ADK leaf peeping - Round 2 (much better)

A week made a big difference in the foliage. I got out for a couple of the best fall hikes I have had in a long while. Temperatures were cool but warm enough and skies were clear and sunny with clouds building in the afternoons.

• I went for a late afternoon stroll up to Big Crow. Cloud cover obscured the views but BC is always worth the effort even if the views aren't the best. The highlight of the hike was meeting a local celebrity who was out for his regular afternoon walk over Big and Little Crow (must be nice to have this loop as part of your back yard).
• On Wednesday I hiked Noonmark from the AMR property. Noonmark has everything that is great about Adirondack hikes: exceptional views (Great Range, Dix and Nippletop ranges as well as Giant and Rocky Peak ridge) and fun scrambles near the summit. This was probably the best of my many hikes up Noonmark.
• On Thursday I opted for an obvious fall hike, the Brothers. Usually one hikes the Brothers on the way to Big Slide. The many ledges on First and Second Brother are probably the best place to see fall foliage in the Adirondacks. I got as far as Second Brother before finding a comfortable spot to relax and enjoy the view. I thought about continuing on to Big Slide (most of the rest of the hike is in the woods) or staying put to enjoy the views. I opted to stay and my decision was confirmed slightly thereafter as I spotted a smiley-face cloud formation in the east over Hurricane mountain.

ADK Leaf Peeping

I spent Wednesday to Friday of last week leaf peeping in the Adirondacks. The beginning of the week had some light rain so the leaves were starting to come down but there was still plenty of color and views were as usual fairly awesome.

In no particular order, I visited the following "shorties":

• Owl's Head: The short trip up was worth it for the vibrant colors although the low cloud cover hid all the high peaks.
• Round mountain: Another great short hike with fine views, easier than it's nearest neighbor (Noonmark) with slightly better (just my opinion) views. Again, the low cloud cover messed with my view of the Dix range but no complaining here. I'll be back here soon, perhaps next winter.
• Big Crow: This one is a hidden gem that rivals Owl's Head for lowest effort vs excellant view. The effort is slightly more but the view is much wider in scope. Low clouds again on the higher peaks but the nearest ones (Big Slide, Porter, Cascade and Pitchoff) were clear under bright blue skies.
• Mt Jo: Jo was packed at the summit including two groups of school kids from Saranac Lake (I think). Colors were brilliant and skies were clear blue. The hikers ranged in age from 4 to close to 80 (if I am an accurate judge of age!). Have to wonder if the 4 year old will hike it when aged 80?
• Mt Gilligan: Yep, I had a familiar tune in my head as I began this hike. This one is also hidden (off route 9 just west of the New Russia trailhead to RPR and Giant) though I am not ready to label it a gem.

A nice way to spend a few fall days and a great place to do it!

Exploring "shorties" in Keene Valley



 

 

After the long weekend I returned to the adirondacks for more leaf peeping. There was a cold snap that caused a lot of the leaves around Lake Placid to drop but it was still fall in all it's glory as you headed down route 73 past Cascade to Keene valley. The Keene valley has several peaks that are not on the 46er list that have exceptional views for minimal effort. Often the best views are from lower peaks that are in amongst or looking up at bigger mountains. It snowed overnight while I was there which added to the leaf peeping experience by providing the contrast between the snow covered peak and the fall colors on the lower slopes.

Enjoy the leafy goodness!

• Owl's head (before snow)
• Mt Jo (sadly I missed the leaves on this one)
• Baxter mountain (this one is a new favorite)
• The Crows
• Owl's head (after snow)