HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY JAM!

I'm a jam type of person. Any fruits made into jams, I generally like. I like jelly but prefer jam, especially when it comes to strawberry or blueberry. So after a successful jamming season last year, I decided to make some jam out of strawberries. We have some many different selections of strawberries in grocery stores and regional markets that we don't actually have to go to the farm and pick them ourselves. However, it was a fun thing to do, especially with the kids and I haven't gone in over 15 years.

Closer is always better when it comes to traveling to the farm, so we went to Navarino which is a lot more local then Abbott's in Baldwinsville. It was a very clean strawberry patch with straw between the rows and very little to none weeds. Little did I know that the strawberry season had started 3 weeks. The farmer even bragged that it was one of their better seasons.

I'm always a bit ambitious when it comes to picking berries and so we grabbed a whole flat with 6 quarts. Its been so long since my last strawberry picking, I forgot how meticulous of a job it is to spread each bush or lift up the branches to pick each individual berry. It's not like blueberries when you can grab a handful with each pass. My 3 year old gave up picking before we even got to the rows and my 6 year old surprising picked a quart-in-a-half. It was honestly difficult picking because it was later in the season and I had two kiddos that didn't really want to pick for very long. Total time picking 25 minutes! 

We ended up stopping by the little store at the entrance and buying two more quarts just to have enough to make a reasonable amount of jam. There were many other little strawberry this and that temptations at the store that we had to fight. 

A couple weeks ago, I did some research for strawberry jam recipes to make sure I was ready to go when we did end up going to the farm. Last year we learned that pectin and sugar are not "musts" in jam and could easily be substituted with other more natural ingredients. And quite honestly it doesn't complicate the recipe but acts as a substitute. For pectin a good replacement is lemon peels, orange juice or Granny Smith's apples. For sugar, honey is the best replacement, although you have to us a considerable amount of it. 

The recipe that I used was from http://deliciouslyorganic.net/strawberry-jam/. It was different from the many that I read and it intrigued me the most. 

First and foremost I washed the berries with a Young Living Thieves product that is specifically made for washing fruits and vegetables. I have seen my wife use this wash and can personally attest to seeing the wax that needs to be washed off or else we end up eating this chemical. This strawberries were probably not waxed because they were not from the store but other chemicals may have been sprayed during the growing process.  

After they were washed, I ended up with 6 pounds of freshly picked berries. I did save a quart as well.  

The ingredients were very simple: strawberries, light honey, Grand Marnier and Granny Smith apple. Check out the link above for detailed ingredients. I did have to ask what Grand Marnier was so I learned about a new type of liquor. I have plenty left for at least two more batches. 

After the strawberries, honey and Grand Marnier came to a simmer in about 30 minutes, the most difficult part was getting it to reach 220 degrees Fahrenheit. It took be 2 hrs to reach 216 degrees and I called it. The berries appeared to be cooked through really well. The apple cubes were not longer visible because they took on the red color as well. 

When making jam, I always use the sterilization technique for the jars. Its very simple and works really well. Wash the lids and jars in hot soapy water. Let them dry for a few minutes in the rack and place upside down in the oven. Once in the oven cook them at 200 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Its always a bit difficult to time when the jam will be done so that you can keep the jars and lids really hot. If your jars cool down there is the risk of cracking the glass when pouring a hot substance in. Once each jar is poured full immediately tighten lid. Please use two towels, one to hold the jar and the other to tighten the lid. 

Amount of strawberries: 6 lb.

Net yield: 6 half pints and one pint of jam

After the jam and the jars cool overnight. I place them in the refrigerator until for the duration. Our blueberry jams lasted us 11 months without spoiling. 

HIKING MACOMB, SOUTH DIX, AND GRACE PEAK!

Warmer weather officially arrived to Upstate NY several weeks ago, however, over the past two weeks we had several chilly days with temperatures dipping into the 50's during the day and 40's at night. Two days before this trip the High Peaks forecast predications called for snow and ice, however, it turned out to be frost and no major accumulation. It is June after all, but there has been snow on the summits during this time in the past. 

When planning for a day hike/trip, the night before always gets shorter, as I always try to leave around 3 am so that we drive 3.5-4 hrs and start hiking before 7 am. Its nice to drive early in the morning, however, deer and other wild animals crossings are always a concern. We had a close call with a whitetail during the morning commute. Thank God it stopped and turned around inches before we met. 

In the years past, I have never hiked alone, and have always hiked with at least one friend, family member or my awesome wife. This trip I had the wonderful opportunity to hike with Paul, a friend from church. 

This was my second time going to the Elk Lake parking lot and so I was familiar with the area. We drove 4 miles up the gravel road to the designated hiker's parking lot. It easy holds 15 cars but once full the next parking lot is 2 miles down the hill. 

At the parking lot we met 2 guys from Saratoga Springs who were hiking the whole Dix Range (Macomb, South Dix, Grace Peak, Hough, and Dix) and later caught up to us at the Macomb summit. After signing in at the log book, we made quick progress, hiking the 2.3 miles from the parking lot to the cairn marking the start of the trailhead leading to the Macomb slide. The cairn is located about 50 yards south of the Slide Lean-to. 

It started as a gradual ascent. Quickly we came across some blow down laying across the trail in several spots. But then it opened up to a nice trail all the way to the summit. Some key points to remember during this portion of the hike is to ALWAYS stay north of the creek/brook. At several spots, the trail veered to the right (south) over the brook or in the direction of the brook BUT DO NOT go down these trails as they lead to dead ends. Most of the these false trails were hikers just trying to find a quicker route up the mountain.  

