A couple weeks back I flew into Lake Placid with a friend to visit with a Canadian Soaring Club that visits each year in Oct. They come looking to soar in the wave that forms downwind of the mountains. When conditions are right, the wave will extend to over 20,000'. On such days it is quite bumpy down low but becomes smooth as glass once connected with the wave. Oxygen and many layers of clothes are needed in the thin and very cold air aloft.
No wind and wave this day, but good soaring in the thermals up to about 8,000.
http://soarcny.blogspot.com/2012/10/flight-to-lake-placid-ny.html
Friday, October 26, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Lower Wolfjaw 09-16-2012
Writing this three weeks after the hike, it appears that Lower Wolfjaw was my last mountain for the year. There may be a warm spell ahead this fall, but otherwise Fall and much cooler, wetter weather has arrived with October. This morning as the sun rises the temperature here in the low lands of Central New York is in the just above 40. This weeks' forecast calls for a mix of sun and clouds, some showers and even the possibility of nighttime snow.
Fall is my favorite time for hiking. This summer was one of the warmest on record and made for some uncomfortable, sweaty times on the trail. Even into the evenings, the air temperature remained warm enough that a fire wasn't needed or even wanted. The arrival of cooler weather is such a relief. With a couple freezing nights the mosquitoes are no longer a problem around the campsite in the evening. I was able to relax around the fire and enjoy some popcorn in a campground with no bugs and very few other campers too.
I knew ahead of time that there would be few views from the hike up or the summit of Lower Wolfjaw. It has a forested summit with only one limited view looking from to the W through N. There is a nice rock to sit on but during my time at the top it was occupied by a couple hikers eating lunch. I suspect there might have been views in other directions by leaving the trail, but I always try hard not to trample the delicate vegetation.
For the most part, trails in the High Peaks are rocky or muddy and have many tree roots all which force me to keep my attention directed downward as I plan the next couple footsteps. This is fine with me because there is so much that is interesting there. Flowering plants, mushroom and lichen, many very different than what I see in the lowlands.
The low temperature this morning was 30. It was comfortable through the night with a blanket atop my sleeping bag. Taking my time getting out of the bag in the morning I then quickly dressed, brushed my teeth and hopped in the car. Coffee at a Mobile - On the Go gas station in the Village of Keene, to go with a cinnamon bun for breakfast at the St Hubert parking area.
It was still a little cool as I left the car just after 9:00 am. The skies were clear except for a few cap clouds on the mountains. After a mile or so on the gravel Lake Road I reach the Lower Wolfjaw trailhead and cross Gill Brook followed by the East Branch of the Ausable River. From here it is about another mile on the East River Trail along base of LWJ before crossing a small bridge over Wedge Brook. On the other side is the junction of the trail to LWJ and UWJ
By 12:45 I have reached the junction in the col. Turning right I head towards Lower Wolfjaw walking along the southeast face of the hill. At times Giant, Upper Wolfjaw, Armstrong and Gothics are visible through the trees but never enough for a good picture.
Fall is my favorite time for hiking. This summer was one of the warmest on record and made for some uncomfortable, sweaty times on the trail. Even into the evenings, the air temperature remained warm enough that a fire wasn't needed or even wanted. The arrival of cooler weather is such a relief. With a couple freezing nights the mosquitoes are no longer a problem around the campsite in the evening. I was able to relax around the fire and enjoy some popcorn in a campground with no bugs and very few other campers too.
I knew ahead of time that there would be few views from the hike up or the summit of Lower Wolfjaw. It has a forested summit with only one limited view looking from to the W through N. There is a nice rock to sit on but during my time at the top it was occupied by a couple hikers eating lunch. I suspect there might have been views in other directions by leaving the trail, but I always try hard not to trample the delicate vegetation.
For the most part, trails in the High Peaks are rocky or muddy and have many tree roots all which force me to keep my attention directed downward as I plan the next couple footsteps. This is fine with me because there is so much that is interesting there. Flowering plants, mushroom and lichen, many very different than what I see in the lowlands.
The low temperature this morning was 30. It was comfortable through the night with a blanket atop my sleeping bag. Taking my time getting out of the bag in the morning I then quickly dressed, brushed my teeth and hopped in the car. Coffee at a Mobile - On the Go gas station in the Village of Keene, to go with a cinnamon bun for breakfast at the St Hubert parking area.
It was still a little cool as I left the car just after 9:00 am. The skies were clear except for a few cap clouds on the mountains. After a mile or so on the gravel Lake Road I reach the Lower Wolfjaw trailhead and cross Gill Brook followed by the East Branch of the Ausable River. From here it is about another mile on the East River Trail along base of LWJ before crossing a small bridge over Wedge Brook. On the other side is the junction of the trail to LWJ and UWJ
Bridge crossing Wedge Brook
Falls 200 yards above the bridge
Beyond the bridge the trail turns straight up the hill towards the col between Upper and Lower Wolfjaw. Walking is still fairly easy for 2/3 of this trail, then it turns up quite steeply. Nothing difficult on the way to the col as there are plenty of roots to grab and footholds to walk up. Visible to the right are cliffs below the summit of Lower Wolfjaw.
By 12:45 I have reached the junction in the col. Turning right I head towards Lower Wolfjaw walking along the southeast face of the hill. At times Giant, Upper Wolfjaw, Armstrong and Gothics are visible through the trees but never enough for a good picture.
I reach the summit about 1:30. This is the best view of the day looking SW towards Marcy. I spend a little time resting then head back down at 1:50.
What I'll remember most from this hike will be the interesting life along the forest floor. I've tried to identify some of these. If wrong or you know the names of those without, let me know.
Bearded Tooth
Fringed Wrinkle Lichen
Gem-studded Puffball
Green Reindeer Lichen
Lipstick Powderhorn
Orange Polypore
Tinder Polypore
Usnea Lichen
Wolfs-milk Slime
Heading down I made good time and by 3:30 back to the bridge over Wedge Brook, 3:50 at Lake Road, and back to the car at 5:00.
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