Seward Range NY Daks in Winter???

[Buddur]

Been thinking of doing a peak bagging trip before Spring sets in, and the Seward Range is in my mind. Although I've done 1/3 of the 4k peaks and some in winter conditions, I technically have not done any (in the Daks) during the Winter season.

I did a Trail Conditions search and found little recent info and am wondering if y'all in the area know something most don't...is there a reason few have hiked this range this season?

Buddur

 

[Skyclimber]

Because of the 3 1/2 mile walk from Stoney Creek to get to the Summer Trailhead. Also these being some of the most rugged, toughest mountains in the Adirondacks in any season, but especially Winter.

 

[ALGonquin Bob]

If you're willing to camp a night or two and break trail up the mountains, it's possible to reach all 4 summits in a weekend. There are lean-tos just before the herd path to Seward and just before the Seymour trail (and you can have fires there!).

However, the most used path now is up Calkins Brook, and it's more likely to be broken out already. You could do Donaldson-Emmons-Seward from there, and get Seymour another time. The extra 3.5 miles in from the winter parking area is an easy walk, but makes for a very long day hike.

 

[Rik]

I did Seymour yesterday as a long day hike. Trail is broken to Seymour but may not stay that way with storm coming. Trail up Seward from that side has had at least two failed summit attempts. Maybe Neil can chime in with the conditions up Calkins brook route. It is very long to any of these peaks when the road is closed.

 

[Skyclimber]

Congratulations Rik, I was wondering how you made out on Seymour.
Now I impatiently await Neil's arrival home to see how he made out on Seward, Donaldson, Emmons. Do you have any news to tell me about his trip?

 

[spaddock]

Congratulations Rik, I was wondering how you made out on Seymour.
Now I impatiently await Neil's arrival home to see how he made out on Seward, Donaldson, Emmons. Do you have any news to tell me about his trip?

I can tell you that Neil, Dom, and I came down the Whiteface road with huge grins on our faces on Saturday. Fasted ADK descent yet! 5 miles in about 15 minutes!


-Shayne

 

[Rik]

Thanks Sky,
They had a long day. They made Donaldson and only half way to Emmons. They didn't get out til 9pm. They had to break trail and had a hard time finding/staying on the path to Emmons. When I called their hotel at 9:30pm they were not back yet. Their van was there at 10:30pm. Can't believe they are going for Tabletop today. I'm pretty tired from Whiteface Saturday and Seymour yesterday.

 

[Rik]

I can tell you that Neil, Dom, and I came down the Whiteface road with huge grins on our faces on Saturday. Fasted ADK descent yet! 5 miles in about 15 minutes!

Must have been because we smoothed the trail for you. Took us almost a half hour! Nice meeting you Saturday Shayne.

 

[spaddock]

Must have been because we smoothed the trail for you. Took us almost a half hour! Nice meeting you Saturday Shayne.

Well, Neil said 15 minutes... i didn't have my watch...

It was great meeting you and your wife Rik. Chatting with your wife up Whiteface made it seem like a 20 minute climb.

Was snowing quite a bit for us. Our tracks to Esther were getting kinda filled in by the time we were heading back up to the road!

Glad to hear Seymour worked out for you. I was starting to feel my knee coming back up the road from Esther. 20 miles on Sunday would have been overdoing it for me.

It's lookin like a lot of snow this week.

Almost forgot, remember how I was saying the sky always clears on my drive home... sure enough, when I got to Saranac Lake nothing but blue sky!


-Shayne

 

[Mark Driscoll]

Hi Rik and spaddock,

Do you guys plan on doing a trip report? I am interested in the trip to Esther. Congratulations, it sounds like you had a great time.

Mark

 

[spaddock]

Hi Rik and spaddock,

Do you guys plan on doing a trip report? I am interested in the trip to Esther. Congratulations, it sounds like you had a great time.

Mark

Neil usually writes the long but lovely reports of the adventures. He won't be back until Tuesday or so though.

I'll post a report though for you in the trip reports section.

Cheers,
Shayne

 

[Mark Driscoll]

Thanks Shayne,

I can wait a few days for Neil's report.

Mark

 

[Rik]

It was great meeting you and your wife Rik. Chatting with your wife up Whiteface made it seem like a 20 minute climb.

She can chat!

 

[Skyclimber]

I can tell you that Neil, Dom, and I came down the Whiteface road with huge grins on our faces on Saturday. Fasted ADK descent yet! 5 miles in about 15 minutes!


-Shayne

Can I assume you got Esther too? I just read about the Seward's trip. I'm sure Neil and Dom are disappointed. Those darn Spruce Traps. I knew it would be a long day on the Sewards.

 

[Skyclimber]

Thanks Shayne,

I can wait a few days for Neil's report.

Mark

I can't ! Been waiting in anticipation.

Thanks Rik for the scoop. I appreciate that. I can't believe their going for Tabletop too. I would think with what they climbed already that the next trip would be a 2 day nap back in Canada.

 

[spaddock]

I can't ! Been waiting in anticipation.

http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5456

Where did you see the sewards hike... adkforum?

-Shayne

 

[Skyclimber]

Yes, Val had a brief description, but is waiting for Neil to write the trip report. Then I found more info about the trip over here.

 

[Buddur]

Anyone Care To Join?

Been thiking of heading out Wed night and crashing in van, driving in and hiking to one of the leantos up from Ward Brook on Thurs, hitting Seward, Donaldson and Emmons on Fri, Seymour on Sat and (maybe) move to a leanto closer to the vehicle, then heading out and drive home on Sun.

I hope to dig up someone to go with me before then. If not, I'll probably have to bail the plans because I really don't want to do this alone. I know I can do the hike(s), however, I did Allen solo a few Thanksgivings ago and with the icy slides and mucho snow I couldn't help to think of how SOL I would've been if something unfortunate did happen. Actually, most of the peaks I've hit were done solo, but they were in warmer and more safer conditions.

Would anyone care to join in on this trip?

 

[Skyclimber]

Been thiking of heading out Wed night and crashing in van, driving in and hiking to one of the leantos up from Ward Brook on Thurs, hitting Seward, Donaldson and Emmons on Fri, Seymour on Sat and (maybe) move to a leanto closer to the vehicle, then heading out and drive home on Sun.

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

 

[Neil]

Buddur,
We hiked up and down Calkins on Sunday and left a beautiful trail. However, the nature of things has brought so much fresh snow to the area that our futile little tracing is surely gone forever now.

Those friends who posted: I just read this thread and it warmed my heart to think that my friends were concerned about my success and safety on this trip.