2009

Sue Dougherty, 46r, on Whiteface - Photo by Doug

Our GVC Membership chair Sue Dougherty became our newest 46r on Whiteface Mountain at 2:15 PM, Sept. 23, 21009. As is evident from the photo, visibility was severely restricted (~30').

Eastern NH Day Hikes - Photos by Joe

Before we even started our trip, Bob Ciecierega and Larry Telle sneaked up to the White Mountains two days early and climbed five mountains. They were to join us Friday at the designated campsite in Gorham. Tom Arter, Craig Johnson and Dan Young made it there Friday; Eric Oogjen and Joe Roth did not. Joe's van began experiencing transmission problems east of Rutland and they turned around. After driving 700 total miles and limping into Rochester at 10:00 PM, they resolved to try again early Saturday morning. While these two drove back to New Hampshire, the rest climbed three more mountains. By dinner time we were all at the campsite ready to begin our advertised climbing agenda.

Sunday morning was crystal clear but breezy. We were treated to wonderful blue sky as we climbed South and Middle Carter and Moriah. It was a tiring 15 mile day but necessary to set up the final climb Monday. Showers and a fine dinner took us to the inevitable collapse at the campsite around 9:00 PM.

Monday was just as clear but less breezy and warmer. Because of health issues we chose what we thought would be the easiest approach to Mount Isolation, the Rocky Branch Trail. At 14 miles RT it wasn't the shortest, but it was supposed to be the gentlest. As we approached the summit the group pushed Joe to the front, something about "tradition." As he climbed out onto the rocky top, Joe officially finished his Northeast 111. Larry was right behind to celebrate finishing his White Mountain 4000 Footers. Both Eric and Larry broke out the bubbly and we all enjoyed a salute. The cameras then came out for what seemed like an eternity. Finally we found rocky seats, pulled out lunch and enjoyed the magnificent scenery. We considered how lucky we were to be there with a light 65F breeze, full sun and clear sky and nestled up against the Presidential Range. We could easily pick out the Mizpah Hut, rocky cairns and all the structures on top of Mount Washington. To the northeast were the Carters from the day before. To the east were lesser mountains trailing off well into Maine. Eventually we had to start down. All went well until Tom and Joe were stung by yellow jackets at the same spot in the trail where they had stung Larry on the way up. Showers, a buffet dinner and a nice campfire completed a memorable day.

On Tuesday the group packed up and said enough to camp breakfasts. By now they were really into this car camping thing! Eric and Dan stopped to climb Cannon Mountain while the others continued home. All arrived safely back in Rochester by 9:30 PM.

Trip leader - Joe Roth

West Canada Lakes Backpack - Photos by Jim

We set out Friday morning and had a leisurely drive to Pillsbury trail head. Amazing, the dirt road between Sled Harbor and the trail head was navigable. This is a rarity and not something I would take for granted.

We started our hike down the old military road and arrived at the Cedar Lake dam a little after 4pm Unfortunately, the dam has deteriorated to the point where the water is passing under it and the lake level is much lower than last year. We actually stayed on Beaver Pond, just north of Cedar Lake at an easy to miss but nice campsite by the Beaver Pond Bridge.

Saturday, we hiked by the three leantos on the north side of Cedar Lakes but only spotted two of them. The sign is missing for the third one but there is great camping spot close to it that we did see. At the west end of Cedar Lake, we saw the remains of the Ranger Cabin. This cabin had been closed many years ago. However, I had read about this cabin in Larry Weill's book "Excuse Sir ... Your Socks Are On Fire" so it was fun to actually see the location of some of his adventures. We had our lunch at West Lake Leanto #2 which had a beautiful new roof, thanks to our roofing team last year.

Saturday evening, we stayed at Sampson Lake Leanto where we ran across a group from the ADK Niagara Chapter. They were on a similar expedition but had started on Thursday. Fortunately, there is plenty of tenting space around that leanto. We spent the evening sharing their fire and good company. Unfortunately, the Sampson leanto's roof is in bad repair and the rest could use some shoring up as well. Hopefully, it is on DEC's list to fix.

Sunday morning, we hiked back to Pillsbury trail head. Then, we drove to the Oxbow Restaurant for a late lunch with the Niagara Chapter group before heading home.

Photos by trip leader Jim Luening

Highland Park & Mt. Hope Cemetery - Photos by Carol Truesdale

Trip leader - Joanne Mitchell

Southern NH Day Hikes - Photos by Joe

The wet summer made us nervous about this trip. Rain was predicted as Bob Ciecierega, Donna and Tom Dinse, Eric Oogjen, Joe Roth, Larry Telle and Dan Young left Rochester, and that was before Hurricane Bill started to make his way up the east coast. Our drive to New Hampshire went through many heavy downpours. By the time we reached our campsite, it was flooded. We managed to squeeze in our tents by taking the highest points. This trip saw an addition to our car camping luxuries like hot showers and restaurants: Wi-Fi and the Internet. While this might feel like a wilderness intrusion, we were in town. And it sure helped us see what weather was around us.

Saturday started with a steady rain. We bagged the hiking and headed into North Conway to check out the shops. We found it to be quite the tourist town complete with $7.50 drafts and $10 glasses of house wine.

On Sunday the weather was still marginal. We decided to climb Carrigain, the peak with the shortest route of the weekend plan. Our views were obscured by clouds at the top, but at least the hiking was almost dry. We returned to find the campsite flooded again. Somehow a heavy storm missed us on the trail and slammed the campsite to the south. Having found the high spots Friday night proved to be a blessing by Sunday evening.

