Rollins Pond and Mt. Jo

For a bit of a different trip into the Adiondacks, we packed our bags and loaded up our niece and nephew for a camping trip. We started with michigans at Gene's in Port Henry and climbed Belfry Mountain in Moriah for a fantastic fire tower view with only a .4 mile hike to get there. We then headed to Rollins Pond for two nights where we rented canoes and the kids were happy as fish splashing around in the pond. They were doubly happy when we took a side trip to Donnelly's for ice cream!

After we parted ways with Tom, Amy, Ben and Hank, we headed to Adirondack Loj to hike Mt. Jo. The trail was short and steep and we were sweating bullets in the humidity. On the summit, the steward helped us identify peaks while we nibbled on cookies. The view was spectacular - especially for such a short hike. The surrounding mountains were imposing and we especially enjoyed the views of Wallface and the slides on Mt. Colden.

We made a loop by following the long trail down (whereas we had taken the short trail up). We headed to the orchard for a dinner in our new gigantic skillet! Mmmm...pork.

Hurricane and Cheney

With a day to hike, we went back to one of our old favorites: Hurricane Mountain. We had last hiked it in 2012 but since then had read about a trail reroute and a refurbished fire tower. Since we had fond memories of our first hike, we decided to try the new route.

Right away, the trail included switchbacks which is a rarity for the Adirondacks. We appreciated the soil under our boots rather than the glacial erratics that we remembered. The trail was still steep and since we had been around the ocean for much of the summer, we were huffing.

Arriving at the top, we picnicked and enjoyed the panoramic views of the high peaks and Lake Champlain. We reminisced about the Nundagao Ridge hike that we had done last summer which was directly to the north.

The fire tower is looking good, except for the last step (a doozy) that needs a bit of repair. It's funny that it gives you a slightly higher view of the panorama that you have at ground level.

We found this guy while descending the trail:

On Sunday morning we wanted to complete a short hike before forecasted rain. We headed to Cheney Mountain in Moriah, which is a favorite of local chef and jack-of-all-trades Don Foote. The trail began over an old landfill and then climbed steeply. The "short and sweet" hike offered many interesting viewpoints along the summit ridge but the summit itself was forested. It was a great way to get some exercise in the morning and get to know a landscape that we travel frequently.

The Boreas

After spending the first portion of the summer in the Maritime Provinces of Canada, we were itching to explore the Adirondacks on our return. For our first trip, we picked a real jewel. We read about the newly acquired state land around Boreas Ponds through an article in Adirondack Explorer by Phil Brown. By random happenstance, he happened to pull in behind us just after we parked the car. We chatted a bit before parting ways - his group was going rock climbing and were bringing boats into Boreas Ponds.

The road was well maintained but certainly not flat. We had hornbeck boats on wheels since it was a full seven mile walk to the ponds. The walk was uneventful although we had to don bug nets to keep swarming deer flies at bay.

Arriving at the pond we were treated to our first jaw-dropping view of Gothics from the bridge over the dam. We launched our boats and it only got better from there. The ponds are set in a bowl surrounded by high peaks. The familiar mountains from that vantage point certainly competes with the most beautiful scenery that I have ever seen. We didn't rush through the ponds but instead floated from one side to the other to see which mountains would peek out next. Within a few years, this will become the premier destination for backcountry paddlers in the Adirondacks.

We made the trek out and got to the car slightly footsore but elated at what we had just experienced. We had just enough energy left to make dinner and collapse in our bunks. THUNK.

The next day we headed for the Hudson River in Newcomb for a short paddle before thunder overhead made us get off the river. We will be back to explore this quiet section of flat water paddling between Lake Harris and the Newcomb Park.

Vicar's Island

Seeing nothing but sunshine in the forecast and knowing that New York students are still in school, we packed the kayaks and headed to Huletts Landing on Lake George. This lake is a "sweet spot" for kayakers in the middle of June before the hordes of camp owners and campers descend on the lake like a swarm of cicadas.

After paying our exorbitant parking and launching fee, we shoved off into the crystal clear water. With a few tips from the ranger, we headed to Vicar's Island. Despite being a large island with six campsites, we had the place to ourselves. It's good to come during the "sweet spot." We set up tents and ate jambalaya for supper before getting back in the kayaks for a sunset paddle.

We spent the evening meandering around Harbor Islands watching deer (on the island), turtles, beaver and fish. There were three fewer chocolate bars in our stash when we returned! Those pesky kayakers ate them...

The next morning "we" awoke early and had a Lake George breakfast (eggs poached in stewed tomatoes served with bacon and bread) before packing gear and heading south on the Lake. We explored some of the islands in this group for future camping trips including Floating Battery, Duran and Saint Sacrement islands. All the while we were sitting under the imposing view of Black Mountain to our east and the Tongue Mountain Range to our west.

As a one night camping trip, it was a perfect way to spend perfect weather on a perfect lake. It's too bad that our experience of solitude and relaxation will not be attainable on Lake George again until after Labor Day...

Eagle Lake

Just after launching our boats on Eagle Lake, we started to notice sprinkles on the water. Enjoying the mild sun shower, we reached for our sandwiches for a late lunch. As soon as we opened the tupperware, a deluge of rain hit and we sealed up our lunches while waiting out the storm on the lake.

When the storm had passed, we opened our lunches back up and floated from the launch towards the broad lake. We spent the afternoon drying out and exploring the shoreline. This was a lake that we had driven by for years and used as a landmark on route 74. As usual, we were more impressed by the lake from our boats. The rock formations and hidden coves made for some nice surprises. However our soundtrack for the day included laden semis knocking over the bridge with engine brakes engaged.

We were delighted to find a lean to and some camping areas on the northwestern shore of the lake. Perhaps we will return for an overnight.

Little Woodhull Lake

On a sunny but cool February day, we strapped on our snowshoes and trekked on a little used path from the North Lake Road in the town of Ohio towards Little Woodhull Lake. Upon seeing the trail register, we knew that we would be in for solitude since we were the only ones to sign it in over a month.

Although marked as a snowmobile trail, the path was little used and barely maintained. We found ourselves looking through underbrush for the next trail marker at many points along the way. The pleasant weather made us want to take our time.

When we arrived we had a picnic on the shore and followed the shoreline around to the southern bay of the small lake. In another season we may have ventured across to explore Lily Lake but this year has had too many thaws for us to trust the ice.

We had sore legs on our way out but enjoyed our solitude for the day as we got to explore a little visited part of the Adirondacks.

Belfry

Hike-u:

Short paths sometimes lead

To panoramic views

From towering heights