Sleeping Beauty and Erebus Mountains - Lake George Wild Forest - 9/2/17

To kick off the Labor Day weekend, Leesa and I were invited to join Dan, Joanne, Cole and Eric for a trip to Sleeping Beauty and Erebus Mountains in the Lake George Wild Forest.  These two peaks are part of the relatively new Lake George 12ster challenge.  The challenge, of course, draws additional hikers to these peaks.  What some people don't realize however, is that both true summits are only reached via bushwhacks.  While trails pass nearby, there is a bit of orienteering needed to find the true summits.  Each peak now has a summit sign, which helps hikers validate that they've reached the high point.

We were happy that the group wanted an early start.  We met at the Warren County Municipal Center at 7 AM and were on the trail by about 8 AM.  The woods road to Dacy Clearing has been "improved" by DEC.  They've added crushed stone where needed and have smoothed out the road so 4WD is not needed.  Any vehicle should be able to make the trip from Hogtown to Dacy Clearing at this time.

There were already almost a dozen cars at Dacy Clearing.  Most were probably from people who had claimed the campsites there.  We only saw 1 person ahead of us on the trail.  

The weather was cool and clear and really ideal for hiking.  The trails were dry since it hadn't rained in awhile.  Our dog Rev was also with us and she appreciated the cool weather.

          

Looking at the Tongue Range from Sleeping Beauty

We reached the Sleeping Beauty open rock viewpoint and had the location to ourselves.  

Little Buck and Shelving Rock Mountain from Sleeping Beauty/

Some of this area was burned by a forest fire a few years ago. 

Dan and Rev 

Rev on one of the lower ledges

I like this spot!

We hung out at the viewpoint for quite a while and also explored the ledges below before moving on.  The group goal was to hit the true summit, which was actually a short distance away.  I had been there before and knew where to veer off the trail.  The summit is perhaps a couple hundred yards off the trail; no real effort was needed to find this one.      

The new sign on Sleeping Beauty.

Proof that Dan made it....

After we all took pictures at the summit, we went northeast to regain the trail and continue towards Bumps Pond.  Once at the pond, we looped around the north end and visited the old chimney that remains near the west shore.   

Bumps Pond.

Next was our final goal for the day - Erebus.  The Erebus Mountain Trail passes west of the true summit and it is very steep from the trail to the top.  I suggested we work our way up the ridge from the south and the group agreed.  This choice wasn't bad,  There were areas that were moderately dense, but the grade wasn't bad.  We reached the true summit without any issues.    

Another new sign...

We had lunch on Erebus.  This summit, like Sleeping Beauty, has no views to offer, but we had seen the views early in the day from the Sleeping Beauty viewpoint.

Our next task was to get back to the cars.  The group had to get back by mid-afternoon and it was 11:30.  We retraced our steps for awhile before turning east to regain the trail south of Fishbrook Pond.  This is when we had our only incident of the day... bees.  I was in the lead and made out OK, but I believe Eric, who was behind me, stepped on a yellow jacket ground nest.  He received several stings as did Dan, Cole and Leesa.  Joanne and I were the only ones not stung.  It put a little damper on our otherwise great day.

When we got back to Dacy Clearing the parking area was overflowing with cars.  There was no room left.  The Hogtown lot was full also.  We were thankful that we beat the crowd.  

Thanks Dan and Joanne for inviting us to join your group.  We had a great day. 

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  7.2 miles

Hike Time:  5.5 hours, including stops

Total Vertical Gain:  ~ 1500'          

The route

The route on the Nat Geo map

Jabe Pond and Surrounding Hills - Lake George Wild Forest - 2/21/16

It was a cloudy 40 degree day, but no reason to stay indoors.  Leesa and I ventured to Jabe Pond to do a little exploration of the small mountains surrounding the pond.  We tried to approach Jabe Pond from Battle Hill Road, but that is a seasonal road, so we took Split Rock Road from Route 9N to get to the Jabe Pond access road.

The access road gate was closed, but we had planned to walk it anyways.  An easy mile later we were at the boat launch at the north end of the pond.  The ice was still safe to walk on (although some surface water and slush existed) so we walked out onto the ice and ventured out to the islands.  One of the islands in the middle boasts a large stone chimney; a reminder to life before this parcel becamse a part of the Lake George Wild Forest.    

Nice Map at Jabe Pond

Rev tested the ice for us.  Catamount Mountain (back left).

Designated campsite on the east point.

Island chimney.

Middle Mountain (back left)

After looking at the islands we went over to the east shore and climbed Number 108 Mountain (~1668').  How do these mountains get numbered as such?  This mountain boasted a lot of oak trees.  There were filtered views of Catamount Mountain and Jabe Pond. 

Coming back down Number 108 Mountain, looking at Catamount Mountain (L), Middle Mountain (R)  and Jabe Pond. 

