E. Schoolhouse Mt, and oh yeah, Balsam Lake and Graham Mts

[Peakbagr]

Nice cold, early morning start. Felt great as the sun came over the ridge and warmed us as we climbed Balsam Lake Mt. Nice surprise finding a large snowman right in the clearing with the tower.
After taking in the gorgeous views from that last landing before the closed cab, it was off towards Graham.

I was hoping we could detour to climb E. Schoolhouse Peak. Officially it's one 20' contour below 3500' and many believe that if the quad were remapped and measured with modern equipment, ESP would make it eligible as a Catskill 3500 Club peak.
We whacked up ESP's ridge through open woods, enjoying the mature cherry and birch trees whose feet would be draped by fernglades in the coming spring.
There were screened views of many of the surrounding peaks, a couple of semi-open ledges, and one ledge view of close up Graham Mt.
After whacking down ESP's opposite ridge, we climbed the herd path to the summit of Graham, enjoyed a quick lunch in the bright sun and fresh breeze, and then whacked the ridge down to Seager where we had stashed a car in the morning.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.357319564284576.103992.100000196052414&type=3&l=8d73432bcc

 

[forestgnome]

Nice being in those glades in these conditions...nice pics

 

[Mike and Ellen]

Hi Alan, Is E. Schoolhouse the mountain you walk around to get to Graham? Maybe it's not far enough away from BLM to be considered. Mike

 

[Peakbagr]

That's the one. From Wikipedia:
"East Schoolhouse Mountain," the unofficial name for the higher of the two peaks on the ridge between Balsam Lake and neighboring Graham. Digital Elevation Modeling (DEM) data in some mapping software suggests its summit may just exceed the limit.

Going back in the spring when the wildflowers and ferns are popping.