a wood stock requires a great deal of physical activity, cutting up different sizes of wood dependent on the size of the stove, chain saw experience, and stacking the wood for easy accessibility to the heat source. For more information on developing a wood lot contact cornell cooperative extention.

Many of my friends have shared information on their struggles this winter with the extreme artic cold temperatures which dramatically effects their heating expenses. In an attempt to keep their wood stoves efficient with heavy usage, many are using their wood stoves as a primary source of heat. Managing your wood stove requires routine daily chores of bringing wood indoors to dry, a good source of kindling, newspaper, lighters, container for disposal of ashes, as well as regular cleaning of the wood stove as well as the area surrounding the hearth. Heating by wood can be real messy and time consuming.

My own experiences this year have been more difficult than in past years. Thanks to Dean and Bob, two members of our hiking group who run a wood bank in Springwater, I was able to secure a source of about 3 cords of beech wood from Sugarbush Hollow, cut, split, and delivered. Luckily I had about a cord of wood left over from the year before. Although I have some experience in the game of logging and using a chain saw, I have no knowledge of cutting up wood, just felling a tree on a marked spot, and do not own a chain saw. Therefore I am depending on free sources of wood if I continue to heat this way. One would have to figure out if it is worth it to purchase wood compared to heating with alternative sources.

In January my source of kindling was low and I began to search for fallen branches, twigs, pine cones around my property. Frozen branches needed to be dried and this can take two days at least.
Sometimes it would take me a couple of hours to get my small Vermont Casting stove up to temperature. In search of better kindling two hikers, Bob and Marty offered sources of kindling that if I’m careful should last most of the winter cold months. Now it only takes 10 minutes to get my wood stove up and running efficiently. It is now mid January and I am warm. If I had planned better I should of been prepared by October.

A lot of our conversations at the hike and socials revolve around survival issues, which includes heat and food, for those that live simply in the little finger lakes area and don’t have the luxury of traveling to warmer climates. One hiker had a load of wood delivered just recently. Living on a hill and impassable driveway, she managed with a neighbor to pull the wood up closer to the house by some sort of pully system.

Some cautions if you allow friends to stay at your house while you are away.  Make sure they completely understand how to light the stoves. Make sure you have an updated fire extinquisher, working smoke alarms and leave clear instructions. In addition, with the cold temperatures, usage of wood can double, and a large wood stock for two years may be necessary.

In addition many wood burners have used other ideas revolving around heating sources. Some wood burners use their ashes to reduce ice build up in their driveway or sidewalks. I throw it on my garden for composing. The smartest idea I saw recently was one wood burner had his stove in the basement with vents in the flooring for the upstairs area. Putting a stove in a lower level, unused area greatly reduces the mess in the main living area. If you have a small stove, chances are your wood will go out at night and will have to be ignited again in the morning. Rather than getting up every 3 hours to restock your stove, purchasing a efficient electric heater, a heating blanket, and warm comforter and placing it in a small bedroom can help you get through the night if the temperature drops.

Do you heat with wood stoves.  I would love your comments*.  Please add your stories to this article.

*To add a comment, click on the title of this story and scroll to the bottom where you will find the comment box.

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Crossing the Canadice Outlet – December 29, 2013

IMG_0454_WebDoes anyone have the same phobia as I seem to have regarding walking across a log two feet above a fast, cold, and icy creek in winter conditions?    I  admired 5 of our brave climbers that crossed a section of the Canadice Outlet Creek by log while 4 others watched and chose an alternative route.

busch gardens and canadice outlet hike 184Climbers and Tourists continued to hike the challenging ravines on both sides of the creek, taking time to explore the creek from many scenic angles and observe remains of old mills.   Although the creek gully was beautifully laced with peaceful water sounds, ice castles, and scenic views, the land conditions proved to be slippery, muddy, and steep in some areas on a cold rainy day.

canadice-outlet-hike-203_WebSuperman’s Ice Castle does exist in the Canadice Outlet and the history of the 19th century Dixon Hollow community was shared.   In an area where the first saw mill was built an oxbow developed a natural dam site.  Tourists were able to walk out on a little island that housed the Adam Mill and observe the race way and old hand hewn beams.  Further up the stream Pam, Marty, Dena and Rick hiked the steep west ridges  in the northern area of the outlet, looking for owl pellets and finding an old road that would lead to the dam area on 15A.  Maybe another hike will gain permission to continue to this section of the outlet which is restricted access and to explore some of the other flat areas along the northern part of the outlet creek.

John descends to a small creek.Climbers, led by Rick, pursued the eastern ridge areas to a challenging ravine that was difficult to climb in sneakers.  Their destination was the Short Cemetary which lies behind the Hemlock Sportsman Club and directly in view of the shooting range.    John, Char and Mark took note of the dates of some of the early settlers in Hemlock and returned by road while Rick and Don found a shorter return route by crossing the creek directly in a foot of water in dark conditions.

IMG_0457_WebAfter hike social and 1910 maps of the Canadice Outlet hosted a variety of Christmas cookies, bean dips, chili, potato soup, and veg’s at Pam’s cabin.  Thanks to Rick Osieki, Pam Masterson, Nanette and Steve Smith, and the Hemlock Sportsman Club for making this hike possible. Welcome new members Linda, Amy, and Molly our youngest member!   We will return to the Canadice Outlet on March 9th for hopefully another “winter wonderland” hike on snowshoes. For more information on the Canadice Outlet check out hemlockandcanadicelakes.com. or google maps.