HIKING MT CASCADE & PORTER

Date: August 2011

Weather: partly cloudy in 70's

Duration: 4 hrs

Elevation: 4098 ft

Trailhead: off Rt 73 (6 miles east of Lake Placid)

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

While camping up by Saranac Lake we decided that one of the days we will try and conquer another high peak and check it off our 46er list. It was a perfect day for hiking. It's always nice to sweat a little less while hiking. Our primary goal was to hike Cascade and then see how we felt, potentially doing Porter as well. 

It was a very easy traveling distance to the trailhead, through Lake Placid and down Route 73. All along the way the scenery is rewarding. The parking is along the road, with some areas having a wider right shoulder of the road designated for hiker parking. The sign below indicates that the trail is marked with a DEC RED trail marker. Very easy to follow from there.

We had a good hiking crew which consisted of my wife, brother, brother-in-law and sister-in-law. From previous hiking experiences, my wife leads the hike and sets a pretty steady pace. It always works well for me. After about 2 hrs we reached the summit with very rewarding views. This hike quickly jumped to the top of the list of the most favorite hikes so far. The 3 distant mountain ranges in the high peaks were all clearly visible and it was simply a beautiful picture. After a 20 min rest we felt like we could climb Porter.

Climbing Cascade we did see the junction where the trail went to the right heading up to Porter and it was very near the summit so it made sense to do Porter as well. It was a 20 min hike from the intersection through a trail that had thick brush along most of the way. The summit was not as rewarding but offered a nice shot of Cascade Mt. Nevertheless, when you have climbed that far, why not do Porter.  

BEAUTIFUL SHOT!

Location: Between Upper and Lower Cascade Lakes
Photographer: Jeff B.

A little while ago, a colleague friend shared this photo with me. These lakes lie beneath Cascade Mt. just south of Lake Placid. A great climb that I will talk about soon. I love the above scenery. I hope you enjoy it as well.

HANGING OUT IN THE CREEK, ROLLINS POND, NY!

One of the fun things that we like to do when camping at Rollins Pond, is to do some kayaking in a creek that's probably 500 yards long and about 15 ft wide between Rollins Pond and Floodwood Pond. Some areas may be slighter wider as seen in the photo. It has a nice and mild current that pushes the kayak along and only steering is necessary. There are a couple tight turns where it's challenging to angle a 16 foot kayak just right to avoid any serious scratching to the boat. However, it's been done several times and worth the try.

One year there was a huge pine tree that had fallen and was laying across the entire width of the creek. Although kayaks and canoes easily fit, the paddlers had to get down extra low.

Another time the summer was very dry and therefore the creek was very shallow and not as exciting. But it attracted a lot more younger kids and their families who spent some quality family time at the water hole.

The paddle against the current is never fun even if its a small one, like in the creek. I usually get out of the kayak and walk back pulling the kayak along. My wife and daughter always enjoy that part as well, with an occasional bump here and there against the banks.

LAKE ONTARIO PADDLE!

Date: MEMORIAL DAY 2012
Location: Fair Haven Beach State Park
Water: Lake Ontario
Weather: mid 80's

This is a great photo that describes the lake conditions--unusually calm. I have been to Lake Ontario several times before and have never seen the lake so calm.

If the lake conditions are good or if they are as calm, it's a great place to do some kayaking. For the people who know a little about the lake, it's known for its sudden water condition changes and for kayakers that could mean potentially dangerous conditions.

Put in sites: many places throughout the park, the beach is very easy; the rocky areas are little more challenging.

Earlier in the year, The Pond is very calm and connects to the lake via a short channel with a strong current. The deeper you travel into the Pond, the thicker the water vegetation gets, so it doesn't allow for good kayaking.

Little Sodus Bay is a good place to go as well but it has more boats and making sure that the boats see you may be a challenge. So that means bright colored kayak, paddles and life jackets.

Or you can go northeast along the shore where you will see some bluffs. It's fun to walk along the shore or even climb some of the safer bluffs. There is a trail that leads in the wooded area and follows the edge of the tall bluffs.

BAKING THE TROUT CATCH!

Baking the fish is a more healthier way of cooking. I also feel like the fish has more flavor and if its flavorful then its going to be good. Its quick and easy so it doesn't require as much prep as grilling or smoking.

Prior to cooking, I like to salt the fish with Kosher salt and let it sit for 24 hrs. Making sure all the parts of the fish are salted well but not too much were the fish is sitting in salt only. The meat will turn a darker pink color, which is a good sign. Salting process, not only salts fish but causes the fish to develop a richer flavor.

THE RECIPE:

Ingredients:

Fish: 2 cleaned trout (w/head cut off)

1/2 cup of cooking white wine

2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter

2 teaspoons of  Old Bay Seasoning
2 large cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Dash of ground black pepper

Dash of Kosher salt

Sides: Baking potato, baked asparagus. 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Fish Prep: Gut and cut the head off the trout. Rinse under cold water. Use Kosher salt to salt the fish liberally and let it sit in the refrigerator for 24 hrs.

2. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Tear off 2 sheets of aluminum foil this is 3-4 inches longer than the fish on both sides. Place on large baking sheet. 

