Well I got back yesterday from our 2019 trip to Hoffman Notch. We camp at Marion Pond which is at around 2200’ above Bailey Pond. Had a blast, especially since 2 Army buddies came, but man this place really kicks our asses every year.
So heading in we figured we were good this time to find the easiest path up, until we encountered the raging stream coming out of Bailey Pond blocking our way forward. This caused a lot of discussion resulting in the decision to go all the way around Bailey Pond and its marshes, before linking back up with the trail. It took us almost 2 hours just to clear the marshes. Soaked us all.
We found the trail again easy enough but lost it not far from the top resulting in some rough parts during the ascent. Mind you, my 61 year old father was there carrying a 40lb pack. We hit some patches of 12”+ deep snow along the way too.
My brother and I got to the top first. We sort of raced the last few hundred yards but it wasn’t fair to beat him since I knew the way so I dropped back at the end so he could be “first eyes” as he kept saying. It was also his first time there.
Setting up camp went great and it was only mildly cold at first. My one friend is literally the fire whisperer. At one point my brother says, “What the fuck is with this dude James? He breathes over some twigs and next thing know it’s a bonfire!” Unfortunately the temps dropped quickly though and it started snowing all night through the morning.
Breakfast and up until about 1000 sucked but then it warmed up so much we were all in flip flops! Got some great pics that day. No fish unfortunately, the DEC had to kill the lake last year due to invasions species and it’s only been stocked once since with fingerlings. Oh well, maybe next year. I’ve been in touch with the agent via email for updates.
That night it dropped again but snow stopped. We saw tons of stars - my favorite part of camping being a city boy. Starry nights remind me of hunting with my dad as a kid because that’s basically the only time I saw stars, one night a year until I was a teen.
So... leaving...
The next morning was cold but we knew it would warm up as we packed up. My friend and I argued over taking the trail then trying to build a bridge over the stream. Him for, me against. What we had seen was instant death should anyone fall in. I won and we started towards the cliff where I led the way down the least precarious path I could find. I’ll include a pic of our route from my GPS. I had never once seen fear in my father’s eyes until yesterday. A guy who worked the worst ghettos during the crack wars. Looking back, it was dumb lol. But we all bragged about it once it was done and I had offered to buy everyone a round in Schroon Lake afterwards. Minus a few scratches and some soreness, we made it down and then safely home after that round of beers.
Overall, another awesome trip, this time with my brother (our first) and his first time camping with our dad. My brother is 11 years younger than me so we were next close beyond just being family. We’ve been rectifying that since he left the Army.
Here’s some pictures. Next year we are hoping to get out to Idaho for some real fly fishing then return to Marion Pond in 2021.
So heading in we figured we were good this time to find the easiest path up, until we encountered the raging stream coming out of Bailey Pond blocking our way forward. This caused a lot of discussion resulting in the decision to go all the way around Bailey Pond and its marshes, before linking back up with the trail. It took us almost 2 hours just to clear the marshes. Soaked us all.
We found the trail again easy enough but lost it not far from the top resulting in some rough parts during the ascent. Mind you, my 61 year old father was there carrying a 40lb pack. We hit some patches of 12”+ deep snow along the way too.
My brother and I got to the top first. We sort of raced the last few hundred yards but it wasn’t fair to beat him since I knew the way so I dropped back at the end so he could be “first eyes” as he kept saying. It was also his first time there.
Setting up camp went great and it was only mildly cold at first. My one friend is literally the fire whisperer. At one point my brother says, “What the fuck is with this dude James? He breathes over some twigs and next thing know it’s a bonfire!” Unfortunately the temps dropped quickly though and it started snowing all night through the morning.
Breakfast and up until about 1000 sucked but then it warmed up so much we were all in flip flops! Got some great pics that day. No fish unfortunately, the DEC had to kill the lake last year due to invasions species and it’s only been stocked once since with fingerlings. Oh well, maybe next year. I’ve been in touch with the agent via email for updates.
That night it dropped again but snow stopped. We saw tons of stars - my favorite part of camping being a city boy. Starry nights remind me of hunting with my dad as a kid because that’s basically the only time I saw stars, one night a year until I was a teen.
So... leaving...
The next morning was cold but we knew it would warm up as we packed up. My friend and I argued over taking the trail then trying to build a bridge over the stream. Him for, me against. What we had seen was instant death should anyone fall in. I won and we started towards the cliff where I led the way down the least precarious path I could find. I’ll include a pic of our route from my GPS. I had never once seen fear in my father’s eyes until yesterday. A guy who worked the worst ghettos during the crack wars. Looking back, it was dumb lol. But we all bragged about it once it was done and I had offered to buy everyone a round in Schroon Lake afterwards. Minus a few scratches and some soreness, we made it down and then safely home after that round of beers.
Overall, another awesome trip, this time with my brother (our first) and his first time camping with our dad. My brother is 11 years younger than me so we were next close beyond just being family. We’ve been rectifying that since he left the Army.
Here’s some pictures. Next year we are hoping to get out to Idaho for some real fly fishing then return to Marion Pond in 2021.
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