Pictures from a fall flight to Lake Placid
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Saturday, November 9, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Nye and Street Mountains
It has been almost 2 months since I hiked Mt Colvin and Blake Mt. Back then, only a few weeks after straining my knee I though I was well enough for a hike, but I was wrong and could barely walk the following day.
It has taken all that time for my knee to feel good enough for some hiking in the hills. For most of this time I experienced discomfort walking. Just keeping my foot on the gas pedal while driving was barely tolerable. Even when sleeping if I moved the wrong way I would wake from the pain.
About the time I was supposed to contact my Dr for an MRI if there was no improvement, it began to feel better.
An wonderful stretch of good weather has been with us from mid September through the end of the month. With sunny skies and mild day and night temperatures I felt this might be the perfect opportunity to get in another hike.
Wanting to be cautious with my knee I picked a fairly easy hike up Nye and Street.
It has taken all that time for my knee to feel good enough for some hiking in the hills. For most of this time I experienced discomfort walking. Just keeping my foot on the gas pedal while driving was barely tolerable. Even when sleeping if I moved the wrong way I would wake from the pain.
About the time I was supposed to contact my Dr for an MRI if there was no improvement, it began to feel better.
An wonderful stretch of good weather has been with us from mid September through the end of the month. With sunny skies and mild day and night temperatures I felt this might be the perfect opportunity to get in another hike.
Wanting to be cautious with my knee I picked a fairly easy hike up Nye and Street.
Morning on Heart Lake
Just a hint of fog over the water on Heart Lake.
The unmaintained trail from the ADK Lodge to Indian Pass Brook was an easy walk. One thing I had not thought of was the difficulty of following little used trails in the fall with leaves covering the forest floor. But if you pay attention there are enough clues when looking down the path. Boulders with no moss on top, only brown tint from muddy footfalls. Scratches from walking poles. Mud in wet areas churned up with foot prints making the carpet of leaves uneven. Of course if you go off track, low growth and fallen trees stop you in fairly short order.
If you are familiar with this tree, then you know I am on the wrong side of the brook!
Follow that trail till you end up a Indian Pass Brook. Cross the brook and pick up the new trail in the other side.
As the brook came into view, all my attention was concentrated on looking for interesting photos and a path across. Standing on the edge I could see a trail on the other side. What I didn't notice is that about 10 feet behind me the "real" trail turned downstream to cross a few hundred feet further on.
After carefully studying the available boulders, I chose a path across and headed up a significantly lesser trail on the opposite side of the brook. I didn't get far. The trail died out within 100 feet at a fire pit and beyond that the brook and hillside came together with no path through. Realizing this wasn't right i backtracked only to find that the path back across the brook didn't work as well the other way!
After crossing, I followed the trail until it let out at the edge of the brook with a cairn on each side marking the correct point to cross. Much easier, though I would like to see this after a heavy shower! Only a short distance away was another cairn marking the point at which the trail turns uphill and follows a small stream.
The trail was listed as 'unmaintained', though in this shot you can see blowdown has been visited by a chainsaw. There were quite a few trees down across the path that required a little effort to climb over or bend down and squeeze under.
Arriving at the col between Nye and Street a tree had directions carved into it.
Nye was only a short walk away and I went there first.
Lichen along the trail. Someday I would like to head up one of these mountains with my macro lens and ring flash.
The path up Street Mt
Looking west from Street
Duo Discus climbing in a thermal
Though the day I could hear but not see the towplane climbing out of Lake Placid. A couple times I caught a glimpse of a glider climbing in a thermal under a cloud or crossing the blue towards the next one. This time of year a couple Canadian clubs visit Placid looking for the wave that forms downwind of mountains when the winds blow in the correct way. Flights of 25,000 feet in the wave are possible requiring oxygen and a few layers of warm clothes for the thin and very cold air at those altitudes.
One of the few views from this climb gave me a brief look towards the town of Lake Placid
The forest seemed to glow from the yellow and red leaves
Steading my camera on a log I was able to take this 2.5 second exposure of leaves swirling in a small plunge pool along the trail.
I took a moment to worship the Trail God and rubbed his head for good luck.
It must work because I made it down safely...
Though I could hear things in the woods all day, this toad was the only one I saw.
Back down to Heart Lake with about an hour of daylight to spare.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Mt Colvin and Blake Mt
(Written Oct 6)
It has been 3 weeks since I injured my knee. The day it happened I barely took notice of the event. I was pushing and turning my plane back into a parking spot at a fly-in with my EAA chapter. As the plane was almost where I wanted it there was a slight pulling feeling in my right knee. Since it was only another few inches I just ignored it and finished the task and forgot about it.
The next day I was hurting. Standing, which I do for 8 hours at my Postal job was okay, but sitting was painful. Walking caused enough discomfort that I almost completely stopped taking my daily walks trying to give it time to heal.
I began feeling better and was only experiencing slight discomfort. Maybe getting out and doing some hiking would loosen things up...
So, off I go heading for Colvin and Blake. I take my time and walk carefully, avoiding any situations where my knee would experience any twisting pressures. At every obstacle, or point where I had to maneuver, I proceeded with slow and deliberate movements. I could feel my knee but thought I was doing just fine.
