Santanonis

[masshysteria]

Silver, When I did the Santonini Range, my origional intention was to do all 3 in one day from the parking lot. Didn't happen. Santonini and Panther were all I could get in with a slower partner. When I did Couch last summer, there was a very young couple who were doing all 3, but they weren't spending any time at the summits to enjoy the sights.

Go to Adirondack Journey, and print a copy of Joel's map of Times Square. That will save you from having to backtrack any dead-end trails. Don't trust the marks on the trees, some of them are wrong.

The BP Trail has been talked of quite often here, but it is a mess from the top of the pass to the leanto. The camping spot just before Panther brook is, as Tim says, a very nice spot. Plus it's only a 45 hike from there to Times Square. But it is a little bit of a hoof from the parking lot, so pack light. The push to Couch from TS can be wet if there's any dew on the trees in the morning. Raymond mentioned the trail through the Couch Swamp as being to the right. The best way across the swamp is anyones guess. I went across the middle going in, and the right going back. It was a mess both ways. Right before the swamp, there is a cliff that needs to be negotiated. The path looks to take you over the cliff, where a rope is tied to a tree, to assist you. It's a little dicey! There is a faint path that heads to the right around the top of the cliff. That's the way to go.

Save Panther for last, I think it has the best views of all three. That way you can gauge if you have enough time to loiter on the summit. Good Luck with the last few peaks!

 

[Willie]

Here's some split times from a trip not too long ago (July 4, 2002) when the weather wasn't ideal (cool rainy start turning sunny, hot & humid) and where I managed to lose the herd path a couple times:

Start.............05:45
Bradley Pond...06:20
Times Square..10:00
Santanoni.......11:05
Panther..........12:45
Couchie..........16:25
Out................22:00

That was a long day.

 

[Doc McPeak]

Hmmm. My impression of the area is quite different. I found it quite nice, however the past two times I was there was in Oct/Nov. The time I stayed there in the summer, was a while ago, soon after that lean-to was built. The old lean-to was really bad.

One thing I liked in that lean-to, is the morning sun, rising over a peak of Panther. Beautiful. Especially on a cold Nov. morning.

I think you mean Henderson mountain, unless the earth spins in the opposite direction for you, Pete! But then again perhaps I was all backward and this picture is actually the sunrise you speak of, and not the beautiful sunset I remember from the roof of the lean-to...

I loved my stay at Bradley Pond Lean-to. But when I'm out enjoying the woods I'm pretty easy to please. Life's too short .......

As for day or overnight. I've done them in every permutation and have enjoyed them all. I guess whether you want to take your time will depend on how hard the patch fever is gripping you! Just make sure you stop a few times to smell the wildflowers.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

I think you mean Henderson mountain, unless the earth spins in the opposite direction for you, Pete! But then again perhaps I was all backward and this picture is actually the sunrise you speak of, and not the beautiful sunset I remember from the roof of the lean-to.../QUOTE]

Ah, you're right. Still, I'm talking about the sunrise. Just not the sun. Since Henderson blocks the sun quite a bit, you will see the summit of panther in the sun. You can watch the sunlight descending Panther as the sun rises over Henderson

I remembered the sun, and the morning. My tired mind assumed sunrise. (I also remember boots frozen solid, but that' another story.)

 

[1ADAM12]

Mike,

I camped out at the Bradley Pond Lean-to when I climbed the Sant. Range. I think it would be better to overnight it. I still need Sant. Mountain as I was unable to complete it when I was there. I did Couch and Panther.

When I was descending Couch and you will see where I am talking about when you go there. Just before reaching the summit is a really steep pitch with eroding soil and tree roots (watch your step) Well when I was coming down I grabbed a tree root to lower myself down to the next platform and the root let loose and I fell about another 15-20 feet until those really thick pine trees stopped me from rolling any further Needless to say I hurt my knee pretty bad and I was hurting once I reached Times Square.

My hiking buddy and myself decided to head back to the lean-to and leave Sant for another time. Do you have a date yet when your going? I would be interested in climbing Panther and Sant. with you if our dates match up

ADAM

 

[ken]

went in a few years ago to remove the canisters on those 3 - we started out around 7am - immediately it started raining (then it poured non stop all day) - our first removal was the easy one (panther) - then we went for couchsachraga - then when we got back to times square we decided we better get out of there before the bridge washes out - - - down from times square the herdpath brook crossings were deep - i had poles strapped to my backpack - had to take them off and we all used them - had to keep handing them across for the others to use since that was the only pair between us - while walking along the trail along santannoni brook water was rushing on the trail in many places - it was also shooting straight up into the air in plenty of places where it was hitting rocks in the brook - it was pushing against the bridge - - where the road walk goes across the swamp (with the culverts) it was now on the road up to our knees - we got out about 8:30pm (13.5 hours for 2 peaksin the downpour) - we could have gotten to santannoni too if it hadn't been for the day long downpour - - - went back 2 weeks later for santannoni on a nice dry sunny day and it took 7 hours for that one - it is really a beautiful hike on a nice day!

 

[rup]

How's the wildlife at Bradley Pond and the surrounds?? Do the bears and rackoons rule as they do near Colden and Marcy Dam??

 

[lumberzac]

How's the wildlife at Bradley Pond and the surrounds?? Do the bears and rackoons rule as they do near Colden and Marcy Dam??

I've never seen much bear sign near the lean-to, but I do know there was a curious pine marten that was hanging around it this past winter.

 

[1ADAM12]

How's the wildlife at Bradley Pond and the surrounds?? Do the bears and rackoons rule as they do near Colden and Marcy Dam??

When I was there I did not see any sign of Bear either. What I do know though is there is not a good hanging sourse there for your food so bring a canister just in case. (At least I did not find a good hanging tree)

Adam

 

[audrey]

In my opinion, every one of those peaks deserves to be savored. We spent two nights at the lean-to. The sun would touch the top of Panther at exactly 6 pm, which was merciful in the August heat. It also made a great photo.
We gave Couchie its own day and combined Panther and Santanoni. The hike to Times Square alone is a treat. The only downside was the outhouse smelled when the wind shifted. It's way too close to the lean-to. Maybe it's been moved?

 

[Doc McPeak]

In my opinion, every one of those peaks deserves to be savored. We spent two nights at the lean-to. The sun would touch the top of Panther at exactly 6 pm, which was merciful in the August heat. It also made a great photo.
We gave Couchie its own day and combined Panther and Santanoni. The hike to Times Square alone is a treat. The only downside was the outhouse smelled when the wind shifted. It's way too close to the lean-to. Maybe it's been moved?

The lean-to in 2002 was located in the front yard of all places? The only time I've ever seen that. And yes, I agree that taking ample time is the way to do these peaks. The first time up there we did P&S in a nice 12 hour day, that included at least 4 hours of breaks at every opportunity and naps on both Panther and Santanoni. Not many breaks doing Couchy on a cold winters day though!

 

[SherpaKroto]

Has Michael J read this thread? You all do know he is writing a book and such related material should be helpful. Lisa can make sure Audrey appears in the credits.

I was being serious. He just needs to put it down on paper (bad pun intended)