Wolf Pond - Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest - 4/2/17

A new trail had been in the works to Wolf Pond for many years.  I had taken a first look in September 2015 and it was 3/4 done at that time.  Additionally, a lean-to location had tentatively been selected on the east side of the pond and the site had been marked and cleared.

I went back in November 2016, only to find that no additional progress had been made.  Recently, friends had announced that the trail was now fully cleared and the lean-to was complete.  Lees, Rev and I paid a visit this afternoon.

We trailhead is at the large parking area where Blue Ridge Road (Boreas Road) crosses the Boreas River.  A bridge has been constructed at the start of the trail to secure the first water crossing.

  

Rev on bridge number 1.

Look at the snow depth on the bridge.

The trail doesn't follow the stream, but rather it winds through some pretty sections of pine forest, swinging back to the water only once. 

A small second bridge.

Still plenty of ice. 

When we reached the spot where the trail clearing had stopped in 2015, we noticed that the newly completed portion deviated from what had been flagged earlier.  I was wondering what the reasoning was, but it became apparent soon enough.  The lean-to location had been changed.  Rather than place the lean-to on the east side of the pond, it was constructed on the southwest corner.  This eliminated one additional stream bridge and it situated the lean-to further from a piece of private property.  these were my observations, but I don't know why the location was changed.

  

A box toilet.

The new lean-to

The lean-to construction was very well done and the structure should last for many years.  Wolf Pond is visible from the lean-to, but the lean-to is set back from the water's edge, as is current practice,

Wolf Pond

The Wolf Pond outlet.

The best views are from the southeast corner of the pond.  You have to rock hop across the outlet to get to the best viewpoint.  Here you will find wonderful views of the great range, similar to what can be seen from Boreas Ponds. 

A portion of the great range is visible in the background.

A zoom view.

A front view.

On this day it was 50 degrees, yet the snowpack was still quite deep.  The trail had been broken out last weekend and we only had to pack down the latest 4inches of snow.  It was warm enough that the snow didn't stick to our snowshoes.

The trail is still flagged with pink and yellow ribbons, but no trail discs have been placed yet.  The new lean-to will surely be a popular destination, but we didn't see anyone on this day.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  5 miles roundtrip

Hike Time:  3 hours, including stops

Total Vertical Gain:  ~400'

  

This is the route of what will soon be a marked trail.

Moxham Mountain - Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest - 8/14/16

I've been quite busy with house projects lately and haven't ventured outside the Lake George Wild Forest since the 4th of July!  Today I took a few hours to revisit Moxham Mountain.  I hadn't been there since August 2012 when the trail was first opened to the public.

When I was there last, there was no signage and the pink flagging was still on the trees marking the route.  This time a sign was present along with a parking and trail sign.  Note:  The  sign says it is 2.0 miles to the summit.  It is actually 2.6 miles.  That could make a difference in your plans if you are hiking with young children.

Roadside sign

Trail and parking signs

I drove through a rain shower just minutes before I started hiking and I expected more rain to fall while I was hiking.  Yesterday I got caught in quite a heavy downpour on Pilot Knob Mountain in Lake George.

One nice thing about this trail is that is doesn't have any steep sections; it is moderately steep at best and it has a couple short downhill sections.  Another nice feature is that it offers a few views along the way, including one nice view of the summit.   

I got to within 10 minutes of the summit before the rain resumed; fortunately it stayed on the light side and while I was under tree cover I stayed relatively dry.

Rain clouds coming in.

A nice view of the summit.

Rev on the summit.

On the summit are several USGS marker along with bolts from an old survey station.

The rain stopped soon after I left the summit and the sun actually made an appearance for a little while on the way down.  

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  5.2 miles

HIke Time:  2 hours,  10 minutes

Total Vertical Gain:  ~ 1000'   

The trail

Lost Pond Mountain (2171') - Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest - 1/3/16

This is not Lost Pond Peak in the High Peaks Wilderness, but rather Lost Pond Mountain in the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest.  I noticed on the new ADK Northville/Raquette Lake Map 744, that there was a new trail new that wasn't on the previous map.  The trail is on the west side of Route 28N directly across the street from the trail to Stony Pond.

Parking is on the east side of the street.  We parked and found found the trail heading West.  It is marked as a snowmobile trail.  Don't worry though, it you are a hiker.  There are lots of trees down across the trail, so snowmobiles would find it impossible to use this trail.

One of 3 nice snowmobile bridges on the eastern half of the trail.

We only had a little time to spare so we follow the trail about halfway, which took us to the base of a small mountain called Lost Pond Mountain (2171').  We left the trail and took a very short 10 minute bushwhack to reach the summit.  There were no views, but it was a quiet day in the woods with light snow coming down and it felt very peaceful.   

A snow covered beaver pond.

We continued over the summit and went down the other side before reconnecting with the trail and looping back around to follow our tracks back out.

Approaching another bridge.

We didn't have time to hike the trail all the way through to the Northwoods Club Road, so next time we'll come in from the other direction and hike the western half of the trail.

Several beaver dams in this area.

Hike Stats;

Hike Distance:  3.5 miles

Hike Time:  2.3 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  ~500'

The route.  (Click image to enlarge)

The route on the Nat Geo map.

Ledge Hill - Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest - 12/6/15

I wasn't in the mood for driving today so I headed for a superb local peak in Schroon Lake - Ledge Hill (2003').  The hill lies in the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest and the summit offers excellent views of Schroon Lake on a clear day.  Ledge Hill is on the West side of the lake and is easily seen from I87, the Adirondack Northway.

While the peak is very close to Exit 27 off I87, there is no public access from the East.  Access can be had from the NW by parking near Merrills Hill and bushwhacking SE.  My map at the end of this post shows the route.  The route is mostly a bushwhack and is close to 10 miles round trip, but Ledge Hill is worth the effort.  This hills could qualify as someone's secret stash, it is that nice, expecially on a warm sunny day in December that felt like an October day.

I parked at the end of Wamsley Road and started by hiking on the old Charlie Hollow road before turning right into the woods.  The first part of the bushwhack is downhill, and you have to find a place to cross Alder Brook.  I usually use the same place each time because I know where it is.

Once across, you can head towards Ledge Hill, which I did, or you can climb Pine Hill which is another nice peak.  I simply countoured east near the base of Pine Hill and kept going until I got NE of Ledge Hill where the grade was more aggreeable for an ascent.  

I climbed a small gully with a small drainage until I was high in the gully and made my way to the ridgeline.  This summit ridge is aptly named.  There is almost continuous ledge rock for long expanses of the ridge.  The southern half of the ridge is privately owned but there are no posted signs.  The best part of the ridge is the northern half anyways. 

  Below is my photo journal which shows that pictures are worth a thousand words.  This hill, while small, is worth the trip.  Plan an all day hike since it is 10 miles round trip.  The woods are open, but bushwhacking is never as fast as trail walking.  

  

Viola!  Schroon Lake.

What a nice view from the northern end of Ledge Hill.  The high point in the center right is Pharaoh Mountain.

Marsh Pond below.  Hoffman Mountain in the center right.

Ledge Hill is full of ledge rock. 

Nice undercast to the East.

Looking West to Pine Hill.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  9.8 miles

Hike Time:  6.5 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  ~2400'

The route