It was maybe the last sunny warm bug free day this spring. The trail was dry despite the recent wet weather, and in good shape except for some small trees and branches knocked down by the strong winds last week. Of all the high peaks, Cascade gives the hiker the biggest payoff in views and a big open rocky summit for the least investment of effort. Plus, it offers a variety of interesting bushwhack options; Walton Basin, the waterfall between the lakes, or either of the two ridges extending eastward from the summit, one aiming at Owls Head and the other one more northerly, toward Pitch-Off, which also has a small tarn nestled in it. And there is also an attractive hidden valley occupied by some large beaver ponds on a bushwhack route from the Porter Trail through Railroad Notch to the trailhead on the Lake Placid side. I've climbed it over 60 times and never tire of it.
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