NFCT - Forked Lake to Permanent Rapids

I'm heading out in a few hours. Meet at Forked Lake Campground for NFCT work weekend, then hit the trail on Sunday. Hope to get to Permanent Rapids Thursday +/- a day, for another NFCT work weekend. My tenth. I will add to this "report" on days I have cell service.

Last year I did much of same with 2 packs and portage cart. This year trying it with one pack and yoke. I'll see how that goes.

Thanks for the work Bill. Looking forward to your report.
Jim

Arrived. 4 volunteers, 3 interns, and 1 staff. Camping in an old quarry. Great chicken curry dinner. Will split crew on Buttermilk Falls portage (I can't bring myself to call them carries with my BWCA and Quetico experienced) and the Deerland carry, which I know needed help from last year.

One volunteer has brought his homemade stripper Adirondack guide boat. Really quite beautiful!

Waiting for pancakes....

Wonder if that strip guide boat was built by Pat Brown (think that's his name). He lives outside of Lowville and makes his boats in a shed next to his home; which was once the observer's cabin on top of Stillwater Mt. I picked up my strip guide boat from him in the early 2000s and it's a pleasure to row (and a great piece of art) as it flies across the water. Mine isn't painted so the cedar shows through the fiberglass.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

That’s a nice looking guideboat. Do you know how long it is?
Jim

I think it 17'. I'll confirm - he's out paddling it now on Forked Lake. It's the builders first ever boat build. A year and a half. Ever other strip is screwed to every rib. My quick math said I get a 1000 screws. I believe he was in the last 90 miler.

Meanwhile, we cleared some portages, moved a very big rock at end of Buttermilk Falls portage, repaired some boardwalks, and crushed a bunch of stone to level out some portage.

I'll head out on my own tomorrow ftom end of Deerland portage.

billconner said:

moved a very big rock at end of Buttermilk Falls portage,

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Thank you. There are lots of those there.

Thanks Bill, tell him it looks like he did a splendid job from where I sit.
Jim

billconner said:

...crushed a bunch of stone to level out some portage.

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So you're portaging sledgehammers? Awesome. I like hard work and could read about it all day. (truthfully, I appreciate all who work to maintain trails- thanks for taking the time)

Gamma1214 said:

Awesome. I like hard work and could read about it all day.

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Stolen!

It's 15 1/2', not 17. Just back to cell service in Saranac Lake. Rivertrail Beer works.

Back to Sunday, trail work till 10:00 and then 20 miles paddling Long Lake to site at top of Racquet Falls at 5:00. Up at 7:00 to double portage 1.3 miles to to put in, down river to Stoney Creek and ponds, across Indian Portage and stayed at Indian Point. 12 or 13 miles plus another 4 for double portaging. Beautiful new lean-to all to myself. Really stunning work with wonderful birch branch hangers. I'll post some pics when I have time to resize them.

Tuesday morning Bartlett portage to Middle Saranac, upper locks to Lower Saranac, and DEC site about halfway between bridge and lower locks. Again, lean-to all to myself (and birds and chipmunks) which I was thankful for because of reported storms. Some thunder and lightening but mostly 8 hours of rain.

I found my thermo cell worked fantastically in lean tos. Not a big bite if I kept it running. Killer mosquitos and horse flies if off. Portaging, paddling, or camp.

So that brings me to today. Left camp, through lower locks (waited - thought they opened at 8 but not till 9), Oseetah and Flower, found the unemployed seniors at the take out picnic table, portaged around dam, and stopped at St Regis Outfitters. Between 2 or 3 stops bought gloves a hat, and a shower - a bargain at $5. Paddled on to Five Fauls camp site where this weekends work is.

Brings me to beerworks and laundromat across the street before returning to five fauls.

Serious thought if I should be doing this. Absolutely worn out at end of each day. Everything aches, though hot shower helped. Shouldn't do the long portages with a 60 pound pack. If I survive does that mean it's OK? Haven't fallen once - a small victory. And no problem portaging canoe. I notice I'm not as fast or strong as the other volunteers on the work weekends, mostly 10 or more younger, a lot 50 years younger. I probably should look for no or very little portage trips to start. Thinking about circumnavigating Basswood Lake, with chairs screen house, and cooler. I'm fine knowing I won't do this forever but having started after 50, I'd like to go as much as possible.

Probably should have started a second thread.

Bill, with that workout you shoule be ready to take on the "Cannonball 90" next.

billconner said:

If I survive does that mean it's OK?

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billconner said:

I'm fine knowing I won't do this forever but having started after 50, I'd like to go as much as possible.

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Yes, survival is optimal and certainly the preferred outcome. I plan to keep going until I can't and I trust that we'll all know when that time comes. (though maybe work into it a little more slowly in the future )