Doodles
Active member
The plan was for an overnight trip and 10 maybe 11 peaks.
Upper and Lower Wolfjaw, Armstrong, Gothics, Sawteeth, Saddleback, Basin, Haystack, Skylight, Marcy and maybe Gray.
I left New Paltz at 3:30 am in a steady downpour. The forcast for the Daks was clear skies 75 deg. for both days.
It rained on and off all the way up the thruway until about exit 28. Ahead I could see clear skies with the rain to the South.
I drove right to the Garden at Keene Valley and spotted a bike to get me back to Saint Huberts PA at the end of my trip, so this is actually a HIKE and BIKE. All I needed was to swim and I would of had a triatholon. After the bike spot I was off to the Noonmark Dinner for breakfast. With bike dropped and belly full it was time to hike.
I departed Saint Huberts PA at 7:30. There were about 10 other hikers setting off at the same time for different destinations. We all signed in at the register and went on our own ways.
Day 1
I started on the West River Trail and then picked up the Wedge Brook Tr to the Wolf Jaws. I continued up to the Jct and went up to tag Lower Wolfjaw. The views great, nice and clear compared to the previous week. I came back down to the Jct and continued on to Upper Wolfjaw. From here I got a good view looking back at Lower Wolfjaw and across the valley to Dial and Nippletop. Continuing on, Armstrong was next in line. At this point I was looking for some water, but there was none to be found along this route. Arriving on Armstrong there were two groups having lunch on the ledge. I had planned on the same, but was a little low on water, so I had a mini lunch. (not enough water to wash down the turkey sandwich). Then along came a hiker and when we spoke of our planned trips he asked if I was Doodles. It was PinPin. Small world, but finally out of the blue VFTT members meet on the top. It was a real pleasure meeting and talking. A lite lunch, a break and a chat and it was time to move on.
I continued on and Gothics was peak #4 for the day. Crossing Gothics I passed two hikers that had signed it at the register with me doing a loop back. I asked if they came across any water, but there was none to be found anywhere on the ridge. Starting my descent of Gothics I came to the trail Jct for Sawteeth. "Oh Shoot". I need to grab that peak too. Glad I saw the sign and didn't blow right on by. So I dropped down and back up Pyramid Peak and down the other side. On the South side of Pyramid Peak I found a puddle worthy of being called WATER. I rehydrated and continued down and then up Sawteeth. On the summit I took a break, had a snack and water and planned on filling up again on my return trip over Pyramid Peak.
I had returned back to the Range Trail and continued my trip towards Saddleback. Everyone I had talked to mentioned the very steep West sides of Saddleback and Basin. My plan was to camp between Basin and Haystack. When I dropped into the col between Gothics and Saddleback it was decision time. Do I attempt two more peaks with steep descents when I'm tired or do I drop down the Ore Bed Brook trail to where I can find some water and continue fresh and rested. Common sense prevailed. Done for the night. I must have dropped down about 1000' before I hit the stream.
I arrived at water and set up my site at 5:00 along with every black fly in New York State. All day it was fine, all of sudden I want to eat and so does every flying insect in the mountains. After cleaning up and eating and swating flies I crawled into my hammock. I took a small nap and at 8:00 pm it was like every flying insect had went to sleep. I crawled out and for the next hour I don't think I saw more than 10 flies.
Day 1- 5 peaks, 12 miles, 1,000,000,000 flies.
Day 2
Slept like baby. Nice calm night. Up at 5:00, had breakfast and hiking by 6:00. Back up to the col between Gothics and Saddleback. Continuing up Saddleback with the sun rising behind me. I summited with awsome views with a little cloud cover in the valleys and hat like cloud cover over Marcy just on the peak. Took a break to gaze on what was shaping up to be another great day for views from the top.
I started to continue on a little confused as to which way the trail was down the West side of Saddleback. "You have to be kidding, this can't be the way, Holy ----,".
I was glad I brought a rope with which to drop my pack down several times on the descent. Also, I was glad I had decided to stop for the night rather than try to cross Saddleback at the end of yesterday. I made it down safely and I can say that the West side is all everyone said it would be.
I continued on over to Basin and ran into anothe VFTT member from Clifton Park (sorry forgot the name). We chatted for a bit and moved on. We were both headed to Haystrack next. I re-watered between Basin and Haystack and continued up. Up over Little Haystack and up to Haystack. Once again the views were outstanding. There were about 10 hikers on the summit. Talked a bit, and back down the way I came up.
At this point I crossed over to the Phelps trail Jct. Once again it was decision time. I reached the Jct. at 12:00. Do I turn left and try to grab Marcy, Skylight, and Gray, hike all the way out and drive home or turn right hike out and drive home at a reasonable hour. Unbelievably once again common sense prevailed and I turned right (I must be getting old).
The hike down the Phelps Trail was a nice easy out. I had lunch along the brook and was out to the Garden by 3:30. The trip was not over, I still had a 6 mile bike ride back to the truck. I was wondering if I had enough rubber on my brake pads for the downhill into Keene Valley.
Back to Saint Huberts by 4:00. Once again glad I decided to leave Marcy, Skylight and Gray for another day. Ended up being 2 Days, 8 Peaks, short bike ride.
