Robert
New member
Weather, work and legs have a way of conspiring to shorten one’s plans. The original plan was for 2 nights on the ground and three enjoyable days of relatively leisurely trekking. I was to park at Ausable Road, get a ride to Elk Lake, and then trek one way via Blake-Colvin-Nippletop-Dial to my car. Here’s what really happened.
I have a strong preference for one-way treks. So, I plan this one accordingly. It requires a full pack, weighing in at around 30 pounds, and that supports my aim at “light”.
The sliding period is Fri-Sun or Sat-Mon, weather permitting. Friday is “iffy”, so I delay to Saturday. Friday afternoon I am notified that a long-pursued meeting with the COO of a major health insurer is next Tuesday! So, I decide on a 2-day shot at the whole trip. I get up at 2:30 am for the 4+ hour drive to Keene Valley. After breakfast at Noonmark Cafe, I meet Rick’s Taxi of Lake Placid for a car drop off at Ausable Lake Road, and the drive to and drop off at Elk Lake. We arrive to perfect weather! I’m off!!
Elk Lake is, in a word, beautiful! I have to bring my wife and stay at the lodge!! The trail up-down-up-down to the ATIS trail to Blake and Colvin is actually enjoyable. However the DEER FLIES aren’t!! I make the 5.0 miles in just over 2 hours. The original plan was to overnight at the falls campsite below Pinnacle. It’s a nice, secluded spot. I push on to Pinnacle. The trail off Pinnacle towards Blake appears to go in the wrong direction. According to the map, I should find a more or less beeline walk to Blake. I backtrack to ensure I haven’t missed the main trail. No such luck. The ATIS trail drops precipitously for more than 500 feet before connecting with the private trail up. I then reach one summit, but that’s not Blake. The view here to Elk Lake is very nice. Down and up, down and up. I’m never sure when I summit Blake, but I know I do.
Blake, I know a venture capitalist named Blake. Same bland personality!
Once again, the USGS map and the actual trail are very different. I find myself dropping way down the northern slope before reaching The Carrys trail junction. Then, it’s up and up and up toward Colvin. I reach another false summit and a sign that simply says “Colvin”. No kidding???
Nonetheless, there are two unexpected and delightful highlights. Within about 200 feet of Colvin’s summit, I run right up the tail of a very large porcupine going my way. This is the first porcupine I have ever seen, and he/she is a BIG ONE … more than half my size. After the initial surprise, I realize we’re trying to occupy the same space. I’m trying to make time now because it’s late, and the porcupine has no where to go and all day to get there!
Hey, speed it up, or move over, OK? Every time I open my camera, the motor noise stops it. While that makes for pictures, it slows me down. Nonetheless, common sense quickly overcomes frustration. The logical side of me concludes that trail possession is 9/10ths of the law … especially for porcupines!! So, I wait and prod patiently until he/she decides to step off the trail … and right at a large vertical rock which I must ascend to get past. Thanks a bunch! Hmmmph … who’s the smart one here?!?
The second unexpected surprise is the open shelf facing west off Colvin. I stop and have dinner here, enjoying the late afternoon sun and the spectacular view. Afterwards, I ascend to the true summit, the bolts embedded in the rocks, and the equally spectacular views of Lower Ausable Lake and beyond. The low sun and deep mountain shadows make for some memorable photos.
Alas, I can’t stay long, as the day has already been long and I have miles to go before I sleep.
Colvin, if I approach you a different way, would you be friendlier?
I reach the Lake Road-Elk Pass trail junction and a decision point. Do I go up to Elk Pass and the camp site, thus committing to Nippletop and Dial as the way out tomorrow, or do I continue down to Indian Head? My heart says go on. My legs say “No way!” My legs, the late hour and the apparently rough trail up to Elk Pass win. I head down to Indian Head and the designated camp sites for a much needed rest. On the way, I run out of water. It’s dark by the time I make the camp site. Being alone, I chose thirst over the risk of falling off some precipice in an attempt to reach the brook I can hear but not see. While I fret about waking up all night dying of thirst, I will myself to shut down until tomorrow morning. It wor … zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
The Gill Brook trail out the next morning is a treat, especially with a fresh water supply. The collection of rock shelves, water sluices, mini-falls and cold, crystal clear water make it the best brook trail I have walked so far. How nice would it be to jump into one of the many pools on a hot summer day? I make a mental note to return with my wife via the Ausable Club and Lake Road. On a sunny, cool-ish day, I think she would love this area.
