Seward Range NY Daks in Winter???

[Buddur]

Your picking an unusual route for the Sewards in Winter, even with camping. Most do these peaks by Calkin's Creek.

This is info I need to know...Thanks skyclimber! All I have to go with is my AMC High Peaks book, and it states.. The usual route to Seward begins at the bridge 0.2mi. SE of the clearing where the red foot trail from Coreys (trail 129) joins the fire truck trail. This is also the third bridge NW of Ward Brook Lean-to. After starting on the E side of the brook... That is why I chose the itinerary and camp location.

Calkin's Brook sounds like a plan, especially if the trial is half-broken. Guess I'll have to plan for Seymour another time.

 

[Skyclimber]

Also keep in mind that the road is closed at Stoney Creek Bridge, adding an extra 3 1/2 miles each way just to the Summer Trail head. Before starting the hike to Calkin's Creek.

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

The ADK High Peaks guide book may indicate that the herd path from the Ward Brook truck trail is the usual path, but that is now outdated information.

The well-used path that roughly follows Calkins Brook is now the most used path up to Seward, Donaldson, and Emmons. If you're hiking in Winter, the Ward Brook path is not as likely to be broken. I hiked Seward by that route last April and found the path difficult to follow.

This past December, I hiked up Calkins Brook, and had no problem following the trail. The turn from the "horse path" onto the Calkins Brook trail is very well marked now, and there is the occasional surveyor's tape tied to trees on the way up.

 

[Neil]

On Sunday I didn't see any tape or anything at the turn-off at Calkins Creek but there was some at the cross-over trail. The turn would be fairly obvious even without a broken trail. At the junction with Calkins the truck road bends to the right, (coming from BB foot path) after flattening out after a 250 foot descent. You can see the creek as well.

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

In December, there was a teepee-like structure of 7-foot poles marking the turn onto the cut-off/shortcut before the normal start of the Calkins Brook path. There was also some flagging. That path joins the other herd path at the Calkins Brook crossing.

 

[PINPIN JUNIOR]

Donaldson's approach....

Hi Neil and Alg.

Just this information: Last time We hiked the Seward Range Febuary 5, the tripod was removind but the blue fly was at the same place at the higher place on the horse trail before You will go down.

This off/shortcut save a few distance and few elevation but few peoples past by this "path" and it will be a little difficult to stay in this route.
This shortcut joint the usual Calkins Brook path just before the big tree made a arch.

Have a great time.

Pinpin Junior.

 

[Rik]

The usual route to Seward begins at the bridge 0.2mi. SE of the clearing where the red foot trail from Coreys (trail 129) joins the fire truck trail.

It is my understanding that groups the last two weekends were unsuccessful in summitting Seward from this direction.

 

[Buddur]

To all, thank you very much for your insite. Is there any other info I should take into consideration...Steep icy slides, laddered ledges, lots of stream crossings, etc?

btw - here are some pics of my last cold-weather Dak excursion...