Kunjamuk Cave - Speculator, NY - 5/4/14

Kunjamuk Cave.  I've always loved the name.  I don't why I like Indian names, but I do.  This one especially, so when Leesa and I were passing through Speculator, NY last weekend we went in to take a look at the cave. 

This area is a maze of old jeep roads; snowmobile routes in the winter.  There is some signage, but one could easily take a wrong fork in this area.  The hike is a quick one since the entire walk is on jeep roads.  Still it's nice to explore a new area.     

A lot of signs for the middle of nowhere!

The hike to the cave is only 1.5 miles and it is quite flat.

A beaver pond along the way

This is the crucial fork with no positive signage.   Go right here!

This bridge looks brand new.  It was probably put in within the last year. 

Impressive bridge for the area it serves

  

I got a laugh out of this sign!

Looking back at the tree with the cell phone sign on the right

 The cave itself is not that deep, perhaps 15'.  It is interesting though and has a high dome ceiling in the back.  There is also a hole above the entrance in the front which lets in more light.

You can see the cave in the background.  It is just off the road

Rev got there first

  

Rev and Leesa in the cave

Still ice on the ground in the cave

Looking out from within

The cave; with Cave Hill in the background

After looking at the cave, we climbed Cave Hill, immediately behind the cave, just to say we climbed something.  Afterwards we had a quick walk back the car.

I wouldn't really consider this a hike, but it's a quiet stroll to something different.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  3 miles roundtrip

Hike Time:  1.25 hours

The route (click image to enlarge)

A closer look

Watch Hill Trail - Indian Lake, NY - 5/3/14

Here's a short little hike to a nice view.  The Watch Hill Trail off of Route 30, south of Indian Lake climbs 500 feet in approximately 1 mile to a rock outcrop on Watch Hill that offers a fine view south and west.

 

If you wish to continue, you can walk the extra .7 down to the west shore of Indian Lake.  A stone chimney exists at the waters edge.  Or, there is a horse path that circumnavigates the foot path up Watch Hill.

 

The Watch Hill Trail supposedly can be accessed from 2 points on Route 30, as seen on the bottom map of this post.  The northern access point is supposedly almost directly across the street from the Snowy Mountain trail.  We couldn't see it, while driving past.

 

The southern access point is found at a old jeep road that can be seen leading into the woods.  There are no trail markers, but the jeep road is obvious.  At the juncture with the foot path, there is a sign.  The foot path is also easy to follow.

 

Leesa, Rev and I took this side trip on Saturday, May 3rd and found it to be a nice little hike. 

 

 

Junction of jeep path with the foot

 

The Watch Hill rock outcrop overlook

 

 

Indian, or Lewey Lake to the south

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stone chimney where the trail meets Indian Lake

 

 

 

 

Indian Lake... still very cold!

 

A small sliver of blue sky on the return

 

 

 

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  3.6 miles

Hike Time:  1.5 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  ~  1000'

 



The route (click image to enlarge)