Cranberry Lake Adirondacks

“I was wondering if anyone has done Cat Mountain or the High Falls Loop that is located near Cranberry Lake, NY?

There is a trail review here:
http://www.thebackpacker.com/trails/ny/trail_438.php

I was wondering the conditions of the primative campsite at the base of Cat Mountain that Martha mentions.

The lean-to at Janack's Landing would be 3.3 miles in and the base of Cat Mountain is 5 miles.

I think either would make a good basecamp.

Leaning more towards using the Janack's Landing area as a basecamp. Just seams to be more convenient.”

“I can't remember all the details and I'm stuck in the veal pen (that is the detention room in my high school where teachers send kids they don't want to put up with for the moment) and can't get to my trail guide where I write down my notes.

I went canoe-camping with a lady there in 1998. We camped on a point just north of the trailhead to Cat Mountain and canoed over one morning and hiked it (short walk - not too tough for a pretty but sedentary 50 year-old smoker who's no longer with me - you guessed?).

Quite a lot of hikers walked in from the landing and from the village. I think it's a pretty flat and easy walk. Although there were quite a few people, it was less crowded than the High Peaks area. Hope this helps. BTW, the village (Wabeek?) is one of the prettiest I've seen and the general store sells beer. Happy trails.”

“I hiked that area a few years ago. It was really beautiful. I didn't even notice a campsite near Cat Mountain (there was a lot of snow) but did stay at Janack's Landing. Here is a photo of that site. There is also a shelter along the loop near High Falls and several primitive campsites along the western side of the loop overlooking the Oswegatchie River.

I'd stay at Janack's Landing. It was right on the edge of the frozen lake and was really pretty. It gets really cold in that area as the cold air settles in the valleys. It was -12 inside my tent one night.

We did see a few other people that weekend but most were x-country skiers out for the day.

Here's a map.”

“Oh yeah, that 'other' backpacker site site has an article about that area.”

“Thanks Violin.”

“de nada”

“Wanakena, not Wabeek; Wanakena, not Wabeek; Wa...”

“Do you think it would be possible to snowshoe to Janack's Landing, set up base camp and then summit up Cat Mtn. and back all in one day?”

“If you got an early enough start. It is relatively level terrain until you get to Cat Mtn. It's probably pushing it and depends on your speed on snowshoes. There is a lot of beaver activity in the area and if you are forced to detour, the blow-downs are incredible.”

“Seems like a lot of opportunities of exloring on map but if you factor in all the blowdown in that area its probably rough going.”

“The blow downs are from a microburst that leveled most of the trees in a concentrated area. Most of the area is regular forest (some really big, old trees). I don't know how deep the snow is there now but if it's very deep, going off trail can be tricky - watch for spruce traps.”

“I have the article in a Adirondack Life issue. You should see the arial shots of the blowdown. Its amazing...looks like someone took a big flyswatter to sections of trees.”

“Which issue? I'd like to check that out. We'd walk through an area with only flattened trees then back into completely normal forest.”

“Spruce traps? Oh great.....role camera.”

“Adirondack Life Nov/Dec issue of 1995.

LowDown on the Blowdown

The Great Storm of 1995, When Ten Million Trees Fell in the Forest







Did it make a sound, you think?”

“hee-hee

Thanks.”

“"Do you think it would be possible to snowshoe to Janack's Landing, set up base camp and then summit up Cat Mtn. and back all in one day?"

Adventurist, your overly-ambitious self is gonna get in trouble some day...not to mention Mrs. Adventurist is going to have you hauling HER in the sled next time! lol

I have learned to take whatever mileage Adventurist comes up with and divide it by half. THAT will be the appropriate daily mileage figure.

Thanks for the pic, Viol. I'll keep an eye on this thread for more...”

“Amy - this is the same guy who suggested we summit Puffer Mt. Gee, did we even SEE Puffer. ;o)

Sounds like a great trip in the making: blowdowns, lowdowns, spruce traps, beaver traps..... it'd be worth the trip just to follow Dare around with a cam. Yeehaaa!!”

“Yeah that is what I said before I went out and got the maps...didn't realize the distance with the map I had.”

“I called Cranberry Lake Guide Service today for info on snowshoe rental for the Mrs. Luckly they have MSR's for $6 a day, poles extra. He also gave some phone #'s for lodging if anyone wants to get up there Friday night. If you need those let me know.
The website for Cranberry Lake Guide Service also has some info @ Cranberry Lake Guide Service

I think we might try to either get up there Friday night and stay over at a hotel to start early on Saturday morning or leave Friday morning and make camp Friday afternoon. This way we can get 2 days of exploring in.”

“We stayed at a B&B for the last trip and it was really nice. It lets us get a fresh start in the morning. We are still trying to work it out for this one, but count us still as a maybe. Oh, and by the way, if CNN is following me around waiting for another face plant, I wont be happy. Unless there is some money involved that is. Hey I gotta make a living.”

“Since AmyG asked, here are a few more photos of the area. I won't post the one I took of my buddy trapped in deep snow because he'd kill me. I was taking a photo of him stepping into a ravine and kept telling him to go a little further (like in the cartoons). Well, the last step was a doozy. I had to go rescue him after snapping the shot. I thought it was funny.

Blowdowns

Cranberry Lake

Cat Mountain”

“And this one too.”

“Just wanted to let you know I posted some links for the SYAO in the Adirondacks Trip on the Trips Page.

2 months to go!”

“Dorks!”

“Hey, your the one having a conversation with yourself.”

“Who me?”

“Any interest?”

“If its the Daks...always”

“I'm going to call the Gov't and tell them we need you for military support on the trip...Special Mission.”

“Some of you from the the PA trip seemed interested....anybody?”

“Me Me Me........”

“Dork...you still aren't confirmed...”

“Hey...tell to my Uncle.....Sam that is.”

“I need commitment...it takes commitment to make a relationship damn't!!!”

“Ummmm, Mrs Adventurist? Help?”

“lol...hey that wasn't me typing that to you, it must of been the Mrs. Hey! What's going on here?”

“Cranberry Lakes is the SYAO Trip for those that don't realize...”

“yeah, what's with the maybes?”

“that's what I am wondering...

sucks not have many confirmed...

I guess its going to be:

Pennsy
Me
Mrs. A
Dare and AmyG?

Twinkle Toes and Ice Tea are maybes because they both need a ride....”

“Hello?...............Hello?
Echo...........Echo..........”

“Two threads about the same trip? Adventurist, are both your personalities posting?”

“Who me?

Yes you...

Oh.”

“Boing!”

“Keeping the thread alive?”

“Staying alive....staying alive...”