Time for another trip report… This time I took a more vehicle based camping trip back to an area I visited when I first moved up to New York 10+ yesrs ago. Call it what you want, be it an Overlanding trip, Off-roading trip, or Car Camping trip. I’m calling it a good time in the woods.
This episode is focused on the trip and destination. If you see any gear you’d like to know more about, I will be doing a separate write up on my vehicle and what gear I took with me on this trip later or make a comment below and I’ll reply as soon as possible.
The Forest
Scott Patent State Forest is a state forest near Medusa, NY. The Forest area is just over 1200 acres in size. It has a maximum elevation of 2000 feet above sea level. Even though it’s owned and maintained by the state, there are no official camping sites anywhere in the forest. “Backcountry camping” is still permitted as long as you follow the DEC’s guidelines for backcountry camping.
Upon your arrival, there are really only two main access roads, Federal City and Teter roads, in and out that are friendly enough for most vehicles without having to worry about getting stuck.
I would not recommend using Mace Hill Rd or the two known logging roads unless you have 4wd/AWD and decent ground clearance. Depending on your ground clearance, a vehicle with AWD might do well enough to get you there if you choose the more rugged approach as I did. On the south logging road, an AWD vehicle might do ok for the first 1/2 mile or so till you get to the first groomed clearing, after which you’re on your own.
Getting there
Less than an hours drive from my house near Albany, NY, I arrived at Scott Patent State Forest. My route off Highway 145 was intentional as I knew from memory that Mace Hill Rd was used by 4×4 clubs as a legal public off-roading trail. So I planned my route to include it. I also knew there were a couple of logging roads off the main access road that I wanted to explore.
Flashback moment, skip the next paragraph if you want: February 2009, shortly after first moving in with my girlfriend, I had to leave the apartment during an inspection because I wasn’t on the lease yet. So I decided to go check out an offroading place I heard about online. So off I went to find this place and find it I did, but I couldn’t get past a massive snow bank on Mace Hill Rd. And because of the snow, I couldn’t explore as much as I wanted to. Back to present day, I decided now was the time to finish what I started all them years ago.
This trip could fall under a couple of categories: overlanding, offroading, or car camping. All would be correct. It’s an overlanding trip because I am completely self-sufficient, my destination had no scientific purpose, and I got to explore the area in a way I couldn’t in a normal car. It’s an offroad trip simply because as I got on Mace Hill Rd, I left the pavement behind me. And it’s car camping because my whole camp setup includes my vehicle, I’m not going out of eye sight of El Diablo, my Durango.
The bulk of the trip was spent on paved roads, but the last couple miles saw absolutely no pavement. To get there I just plugged in the destination into my GPS and followed how it took me. The further away from civilization I got the more peace I felt.
I didn’t feel the need to rush to get there, I took my time and enjoyed the drive. It was all about relaxation and exploration this time. There was no trailhead to get to, no long hike. It was all about the journey.
The Campsite
After driving around the access roads and logging roads, I finally found a site that was suitable for my purpose. I carefully pulled my Durango in amongst the trees and after a couple of position changes, I was happy with it and began setting up.
First up was my “awning.” Next up on the list wasn’t chair and “table.” It was slowly coming together, so I took a minute to get lunch started. I was in no rush, I had no need to hurry. Once lunch was finished, it was time to setup my sleeping quarters. The hardest part was deciding where I was hanging the hammock. After a quick adjustment to one corner of my awning, I had the perfect spot. I was able to keep my camp footprint in about a 30ft by 30ft area.
Going home
Of course breaking camp was quicker than setting up. I just had to roughly fold the tarps and get them in the back of the Durango. Guy lines could be coiled around my hand and tossed into a bin with the stakes. Nothing has to be neatly stowed away, I have plenty of cargo space. Besides, I have a whole month before my next planned trip… I’ve got plenty of time to clean everything and repack my gear. However, I’ll have everything done by the time you’re reading this.
The route home was pretty much the reverse of what I did to get here. I took the access roads to Mace Hill Rd then followed the GPS from there.
Final Thoughts
Bug spray, citronella candles, something! Squadrons of mosquitoes were out in full force. And I forgot something to try and repel those kamikaze micro syringes with wings. Regardless of those pesky mosquitoes, I still did enjoy myself and will plan future trips as long as I’m in the area. It makes a great place to do a shake down for the Overland build direction I’m going in with the Durango. Some areas 4wd is almost required to get through, the rest could be done in 2wd if I chose.
The Durango performed flawlessly. I learned a few things about my loadout for this type of trip. Some things would have been nice to have like a cooler with “real” food, a table, a better cooking stove, couple of pots and pans, etc. You know those luxury things you wouldn’t really be able to easily take out on a backpacking trip. But all in due time, I’ll get everything I want.
I will be doing a separate post about not only the Durango but what gear I have that’s different from what I carry on a hike.
Links
The following links may not be to the EXACT gear pictured, however, will be to what I could find comparable to what I have and use. Some are a generalized search so you can pick exactly what you want or give you an idea what might be found at that retail store if it applies.
Links
Remember, If I can do it, You can do it too!!!
The Wandering Leatherneck 