Clear Pond Loop - Part 2

The dogs and I were hiking the perimeter of Clear Pond, in the White Hill Wild Forest, and had reached about the halfway point (see also Part 1, posted yesterday). The dogs were even more excited than usual and they were having fun:

I was also happy to be outdoors in a beautiful natural setting in such fine autumn weather:

When we saw a place to walk down to the water's edge once again, we took it:


I was just thinking how it was a shame I'd missed the flowering time for the little white orchids I saw last year, when I saw a whole field of them (mixed in with other fall wildflowers):

These little native orchids are called Nodding Ladies'-Tresses, and I find them fascinating:

We explored the shoreline briefly:

Daphne walked out to some rocks for a better look at the scenery or, more likely, hoping to find something dead and stinky:

We were all getting a bit tired by now, and Clover and Seamus waded into the cool, clean water to refresh themselves:

And there was a bit of horseplay between Clover and Daphne, AKA "The Silly Sisters:"

Even Jack went into the water of Clear Pond:

We were by this time approaching our starting point, and the trail took us back into the forest. I was startled to see these sizeable, red mushrooms:

We reached our car but the dogs ran past it, beginning once again the trail we'd just finished. I called and whistled until they came back, and then we began our return trip home. It's a short drive, and three miles of it is in the White Hill Wild Forest. The dogs watched the passing scenery as we drove home:

White Hill Wild Forest - Part 2

The dogs and I had walked in to Clear Pond and were enjoying the perfect weather and glorious Adirondack scenery:

Daphne kept going into the water:

And Seamus joined her:

Daphne, Jack and Clover explored the shore, walking through the Nodding Ladies' Tresses wildflowers (see yesterday's post):

Hopping from rock to rock, wading in the clear water and rolling in dead fish - what could make a dog's heart any happier?


Clover explored the edge of the woods, among the wildflowers and big rocks:

Pickerelweed was blooming at the water's edge:

We left Clear Pond, walking back uphill and into the forest to connect with the main trail:

The forest floor was covered with many yellow mushrooms. I don't know what kind they were, but they sure were pretty:

And we began walking back toward our parked car:

But every time we saw a path which would take us back down to Clear Pond, we went there:

It was a happy day for happy dogs. And still we had more to see. I'll post Part 3 tomorrow:

White Hill Wild Forest - Part 1

I had some free time, the weather was beautiful - so I took the dogs to one of our favorite haunts, White Hill Wild Forest. It's only 18 miles from home, and almost 1.8 of those miles are on a one lane, gravel access road through the forest. I parked, let the dogs out and signed in, noticing that I was the first to do so in two days:

My ankles were not doing well so I knew we wouldn't walk far. We started down the trail, headed for beautiful Clear Pond:

The dogs saw where we were going and ran down the hill, through the big rocks and right to the water's edge:

Clear Pond is an Adirondack gem, known mostly only to local folks. The dogs were going into the water before I got there:

Daphne, only recently converted to a water lover, began to get silly:

She leaped and splashed like a silly puppy. I loved watching her but notice the look on Seamus' face. I think he was bewildered by such a display of merriment:

All along the shore were small spikes of white wildflowers:

I happened to know at a glance that they were wild orchids called Nodding Ladies' Tresses. I knew this only because I follow the blog, Saratoga Woods and Waterways. If you want to see beautiful photos and learn about our Adirondack flora, I suggest you click on the link and give it a try:

Fergus, not usually much of a water dog, went in this time:

And Seamus, with his newly svelte physique, was happy to flex his muscles and show off:

Adventurous little Clover ran ahead, rolled in some dead fish and then went wading:

It was a wild canine pool party in a spectacularly wild setting. I was, as far as I could tell, the only person in the White Hill Wild Forest that day. But we were just getting started. I'll post Part 2 tomorrow: