GIANT
HIGH PEAK #4
SEPTEMBER 13, 2008
It is September and we suspect this will be our last hike of the season. So, we are prepared for it to be a good one, but are in for a surprise…more on that later. We have seen Giant from The Ausable Club, and it you can see it has been scarred by avalanches and rock slides as it is a bit barren. Giant is a popular hike with climbers…could be the name, or the awe inspiring summit. . You can see most of the high peaks from the summit.
We will hike it via The Ridge trail on RT73 in Keene by Chapel Pond. This hike is `strenuous, but we enjoy the semi-barren slopes, and a walk along The Giant’s Washbowl – a glacial pond. We stoop on the ledges along the way for the spectacular view. We still have 2 miles to go and we know there is a steep climb ahead.
At about a ½ mile shy of the summit, Mike starts to cramp up, and is feeling nauseous. He is hoping this will pass and we can move on, but our pace is really slow. I stop to chat with some hikers on their way down, and they offer us an orange for Mike, and insist that he eat the pith. These were “new age” guys, a little strange, but helpful and courteous. We relax and do as they say. Mike continues on and manages to summit, but there is no enjoying this accomplishment. Mike’s head is in buried in his knees as he tries to recover. And, I am worried but optimistic that the orange remedy just might help. Well, the summit is in and out of the clouds, so I am happy to hang out and wait for it to clear. And it does. Oh my god, what a treat. It is like a giant amphitheatre below. And the views of so many of the high peaks are like no another high peak we have hiked so far. I am no problem hanging out here for awhile. Mike thinks we need to descend, but he is not much better so it will be a long slow climb down. We take very frequent breaks, but all of a sudden, Mike is fine, and he takes off to make up lost time. I am thankful, and amazed. Like every hike we do, our experience tells us to add just one more item to our pack. Now we always hike with orange.
In conclusion, I know we have to repeat this peak, and I don’t mind. Mike needs to see the summit of Giant on a nice day.
Total time for Giant – too much to state!
BIG SLIDE
HIGH PEAK #3
AUGUST 1, 2008
So, Big Slide it is. The route we choose is via The Three Brothers and back down via The Yard. Oh, it is approximately 10 miles. This trailhead begins at The Garden in Keene Valley. So, what is the Garden? For those of us who are newbies to the High Peaks, we were in for a bit of a surprise. Well, The Garden is a parking lot. And guess what? – there is a fee to park. Unfortunately, our guide was a bit dated and this was not stated. Additionally, one needs to arrive early to get a parking spot…lesson learned.
It is a steep climb up to the first ledge of The Three Brothers. The views of Giant and The Great Range convince us to linger and enjoy the spectacular views. The hiking gets a little easier for a bit. We are hiking over bare rock ledges, and much of the climb seems to be in the open. We reach the second brother and we still have a mile to go to The Third Brother. The hiking is quite pleasant, lots of white birches and not too much evergreen here. We have quite a view of Big Slide from the summit of The Third Big Brother.
We reach the summit after some very steep climbing. There are magnificent views of The Great Range, Giant , and Algonquin. Lunch it is, and then back down via The Yard. It is heavily wooded and uneventful, but long. The reward is our first time at JBL – Johns Brook Lodge. JBL is in the midst of the high peaks, and provides lodging for up to 28 people to use as a base for hiking. So, we just need to hike out to the parking lot and head home. But, it is still 3 ½ miles to go – not a walk in the park when you are tired.
Big Slide was unique for its rock ledges and open views. The view of Big Slide itself was amazing. We did well on this hike and complained only on the long walk out from JBL.
Total Time for Big Slide – 10 hours
PORTER
HIGH PEAK #2
July 28, 2008
The climb up Porter comes with some negativity. Most folks take the cut-off from Cascade to summit Porter, perhaps just a ½ hour detour. But, our goal is to climb the 46 peaks, not taking shortcuts. And besides, we are curious about the mountain since some of the guidebooks are not enchanted by this hike. The word “boring” is stated.
So, we proceed to the trailhead which is from the parking lot of a place call “The Garden”. This blog would not be complete without a comment about this place. It is “a schlep” to drive into The Garden. Once there, it is 5 bucks to park (who knew? – not stated in the guidebook we consulted). And, the lot is full. So, we have 2 choices – turn around, park in Keene and shuttle up, or 4-wheel it into a spot. Squeeze we did, and we are off to hike Porter.
Porter is lush with green. The ferns are so tall they dwarf me (5 feet, 1 ¾ inches). The mountain streams are flowing, and the path is not very well trodden. The serenity of the woods is exhilarating. It is just Mike and I and the forest. There is not a human in site or sound for almost the entire hike. At one point it is hard to find the trail, and we seem to be hiking up a mountain stream. There are some incredible views of The Great Range on the way up. We linger a little bit as we summit Little Porter, which is about halfway up the trail. We seem to hike through some very different terrain. Some of the geography is very grassy, perhaps from an earlier fire. We cross lots and lots of brooks, and are rewarded by the view along the way.
We think we have reached the summit, but there is no benchmark. We can see Cascade and the crowds on top. Someone hikes towards us who has summitted Cascade, and we are comfortable that this is it. We rest on a large horizontal slab, enjoy our lunch, and the view. Marcy is in site, and the view is actually similar to Cascade.
We really enjoyed Porter and the peacefulness of the climb. After Cascade with the crowds, this was a treat. This mountain was named after Dr. Noah Porter, president of Yale in 1875. So, it is just another mountain climbed for over a hundred years, and highly recommended by this blogger.
Total time for Porter - 5 hours
CASCADE
HIGH PEAK #1
July 12, 2008
After our research and some discussion, our first hike will be Cascade. It is July and we set off for the climb to the summit. This is a popular hike since it is short and not so challenging, but still a workout and a good start to the season. We feel pretty darn good at the start. Mike sets the pace and it is fast. I need a slower pace, but his style is to move along and reach the summit ASAP. So, he moves quickly and does some waiting. I drink a lot of water (as always), but I just sweat it out. I do need to stop, but this hike today is like Fifth Avenue in NY, so I need to hike in a bit for privacy…Mike waits. We are off and running and stop just once for some trail mix…the chocolate kind – YUM! So, the guide book says approximately 2 hours to the summit, and we are there in 1 hour.
The climb at the top is just rock face and fun to hike. We reach the summit with the rest of Manhattan and it is just a spectacular view. We hike around, take our many photos, have our lunch, and relax a bit. We are ready to descend. Well, we have a choice. We can take a side trip to Porter and knock off another high peak, or just descend. Mike feels it is cheating to hike a ½ hour across the ridge to the summit of Porter, so we work our way back down in record time.
Total Time for Cascade – 3 ½ hours
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
SUMMER 2009 - LOWER WOLFJAW, ALGONQUIN,IROQUOIS,SAWTEETH
SAWTEETH
August 30, 2009
Once again, the dreaded walk up Lakes Road at the Ausable Club. We can view Sawteeth from the lake and see its’ jagged and sharp notches. This could be a tough climb since I am feeling a bit nauseous, maybe a head cold coming on.
We choose to follow the Gothics trail up to the col between Pyramid and Sawteeth and ascend from there. We view the slides of Pyramid on the way up and summit after just a 2.2 mile hike from the trailhead. Overall, an uneventful climb. We will descend via the scenic route which is much longer. There are many lookouts and landings along the way which are totally spectacular. There are breathtaking views of Lower Ausable Lake. There are some very steep ladders to climb down which require some deep breaths and focus – just a little scary. It is probably the toughest descent we have down. We hike along Lower Ausable Lake which normally would be quite lovely, but we are pooped, and we still need to walk out on Lakes Road.
This is probably the most scenic hike so far on the descent…just one view after another.
GOTHICS
August 1, 1009
11.5 mile loop
About 9 hours
Hiking the Adirondack Great Range is just a spectacular treat. And, well worth the walk in through the historic Ausable Club. The Ausable Club is a private club and home to 600 acres of The Adirondack Mountain Reserve. This land provides public access to many of the high peak trails. Unfortunately, the parking lot for hikers is a “schlep” just to reach the club. And, then we need to walk on private road just to get to the trailhead.
The trailhead for Gothics is at the end of Lakes Road and about a 3 mile walk to reach the lake. Lower Ausable Lake is beautiful and is home to the boathouse for the club. It houses classic guide boats and nice old wooden canoes. It is our first photo op and we take a picture of the Indian Head cliff.
We start off on the trailhead and take a detour to rainbow falls. This is so hard to capture on film, describe in print, or talk about. The fact that it is a hidden paradise, only available to those who choose to go off the beaten path, makes is a special place. It is truly awesome, exhilarating, and rewarding. You just want the special people in your life to share it with you.
But, it is just he beginning of a rough and steep climb. After a mile, we reach the saddle between Sawteeth and Pyramid. The hike is really steep with almost vertical slabs and quite challenging for my short legs. We summit after the very steep climb and are amazed by the views. Lunch provides us a welcome rest and a nice chat with other hikers. We can see the summit of The Gothics which is just another 500 yards. We first need to descend the col and make the steep climb up the wall of The Gothics. This peak gives us a panoramic view of 30 other high peaks. Everything about this hike is just awesome – the challenging terrain, the views of The Gothics on the way up, and the return down via Armstrong is yet to come.
After some rest and photo opportunities, we are ready to descend. We traverse across the shoulder of Armstrong, negotiate 3 ladders which are a bit intimidating since you need to go down them backwards. The descent is steep and seems long. We come upon another very long steep ladder and once again are intimidated. We cross over a few streams and finally reach the West River Trail. We can hike out to Lake Road or continue along the river. We discuss the option and Mike wins – I whine. We hike along the river and although it is interesting, I would be more than happy to just walk on the road and feel like I am done.
We are tired, my knees ache, and it is a long day. But, once again, a good feeling and The Gothics gets my vote for the best of the high peaks so far. The car is a welcome site and we drive to Stewarts in Keene Valley to meet the family.
Algonquin & Iroquois
July 27, 2009
Off we go to hike the second highest peak in the Adirondacks. And, I am feeling good today. The trailhead for Algonquin is out of The Adirondack Loj at Heart Lake – outside of Lake Placid. It is just 4 miles to the summit, but we have an option to climb Wright Peak and Iroquois “along the way”. We choose to summit Algonquin first, and then head over to Iroquois if our bodies and minds are willing. Our plan is to hike over to Wright Peak on the way down.
We are off to a brisk “walk” with a generally easy grade for about a mile. This proves to be another tough climb, scrabbling up and over boulders on a steep path up. We get a break as we pass by a cascading waterfall, but the trail is steep again, but then levels out for a bit. As usual, Mike is moving along quickly. But, then he tends to slow down, and we think out loud – “why”? Well, we know why, but we are fatigued and need to take a break. We run into the Summit Stewards at the junction for Wright Peak, and will meet one of them on the Algonquin summit.
The trail climbs steeply, but we have some steep smooth rocks and it does start to level out. We are approaching the timberline, and the climb is lined with cairns and the yellow paint signs. This is an alpine summit with fragile growth, and the summit stewards have gone to some trouble to keep hikers from harming this arctic environment.
I am motivated by the summit in site and the view that was promised in guide books. I forge ahead and wait for Mike on the top. Well, here we are, and it is cold and windy. It is really cold and really windy. All my hopes for what is billed as one of the most spectacular summits are a big disappointment. I know it is expansive and encompasses most of the high peak, especially Colden. I can not enjoy the views, or relax. And, we need to find a spot with some shelter to eat, and take some photos. We talk to the summit steward, and she tells us it has been like this all summer. Oh well. Additionally, it is an Alpine summit and is currently under restoration to repair the damage done by hikers. The vegetation and alpine plants and flowers are being restored, and the Stewards are there to maintain it and protect the fragile environment.
We see the peak of Iroquois and it looks so close. We know it is a mile over, and we decide we have to do it since at this point I can not imagine hiking Algonquin again. Off we go, over Boulder Peak, hiking on herd path thru mud and scrubby growth. It is just exhilarating to think that you hiked the second highest peak, and are going forward to hike another one. Mission accomplished.
So, now we have to hike back over to Algonquin and down. We see the intersection for Wright Peak, and just can not do it. We are drained and know our limits. Hiking down over the steep boulders is taxing, but we are OK.
In conclusion, this was not my favorite climb. It was not quite as spectacular as some of our previous hikes. I know I missed out on the reward at the summit because of the weather. Hey, it is late July, and I just did not expect the chill on the top of the mountain.
Hey, we bagged 2 high peaks in one day…awesome!
Lower Wolfjaw
July 6, 2009
Today we hiked Lower Wolfjaw, our fifth high peak. As this was our first hike of the season, we agonized over which peak was appropriate. In addition to some anxiety over what shape we were in, we also had some time restraints. Well, this is the Adirondack High Peaks, and they are all very challenging. So, as we perused our various books and guides, we settled on Lower Wolfjaw. And judging by the way we ended the day, this was a good decision.
Lower Wolfjaw can be hiked from many different routes. We choose to hike from The Ausable Club in St. Huberts, a 7000 acre mountain reserve owned by 360 members. Many of the high peaks were once their property. Well, it was fun to see the historic club and all those folks who choose to golf rather than hike. The Ausable Club was built in 1890 and was home to those of some wealth. However, the parking for those of us who choose our adventures in hiking, we were relegated to a far off parking lot. Let’s just say the 2 mile walk to the trailhead was frustrating.
We choose to summit via the Wedge Brook Trail. And what a treat this was. Once we got into the woods and on the trail, we enjoyed the sounds of the roaring brook and the lush woodlands. As we started the climb, we were in awe of the cascading waterfalls, so spectacular, and worth many photo opportunities.
We proceed along the trail and it gets steep, real steep. And it is steep for 2 miles. Mike is charging ahead, and I am hanging back. He stops for some water and I catch up. Mike tells me that “You are not 20 anymore Grandma, and you can’t hike after a night of cocktails and fine dining”. He is right of course, but I am convinced my extra 10 pounds this season needs to be reduced. So, a wake up call it is. We can see the summit and it is intimidating.
After the exhausting very steep climb, we summit Lower Wolfjaw.
The weather is clear and we sit, lunch, and view Marcy, Algonquin, and numerous other High Peaks. It is always such an awesome feeling to be on the summit. It just feels good. We are looking forward to the descent and some relief for our lungs and quads. Our return route is via the W.A. White trail which is a bit longer but more gradual. It is challenging at the top to slide down some huge slabs of vertical rock while holding on to roots along the sides. After a few close calls, we are on our way. It does seem to take longer than we thought, and there is some confusion along the way as many trails intersect. We need to consult our new ADK topographical map to double check our route. Proceeding down the trail, Mike seems to be having some trouble with his knees. Now it is his turn to reflect on his personal situation. We reach the bottom, and the consensus is that he has too much weight on his knees, and he is exhausted. Yet, another wakeup call.
Along the way, there was a sign for Upper Wolfjaw – 2.9 miles. Mike expressed some interest in knocking off this peak while we were in the neighborhood. I vetoed it, and that was a good thing. We limped to the parking lot, called our spouses to report, and headed home. It was a great start to the season, and we are looking forward to the next challenge.
August 30, 2009
Once again, the dreaded walk up Lakes Road at the Ausable Club. We can view Sawteeth from the lake and see its’ jagged and sharp notches. This could be a tough climb since I am feeling a bit nauseous, maybe a head cold coming on.
We choose to follow the Gothics trail up to the col between Pyramid and Sawteeth and ascend from there. We view the slides of Pyramid on the way up and summit after just a 2.2 mile hike from the trailhead. Overall, an uneventful climb. We will descend via the scenic route which is much longer. There are many lookouts and landings along the way which are totally spectacular. There are breathtaking views of Lower Ausable Lake. There are some very steep ladders to climb down which require some deep breaths and focus – just a little scary. It is probably the toughest descent we have down. We hike along Lower Ausable Lake which normally would be quite lovely, but we are pooped, and we still need to walk out on Lakes Road.
