skidoc22
New member
As many had before, I chose to save Whiteface for the last of my 46 peaks. Having done a number of the most popular peaks early on in my hiking days, it became an obvious choice due to accessibility, its majestic dominance of the skyline and the ability of non hikers to join us at the top (and as it turns out ferry some of the hiking party down to the vehicles).
Despite the forecast for a partly cloudy day, the weather deteriorated during the drive up Rte. 73, 9N and up past the reservoir until we parked at the Marble Mtn. TH. Ten of us including two self proclaimed non-hiking progeny of mine started down and then up the trail in the light rain which typified many of my previous hikes. Fortunately it soon quit and by the time we reached the top of Marble Mtn. everyone had removed their raingear and had warmed up considerably. The trail was relatively dry and well worn despite being "unofficial." Our plan was to split up into a faster group, who planned on bagging Esther, and a "less fast" group who had no designs on a run at the 46. For one reason or another we kept having to stop and wait to exchange lunches, cameras, dog leashes, etc.
Needless to say we didn't end up having the timing right and the WF only group passed by just after we started the herd path for Esther. Having read the map from Adirondack Journey I thought the herd path started well after the top of Lookout Mtn and had to backtrack about .3 miles to the Esther cutoff. It had obviously just rained up there because the flat portion of the trail was under 2-3 inches of water. The herd path to Esther was like a shorter less downhill version of the trip to Couch, complete with its own little swamp. By this time we were so fogged in that even if there was a view we wouldn't have known it.
Back on the trail to WF we were surprised at the long flat stretch before the next pitch. The coolest part of the trail is at the huge wall of stone which was placed to construct the sharp turn on the toll road. From there it was a short steep foggy climb to the summit.
I was met at the top by the rest of the family and friends who hiked in the other group as well as those who drove up and set up a "buffet table" in the summit building. Champagne, hors d'ouevres, wraps, sandwiches and even a lemon pound cake in the shape of a shell awaited us inside. Many photos, toasts and stories later we finally cleaned up before the hike back down. I was very proud that my whole family including my wife, 16yo dtr, 13yo dtr and 10yo son (these were his 20th and 21st) made the trip up with me. It was a great feeling to have all of them share my excitement and commemorate the culmination of my journey.
When we arrived home my wife called me into the living room to open up "my surprise" (G-rated). Taking up most of the couch was a beautiful framed panoramic photograph of the High Peaks taken from the top of Algonquin toward Mt. Colden late in the afternoon by Carl Heilman II. The most amazing thing about it is the shadow projected onto Mt. Colden of the entire McIntyre range. It really recreates the feeling of being on the mountain. It was a perfect ending to a great day.
Despite the forecast for a partly cloudy day, the weather deteriorated during the drive up Rte. 73, 9N and up past the reservoir until we parked at the Marble Mtn. TH. Ten of us including two self proclaimed non-hiking progeny of mine started down and then up the trail in the light rain which typified many of my previous hikes. Fortunately it soon quit and by the time we reached the top of Marble Mtn. everyone had removed their raingear and had warmed up considerably. The trail was relatively dry and well worn despite being "unofficial." Our plan was to split up into a faster group, who planned on bagging Esther, and a "less fast" group who had no designs on a run at the 46. For one reason or another we kept having to stop and wait to exchange lunches, cameras, dog leashes, etc.
Needless to say we didn't end up having the timing right and the WF only group passed by just after we started the herd path for Esther. Having read the map from Adirondack Journey I thought the herd path started well after the top of Lookout Mtn and had to backtrack about .3 miles to the Esther cutoff. It had obviously just rained up there because the flat portion of the trail was under 2-3 inches of water. The herd path to Esther was like a shorter less downhill version of the trip to Couch, complete with its own little swamp. By this time we were so fogged in that even if there was a view we wouldn't have known it.
Back on the trail to WF we were surprised at the long flat stretch before the next pitch. The coolest part of the trail is at the huge wall of stone which was placed to construct the sharp turn on the toll road. From there it was a short steep foggy climb to the summit.
I was met at the top by the rest of the family and friends who hiked in the other group as well as those who drove up and set up a "buffet table" in the summit building. Champagne, hors d'ouevres, wraps, sandwiches and even a lemon pound cake in the shape of a shell awaited us inside. Many photos, toasts and stories later we finally cleaned up before the hike back down. I was very proud that my whole family including my wife, 16yo dtr, 13yo dtr and 10yo son (these were his 20th and 21st) made the trip up with me. It was a great feeling to have all of them share my excitement and commemorate the culmination of my journey.
When we arrived home my wife called me into the living room to open up "my surprise" (G-rated). Taking up most of the couch was a beautiful framed panoramic photograph of the High Peaks taken from the top of Algonquin toward Mt. Colden late in the afternoon by Carl Heilman II. The most amazing thing about it is the shadow projected onto Mt. Colden of the entire McIntyre range. It really recreates the feeling of being on the mountain. It was a perfect ending to a great day.
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