Black Mountain, Middle Mountain and Fox Hill - Hudson Gorge Primitive Area - 11/13/16

Today I was an accomplice to Spencer as he continues his trek to climb every named peak in the Adirondack Park.  Six of us set out on a traverse in the Hudson River Gorge Primitive Area to hike Black Mountain, Middle Mountain and Fox Hill before crossing the old railroad trestle over the Hudson River and finishing our hike on the Northwoods Club Road.

It was a beautiful day to be out and we took full advantage of the day.  The route turned out to be a good one.  We found several viewpoints on Black Mountain and a fine one at the end of the day on Fox Hill.  Middle Mountain didn't turn up any views for us, but it counted as a peak.  

The southern ridge on Black Mountain

Always first...

The prize view of the day... the mighty Hudson River from Fox Hill.

Rev's eyes are closing as we soak up the sun and view on Fox Hill.

Quick nap...

The group didn't want to leave this spot.

The Hudson River Crossing

She's heading home

Hike Stats:
Hike Distance:  7.1 miles
Total Vertical Gain:  ~1300'
Hike Time:  6 hours, 45 minutes, including multiple stops

Today's route... south to north

The Three Sisters - Warrensburg, NY - 4/3/16

Sunday was cold and windy everywhere with the wind chill factor probably near zero.  It felt like it each time I was on a summit.  I ventured over to Warrensburg to tackle the Three Sisters.  I drove past Hickory Mountain Ski Area, at which point the road turns to gravel (and becomes Katts Corner Road).  The road only continues for a quarter mile before dead-ending at a small turn around area in front of a gate from which you can access this area.  I parked out of the way and set off south down the trail that hugs the Hudson River. 

After less than a mile I passed an abandoned fallen down shed on the right.  At 1.1 miles, I turned left to follow an old woods road that takes you into the pass between Middle Mountain and Bald Mountain.  You get great views of the cliffs on the south face of Middle Mountain from this woods road.  Dropping down into the valley between Middle and Pine the woods road starts to branch in separate directions and I chose to just walk through the woods at this point.

I passed an old abandoned house that looked like it might have been a nice house in its day.  It climbed Pine Mountain on a steep slope with lots of cobble stone.  I picked my way slowly to the summit.  The SW corner is where the views are and a little cairn has been built on top of an old wood stove.

Looking towards Bald Mountain from Pine Mountain

Looking towards the summit of Pine Mountain

A zoom view of Middle Mountain from Pine Mountain

Bald Mountain from Pine Mountain 

I went back down looking for a better line down the mountain but I still found lots of loose stone.  I then picked up my tracks and went back over the col between Bald and Middle.  I circled around Middle until I reached the point on the SW face where I was past the line of cliffs.  I climbed a moderate grade through white pine and hemlock before reaching the summit of Middle Mountain which also had its best viewpoint on the SW ledges.  The true summit is in the trees.

Next I backtracked again to the col for the 3rd time.  From there it was just a gentle 0.6 miles ascent through mostly hardwoods to the summit of Bald Mountain, which was also hardwoods. 

An old waterwheel

A house lost in time.

Looking up at Middle Mountain from the south.

In the col between Middle and Bald.

State land property corner to the south of Middle Mountain

The SW ledge on Middle Mountain.

Bald Mountain from Middle Mountain.

I passed over the summit to the ledges on the SW side.  I found the bolt holes from an old survey station on a rock just above the ledges.

Below are a bunch of pictures from the ledges on Bald Mountain.  This was an awesome spot; unfortunately I was there in extreme winds and wind chill.  It was not a time to sit sunning on a rock. I'll come back here on a nice warm day and bring Leesa to show her the spot.   

Looking down from the lower ledge. 

 From Bald, it was back down to the col and back down the pleasant woods road to the jeep road by the river and out.  A nice hike would be just Bald Mountain via this route.  It would be perhaps 5 miles round trip.

 

The woods path between the river and the Middle/Bald col.  

The collapsed shed.

The 2nd gate from the parking spot.

The parking spot and 1st gate.

Hike Stats:
Hike Distance:  7.2 miles
Hike Time:  5 hours
Total Vertical Gain:  ~2500'

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)