Now for home. 29er I am.
I have a strong preference for one-way treks. So, I plan this one accordingly. It requires a full pack, weighing in at around 30 pounds, and that supports my aim at “light”.
The sliding period is Fri-Sun or Sat-Mon, weather permitting. Friday is “iffy”, so I delay to Saturday. Friday afternoon I am notified that a long-pursued meeting with the COO of a major health insurer is next Tuesday! So, I decide on a 2-day shot at the whole trip. I get up at 2:30 am for the 4+ hour drive to Keene Valley. After breakfast at Noonmark Cafe, I meet Rick’s Taxi of Lake Placid for a car drop off at Ausable Lake Road, and the drive to and drop off at Elk Lake. We arrive to perfect weather! I’m off!!
Elk Lake is, in a word, beautiful! I have to bring my wife and stay at the lodge!! The trail up-down-up-down to the ATIS trail to Blake and Colvin is actually enjoyable. However the DEER FLIES aren’t!! I make the 5.0 miles in just over 2 hours. The original plan was to overnight at the falls campsite below Pinnacle. It’s a nice, secluded spot. I push on to Pinnacle. The trail off Pinnacle towards Blake appears to go in the wrong direction. According to the map, I should find a more or less beeline walk to Blake. I backtrack to ensure I haven’t missed the main trail. No such luck. The ATIS trail drops precipitously for more than 500 feet before connecting with the private trail up. I then reach one summit, but that’s not Blake. The view here to Elk Lake is very nice. Down and up, down and up. I’m never sure when I summit Blake, but I know I do.
Blake, I know a venture capitalist named Blake. Same bland personality!
Once again, the USGS map and the actual trail are very different. I find myself dropping way down the northern slope before reaching The Carrys trail junction. Then, it’s up and up and up toward Colvin. I reach another false summit and a sign that simply says “Colvin”. No kidding???
Nonetheless, there are two unexpected and delightful highlights. Within about 200 feet of Colvin’s summit, I run right up the tail of a very large porcupine going my way. This is the first porcupine I have ever seen, and he/she is a BIG ONE … more than half my size. After the initial surprise, I realize we’re trying to occupy the same space. I’m trying to make time now because it’s late, and the porcupine has no where to go and all day to get there!
Hey, speed it up, or move over, OK? Every time I open my camera, the motor noise stops it. While that makes for pictures, it slows me down. Nonetheless, common sense quickly overcomes frustration. The logical side of me concludes that trail possession is 9/10ths of the law … especially for porcupines!! So, I wait and prod patiently until he/she decides to step off the trail … and right at a large vertical rock which I must ascend to get past. Thanks a bunch! Hmmmph … who’s the smart one here?!?
The second unexpected surprise is the open shelf facing west off Colvin. I stop and have dinner here, enjoying the late afternoon sun and the spectacular view. Afterwards, I ascend to the true summit, the bolts embedded in the rocks, and the equally spectacular views of Lower Ausable Lake and beyond. The low sun and deep mountain shadows make for some memorable photos.
Alas, I can’t stay long, as the day has already been long and I have miles to go before I sleep.
Colvin, if I approach you a different way, would you be friendlier?
I reach the Lake Road-Elk Pass trail junction and a decision point. Do I go up to Elk Pass and the camp site, thus committing to Nippletop and Dial as the way out tomorrow, or do I continue down to Indian Head? My heart says go on. My legs say “No way!” My legs, the late hour and the apparently rough trail up to Elk Pass win. I head down to Indian Head and the designated camp sites for a much needed rest. On the way, I run out of water. It’s dark by the time I make the camp site. Being alone, I chose thirst over the risk of falling off some precipice in an attempt to reach the brook I can hear but not see. While I fret about waking up all night dying of thirst, I will myself to shut down until tomorrow morning. It wor … zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
The Gill Brook trail out the next morning is a treat, especially with a fresh water supply. The collection of rock shelves, water sluices, mini-falls and cold, crystal clear water make it the best brook trail I have walked so far. How nice would it be to jump into one of the many pools on a hot summer day? I make a mental note to return with my wife via the Ausable Club and Lake Road. On a sunny, cool-ish day, I think she would love this area.
Now for home. 29er I am.
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