Polk/Sled Trip In Adirondacks?

[Gerry P]

I'm looking for local knowledge suggestions for doing a multi day polk/sled trip in the Adirondacks. I've coped the High Peaks quite a bit in the past, carrying a pack, on snowshoes and crampons. The sled would require rolling hill terrain and I'll probably be pulling with x country skis. I'm imagining a great fit would be canoe trails with portages that are not too steep. We are looking to steer clear of snow machine tracks or groomed trails, preferring a backcountry experience. Trip will be 5-6 days in length. Thanks much for suggestioins.

 

[Nessmuk]

Lots of potential exists outside of the high peaks in the Western Adirondack region. I like the area in the Five Ponds and Pepperbox and Pigeon Lake Wilderness areas near and north of the Stillwater Reservoir and the nearby Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness. West of there, certain areas of he Tug Hill area have potential, but you have to be careful of massive numbers of fast smelly snowmobiles.

check also:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/353.html

 

[Peakbagr]

In the 70's and 80's, camping was necessary to get many of the trailed and untrailed peaks. We modified orange KMart sleds and used them often. Happy to offer advice for destinations. Works best on trails that haven't been postholed to death and where trails are sidehills. Some nice destinations that include frozen lakes.

 

[Nessmuk]

In the 70's and 80's, camping was necessary to get many of the trailed and untrailed peaks. We modified orange KMart sleds and used them often. Happy to offer advice for destinations. Works best on trails that haven't been postholed to death and where trails are sidehills. Some nice destinations that include frozen lakes.

An old scouting friend gave me a small yellow kids sled he had modified with aluminum flat bar stock reinforcements and an angle aluminum keel. Later, after it wore out, I aslo modified one of those orange sleds (called a "Paris" sled) the same way. For lean2rescue jobs hauling in substantial loads of tools and roofing, we drag the heavier beefier black plastic type of sled commonly used by snowmobilers. Use lighweight aluminum conduit or PVC pipe attached to a backpack hip belt. Be sure to cross the attached conduit for stability. Look up "Pulk" for plans and ideas.

 

[peakbagger]

Pulk construction used to be popular VFTT discussion. Folks going to Baxter usually built one as skiing into the park is the best option. Definitely go with the heavy duty black plastic sleds as the thin one's self-destruct fairly quickly. My design had bungie cords so that in crash, they would allow things to pop loose instead of breaking. Sadly, my downhill control with a loaded pulk (or even without a loaded pulk) meant it didnt get the use I thought it would.

 

[Gerry P]

An old scouting friend gave me a small yellow kids sled he had modified with aluminum flat bar stock reinforcements and an angle aluminum keel. Later, after it wore out, I aslo modified one of those orange sleds (called a "Paris" sled) the same way. For lean2rescue jobs hauling in substantial loads of tools and roofing, we drag the heavier beefier black plastic type of sled commonly used by snowmobilers. Use lighweight aluminum conduit or PVC pipe attached to a backpack hip belt. Be sure to cross the attached conduit for stability. Look up "Pulk" for plans and ideas.

That's pretty much where I am at. Paris sled and parts I picked up here https://www.skipulk.com/products/pulks/ . Awesome source for making your own kits or buying completed, high end, arctic worthy sleds. I went for the lower end option but could see the potential of stepping it up some day.

 

[Gerry P]

Pulk construction used to be popular VFTT discussion. Folks going to Baxter usually built one as skiing into the park is the best option. Definitely go with the heavy duty black plastic sleds as the thin one's self-destruct fairly quickly. My design had bungie cords so that in crash, they would allow things to pop loose instead of breaking. Sadly, my downhill control with a loaded pulk (or even without a loaded pulk) meant it didnt get the use I thought it would.

If you follow the link in my previous post, you can find all sorts of sled accessories. I grabbed a set of fins that let me side hill without the sled heading off downhill on it's own. I also grabbed a length of plastic chain from the hardware store. 2-3'. Attached it to either side of the front of sled leaving enough slack to slide under sled. Attached a length of line from center of chain loop to hang off a biner on my belt. I put a couple of pre-tied loops in the line which were measured to allow me to feed out specific amount(s) of chain to drag and act s a bike system. I can handle a steep decent and need to actually pull the sled along. works perfect but seldom really need it as the crossed fiberglass bars I use are rigid nd there is very little play in attachments to my hips belt and to the sled itself so it's easy to control the beast on modest inclines. I'm kinda a crap skier so the brakes can be used to save me from hitting warp speed on skinny downhills.

 

[Gerry P]

Lots of potential exists outside of the high peaks in the Western Adirondack region. I like the area in the Five Ponds and Pepperbox and Pigeon Lake Wilderness areas near and north of the Stillwater Reservoir and the nearby Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness. West of there, certain areas of he Tug Hill area have potential, but you have to be careful of massive numbers of fast smelly snowmobiles.

check also:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/353.html

Great suggested areas and link. Much appreciated.
Follow up question. I have some oldish versions of the ADK guides and maps. Is that still the best way to go?

 

[Gerry P]

in the 70's and 80's, camping was necessary to get many of the trailed and untrailed peaks. We modified orange kmart sleds and used them often. Happy to offer advice for destinations. Works best on trails that haven't been postholed to death and where trails are sidehills. Some nice destinations that include frozen lakes.

i'd be super appreciative of any routes you could suggest. The frozen lakes thing has seemed to me to really open up access without detracting from the "wilderness experience" thing. Snow covered roads in northern maine offer the same easier access but it's hard to get awy from the feeling of being on a road. I was going to look along some of the northern forest canoe trail to dig into this sort of option. Thanks much for sharing

 

[Nessmuk]

 

[skiguy]

The Mountainsmith Armadillo Sled was the classic polk available here in The Us for a long time. Don't think they are made anymore but possibly EBay.

 

[Peakbagr]

We reinforced the KMart sled nose with angle aluminum and attached to Kelty frame pack waist bands. Side hill/icy always had the potential for a yard sale.

 

[Gerry P]

Really great suggestions for areas in Western Adirondacks. Been checking details on Google Earth and terrain looks like a good fit for a polk trip. A couple of follow up questions:
- Are snowmobiles allowed in any of the wilderness areas in the park?
- Aside from USGS maps, is there a better source for topo trail maps and guide? There book always helps with sorting parking options.
Thanks very much
Gerry

 

[Nessmuk]

Really great suggestions for areas in Western Adirondacks. Been checking details on Google Earth and terrain looks like a good fit for a polk trip. A couple of follow up questions:
- Are snowmobiles allowed in any of the wilderness areas in the park?
- Aside from USGS maps, is there a better source for topo trail maps and guide? There book always helps with sorting parking options.
Thanks very much
Gerry

Snowmobiles, ATVs or any type of motorized vehicles (not even chain saws, nor recreationaal drone aircraft) are by regulation not legally allowed in any areas designated as Wilderness areas in NY State.

Look to the series of guide books by Barbara McMaritin and Bill Ingerssoll: "Discover the Adirondacks" in several editions that cover different regions of the adirondacks. Available at local outlets in the region or on Amazon.They do contain overview maps of trails with detailed intesting trail descriptions. the Adirondack Mountain Club also has a series of maps, and there is also a series published by National Geographic.

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9198.html

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/82098.html