4. Rinse the fish and pat dry. Then place on the individual pieces of foil.

5. Season all sides of fish with Old Bay Seasoning, black pepper, and Kosher salt.

6. Shape the foil into boat appearance, pinching the ends to keep the shape.

7. Mix together wine, butter, lemon juice, garlic. Pour half of the liquid mixture unto each fish.

8. Roll/ Pinch the remaining length of the foil forming a packet. 

9. Bake in oven at 350 F for 20-30 minutes, depending upon the size of the fish. 

10. Serve immediately with fully loaded baked potato and asparagus.

Best if eaten immediately, however tastes really good even if reheated within 24 hrs. 

FAVORABLE WEATHER!

The weather is becoming more and more favorable in Upstate New York for some nice mountain biking in the area. Favorite spots that I will write about in the future include but not limited to:

1. Split Rock Query (Camillus, NY)
2. Jamesville Rock Query (Dewitt, NY)
3. Erie Canal (Camillus, NY)

Stay tuned!

FRYING THE TROUT CATCH!

While fishing its nice to think about the end result and how good it will look and how good it will taste after some very simple cooking. From the 4 trout that I caught I decided to fry two of them and bake to of them.

Prior to cooking, I like to salt the fish with Kosher salt and let it sit for 24 hrs. Making sure all the parts of the fish are salted well but not too much were the fish is sitting in salt only. The meat will turn a darker pink color, which is a good sign. Salting process, not only salts fish but causes the fish to develop a richer flavor.

The Recipe:

Ingredients

Fish: 4 whole trout (w/ heads off)

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 teaspoon  ground black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornmeal (white)

5 tablespoons olive oil

1 lemon

DIRECTIONS

1. Fish Prep: Gut and cut the head off the trout. Rinse under cold water. Use Kosher salt to salt the fish liberally and let it sit in the refrigerator for 24 hrs.

2. In a dish that holds 2-3 cups mix together the following ingredients: salt, pepper, flour, cornmeal. 

3. In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat.

4. Dredge fish in mixture and fry in hot oil for about 6-10 minutes. Fish meat will flake when ready. The cooking time will vary slightly depending upon size of fish.

5. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over fish if desired.

Fried fish tastes best when served and eaten immediately. However, it tastes really well if reheated within a 24 hr period of time. 

TRUE OUTDOORSMAN!

Someone once said, "What good is it if you know how to shoot it or catch it, but don't how to cook it!"

Unless its not accepted in your culture or against your religion, every outdoors man should learn how to prepare and cook the meat he has either shot or caught. In our day and age it's so easy to do a quick search online and find the recipe with detailed instructions how to make it look just as good as the one in the photo provided.

TROUT FISHING SUCCESS!

There is a first time for everything. Although I didn't start fishing yesterday, there are still new things in fishing for me. Certain times of the year fishing goes towards the top of the priority list. I really wanted to try trout fishing this year. And so I have.

Location: Nine-Mile Creek in Lakeland, NY
Weather: Partly cloudy, high 50's
Fish: caught 3 browns, lost 3; ended up with 4 when another fisherman gave his only one to me when leaving.

Overall impression: If trout are plentyful in the area and the weather conditions are great then it's pretty easy catch. I thought it was going to be more challenging, but they didn't put up a big fight like bass for comparison. Nevertheless, it was fun to get out and do some new fishing. Will definitely do it again. I hope to get some bigger fish next time.

NEW FISHING SEASON 2013

I have been hearing from some of my fishing friends that the trout season has begun in full swing in Upstate New York. I have never gone trout fishing before so I began to do some research. I spoke to some of my friends about the techniques and equipment needed. I also spent some time researching different dry/wet flies that trout like. Quickly did I realize that I probably shouldn't get into fly fishing just yet.

The next plan was to go Dick's Sporting Goods and get a few more things that I will need to start trout fishing. It wasn't much: PowerPro 6lb test line, a some light split shots, small hooks #12/ #14. Walking though the Rooster Tails isle I got some just to see if this is something that I will try. As I continued to browse the isles, I came across the above fishing bag that was on clearance. I was in need of something better that a shoulder bag with fishing gear it so I got my first fishing bag.

Coming home and getting it organized was a different story. It was worth the effort because it all nicely organized.

Next assignment will be to find a nice day to go trout fishing.  

HIKING FLOODWOOD MOUNTAIN

Floodwood Mt

Elevation: 1942 ft

Round Trip: 3.4 miles

Not a one of the 46 high peaks

Directions: Northern Adirondack Park. Off Rt. 30 N. Turn LEFT on Floodwood Rd. Stay on the road for 7 miles until you reach the parking area and trailhead. 

Climbed: August 2011

Weather: 70's and partly cloudy

We are camping at Rollins Pond which is a 20 min. ride to the mountain. It was a great day to do some hiking. The trail itself was very thick at first with plenty of wild prickly bushes tugging on the clothing. It was a well beaten trail, however it was not marked. It was surprisingly steep trail at first but improved as we were nearing the peak. Majority of the hike was in a wooded area. The views are rewarding. While looking South the ADK High Peaks in a distance (as seen above). Great day trip for any group size.