Friday, May 31, 2013

Plotter Kill

Did a short hike this morning at Plotter Kill Preserve. Started at the Lower Greg Road entrance and took the trail down to the end of the preserve. Then, I followed the along creek upstream all the way to the Upper falls. Took the trail back to the car. It quickly got warm out today, but was considerably cooler in the gorge. Water was almost warm enough for a swim.
Plotterkill

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Sweet

Did two hikes in the Adirondacks today with Howie. First, climbed Sweet Fern Hill in the Hammond Pond wild forest area. Took the trail to Hammond Pond. After a mile of easy walking on the old road, I reached the outlet of the pond. Crossed the outlet, and then started a bushwack up to the top of the hill. There were some cliffs that I had to find a way around. Soon I was rewarded with views of the pond below and the surrounding mountains. Continued on to the summit. There were many open areas along the way. Not much to see at the top. Headed back down a different route. Caught some more view points. At the bottom of the hill, I reached a beaver pond on the brook. I then just followed along parallel to the brook and soon reached the road. It was then a short walk back to the car.

Summit Elevation: Sweet Fern Hill 1460
Round-trip Distance: 3.5 mi
Elevation Change: 520 ft

It was still early, so I climbed Severance Hill near Exit 28. Fairly quick climb to the top and back down.

Summit Elevation: Severance Hill 1638
Round-trip Distance: 2.2 mi
Elevation Change: 770 ft
Sweet Fern Hill

Monday, May 27, 2013

Canajoharie

On the drive back home, I stopped to see the falls on Canajoharie creek in Canajoharie. Parked at the end of Floral St. and took the short path down to a couple of small falls in the lower gorge. Then, I drove up the hill to Wintergreen park and took the Scenic Trail along the top of the gorge to the wooden overlook. The view of the falls and gorge below was obstructed by leaves on the trees, but it was still a nice walk there and back (about 1.25 miles round trip).

Canajoharie

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Auburn

While visiting Auburn this weekend, I did two easy walks with my Dad. The first was at a relatively new nature preserve at the south end of the lake - Owasco Flats. Parked at the end of Fire Lane 1 off Route 38 near Moravia. Took a 1.6 mile trail around the wetland area. The first leg followed along the inlet of the lake and was a bit muddy in spots. The second leg was along the an old railroad bed and road. Completed the loop by walking the gravel road back to the car - another 0.4 miles or so.
The next day we did walk at the Cayuga Community College nature trails behind the campus. About a mile loop mostly on the  main perimeter trail. Saw a deer take off near the pond.

Auburn

Friday, May 17, 2013

Iron Man

Howie and I climbed Iron mountain (AKA Elizabethtown No. 2) in the Adirondack high peaks. It is a trail-less mountain in the Giant mountain Wilderness area. Parked in small pull-off on Route 9. Started out following an old woods road. It was going in the general direction I wanted to go. Kept on it for nearly a mile, and then headed off trail. From here on, it was a fairly easy bush-whack. There were areas of open rock alternating with deciduous woods. A couple of the rocky knobs along the way were a bit tricky to climb, and I had to find easier ways up them (usually on the less steep northern side). Continued on the ridge taking in the views until I reached the summit. Headed back a slightly different route (more in the woods and away from the rock) and soon picked up the road again. After that, it was smooth sailing back to the car.

Summit Elevation: Iron mountain 2400
Round-trip Distance: 4.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1840 ft

 Had some extra time after the first hike. So, I did another short hike just down the road. Followed the ADK trail to Gilligan mountain. On the way down, Howie had a close encounter with a porcupine. He got within a foot of being quilled. Luckily, I was able to pull him away.

Round-trip Distance: 2.2 mi
Elevation Change: 750

Overall, a nice partly sunny day for our hike. There were a few bugs, but not too bothersome.
Iron mountain

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Blue Ridge

There are a handful of Blue Ridge mountains in the Adirondacks. I climbed the one in the Silver Lake Wilderness near Benson. Parked on Godfrey Road, and started out hiking the Northville-Placid trail. It was a bit cold in the morning (49 degrees), overcast and sprinkling lightly on and off. After about 3.5 miles on the trail, I headed off trail and up the mountain. It was open woods most of the way. I reached some cliffs east of the summit. By now, the weather was starting to clear up. There was a bunch of spruce and blow-down near the top of the cliffs.  Was able to manage to squeeze through and get some decent views. Headed up and over the summit and down to the western cliffs. Again, the cliffs were guarded by a dense spruce thicket. Took some more pics and then headed back down. Turned out to be a perfect hiking day - cool, breezy and no bugs at all!

Summit Elevation: Blue Ridge 2860
Round-trip Distance: 10.0 mi
Elevation Change: 1600 ft
Blue Ridge Mountain

Sunday, May 05, 2013

Bennett Hill

Did a short walk/hike up Bennett Hill this afternoon. Great day with lots of sun, warm temps, refreshing breeze and no bugs. Saw a handful of other people enjoying the nice weather.

Friday, May 03, 2013

Three-fer

Did a hike in the Adirondacks today with Howie. We climbed three small peaks in the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness area. Parked on Rte 74 and started out on the Short Swing Trail. After a mile or so, I left the trail and headed up Ragged mountain. Short, but steep climb to the ledges with some nice views. Continued along the ridge then down the other side. I kept going through the open coniferous woods, and up to Potter mountain. Took a longer route than expected, but eventually made it to the ridge. Had a nice ridge walk with large open areas and good views. It was getting warmer out, and the bugs came out. But luckily, they were not biting. Went down the west side and back to the trail. Took the trail for a mile or so, and then followed a marked path up to the summit of Bear mountain (marked with small discs with PLC). Turned around and headed back down to the car. Nice day with lots of sunshine. And I found another birthday balloon in the woods!

Summit Elevation: Ragged 1506, Potter 1864, Bear 1647
Round-trip Distance: 8.0 mi
Elevation Change: 1720 ft
Ragged Potter Bear