Sunday, April 28, 2013

State Brook

Did a hike with Howie today  in the Southern Adirondacks. We climbed State Brook mountain. There are no trails going up, so this was a bushwhack hike. Parked along Route 10 and started out. Open woods for the most part. Found a "happy birthday" Mylar balloon along the way. Some stubborn snow in a few spots on the northern side of the mountain. Went to the cliffs NNW of the summit. Heard voices down below. There were some rock climbers. Then I headed up and over the summit and down a bit to another cliff/viewpoint. Stopped for a lunch break and then headed back down to the snow mobile trail. Soon reached the car again. Very warm out on this sunny Spring day.

Summit Elevation: State Brook 2540
Round-trip Distance: 4.0 mi
Elevation Change: 1200 ft

State Brook


Friday, April 26, 2013

Thacher North

Went for another short walk/hike at Thacher Park this afternoon. Started from Old Stage Rd trailhead. Did a loop on various trails - visiting the two viewpoints along the way. Saw lots of little spring flowers blooming along the Long Path. Walked about 3.5 miles altogether.


Sunday, April 21, 2013

Spencers Ledge

Did a hike in the Catskills today with Howie. I drove to Trails End Road in the Sundown Wild Forest. Shortly after the end of the paved road, I thought that my car wouldn't make it up to the hill to the parking area. So, I backed into a small turn-around. I backed in a little too far and promptly got stuck. My front wheel spun in the soft mud. I walked down the road and found a nice neighbor who helped pull my car back onto the road. He mentioned that he pulled someone out of the same spot last year. I parked my car further down in a safe spot, and then started the hike. Hoofed up the road to the parking area. I started following the Long path, but there was too much blow-down. So, I backtracked and took the snowmobile trail instead. There was one area with a lot of downed trees from Hurricane Irene. Lots of chain saw work done here. I continued on the road/trail for about a mile. At the "No Maintenance beyond this point" sign, I followed some ATV trails past a cabin and to a camp-site. Then, I went off-trail and bushwacked up the hill to Spencers Ledge. I went to the left of the cliffs and found an easy way up. Followed along the ledges and found a nice spot with decent views. Stopped for lunch break. Headed back down and followed the trail over to Vernooy Kill Falls. Real nice, sunny day out today..

Round-trip Distance: 9.0 mi
Elevation Change: 1100 ft
Spencers Ledge

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Thacher

Did a short walk at Thacher Park this afternoon. The Indian Ladder trail was closed, so Howie and I just walked along the Escarpment. About 2 miles round-trip on a cool, breezy day.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Hopkins Memorial Forest

Did a hike in the Hopkins Memorial Forest near Williamstown, MA this afternoon. Started at the Rosenburg Center and followed trails up to the Taconic ridge. Took the TCT north to the two view-points just before the Snow Hole, and then headed back down. Had a warm, sunny day for our trek. Was glad to be able to ditch work early.

Round-trip Distance: 9.0 mi 
Elevation Change: 1900 ft

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Brown mountain cliffs

Went for a hike this afternoon with Howie near Lake George. Followed the Tongue mountain range trail over Brown mountain and continued to the lean-to. On the return, I left the trail and went around the east side of Brown mountain to check out some cliffs. The cliffs stretched out over about 1/3 mile. There were nice views to the north, east and south. There were deer paths and lots of deer poop in the woods. At the end of the cliff range, I headed back to the main trail and back out. Kind of dreary day - even had a little bit of snow/sleet mix at one point.

Summit Elevation: Brown 1966
Round-trip Distance: 6.0 mi
Elevation Change: 1300 ft
Tongue


Saturday, April 13, 2013

Rail Trail

Walked a section of the future Albany Rail - from Snowden Ave to the truss bridge over the Normanskill creek. About 3 miles round-trip under grey skies.

Sunday, April 07, 2013

Blown away

Did an easy walk on the Champlain Canalway trail this afternoon. Walked from Division St in Waterford to Clute road - about 3.2 miles round trip. It was very windy. At one point, my cap blew right off my head.

Saturday, April 06, 2013

Burden Falls

Did a short walk this afternoon with Howie at Burden Pond park in Troy. Parked on Campbell Avenue in a small lot across from Stewarts. Crossed the bridge and then followed the path along the north side of Burden Pond and continued to the waterfalls. Returned to the car and then explored the downstream side of the Wyants Kill. There were more waterfalls and another dam. Also saw stone walls and foundations - remnants of Troy's industrial days. Walked about 2.5 miles altogether.
Burden Falls

Thursday, April 04, 2013

Beacon

Did two more fire tower hikes today with Howie. Drove down to Beacon and climbed South Beacon Mountain. Followed the red marked trail to the former casino site. It was neat to the see the remnants of the old Otis elevated railway that pulled cars up the track. Continued on the trail to the fire tower. It was closed, but still had some nice views without climbing it.

Summit Elevation: South Beacon 1610
Round-trip Distance: 4.2 mi
Elevation Change: 1400 ft

Next, drove east and hiked up Ninham mountain. It was a short walk up the gravel road to the fire tower site. Climbed the steps to the top for some views of the surrounding country-side. Saw a couple of odd stone chambers built into the hillside along the way.

Summit Elevation: Ninham Mountain 1310
Round-trip Distance: 1.4 mi
Elevation Change: 380 ft
Beacon