Awesome weekend in the Dacks

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1ADAM12

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Home: Tioga PA Avatar: Cheez Whiz YUM!
Porter, Cascade, and Sawteeth
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June 3rd Seth, Dan, and myself set out for the Adirondacks. We arrived at Whispering Pines Campground around 1:00pm and set up camp. We then proceeded to Cascade and Porter and were on the trail by 2:30. This was soon going to be Dan's first 2 peaks. I had already climbed these two before but had no views.

When we started on the trail it was sunny and not a cloud in the sky. The trail is very dry until you reach the junction that splits the two trails to Porter and Cascade. We decided to hike Porter first and started our .7 mile hike over. This trail became very muddy at times and if you were to fall in would easily be over your boot.

Once on the ridge line you had some great views with storm clouds hovering overhead. The clouds were still high enough to allow some views. This was very rewarding for me since I had no views back in 2001. Once on the summit we enjoyed the views for about 30 minutes and started back to Cascade. The whole time on Porter we had the whole summit to ourselves :)

We then proceeded back the way we came and summited Cascade. The open face of Cascade was really cool to climb. Please note!!!!! Please be careful on the artic alpine vegetation. The summit of Cascade is getting pounded by hikers that will not stay on the open rock. There is plenty of room to move around the grasses and plants ;)

Once on the summit the three of us enjoyes the views and the solitude of nobody else there. This is very unusual for Cascade as it usually gets hundreds of hikers on a weekend. We never started till late in the day so most of the hikers were coming down as we were going up.

Not a black fly in sight either :D Only some mosquitos!

Porter and Cascade

June 4th we climbed Sawteeth via the Weld Trail. After hiking the uneventful Lake Road we arrived at the start of the Weld Trail. We then proceeded to the Ausable Dam and took some pictures across the lake over to Colvin. This day was better than the previous with no haze or clouds. After a few pictures we headed over to Rainbow Falls and this is a must see destination! Take the detour and hike the point few miles to this beautiful place. I think it took us 5 minutes to hike into the base of the falls.

After some picture taking we proceeded for Sawteeth. After a few hours of hiking we reached the summit of Sawteeth. We had great views of the Great Range and beyond. We contimplated heading over to Pyramid and Gothics but didnt think we had enough time. We got a late start and never reached the trailhead until 9am. I think it had something to do with the steaks and beers we had the night before :D

So we descended the Scenic trail and all I have to say is I am so glad I did not ascend this way. It is steep and rough going. There are sections with ladders where it is very steep. IMO it is definately better to descend the scenic trail. There are about four really nice look out ledges where you can see Colvin, Blake, Indian Head and Fish Hawk Cliffs, and the Ausable Lakes.

BE CAREFUL ON THE LEDGES as there are those red biting ants plastered all over the rick surfaces. Someone would have a very miserable hike with ants in their pants :D I think the last lookout you come to is the best one. If you were ascending the Scenic trail its the first lookout you come to.

It was pretty cool watching the canoes and small boats paddling around. I forgot to mention we also had the summit to ourselves on Sawteeth. PRETTY SWEET INDEED!!!!!!!! Once we arrived to Lake Road we were looking forward to the hike out on some non rooty and rocky surface. We started walking down the road and in about ten minutes a truck stopped and offered us a ride and we said HECK YEAH!!!!!!! This saved about an hour back to our truck. Thanks to Ed who gave us the ride.

I will post Sawteeth pics soon!!!!!!!

What a great weekend to be in the Dacks!
 
1ADAM12 said:
BE CAREFUL ON THE LEDGES as there are those red biting ants plastered all over the rick surfaces....What a great weekend to be in the Dacks!

Nice trip report. I've heard a lotta bad thigs about me, but that's the first I heard my surfaces are covered with red biting ants. :eek:
 
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