Cliff from the Flowed Lands

[mdavis]

Was just wondering if someone had some general directions on doing Cliff from the flowed lands. I heard it was a great way of getting up there.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Peakbagr]

Take a look here. Black Spruce knows what she's talking about.

http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=25823&highlight=Cliff+Flowed+Lands

 

[mdavis]

Need more info

OK so it sounds like you can follow a trail to near Livingston Pond area and then just hop up the ridgeline to Cliff summit right?
Thanks
Mike

 

[skidoc22]

Winter Route

OK so it sounds like you can follow a trail to near Livingston Pond area and then just hop up the ridgeline to Cliff summit right?
Thanks
Mike

Coming from the Calamity Brook trail you can go straight out onto the ice of Flowed Lands and skirt Livingston Point. The drainage from Cliff will be almost directly ahead. Stay to the right of the drainage on the way up and you can hit the peak directly or hit the false peak and follow the herd path to the peak. There is a good amount of blowdown but in the mid winter conditions you may stay above much of it. One of our party got to close to the outlet of the drainage last year so stay away from that spot if you prefer to remain dry

 

[rhihn]

Coming from the Calamity Brook trail you can go straight out onto the ice of Flowed Lands and skirt Livingston Point. The drainage from Cliff will be almost directly ahead. Stay to the right of the drainage on the way up and you can hit the peak directly or hit the false peak and follow the herd path to the peak. There is a good amount of blowdown but in the mid winter conditions you may stay above much of it. One of our party got to close to the outlet of the drainage last year so stay away from that spot if you prefer to remain dry

A little dated, but here is a TR of a hike from this approach.

http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5672

 

[Pete Hogan]

Here's another.....

Cliff Mountain via Flowed Lands
March 18, 2004

The 4.4-mile marked trail from Upper Works to Flowed Lands was in excellent condition. The recent snow provided for a very soft, quiet track. The route across Flowed Lands was deeper, softer and headed in a more northerly direction -- presumably to the Herbert Brook outlet and Lake Colden.

Knowing that we had to be positioned closer to the eastern shoreline to locate the start of the western (winter) approach to Cliff we left the established track and located a wind-blown but easily discernible route close to the Livingston lean-to.

The bushwhack begins at the outlet of the western drainage. We started on the south side of the drainage, but crossed over after a short time. It was defined most of the way to the summit. We kept the open rock cliffs to our left (north) as we worked our way upwards. There were several places that required thought and discussion as to the safest passage.

Although relatively short in distance and vertical ascent, the route is deceptively challenging and filled with potential hazards ranging from very deep spruce traps to narrow snow bridges to poking, prodding, piercing, tearing, gouging balsam branches to snow-covered deadfall mazes.

The route also has some of the most spectacular, rugged, backcountry scenery anywhere in the High Peaks.

The summit marker (NYSDEC red/orange disc with Cliff Mountain written on it) was nailed to the downside of a fallen and buried tree. We spent 20 minutes on our hands and knees digging in various locations looking for the marker and finally discovered it. After some careful maneuvering to remove it intact, we re-mounted the summit marker with a plastic wire-tie, eye-level to an upright tree next to the fallen one.

Gore-Tex, bombproof outer layers (jacket, pants, hood, hat, mittens) are necessary for the bushwhack section of this journey. Snow bombs are unavoidable and the only way to stay relatively dry, warm and unscathed was to be as protected as possible. Watching where you stepped in addition to what was about to stick you in the eye, ear or numerous other places made for a careful ascent and descent through some very thick cover. There is also a great sense of adventure inherent in this approach that reminded us of the good old days of canisters and legitimate trail-less paths…less traveled.

Thanks to all who have gone before us. We sincerely appreciate your considerable efforts to not only establish this approach, but keep it in use throughout the winter season. We both agreed that this route was easier, shorter and more scenic than the approach via the ADK Loj and the Uphill Brook lean-to.

We had this day to ourselves, as we saw no one throughout the entire trip. The skies were overcast and light snow fell most of the day allowing only momentary views of the surrounding mountains, but that just enhanced the allure of this remote destination.

 

[yvon]

Look this one Clff and Marshall from Flowed Lands
And look the full report on his Website.