Sunday, June 29, 2014

Trail Work

Did some trail work today on my section of the Escarpment Trail starting from Route 23. Several hikers passing by thanked me for my work. After finishing my section, I continued for another mile to the summit. It was a typical warm, summer day.

Summit Elevation: Windham 3524 ft
Round-trip Distance: 6.4 mi
Elevation Change: 1740 ft


Friday, June 27, 2014

Peaked and Wyman Hill

Did a hike today in the Adirondacks. Parked at the Dirgylot Hill trailhead off Route 9 just north of Exit 28 in Schroon Falls. Bathed in some DEET, and then headed out. Followed the trail to the pedestrian tunnel (metal culvert) under the Northway (I-87). Continued on the dirt road to the first intersection. Turned right here (the left branch heads S toward Dirgylot Hill). At the next intersection, continued straight (the left branch heads SW toward Smith Hill). After a mile or so, the trail became more of a hunter's path. It was marked with occasional axe blazes. Soon, I reached another old road which leads up toward the notch between Wyman Hill and Peaked Hill. I followed this old road for a while and then headed SW up to the top of Peaked Hill. The woods were fairly open with some blowdown to contend with. There were nice views from the rocky summit. Got a close-up view of Hoffman and Blue Ridge to the west. To the north, could see many of the high peaks. There was also a view to the south toward Schroon Lake. I went back down and picked up the road at roughly the same spot I left it. Followed the road for a bit, and the left it again and headed NE up to Wyman Hill. There were some nice views, but not quite as open as Peaked Hill. After tagging the top, I dropped back to the road and headed back. The breezes kept the bugs from being too terrible. Nice sunny day for this adventure in the woods.

Summit Elevation: Peaked Hill 2286 ft, Wyman Hill 2211 ft
Round-trip Distance: 8.0 mi
Elevation Change: 2400 ft
Peaked and Wyman Hill

Saturday, June 21, 2014

When in Rome

Did an easy walk on Saturday at the  Rome Sand Plains. It is very similar to the Albany Pine Bush near me. Parked at the small trailhead on Hogsback Road. First, followed the Wood Creek trail around a small dune and down to a slow flowing creek. Then, went across the road and followed the blue loop trail. Next, drove down the road a bit to the sand pit, and did a short loop on the Sand Dune trail. Altogether, walked almost 4 miles. For the most part, it was just me and the mosquitoes. After the hike, I had to drive to Syracuse and pick up a VIP.
Rome Sand Plains

Friday, June 20, 2014

Baldface and Venison mountains

Climbed two small peaks in the Adirondacks (Hudson Gorge area). Parked on North Woods Club road in the pull-off just before the bridge over the Boreas River. Headed north into the woods with the destination of Baldface mountain. Followed along the river for a while until the terrain forced me to climb. The woods were mostly open and I followed or crossed lots of deer paths on the way up. I eventually reached the eastern side of Baldface mountain. There was a band of cliffs 10-20 feet high so I had to continue north a bit until I got to mellower terrain. I kept climbing up and then tagged the summit (wooded). Continued in westerly direction and then a bit south to some open rocky areas. There were some nice views - mostly to the south. I found more views lower down and to the east. I couldn't find an easy way down since there were ledges all along the southern face - so I had to head north and around the eastern cliffs. I took a slightly different route back (more to the east).

Summit Elevation: Baldface 2046 ft
Round-trip Distance: 4.5 mi
Elevation Change: 850 ft

Next, I drove back up the road a bit to the hairpin turn near Kellogg mountain. I parked in a small pull-off and then headed east toward Venison mountain. Had to first cross Bullhead Pond creek. Then, it was a short but steady climb up - steep in spots. There were some ledges that I had to find ways around, but nothing too hard. The best viewpoint was at a spot SW of the summit. Went to the apparent highest point at the top, and then headed down a slight different way (more to the north). A real nice day out - mostly sunny with a nice cool breeze which helped keep the mosquitoes away.  Only people I saw all day were campers down near the river.

Summit Elevation: Venison 2314 ft
Round-trip Distance: 1.5 mi
Elevation Change: 650 ft
Baldface


Saturday, June 14, 2014

John Pond Ridge

Did a short hike today in the central Adirondacks (Siamese Pond Wilderness). Parked and followed the trail to John Pond. The first mile or so of the old road was pretty wet due to all the recent rains. After that, the trail was in much better shape. Made a quick detour to an old grave site and continued on to the lean-to at the pond. After a short break, I went around the outlet of the pond to the other side. After a few minutes, I started climbing up the hillside to the top of the ridge. There are many viewpoints along the ridge. Unfortunately, it had completely clouded by the time I reached the first one ... so the photos are not so great for this outing. The most open part of the ridge was at the northern end. I then dropped down to Clear Pond. Picked up the trail which I followed back to the road. Then it was short 5 minute walk to the car. Had a cool, breezy day for this short trek. Luckily the mosquitoes weren't too bad.

Summit Elevation: John Pond Ridge 2312 ft
Round-trip Distance: 5.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1000 ft
John Pond Ridge

Friday, June 06, 2014

Southerland

Went for hike today in the southern Adirondacks. Parked at the end of River Road  (off Route 30 - north of Northville). Continued hiking on the old road past a campsite and a cabin. After about a mile, I left the road and headed North and up the SE arm of Southerland mountain. I reached the first open area that was only about 450 feet above the Sacandaga river. There were nice views to the east. I continued in a Northwest direction towards the summit. Reached a second open area with good views mostly to the south. After a short climb, I reached the top. It was open and grassy, but there no were no great views. I dropped down to the south and over a small bump to a couple of nice ledges with more views. After a lunch break, I headed back down and eventually reached Groff creek. I headed upstream and checked out a few waterfalls. A couple of them had nice pools at their base. The water was too cold for swimming, but I did soak my feet in once. I made it back up to the old road which I followed for another mile. It eventually reached a beaver pond and the path seemed to fade away. I backtracked, and then headed up the west side of Groff mountain. There were no views at the top, but there was an old hiker patch nailed to a tree. I dropped down the north side of the mountain. I did manage to find some views through the trees along the way. Soon I reached the road again which I followed back to the car. The mosquitoes were out today, but the breezes kept them from being too terrible. Still got quite a few bites - could of used some bug spray. Nice cool, partly cloudy day for an adventure in the woods.

Summit Elevation: Southerland 1920 ft, Groff 1780
Round-trip Distance: 8.5 mi
Elevation Change: 2100 ft
Southerland