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 |