Seven people and two vehicles allowed us lots of flexibility for what we hiked. On Monday two climbed the Tripyramids, three climbed the Trips plus Whiteface and Passaconaway and two climbed nothing at all! We repeated it on Tuesday when three climbed the Hancocks and four climbed Whiteface and Passaconaway. And on Wednesday four climbed Moosilauke while three climbed none.

Luckily the weather improved after Sunday. Clouds and winds continued to toy with the mountain tops, but we never experienced rain. The water retreated at our campsites. The group climbed the six planned mountains, but the peak baggers were in heaven: They added an extra two peaks.

One lesson we learned about car camping was that there is a limit to how much gear people can take. We were required to drive an unplanned larger vehicle. Thanks Donna for squeezing into the jump seats.

Trip leader - Joe Roth

Iroquois, Algonquin and Wright High Peaks

Our party of 8 drove up to Upper Works trailhead on Friday. From Upper Works, we hiked into our base camp at the Lake Colden Dam. The weather was cloudless but the heat took a toll so we finally set up around dusk. This area is a known bear hang out and the rangers were checking everyone for bear canisters but no sign of our furry brethren. Our plan was to climb Algonquin, Wright, Iroquois and Marshall peaks the next day. Aggressive ... Yes. Achieved ... No, but three out of four ain't bad.

Saturday morning, we were up bright and early, ready to climb. We ascended to the ridge line between Iroquois and Algonquin which was a good warm up challenge. From there, we quickly summited Algonquin. Then, we hiked down Algonquin and up Wright Mountain. With their beautiful vistas, both mountains were well worth the climbs.

Then, it was back over Algonquin to get to Iroquois (this took awhile). We ran across several people going both ways on Algonquin, who questioned our sanity (or perhaps there was no question). Iroquois was "trailess" which meant that there was an unmarked mud path worn through a thicket of alpine bramble but we were rewarded with another fantastic view.

It was getting late and we had summited four peaks that day, even though two were Algonquin so we headed back to camp and had to save Marshall for another trip.

Sunday morning was perfect for hiking and we made the trail head in good time. We wrapped up our trip with lunch at Long Lake and headed home.

Photos by trip leader Jim Luening

ADK Outdoor Expo

– Steve –

National Trails Day at Durand Eastman Park

Says Mary Norman, Thank you to everyone who attended the National Trails Day event at Durand Eastman this past Saturday, June 6th. Your enthusiasm, expertise, and hard work made all the difference in making the event a success. We could not have asked for better volunteers! You all deserve a major pat on the back!

Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness Backpack

Our group of seven hikers left from the Shortsville NYS Thruway park and ride at about 10:30 A.M. on a beautiful Saturday morning and arrived at the Middle Settlement trailhead on Rte. 28 (about 3 ½ miles southwest of Old Forge) a little before 2:00 P.M. Although it was well before the usual start of the black fly season, the insects were already emerging. However, they were not biting (which we interpret as a courtesy that they extended to ADK members), and we remained unscathed for the entire weekend. We hiked the moderate, three mile trail to Middle Settlement Lake, walking through woods that were just waking up from their winter dormancy. Purple and white trillium were a frequent sight along the trail. Foregoing the popular Middle Settlement lean-to, we set up our tents at a campsite overlooking the Lake, and as we did so, we could see a pair of loons swimming near the opposite shore. After dinner, we hung our bear bags and then spent the early evening around a campfire. By the time we headed for our tents, the temperature had dropped into the high thirties.

At precisely 6:00 A.M. the following morning, we were awakened by the loudest loon calls this writer has ever heard. After breakfast, we broke camp and hiked under sunny skies toward Cedar Pond. We crossed the shallow creek that flows out of that Pond, but instead of continuing the loop trail back to our cars, we took a took a side trip along the hilly (and muddy) 1 1/2 mile trail leading to Middle Branch Lake, another of the beautiful lakes and ponds that dot the Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness. After lunch at Middle Branch, we hiked back to the main trail and continued on our way, arriving back at our vehicles by about 3:30 P.M. Following an early supper in Old Forge, we headed home.

This was a great trip by a group of very congenial hikers--some experienced backpackers and some novices. It was a special pleasure to have with us three hikers from the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area (including one from the Canadian side of the border). The participants were Marion, Bill, Lyn, Steve, Kirt, Wendy, and Dave.

Trip leader - Dave Harrison

Signs of Spring - photos by Jackson

Says Jackson Thomas, "I had my camera with me while delivering Geneseeans this afternoon to Bay Creek. I thought we might all enjoy seeing some photos."

Annual Loj Trip - photos by Jackson

Click on an image for the the slide show.

Click here for photos by Bob Crumrine.

2009 Genesee Valley ADK Winter Loj Trip

By Dave Harrison

Combine a congenial group of outdoor enthusiasts with breathtaking High Peaks scenery and excellent snow cover, and you have the ingredients for a terrific Adirondack experience, and that's just what 38 ADKers enjoyed over a four day period on our Chapter's annual trip to the historic ADK Loj. Located on a square mile of ADK-owned land about five miles outside Lake Placid, the ADK Loj overlooks Heart Lake and offers a view of mountains and forests that ADK members like this writer daydream about all year long. GVC booked the entire Loj, and on Thursday Feb. 19th people began arriving early in afternoon. Before dinner, we gathered for refreshments in front of a large stone fireplace in the great room – a high-ceilinged room filled with rustic Adirondack furniture, books, and pictures of Adirondack scenery. Although many members of the group were Loj trip "regulars," there were also 11 first-timers this year.

Read Dave's complete report.

Dial, Nippletop, Colvin & Blake