This is probably the most scenic hike so far on the descent…just one view after another.
GOTHICS
August 1, 1009
11.5 mile loop
About 9 hours
Hiking the Adirondack Great Range is just a spectacular treat. And, well worth the walk in through the historic Ausable Club. The Ausable Club is a private club and home to 600 acres of The Adirondack Mountain Reserve. This land provides public access to many of the high peak trails. Unfortunately, the parking lot for hikers is a “schlep” just to reach the club. And, then we need to walk on private road just to get to the trailhead.
The trailhead for Gothics is at the end of Lakes Road and about a 3 mile walk to reach the lake. Lower Ausable Lake is beautiful and is home to the boathouse for the club. It houses classic guide boats and nice old wooden canoes. It is our first photo op and we take a picture of the Indian Head cliff.
We start off on the trailhead and take a detour to rainbow falls. This is so hard to capture on film, describe in print, or talk about. The fact that it is a hidden paradise, only available to those who choose to go off the beaten path, makes is a special place. It is truly awesome, exhilarating, and rewarding. You just want the special people in your life to share it with you.
But, it is just he beginning of a rough and steep climb. After a mile, we reach the saddle between Sawteeth and Pyramid. The hike is really steep with almost vertical slabs and quite challenging for my short legs. We summit after the very steep climb and are amazed by the views. Lunch provides us a welcome rest and a nice chat with other hikers. We can see the summit of The Gothics which is just another 500 yards. We first need to descend the col and make the steep climb up the wall of The Gothics. This peak gives us a panoramic view of 30 other high peaks. Everything about this hike is just awesome – the challenging terrain, the views of The Gothics on the way up, and the return down via Armstrong is yet to come.
After some rest and photo opportunities, we are ready to descend. We traverse across the shoulder of Armstrong, negotiate 3 ladders which are a bit intimidating since you need to go down them backwards. The descent is steep and seems long. We come upon another very long steep ladder and once again are intimidated. We cross over a few streams and finally reach the West River Trail. We can hike out to Lake Road or continue along the river. We discuss the option and Mike wins – I whine. We hike along the river and although it is interesting, I would be more than happy to just walk on the road and feel like I am done.
We are tired, my knees ache, and it is a long day. But, once again, a good feeling and The Gothics gets my vote for the best of the high peaks so far. The car is a welcome site and we drive to Stewarts in Keene Valley to meet the family.
Algonquin & Iroquois
July 27, 2009
Off we go to hike the second highest peak in the Adirondacks. And, I am feeling good today. The trailhead for Algonquin is out of The Adirondack Loj at Heart Lake – outside of Lake Placid. It is just 4 miles to the summit, but we have an option to climb Wright Peak and Iroquois “along the way”. We choose to summit Algonquin first, and then head over to Iroquois if our bodies and minds are willing. Our plan is to hike over to Wright Peak on the way down.
We are off to a brisk “walk” with a generally easy grade for about a mile. This proves to be another tough climb, scrabbling up and over boulders on a steep path up. We get a break as we pass by a cascading waterfall, but the trail is steep again, but then levels out for a bit. As usual, Mike is moving along quickly. But, then he tends to slow down, and we think out loud – “why”? Well, we know why, but we are fatigued and need to take a break. We run into the Summit Stewards at the junction for Wright Peak, and will meet one of them on the Algonquin summit.
The trail climbs steeply, but we have some steep smooth rocks and it does start to level out. We are approaching the timberline, and the climb is lined with cairns and the yellow paint signs. This is an alpine summit with fragile growth, and the summit stewards have gone to some trouble to keep hikers from harming this arctic environment.
