D
DJK
Guest
We did the trek from the Seward Range trailhead parking lot to all 3 of the Seward Range peaks today, Sept. 5, 2015.
ADK guidebooks and maps are confusing. The trail is simple and easy to follow. First there is a but a single trailhead parking lot for the Seward Range on Coreys road, on route 3 NE of Tupper Lake. Coming out of the lot, head mostly east to fork for either human or horse trail. Either works, but horse trail is better because it is in forest whereas the human trail is on the boundary line of private property which has recently been clear cut, so less attractive. Continue until junction with jeep road that goes S and then SW to Calkins Brook and camp sites. When you get close to Calkins Brook there is a cairn with pot on it to mark where you mark a sharp L to head E on the unmarked but well-maintained, obvious, and lovely trail to the Seward ridge just north of Mt. Donaldson. The ridge trail goes N to Seward and S to Emmons. To go to either peak takes about 1h30min roundtrip from Donaldson. These trails include some ledgy/bouldery stuff but really not bad. Mudholes are not difficult this time of year. For us it was 9h 45min total time from car back to car, moving along steadily but not racing, while being passed by younger guys, eating lunch etc. with frozen water bottles. Great day for it, satisfying to bag 3 more Adirondack 4K peaks, moving us up to 28 so far.
ADK guidebooks and maps are confusing. The trail is simple and easy to follow. First there is a but a single trailhead parking lot for the Seward Range on Coreys road, on route 3 NE of Tupper Lake. Coming out of the lot, head mostly east to fork for either human or horse trail. Either works, but horse trail is better because it is in forest whereas the human trail is on the boundary line of private property which has recently been clear cut, so less attractive. Continue until junction with jeep road that goes S and then SW to Calkins Brook and camp sites. When you get close to Calkins Brook there is a cairn with pot on it to mark where you mark a sharp L to head E on the unmarked but well-maintained, obvious, and lovely trail to the Seward ridge just north of Mt. Donaldson. The ridge trail goes N to Seward and S to Emmons. To go to either peak takes about 1h30min roundtrip from Donaldson. These trails include some ledgy/bouldery stuff but really not bad. Mudholes are not difficult this time of year. For us it was 9h 45min total time from car back to car, moving along steadily but not racing, while being passed by younger guys, eating lunch etc. with frozen water bottles. Great day for it, satisfying to bag 3 more Adirondack 4K peaks, moving us up to 28 so far.