It has been 3 weeks since I injured my knee. The day it happened I barely took notice of the event. I was pushing and turning my plane back into a parking spot at a fly-in with my EAA chapter. As the plane was almost where I wanted it there was a slight pulling feeling in my right knee. Since it was only another few inches I just ignored it and finished the task and forgot about it.
The next day I was hurting. Standing, which I do for 8 hours at my Postal job was okay, but sitting was painful. Walking caused enough discomfort that I almost completely stopped taking my daily walks trying to give it time to heal.
I began feeling better and was only experiencing slight discomfort. Maybe getting out and doing some hiking would loosen things up...
So, off I go heading for Colvin and Blake. I take my time and walk carefully, avoiding any situations where my knee would experience any twisting pressures. At every obstacle, or point where I had to maneuver, I proceeded with slow and deliberate movements. I could feel my knee but thought I was doing just fine.
A couple miles up Lake Rd the trail turns up and follows Gill Brook. This creek could be a destination of its own. There are many small falls over interesting rocks and plunge pools that reflect the green of trees or blue skies.
I liked the converging lines in this shot. Tree branches, the rocks and water all leading into the center of the frame.
I may be wrong on this but I think this is the Flume. Standing on a rock in the middle of the stream I zoomed in to crop out everything but the water and the gorge walls to give the feeling of looking into a cave.
Leaving the stream bed the trail turns up between these trees. The roots appear to be drawing me into some sort of trap where the trees will reach out and capture me as in a sci-fi movie
Further up the trail the walk turns steeper up the side of Mt Colvin. At one point the trail was steep enough that I didn't feel comfortable going straight up the rocks and instead followed another path that avoided the most difficult section.
Just a little too steep for me with camera in hand
Though I've encountered difficult sections in past hikes they usually only require a quick plan, a deep breath and then continue on. Barely 15 feet from the top of Colvin I come to a point that brought me to a complete halt. A section of rock about 7 feet in height that is almost vertical. Someone has leaned a dead pine against it as a ladder to assist in the climb. Too tippy for me to comfortably use. However there is a rock wall just to the right with several small hand and foot holds. I try several times to get myself up to where I can reach a hand hold on top but can't quite do it. It is starting to seem that my 46er adventures are going to end right here! I can hear voices and leaning back I can see the shoulders and arms of people just above me on the summit. A father and 2 kids. I have to do this! A few more tries to work out the hand and footwork and I pull myself up onto the rock. It really wasn't that bad, only in my head it was.
Me atop Mt Colvin
Looking NE from the summit of Mt Colvin. Lower Ausable Lake below. Giant is in the far right. My hike started in the distant valley below at the white dot between the branches of the pine tree.
The Great Range from Mt Colvin
Blake Mt in on the left with Upper Ausable lake below looking SW from near the summit of Colvin
Purple mushroom
Ladder between Mt Colvin and Blake Mt
View from Blake
Walking back along Lake Rd I was passed by several emergency vehicles heading up the road. I checked a couple time online over the next few days but was unable to find out what had happened.
The following day when I woke I was barely able to walk. My knee was really stiff and sore. Driving home it hurt to touch the gas pedal in my car. Thank God for cruise control! This continued for most of the rest of the summer. It won't be until early October until I feel ready for another hike.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Tabletop Mountain - 06/23/2013
The weather this spring has been, difficult to say the least.
Winter was slow in leaving, and spring mostly cool and wet. Summer has arrived and continued this pattern. With high pressure in the west the eastern part of the country usually with be under under a low pressure trough. This has kept us under a cover of clouds with cooler temperatures and frequent rainy days. Though there have been some hot weather temperatures were a few degrees below average in May and almost 7 degrees cooler than the pervious year.
Though it is still a little early in the season, I've been very anxious to begin hiking this year. It is already July as I write this and I still carry around winter weight. Things have been busy and daily walks keep getting missed. The weather only adds to this.
In the week ahead of my hike, what started out as a good forecast for the weekend began to head downhill. By Saturday morning the probability of precipitation for the duration of my trip ranged from 30% - 50%.
I could sit at home all weekend and then find it didn't end up as bad as forecast or I could just go and hope for the best.
It was a holiday weekend for our neighbors to the north, so there would be no sites available at the KOA in Wilmington. There were however about a dozen spots left at the state park campground Wilmington Notch. Arriving late afternoon under partly cloudy skies I chose a spot and set up camp. It was hot and humid with many mosquitoes and black flies so I was glad I didn't plan on cooking and headed into town for some pizza.
During the night it poured and I found the tent doesn't stand up too badly with persistent heavy rain. Only a few drops onto my sleeping bag and this dried up the next day. But between the sound of rain and cars on the nearby road I didn't sleep too well and probably only got about 2-1/2 hours of sleep before getting up at first light. My first thought was to cancel the hike, but then figured I might as well go check things out. I was tired, but otherwise feeling pretty good.
Driving down Adirondack Lodge Rd I could see what the weather was going to look like for almost all of the day. Fog and low clouds.