From the cairn trailhead to the slide it is about 1 mile in distance and about 1 hr of hiking. Just before reaching the slide we came to some nice views of the slide in the distance and the Elk Lake valley to the right. Notice that you will hike onto the slide from the left side when looking straight up at it. 

Just before the slide there is a brook bed with running water and the trail appears as though it follows the brook bed up the mountain. In fact there were several boot marks going up in that direction. The entrance to the slide had some brush and at first glance difficult to see. So we travelled up the brook bed and the brush became very thick on both sides and difficult to hike if continuing up the brook. Realizing we may have missed the turn to the slide, we turned around and hiked back. 

false trail up the brook

As soon as we passed through the brush the slide opened up before us along with some spectacular views of Elk Lake and the valley below. At this point we were 3,400 ft in elevation. It was also a nice spot to rest and munch on a snack before hiking the slide. 

Hike the slide was a new experience for both of us and as soon as we saw the loose sand and rock, we quickly realized that we had to be careful with every step. It was important to keep moving up as well as don't shoot loose stones down the hill as you push forward. There is no best route up the slide. The only thing to keep in mind is the entrance to the trail is to the left at the top of the slide. A landmark to watch out for is the huge boulder sitting at the top. We ended up crossing back and forth as we found stable footing to continue ascending. 

Halfway cairn

Once back on the trail, the first thing seen is the wall of rock. A few feet up the rock there is a trail that skirts to the left. We opted out for the trail versus climbing the slippery rock. 

From the beginning of the slide to the summit its a 970 ft elevation gain, about a mile in distance and about an hours worth of hiking. It was nice to reach the top and sit down for a short 30 minute break. We had a snack and met a couple hikers. It was partially cloudy with about 20 mph winds. The views to the north and west were spectacular. This is my 25th peak. 

4370 ft Elevation 

Dix mountain

Osprey Pride!

From Macomb to South Dix it was roughly a 30 minute hike. The descent to the col was fairly gradual but when we reached the base of South Dix there was a lot of open face rock hiking. At time it was a steep ascent but the views were rewarding the whole time. 

Macomb from southern side of South Dix overlooking col

On South Dix we came to an amazing summit....a yellow disc 10 ft of the ground on a pine tree! We did find some open rock facing the east and we stopped to enjoy the views for about 10 minutes. South Dix stands at 4068 ft above sea level. This is my 26th summit. 

We then proceeded to hike down to East Dix or as it is now known as Grace Peak. It was renamed a few years ago to honor the first female 46er. When looking at the topo map there wasn't much change in elevation, however we did have to descend into a small col and then ascend to the summit. It was a gradual descent and ascent and therefore our legs took very little beating on this lag of the journey. 

Once at the Grace summit we were greeted by several well seasoned hikers and a few people from around the Syracuse area. In fact, there was a former physician from Crouse Hospital. After the introductions we sat down for a nice lunch and 40 minutes of great views and conversation. 

Grace Peak stands at 4026 ft above sea level. My 27th summit.

Vermont Green Mountains were on the horizon

Hough (left), Dix (right)

Macomb (right), South Dix (center)

Macomb (left), South Dix (center), Hough (center right), Dix (right)

 Fellow hikers!

From Grace we had to hike back over South Dix to reach the col between Macomb and South Dix. Originally we were planning to hike back to Macomb and descend via the slide. But we decided that it would be too strenuous and better to come down via Lillian Brook. The seasoned hikers agreed that it would be a better course as well.

Cairn marks the intersection coming down Macomb to col between South Dix: Right to South Dix, Left to Lillian Brook

I experienced the descent via the Lillian Brook trail last year for the first time. And once again it was fun to travel this route because of its layout. There were time when you have room for only one step at a time along a narrow trail constantly changing after each major rainfall. 

On the descent I got myself a blister on my right great toe. I always carry a first aid kit. A few years back I bought a nice compact kit at IKEA and brought it with me on a few hiking trips. I never used it until this trip when I remembered that you can place tape/duct tape or some silk medical tape over a blister to prevent further injury. So I was grateful that the IKEA had some paper tape that I used to wrap my toe. It turned out well and for the remaining part of the hike I had very little discomfort. 

On the way out of the Adirondack Park after the hike, we stopped by O.P. Frederick's Restaurant for dinner. It was my first time there and the food was very delicious. Both of us enjoyed a French Onion soup and burger. Definitely a nice place to stop by after a hike or if in the area around dinner time.

Overall it was a great hiking trip. The Dix range could definitely be hiked in one long trip, with the ascent via the Macomb slide. However, I really enjoyed the shorter hike and would recommend splitting the range into two hikes. I did Dix and Hough last year and finished the range this year. 

TRIP STATS & TIMELINE:

Elk Lake Parking Lot: 0650

Cairn trailhead near Slide Lean-to: 0737--2.3 miles into hike

Macomb Slide: 0830--3.30 miles; 3400 ft elevation

Macomb summit: 0925

Left Macomb: 0957

South Dix Summit: 1033

Left South Dix: 1042

Grace Peak: 1120

Left Grace Peak: 1210

Returned to South Dix: 1249

Returned to Parking Lot: 1600 (4 pm)

Total Distance: 12.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 2279 ft

Weather: partly cloudy low 50's