Nippletop, Indian's Head, Cascade and Pitchoff July 2007
Getting there, not so easy; the highway was cleared by taking over both lanes of the local road	near camp; the moon settles in the trees, it must be time for the tent	the day's hike begins at the Adirondack Mountain Reserve parking area along Route 73
classic Adirondack gate	climbing toward Dial, views through the trees become good when the noonmark shoulder burn is reached	the top of the shoulder gives a grand view; a fine place for breakfast
a bit of fireweed left over	views to the south too	and flowers abound
the view on Bear Den is not so remarkable	but Dial is splendid	with the Great Range on center stage
Nippletop offers views around	but the Great Range is still the stand out	descending into Elk pass the ponds are lovely
lots of water	the beavers are busy	the dragonflies enjoy
as do the Red Admiral butterflies	and a white throated sparrow	old benchmark on Colvin
with its great views	a Cliff	an American Toad
view from Fish Hawk/center>	and Indian Head	Cirque on Basin
a spider web glimmers on the descent	Gill Brook offers a stream of waterfalls	and lovely trails
Scaly Vase Chanterelle mushrooms	sunlight at Shoe Box falls	cooling off
Harebell hangs onto a crack	morning bring breakfast at Chapel pond	and dayhikes from Stagecoach rock, on the west end of the Cascade lakes
fruited shrub on the climb of Cascade	reaching views above the trees	a marsh near the summit
the open rock beckons	big crystals in the Anorthosite	intruded quartz-like rock
more interesting rock on the summit	a friendly white throated sparrow	a lovely summit to hang out on
I head over to Porter, first reaching a grand looout rock	looking back at Cascade from Porter	back to Route 73, the Ironman race is in full swing
I head up Pitchoff, passing Solomon's seal	a slide	junction with viewpoint side trail -- don't miss it
Balanced rocks at the view point	there are deep crevices and interesting views	and the entire area like a garden
rock on the first Pitchoff peak	lovely views	and ridge trail
a view north	a lonely mushroom	lovely views from the third peak
berry flowers

Thanks to Lousi Zulli for mushroom identification