Not too many cars at the ADK Lodge when I arrived about 5:30. After quickly wolfing down a cinnamon bun I was on the trail by 6:00. Researching this hike, one of the sources used was www.adirondack.net and it listed 13 hours to complete the hike. I walk at a reasonable pace but stop frequently for photos so I expected it to take most of the 13 hours. It didn't and I was back down before 3:00
It is early afternoon and I am on the way down passing people headed up to Marcy. A couple women separated from the rest of the group are walking up the trail only carrying a bottle of water each. It is over 80 degrees. A short while after leaving them I think that can't be enough water and wish I had offered my two bottles of water I kept as reserve in case my camelback wasn't enough. Then I pass a family headed up the trail. The father is trying to encourage a small girl who is crying while on his back is a baby. What are these people thinking? It is hot and humid in the afternoon and black flies are frequently after me. This can't be fun for the little ones...
Shortly after passing these people and still 30 minutes from the ADK Lodge I hear thunder. The sound seems to travel across the sky and circle off to the west. It was in the forecast and with the heat and moisture I was surprised it held off this long. As raindrops begin to fall I release my raincoat from the bottom of my pack, stow my camera and continue on.
Off the trail and into my car the skies let loose. It pours. Driving away with the cooling A/C blowing on me I worry about those still on the trail. Check the weather! Afternoon thunderstorms were in the forecast. Use common sense too. Look at the skies!
Winter was slow in leaving, and spring mostly cool and wet. Summer has arrived and continued this pattern. With high pressure in the west the eastern part of the country usually with be under under a low pressure trough. This has kept us under a cover of clouds with cooler temperatures and frequent rainy days. Though there have been some hot weather temperatures were a few degrees below average in May and almost 7 degrees cooler than the pervious year.
Though it is still a little early in the season, I've been very anxious to begin hiking this year. It is already July as I write this and I still carry around winter weight. Things have been busy and daily walks keep getting missed. The weather only adds to this.
In the week ahead of my hike, what started out as a good forecast for the weekend began to head downhill. By Saturday morning the probability of precipitation for the duration of my trip ranged from 30% - 50%.
I could sit at home all weekend and then find it didn't end up as bad as forecast or I could just go and hope for the best.
It was a holiday weekend for our neighbors to the north, so there would be no sites available at the KOA in Wilmington. There were however about a dozen spots left at the state park campground Wilmington Notch. Arriving late afternoon under partly cloudy skies I chose a spot and set up camp. It was hot and humid with many mosquitoes and black flies so I was glad I didn't plan on cooking and headed into town for some pizza.
During the night it poured and I found the tent doesn't stand up too badly with persistent heavy rain. Only a few drops onto my sleeping bag and this dried up the next day. But between the sound of rain and cars on the nearby road I didn't sleep too well and probably only got about 2-1/2 hours of sleep before getting up at first light. My first thought was to cancel the hike, but then figured I might as well go check things out. I was tired, but otherwise feeling pretty good.
Driving down Adirondack Lodge Rd I could see what the weather was going to look like for almost all of the day. Fog and low clouds.
Not too many cars at the ADK Lodge when I arrived about 5:30. After quickly wolfing down a cinnamon bun I was on the trail by 6:00. Researching this hike, one of the sources used was www.adirondack.net and it listed 13 hours to complete the hike. I walk at a reasonable pace but stop frequently for photos so I expected it to take most of the 13 hours. It didn't and I was back down before 3:00
With heavy rain overnight I was worried much of the trail would look like this!
Pine trees lining the trail on the way to Marcy Dam
Walkway through a soft moist area
Bridge out since Irene.
Almost empty with the contents now in the Atlantic Ocean.
After a moment of panic I see the sign for an alternate crossing a few hundred feet downstream.
Warm and steamy all the way up.
Pink Slipper
The trail up Tabletop
A couple other hikers passed me just before the summit and we exchanged cameras for pictures.
View from the top. I waited and waited for a break in the clouds which never came.
An Eastern Red Spotted Newt
Building material for the dam
Washed out.
It is early afternoon and I am on the way down passing people headed up to Marcy. A couple women separated from the rest of the group are walking up the trail only carrying a bottle of water each. It is over 80 degrees. A short while after leaving them I think that can't be enough water and wish I had offered my two bottles of water I kept as reserve in case my camelback wasn't enough. Then I pass a family headed up the trail. The father is trying to encourage a small girl who is crying while on his back is a baby. What are these people thinking? It is hot and humid in the afternoon and black flies are frequently after me. This can't be fun for the little ones...
Shortly after passing these people and still 30 minutes from the ADK Lodge I hear thunder. The sound seems to travel across the sky and circle off to the west. It was in the forecast and with the heat and moisture I was surprised it held off this long. As raindrops begin to fall I release my raincoat from the bottom of my pack, stow my camera and continue on.
Off the trail and into my car the skies let loose. It pours. Driving away with the cooling A/C blowing on me I worry about those still on the trail. Check the weather! Afternoon thunderstorms were in the forecast. Use common sense too. Look at the skies!
Cumulonimbus clouds over the hills as I leave the area.
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