Catamount (L), Middle Mountain (R)
  

When crossing the ice again we noticed there was even more staning water on top of the ice.  Perhaps our dismal winter is coming to an end.  We passed by the islands again and made our way over to the west shore to climb Middle Mountain (~1858').  Catamount Mountain was in constant view to the south, but we didn't venture that direction.  I've been on Catamount before, but it was a nasty day.  it was winter time with snow on the ground, but it was raining and foggy and I had zero visibility.  I'll go back there on a nice day.

   

Ice flows on the way to Middle Mountain.

Middle Mountain is an easy climb from the east and the forest is open hardwoods.  From the true summit you can see Jabe Pond and Lake George (when the leaves are down).  I dropped off the true summit to explore the SW corner of the ridgetop.  I thought this offered the nicest views.  There were sweeping views west and south. 

Zoom view of Lake George from the summit of Middle Mountain.

Leesa climbing Middle Mountain with Jabe Pond down below.

Catamount Mountain from Middle Mountain

Views from the SW corner of Middle Mountain 

Looking SW from the SW corner of Middle Mountain

Rev atop Middle Mountain

Summit of Middle Mountain 

From Middle Mountain we headed NE to Little Jabe Pond then climbed the small bump known as Indian Mountain (~1672').  Once again we could see Lake George and Jabe Pond (only visible with leaves down),

Summit of Indian Mountain

Zoom view of Lake George from Indian Mountain.

While we'd rather be out XC skiing or snowshoeing in some nice powder, the lack of snow has been making for easy bushwhacking and the 40 degree temperatures are easy to handle. 

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  7.3 miles

Hike Time:   5 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  ~2000' 

The route (click image to enlarge)

Bushwhacking the west slope of Buck Mountain - Lake George Wild Forest - 2/20/16

I've bushwhacked all around the Buck Mountain area in the Lake George Wild Forest, but Leesa had not, so I took her for a sampler today.  I took her around the west face and the open ridge that offers great views and is so open take it cannot hardly be considered a bushwhack.

I've written about this area before so I'll just show a pictorial view of our morning jaunt.  It turned out to be a blue sky morning with temperatures reaching the mid-40's before noon.  

Long Island

Leesa was quite pleased with the route I took her on.  She's willing to come back.  That's a good sign...   

Spruce Mountain (1782') - Lake George Wild Forest - 1/18/16

As most people know, Lake George is blessed with amazing beauty; both from the water and from the surrounding mountains.  Many of the mountains offer vistas that just can't be beat.  Today, Leesa and I found another one of those today - Spruce Mountain.

We almost postponed this trip because the forecast was for cloudy skies, and we wanted to do this trip on a good visibility day, but we were in the area and I figured we would come back if the visibility was lacking.  As it turns it, We'll be coming back anyway because it is a tremendously beautiful peak.   We had luck on our side today as we had bluebird skies for some of the day. 

From Route 22, head north past the road to Huletts Landing... the next road on the left is North Road. Turn onto North Road and follow it to the T in the road.  Turn right and follow it past Military Road a short distance to the end of the plowed portion of the road.  There is parking space for a couple cars.  

We started following the unplowed portion of the road.  There are posted signs on either side of the road.          

The start of the unplowed portion of the road.

After walking for just a couple minutes, there is a sign on the right hand side of the road where a orange disc trail begins.  It is private land, but the property owner has graciously allowed hikers to used the trail as long as they stay on the trail.  How awesome!

  

Thank you! 

The orange discs turned to rock cairns.  In the snow they became somewhat had to follow, but all you need to know is that the trail follows the west edge of the ridge and it straddles the state land boundary.  Up on the ridge there are white paint blazes the remainder of the way.

Climbing the west face of the ridge.

There is also nice signage, similar to the SOA trails in the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness in Lake Placid.

Views come early and often on this hike.  On this day, we were getting slammed with 35 mph winds that were pretty continuous, but it was worth braving the wind to stand on the various viewpoints and take pictures.     

Wow, look at that view!  Black Mountain on the left, Huletts Landing down below.

Agnes Island, center right.  Harbor Island and Vicars Island center left.

Rev wasn't fast enough for a ground squirrel...

Just another fantastic viewpoint

Sabbath Day POint and Deer Leamp on the far side of the lake, center.

The trail is rugged in spots.  Between the false summit and the true summit, the white paint blaze trail dives down to the left to avoid a steep rock face.  On the return, we followed the white paint blazes back on the ridge before taking a yellow disc trail that made its way down through a boulder field back to North Road.

Rev looking at parts of the airway beacon on the summit.

The summit, and more beacon parts.

The base of the former airway beacon. 

This was steeper than it looks in the picture.

These blazes are similar to those on the long trail in Vermont.

Leesa coming down the ridge.

On the yellow trail.

Looking back up the yellow trail.

Last open view on the way down.

Almost back.

We'll be back to do this route again in the summer or the fall.  This is another gem on the Lake George coastline.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  4.5 miles

Hike Time:  3.25 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  ~1500'

The route

The route on the Nat Geo map.  (Cross Road is actually signed as North Road)