DayTrip
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- May 13, 2013
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I've had Skylight, Gothics and Haystack on my "list" for quite awhile now and I'm thinking it is time to get some of these peaks. Gothics seems like it really needs to be done on its own with some of the other neighboring summits so I'm holding off on that one for now. I'm not doing the 46 4k's. I'm in it for the views on these summits, which all look spectacular from photos I have seen. They're all pretty remote and there doesn't appear to be a clear cut way to go in there. I know there are still some NY'ers on here so I was curious for some info. I lost my ADK High Peaks log in and was rarely going on there anymore so I figured I'd just try and get the info here on VFTT:
1) Are there "standard" or "traditional" routes for these peaks? My likely plan I think would be to do Skylight and Haystack coming in from Upper Works Trailhead via Calamity Brook and doing an overnight. Assuming it is not totally crazy terrain Skylight or Haystack is within my capabilities as a day hike for miles and vertical but I'd prefer to stay a night and enjoy it more.
2) How is Upper Works Trailhead parking nowadays? Never used that trail head before. Would likely do this on a weekday and would probably get there 7AM-8AM. Is that doable or is this like the Loj, Garden, etc. for craziness.
3) Are there any pitfalls on this route that aren't apparent just looking at the maps, i.e. scrambles better to go up than down, river fords, etc? I seem to recall horror stories of really wet terrain/awful bog bridges in the area of Opalescent river but it has been several years and I might well be remembering that wrong.
Appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance.
EDIT: After some more map review I'm noticing Colden is in this general area, and is another peak on my list. Would a Colden and Skylight hike from the Loj be a more sensible approach? Lot of comfortable miles coming in from there but it brings the parking situation into question. That is a 4h 30m ride from my house so getting there early is a challenge.
1) Are there "standard" or "traditional" routes for these peaks? My likely plan I think would be to do Skylight and Haystack coming in from Upper Works Trailhead via Calamity Brook and doing an overnight. Assuming it is not totally crazy terrain Skylight or Haystack is within my capabilities as a day hike for miles and vertical but I'd prefer to stay a night and enjoy it more.
2) How is Upper Works Trailhead parking nowadays? Never used that trail head before. Would likely do this on a weekday and would probably get there 7AM-8AM. Is that doable or is this like the Loj, Garden, etc. for craziness.
3) Are there any pitfalls on this route that aren't apparent just looking at the maps, i.e. scrambles better to go up than down, river fords, etc? I seem to recall horror stories of really wet terrain/awful bog bridges in the area of Opalescent river but it has been several years and I might well be remembering that wrong.
Appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance.
EDIT: After some more map review I'm noticing Colden is in this general area, and is another peak on my list. Would a Colden and Skylight hike from the Loj be a more sensible approach? Lot of comfortable miles coming in from there but it brings the parking situation into question. That is a 4h 30m ride from my house so getting there early is a challenge.
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