George
I have a few photos when I figure out how to link them from webshots.
http://community.webshots.com/album/551712827kEPNKB
Upper and Lower Wolfjaw, Armstrong, Gothics, Sawteeth, Saddleback, Basin, Haystack, Skylight, Marcy and maybe Gray.
I left New Paltz at 3:30 am in a steady downpour. The forcast for the Daks was clear skies 75 deg. for both days.
It rained on and off all the way up the thruway until about exit 28. Ahead I could see clear skies with the rain to the South.
I drove right to the Garden at Keene Valley and spotted a bike to get me back to Saint Huberts PA at the end of my trip, so this is actually a HIKE and BIKE. All I needed was to swim and I would of had a triatholon. After the bike spot I was off to the Noonmark Dinner for breakfast. With bike dropped and belly full it was time to hike.
I departed Saint Huberts PA at 7:30. There were about 10 other hikers setting off at the same time for different destinations. We all signed in at the register and went on our own ways.
Day 1
I started on the West River Trail and then picked up the Wedge Brook Tr to the Wolf Jaws. I continued up to the Jct and went up to tag Lower Wolfjaw. The views great, nice and clear compared to the previous week. I came back down to the Jct and continued on to Upper Wolfjaw. From here I got a good view looking back at Lower Wolfjaw and across the valley to Dial and Nippletop. Continuing on, Armstrong was next in line. At this point I was looking for some water, but there was none to be found along this route. Arriving on Armstrong there were two groups having lunch on the ledge. I had planned on the same, but was a little low on water, so I had a mini lunch. (not enough water to wash down the turkey sandwich). Then along came a hiker and when we spoke of our planned trips he asked if I was Doodles. It was PinPin. Small world, but finally out of the blue VFTT members meet on the top. It was a real pleasure meeting and talking. A lite lunch, a break and a chat and it was time to move on.
I continued on and Gothics was peak #4 for the day. Crossing Gothics I passed two hikers that had signed it at the register with me doing a loop back. I asked if they came across any water, but there was none to be found anywhere on the ridge. Starting my descent of Gothics I came to the trail Jct for Sawteeth. "Oh Shoot". I need to grab that peak too. Glad I saw the sign and didn't blow right on by. So I dropped down and back up Pyramid Peak and down the other side. On the South side of Pyramid Peak I found a puddle worthy of being called WATER. I rehydrated and continued down and then up Sawteeth. On the summit I took a break, had a snack and water and planned on filling up again on my return trip over Pyramid Peak.
I had returned back to the Range Trail and continued my trip towards Saddleback. Everyone I had talked to mentioned the very steep West sides of Saddleback and Basin. My plan was to camp between Basin and Haystack. When I dropped into the col between Gothics and Saddleback it was decision time. Do I attempt two more peaks with steep descents when I'm tired or do I drop down the Ore Bed Brook trail to where I can find some water and continue fresh and rested. Common sense prevailed. Done for the night. I must have dropped down about 1000' before I hit the stream.
I arrived at water and set up my site at 5:00 along with every black fly in New York State. All day it was fine, all of sudden I want to eat and so does every flying insect in the mountains. After cleaning up and eating and swating flies I crawled into my hammock. I took a small nap and at 8:00 pm it was like every flying insect had went to sleep. I crawled out and for the next hour I don't think I saw more than 10 flies.
Day 1- 5 peaks, 12 miles, 1,000,000,000 flies.
Day 2
Slept like baby. Nice calm night. Up at 5:00, had breakfast and hiking by 6:00. Back up to the col between Gothics and Saddleback. Continuing up Saddleback with the sun rising behind me. I summited with awsome views with a little cloud cover in the valleys and hat like cloud cover over Marcy just on the peak. Took a break to gaze on what was shaping up to be another great day for views from the top.
I started to continue on a little confused as to which way the trail was down the West side of Saddleback. "You have to be kidding, this can't be the way, Holy ----,".
I was glad I brought a rope with which to drop my pack down several times on the descent. Also, I was glad I had decided to stop for the night rather than try to cross Saddleback at the end of yesterday. I made it down safely and I can say that the West side is all everyone said it would be.
I continued on over to Basin and ran into anothe VFTT member from Clifton Park (sorry forgot the name). We chatted for a bit and moved on. We were both headed to Haystrack next. I re-watered between Basin and Haystack and continued up. Up over Little Haystack and up to Haystack. Once again the views were outstanding. There were about 10 hikers on the summit. Talked a bit, and back down the way I came up.
At this point I crossed over to the Phelps trail Jct. Once again it was decision time. I reached the Jct. at 12:00. Do I turn left and try to grab Marcy, Skylight, and Gray, hike all the way out and drive home or turn right hike out and drive home at a reasonable hour. Unbelievably once again common sense prevailed and I turned right (I must be getting old).
The hike down the Phelps Trail was a nice easy out. I had lunch along the brook and was out to the Garden by 3:30. The trip was not over, I still had a 6 mile bike ride back to the truck. I was wondering if I had enough rubber on my brake pads for the downhill into Keene Valley.
Back to Saint Huberts by 4:00. Once again glad I decided to leave Marcy, Skylight and Gray for another day. Ended up being 2 Days, 8 Peaks, short bike ride.
George
I have a few photos when I figure out how to link them from webshots.
http://community.webshots.com/album/551712827kEPNKB
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