Tom Rankin
Well-known member
There are 2 meanings to this title.
1. The hike up Jay (ADKs) has amazing views, not just at the top, but in many places along the way.
2. This was the 360th peak Laurie and I have climbed together!
So it was appropriate that the hike have big time views. We started around 9:00 with a crew from the ADK BBQ. We had Peakbagger (the real one! ), bushwhacker (the real one! ), Snickers, Blue, Prino, ManBearPig and WomanBearPig, Laurie, and myself. We were met at the trail head by a very friendly young woman conducting a survey, about why we were there. For some odd reason, peakbagging was not on her list!
After the survey, we started up. The trail is not marked, but there is a registration box just a few feet from the cars. In spite of not having any little plastic markers, there were numerous cairns along the way, some small and a few quite large!
There are numerous up and downs to go over on this trail. We were in no hurry. We got strung out a few times, but we always re-grouped. Even the young, speedy BearPigs were always just a few turns around the corner, often soaking in the views.
The views just keep getting better and better as you go up. Some are of the mighty ADK High peaks off in the distance. Not to be outdone, the Vermont 4Ks could be seen far across Lake Champlain. Others view were of near by mountains, such as Hurricane, and the crows. Not the least of the views were the flowers, mushrooms, and whatnot that were growing along the way. We could also frequently see the yet to be climbed larger Jay peaks in front of us. Once in a while we could could see the ultimate destination at 3600', slowly getting closer. As a matter of fact, we stopped for a break on a rocky outcropping at 3250'. We could see the top, but it took us another hour to arrive at the summit, only 350' higher, but still obviously a long way away.
We reached the top after about 3 leisurely hours of hiking. The breeze was blowing and it was just a tad cool. It was mostly overcast, but the clouds were high up, allowing for views. Once in a while, we would get a glimpse of sunlight.
We hung out for about an hour, building cairns, making sure the next bump was not higher, and snacking. MPB pointed out the garnet that was everywhere. The more I looked for it, the more we found! Of course, we left it all there!
The hike back down was leisurely as well. Around 3:00, we met a group of 'kids' who were heading up. I asked them if they had 5 hours to spare, and they kind of said "WHAT?!". Honestly, I did not realize this hike was so long. I'm not really sure what the stats are (does anyone know?), but it is never steep for more than a few short pitches. You do need to be willing to scramble once or twice, and it helps to be able to follow the trail as it winds thru grass, rocks, and forest. But aside from Winter (when we did lose the trail earlier this year), the path is easy to follow.
We arrived back at the cars after 6.5 hours. We all regrouped at the ADK BBQ at Magic Pines. I'm sure more of that will be posted later. But let's just say that there was lots of good company, beer, food, fire and RAIN!
Pics:
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t1.jpg - Distant ADKs
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t2.jpg - Nearer Jay Range
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t3.jpg - We saw way too much of this!
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t4.jpg - Impressive Cairns (this one was about 5' high)
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t5.jpg - Rock Art
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t6.jpg - MPB hard at work
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t7.jpg - Garnet
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t8.jpg - Flowers were everywhere!
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t9.jpg - Fireweed
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t10.jpg - LARGE 'Shrooms (see the boots?)
1. The hike up Jay (ADKs) has amazing views, not just at the top, but in many places along the way.
2. This was the 360th peak Laurie and I have climbed together!
So it was appropriate that the hike have big time views. We started around 9:00 with a crew from the ADK BBQ. We had Peakbagger (the real one!
), bushwhacker (the real one! ), Snickers, Blue, Prino, ManBearPig and WomanBearPig, Laurie, and myself. We were met at the trail head by a very friendly young woman conducting a survey, about why we were there. For some odd reason, peakbagging was not on her list! After the survey, we started up. The trail is not marked, but there is a registration box just a few feet from the cars.
In spite of not having any little plastic markers, there were numerous cairns along the way, some small and a few quite large!There are numerous up and downs to go over on this trail. We were in no hurry. We got strung out a few times, but we always re-grouped. Even the young, speedy BearPigs were always just a few turns around the corner, often soaking in the views.
The views just keep getting better and better as you go up. Some are of the mighty ADK High peaks off in the distance. Not to be outdone, the Vermont 4Ks could be seen far across Lake Champlain. Others view were of near by mountains, such as Hurricane, and the crows. Not the least of the views were the flowers, mushrooms, and whatnot that were growing along the way. We could also frequently see the yet to be climbed larger Jay peaks in front of us. Once in a while we could could see the ultimate destination at 3600', slowly getting closer. As a matter of fact, we stopped for a break on a rocky outcropping at 3250'. We could see the top, but it took us another hour to arrive at the summit, only 350' higher, but still obviously a long way away.
We reached the top after about 3 leisurely hours of hiking. The breeze was blowing and it was just a tad cool. It was mostly overcast, but the clouds were high up, allowing for views. Once in a while, we would get a glimpse of sunlight.
We hung out for about an hour, building cairns, making sure the next bump was not higher, and snacking. MPB pointed out the garnet that was everywhere. The more I looked for it, the more we found! Of course, we left it all there!
The hike back down was leisurely as well. Around 3:00, we met a group of 'kids' who were heading up. I asked them if they had 5 hours to spare, and they kind of said "WHAT?!". Honestly, I did not realize this hike was so long. I'm not really sure what the stats are (does anyone know?), but it is never steep for more than a few short pitches. You do need to be willing to scramble once or twice, and it helps to be able to follow the trail as it winds thru grass, rocks, and forest. But aside from Winter (when we did lose the trail earlier this year), the path is easy to follow.
We arrived back at the cars after 6.5 hours. We all regrouped at the ADK BBQ at Magic Pines. I'm sure more of that will be posted later. But let's just say that there was lots of good company, beer, food, fire and RAIN!
Pics:
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t1.jpg - Distant ADKs
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t2.jpg - Nearer Jay Range
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t3.jpg - We saw way too much of this!
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t4.jpg - Impressive Cairns (this one was about 5' high)
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t5.jpg - Rock Art
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t6.jpg - MPB hard at work
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t7.jpg - Garnet
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t8.jpg - Flowers were everywhere!
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t9.jpg - Fireweed
http://viewsandbrews.com/temp/t10.jpg - LARGE 'Shrooms (see the boots?)
