More Signs
August 11, 2016 9:14 amI collect signs along the way like postcards. Here are a few more
Trans Adirondack Route
Trans Adirondack Route Day 12
August 11, 2016 8:00 amDaily Recap: Cold River to Long Lake, Run to Town
Camp at Cold River
August 10, 2016 11:02 pmJust after turning the corner at Duck Hole I was on the Northville Placid Trail. A popular trail in the area which draws a good number of backpackers from all over. Not a mountainous hike it’s known for its spectacularly scenic lakes and rivers. The TransADK will overlap the Northville Placid Trail for the next 80 miles or so.
I spent much of the day hiking along side the Cold River. I passed several lean-to’s along the way and all were amazing. With about 17 miles on the day I decided to stop and camp at the Cold River #3 lean-to. I don’t sleep in the lean-to’s since they tend to be dirty, mice ridden, I don’t sleep well next to others, and I have a hammock, which allows you to sleep with no pressure points on your body. I will though, gladly camp near them when available as they tend to have pit toilets, good clearings and sometimes great swim holes.
Immediately after arriving I dropped my pack and made a bee line for the water. It had been unusually hot and humid for the mountains and I could not wait to take a dip. Shortly after a gentleman and his dog arrived. His name was Mark and his dog was Cairo. We talked about hiking, gear and life in general till we turned in for the evening. He was good people and it was nice to have someone to chat wit for a short bit. I was in my hammock by dusk since I wanted to get up early and head to Long Lake for resupply and r&r.
Duck Hole
August 10, 2016 10:16 pmI passed through Duck Hole today. Stopped and had a nice lunch at the newer of the 2 lean to’s. Duck Hole used to be a iconic pond in the Adirondacks until hurricane Irene blew out the damm. The decision was made not to replace the damm. The effects of Hurricane Irene are prominent fixtures throughout the Adirondack landscape and very powerful to see in person.
Ghost Town of Adirondac
August 10, 2016 12:16 pmAs is typical with thru hikes, after a less than stellar evening last night this morning started out very cool. I got to visit the ghost town of Adirondac. A former settlement on the banks of the Hudson River
I grew up with a strong dislike of history. I’d say perhaps it was the presentation in parochial schools, or maybe covering 400 years in 2hrs of a college course. Realistically I think it is just something that takes time to appreciate in life. As your own history gradually builds layer upon layer over time, you gain a different understanding of, relationship with and appreciation for history.
I love learning about the events that took place in a particular area before I set foot there. The history of industry, machines, and ways of life all captive me in ways that offer never ending rabbit holes of exploration.
Adirondac was a settlement on the banks of the Hudson River. It had 3 lives so to speak. The first as a iron mining community from 1826-1857, the second as a club community from 1876-1947 and a third final as a titanium workers community from 1947-1963.
I’ve seen a lot of neat things while hiking in the woods but I have to say a ghost town is among the coolest!
Crossing the Hudson River
August 10, 2016 9:35 amI crossed the Hudson River this morning. Much less traffic than the George Washington Bridge Crossing 340 miles south.
Things I Heard Last Night
August 10, 2016 8:05 amA loon, a beaver making noise in the lake, a coyote/coy-wolf howling. Things I wanted to hear while trying to sleep last night, a loon…
Trans Adirondack Route Day 11
August 10, 2016 8:00 amDaily Recap: Things I heard Last Night, Hudson River Crossing, Ghost Town of Adirondac, Duck Hole, Camp at Cold River.
Hikers Paradise a List
August 9, 2016 11:50 pm- Cooked Food
- Laundry
- Running Water
- Hot showers
End of list
Lake Jimmy
August 9, 2016 11:00 pmAfter hiking through the High Peaks it was a long day. I had hiked maybe 15 miles and was just looking for a place to set up for the evening. I saw a couple of lakes on the map with primitive DEC campsites and decided to press on to one of these.
It was getting late and I found the first, Lake Sally but it offered little water access and the trees & brush around were awful for hammocks. I was starting to regret not taking a earlier site. With a hour to go I decided to press on to the second Lake Jimmy.
With light fading I knew I must be getting close. I saw a man in a boy scout sweatshirt and his kids come out from a side trail. I asked how far Lake Jimmy was and he said he didn’t know but a parking lot was only a mile away. I was sure I was close and according to my map both us and the parking lot were right there.
I was looking for a DEC primitive camp site which was noted on my National Geographic map somewhere at the head of Lake Jimmy. I ran into more boy scouts and another parent. I asked again they did not know anything. I just kept thinking if was glad these weren’t my den leaders. It was getting darker so I just set up on the shores of Lake Jimmy. Not my best camp spot but I couldn’t go any further.
