Stony Pond
Date of Run: 12/9
Time: 1:31 pm
Route: Clockwise route around the pond. I intended to do one loop but took the wrong trail and ended up having to do an out and back after the first loop.
Distance: 4.38 miles
Elevation Gain: 417
Terrain: There was a fresh coat of snow on the ground, about 3-4 inches so I couldn’t see the trail at all. I can tell you there were plenty of rocks and roots though!
Weather: 32F and cloudy
Summary:
This was my first time to Stony Pond and I liked what I saw! I had a problem finding a GPS map with the trail system on it so I took a picture of the kiosk map and used that to help me navigate and get to the distance I needed for my workout. It was also my first time this season running on a snow-packed trail so I had to adjust on the fly and pay close attention to where I was stepping. Fortunately, someone had cut a path for me and we had about the same stride length so to be safe, I tried as best I could to follow those footsteps. The only other people I saw while I was running was one hiker and three hunters. The hunters I saw were near the end of my run so I made contact with them to let them know where I planned on running and they told me what they were doing. At that point I was about 15-20 minutes from finishing so I didn’t anticipate disrupting their hunt. It did play some mind games with me though! I knew I had some bright clothing on but still didn’t want to be confused for a deer, so I cut my run a little short and skidattyled out of the woods!
As I was running I was reminded of a few winter/snow running tips:
Bring an extra pair of shoes and socks to change into after your run. Driving home with wet and cold shoes and socks is not as fun as it might sound!
As you run, keep your foot falls quick and light. If you can do this and step on a branch or rock under the snow, you’re less likely to injure your knees or ankles.
If you happen to cross paths with hunters, make contact and let them know what direction you intend on going. Also, consider cutting your run short or adjusting your route. Knowing where they are in relation to your route will give you some peace of mind and should help to keep you or them from becoming a statistic.
Link: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/8111.html
