1ADAM12 said:
Are there any lean-to's in this area or should we bring a tent?
Somewhere I read that there are 6 lean-tos along the route, but couldn't picture that many. Looking at a list of l/t's, I think I know which ones they mean, though I came up with 7.
--Starting from the north end, going clockwise:
--1. Bear Mountain. This l/t is either on the trail, or on a spur, depending on your route choice. Although the map on the CL50 site doesn't indicate it, I think it's permissible to hike down the road to the state campground, then take part of the Bear Mtn. trail, then another trail to link up with the Burntbridge Pond Trail. Contact the 5 Ponds Partners via the site to confirm this. The Bear Mtn. l/t is 0.6 miles from the trailhead in the campground. It's not too far a hike from Cranberry Lake Village, so if you're starting your first day in the afternoon, it might be at a convenient distance. It also puts you closer to Bear Mtn. than the route shown, and there's a nice vista to the W and S, giving you an overview of much of the route ahead of you. But I digress, this is supposed to be about l/t's.
About this l/t: Being so close to a major DEC campground, it probably sees a lot of use.
--2. A long way beyond Bear Mtn. is the Olmstead Pond l/t. It's right along the trail.
--3. Not much beyond the OP l/t, maybe 2-3 miles, is the Cowhorn Pond l/t. A beautiful spot, about .3 mile off the trail.
--4. Jenack's Landing l/t. This is off the loop by a little over a mile. In the trail description page of the CL50 site, read the last half of the Cowhorn Jct. Trial description. Note that this takes you toward Wanakena, but it's not part of the official loop, and will bring your mileage way below 50. Also note that this l/t is just a few hundred feet from the lake, so there's a good chance that it may be taken by boaters.
--5 & 6. High Falls has 2 l/t's. A .5 mile spur, but worth the visit to see the falls and take a dip. One is on the other side of the Oswegatchie, and there's no really easy crossing. Note that HF is a very popular destination for hikers and canoeists.
--7. Peavine Swamp l/t. About a mile after starting on the PS Trail, there's a jct. Go right for about .5 mile IIRC, and there's a l/t pretty close to the lake. Being close to the lake and not far from Wanakena, it may see a lot of use.
Note that this whole region has lots of marshes, ponds, and streams, so it's very popular with
bugs. By Memorial Day the black flies are usually well established. From mid-June through early August the deer flies rule. So yes, there are lean tos, but they may be taken, and unless you wait til dusk to make camp, the bugs will catch up to you. Don't forget the mosquitoes at night
