Tounge Range 8-25

[peak_bgr]

I set off by myself to bag a few peaks I had yet to get to. I had done the Northern half of the Tounge Range, I needed to do Fifth Peak, French Point Mountain, and First Peak. WOW, killer range. One of the best in the Adirondacks. Not real high in elevation, but the views of Lake George are sweet.

The trails are in supurb condition and in less than two hours I was on Fifth Peak looking out over Lake George, watching the boats cruise up and down the lake. The lean-to is right on the summit of Fifth Peak-can you imagine the sunrise from the lean-to!!

Then it was on to French Point Mountain, great trail, very rugged in spots, steep sections over cliffs-looks to get light use. That can't be the case though-to nice to be passed up. French was a killer peak, huge summit viewing area, sights as far as the eye can see, well, as far as the haze will let you.

From French to First Peak was around a mile of pleasent trail with numerous overlooks along the way, and the summit, well-three for three another gem.

I got a late start on the day so I was running a little behind schedule, I didn't have time to go all the way to the end of the Tounge and not enough time to reclimb all these peaks. So, I bushwhacked down to the shore trail. The trail was about .8 miles away in a straight line-but who bushwhacks in a straight line?

The woods on top were amazing, a grass field with an occassional tree. Below that a wide open forest of evergreens-I almost could have bushwhacked a straight line if it weren't for the cliffs. On the bushwhack down I got sucked into a draw, which was an old streambed, nice rock outcrops.

I know bushwhack in the tougne range, what about the rattlesnakes-didn't see one. Sunny didn't find any either, and she has a keen sence for wildlife. Well we survived.

Now, the lake trail is one of the nicest I have ever been on as far as being clear and having great upkeep. I hiked the four or so miles back to the car in one hour. That's fast for me, and I didn't trail run it. It was like hiking in the Paul Smiths or Newcomb Visitors Center.

 

[Doc McPeak]

Nice report! And glad you enjoyed it. Definitely one of my all time favorite hikes... anywhere.

We had a great trip to Wallface the other day, thanks in part to your reports of nice views to be had. Nice views? That's probably the understatement of the year!!! And how many peaks can you sit on the summit rock and reach out for the sweetest raspberries of the year, an arm's length away!?

If you haven't done Black Mountain via the lakeside trail, add that one to your list. You start at Shelving Rock and walk along an old carriage road within feet of the lake for about 4 miles before heading up. Snacking along the banks of Paradise Bay is one of many highlights to be had. The views of the full Tongue Range the entire way is another.

 

[peak_bgr]

Doc-

I did Black last year and it was quite nice. Actually the hike up was better than the summit. To much going on up there. I also like Shelving Rock and Sleeping Beauty, and that's just what it is a Sleeping Beauty.

I was actually Eyeballing Elephant and Sugarloaf last year while I was on Black.

Glad to here you had the views we had, I can't believe how so many miss them. I still think they are possibly the best of the lower 54 peaks.

 

[Doc McPeak]

Glad to here you had the views we had, I can't believe how so many miss them. I still think they are possibly the best of the lower 54 peaks.

Absolutely! To eat lunch, surrounded by a raspberry patch, with the whole western view open from MacNaughton on the South, to the Sewards and Sawtooths, Lost Pond Peak with Street peeking over (and it was raining on Street and sunny on Lost Pond and on us) and then across Elba Flats all the way to Whiteface was amazing! And that's not even the best side!

We think we found the climber's exit for the Northern routes, where you look straight down into Indian Pass and Summit Rock, with the entire McIntyre massif from Little Algonquin to Henderson Lake laid out in front of you, and the Southern Wall beside you, stretching 700 feet to the bottom of the pass and looming another 100 craggy feet above. Insane! Maybe the best view I've had in the Adirondacks. And we didn't step over one blowdown the entire trip back down to the Pass!

As for Lake George, the ledges on Pilot Knob are fantastic. Lots of blueberries!

 

[peak_bgr]

That's awesome. Did you see any falcons?

Is it me? But don't those really steep drop offs kind of invite you to the edge. Almost daring you to jump. It's very eery. That ridge is by far the sweetest approach to this peak. Much better than the Wallface Pond Outlet approach.

 

[DougPaul]

I know bushwhack in the tougne range, what about the rattlesnakes-didn't see one. Sunny didn't find any either, and she has a keen sence for wildlife. Well we survived.

Now, the lake trail is one of the nicest I have ever been on as far as being clear and having great upkeep. I hiked the four or so miles back to the car in one hour. That's fast for me, and I didn't trail run it. It was like hiking in the Paul Smiths or Newcomb Visitors Center.

A nice area--I've done the northern part of the ridge to the cutoff to the southern parking lot and part of the lakeshore trail along Northwest Bay.

I have heard that the lakeshore trail is one of the spots where one is more likely to see rattlesnakes.

Just drove 9N behind Tongue Mtn earler this month... (For those who don't know the area, it is an enjoyable twisty bit of road.) Also bushwacked Catamount (just N of Tongue Mtn).

Doug

 

[DougPaul]

If you haven't done Black Mountain via the lakeside trail, add that one to your list. You start at Shelving Rock and walk along an old carriage road within feet of the lake for about 4 miles before heading up. Snacking along the banks of Paradise Bay is one of many highlights to be had. The views of the full Tongue Range the entire way is another.

I second the motion--Black is another nice one. I've generally approached by boat and we docked at the foot of the trail (permit required).

Doug