It was fun playing "Where in the World is Tick Magnet" with my last trip report to my "Happy Spot". However, today I decided to keep to a well used (and marked) DEC trail. I was fortunate to be able to play hooky from work and go hiking with the newly resurrected Adirondack Wilderness Explorers group.
https://groups.place/Adirondack-Wilderness-Explorers
I've hiked with these folks for several years and have always had a good time. Today's hike to Cat and Thomas Mts. in the Lake George Wild Forest brought us to the place where I did my first hike after moving back to NY almost 10 years ago. Arriving early for the meetup, there were already a few cars (all Subarus :confused: ) in the Valley Woods Rd. parking lot in Bolton.
After a few minutes, the rest of the AWE group (including some esteemed ADK Forum members) showed up (all in Subarus :confused::confused:). We rigged up, signed into the register and headed up the trail towards Cat Mt. The trail, actually a not-so-old old road, passed through some old gravel pits that were re-seeding with white pines.
The old road climbed up and down over a couple of miles as it approached Cat Mt. The forecast rain held off as we crossed a few small creeks and passed several beaver ponds on the lower slopes of Cat Mt.
Eventually, a "new" blue disked foot trail departed from the heavily eroded old road and expertly climbed the last few hundred feet to the summit. The woods here were very skinny with evidence of fairly recent logging.
We soon broke out on the open rock summit. The views of Lake George did not disappoint any of us.
After a light lunch and some small talk, we all took off to explore extensive rock face of the summit. I particularly liked the view to the west. Crane Mt. jumped out as the most prominent feature. Other familiar peaks came into focus as we discussed their own unique summit views.
When we were done exploring the summit, it was time to hit the traverse trail to Thomas Mt. When I walked this trail eight years ago, the foot tread was light and the ups and downs were daunting. A few years of experience taught me that this trail is a blast to walk, regardless of how many false summits we crested (it was three...I think)
Eight years later, and in new management, the trail was well trodden and well marked.
Just before the final push up some awesome rock walls to the summit of Thomas Mt., the rain finally started. Fortunately, it only lasted for about half an hour, but it obscured the view back down to Cat Mt.
We checked out the sight of the former cabin and wished we could have enjoyed the shelter of the front porch on this rainy afternoon. However, a nice hemlock shaded ledge provided us ample shelter. We were all curious to note the freshly plenty saplings on the former cabin site. Thanks to DEC for putting some new growth down for the future generations to enjoy.
https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2...-mountain.html
I hope these little guys make it.
The rain soon stopped and we headed back down the steep, rocky trail (another old road). We had fun identifying the numerous red efts, trillium, violets and a few fiddle heads. In a few minutes, the five of us were back on the old road and hoofed it back to the parking lot in one piece. We said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways, surely to meet again on the trail some day.
https://groups.place/Adirondack-Wilderness-Explorers
I've hiked with these folks for several years and have always had a good time. Today's hike to Cat and Thomas Mts. in the Lake George Wild Forest brought us to the place where I did my first hike after moving back to NY almost 10 years ago. Arriving early for the meetup, there were already a few cars (all Subarus :confused: ) in the Valley Woods Rd. parking lot in Bolton.
After a few minutes, the rest of the AWE group (including some esteemed ADK Forum members) showed up (all in Subarus :confused::confused:). We rigged up, signed into the register and headed up the trail towards Cat Mt. The trail, actually a not-so-old old road, passed through some old gravel pits that were re-seeding with white pines.
The old road climbed up and down over a couple of miles as it approached Cat Mt. The forecast rain held off as we crossed a few small creeks and passed several beaver ponds on the lower slopes of Cat Mt.
Eventually, a "new" blue disked foot trail departed from the heavily eroded old road and expertly climbed the last few hundred feet to the summit. The woods here were very skinny with evidence of fairly recent logging.
We soon broke out on the open rock summit. The views of Lake George did not disappoint any of us.
After a light lunch and some small talk, we all took off to explore extensive rock face of the summit. I particularly liked the view to the west. Crane Mt. jumped out as the most prominent feature. Other familiar peaks came into focus as we discussed their own unique summit views.
When we were done exploring the summit, it was time to hit the traverse trail to Thomas Mt. When I walked this trail eight years ago, the foot tread was light and the ups and downs were daunting. A few years of experience taught me that this trail is a blast to walk, regardless of how many false summits we crested (it was three...I think)
Eight years later, and in new management, the trail was well trodden and well marked.
Just before the final push up some awesome rock walls to the summit of Thomas Mt., the rain finally started. Fortunately, it only lasted for about half an hour, but it obscured the view back down to Cat Mt.
We checked out the sight of the former cabin and wished we could have enjoyed the shelter of the front porch on this rainy afternoon. However, a nice hemlock shaded ledge provided us ample shelter. We were all curious to note the freshly plenty saplings on the former cabin site. Thanks to DEC for putting some new growth down for the future generations to enjoy.
https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2...-mountain.html
I hope these little guys make it.
The rain soon stopped and we headed back down the steep, rocky trail (another old road). We had fun identifying the numerous red efts, trillium, violets and a few fiddle heads. In a few minutes, the five of us were back on the old road and hoofed it back to the parking lot in one piece. We said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways, surely to meet again on the trail some day.
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