I am motivated by the summit in site and the view that was promised in guide books. I forge ahead and wait for Mike on the top. Well, here we are, and it is cold and windy. It is really cold and really windy. All my hopes for what is billed as one of the most spectacular summits are a big disappointment. I know it is expansive and encompasses most of the high peak, especially Colden. I can not enjoy the views, or relax. And, we need to find a spot with some shelter to eat, and take some photos. We talk to the summit steward, and she tells us it has been like this all summer. Oh well. Additionally, it is an Alpine summit and is currently under restoration to repair the damage done by hikers. The vegetation and alpine plants and flowers are being restored, and the Stewards are there to maintain it and protect the fragile environment.
We see the peak of Iroquois and it looks so close. We know it is a mile over, and we decide we have to do it since at this point I can not imagine hiking Algonquin again. Off we go, over Boulder Peak, hiking on herd path thru mud and scrubby growth. It is just exhilarating to think that you hiked the second highest peak, and are going forward to hike another one. Mission accomplished.
So, now we have to hike back over to Algonquin and down. We see the intersection for Wright Peak, and just can not do it. We are drained and know our limits. Hiking down over the steep boulders is taxing, but we are OK.
In conclusion, this was not my favorite climb. It was not quite as spectacular as some of our previous hikes. I know I missed out on the reward at the summit because of the weather. Hey, it is late July, and I just did not expect the chill on the top of the mountain.
Hey, we bagged 2 high peaks in one day…awesome!
Lower Wolfjaw
July 6, 2009
Today we hiked Lower Wolfjaw, our fifth high peak. As this was our first hike of the season, we agonized over which peak was appropriate. In addition to some anxiety over what shape we were in, we also had some time restraints. Well, this is the Adirondack High Peaks, and they are all very challenging. So, as we perused our various books and guides, we settled on Lower Wolfjaw. And judging by the way we ended the day, this was a good decision.
Lower Wolfjaw can be hiked from many different routes. We choose to hike from The Ausable Club in St. Huberts, a 7000 acre mountain reserve owned by 360 members. Many of the high peaks were once their property. Well, it was fun to see the historic club and all those folks who choose to golf rather than hike. The Ausable Club was built in 1890 and was home to those of some wealth. However, the parking for those of us who choose our adventures in hiking, we were relegated to a far off parking lot. Let’s just say the 2 mile walk to the trailhead was frustrating.
We choose to summit via the Wedge Brook Trail. And what a treat this was. Once we got into the woods and on the trail, we enjoyed the sounds of the roaring brook and the lush woodlands. As we started the climb, we were in awe of the cascading waterfalls, so spectacular, and worth many photo opportunities.
We proceed along the trail and it gets steep, real steep. And it is steep for 2 miles. Mike is charging ahead, and I am hanging back. He stops for some water and I catch up. Mike tells me that “You are not 20 anymore Grandma, and you can’t hike after a night of cocktails and fine dining”. He is right of course, but I am convinced my extra 10 pounds this season needs to be reduced. So, a wake up call it is. We can see the summit and it is intimidating.
After the exhausting very steep climb, we summit Lower Wolfjaw.
The weather is clear and we sit, lunch, and view Marcy, Algonquin, and numerous other High Peaks. It is always such an awesome feeling to be on the summit. It just feels good. We are looking forward to the descent and some relief for our lungs and quads. Our return route is via the W.A. White trail which is a bit longer but more gradual. It is challenging at the top to slide down some huge slabs of vertical rock while holding on to roots along the sides. After a few close calls, we are on our way. It does seem to take longer than we thought, and there is some confusion along the way as many trails intersect. We need to consult our new ADK topographical map to double check our route. Proceeding down the trail, Mike seems to be having some trouble with his knees. Now it is his turn to reflect on his personal situation. We reach the bottom, and the consensus is that he has too much weight on his knees, and he is exhausted. Yet, another wakeup call.
Along the way, there was a sign for Upper Wolfjaw – 2.9 miles. Mike expressed some interest in knocking off this peak while we were in the neighborhood. I vetoed it, and that was a good thing. We limped to the parking lot, called our spouses to report, and headed home. It was a great start to the season, and we are looking forward to the next challenge.
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