Steve Steffy
Well-known member
Just got back this afternoon from an Adirondacks trapline scouting mission. The mission was a huge success and I believe I've found my first area to set up the trapline this fall. Take a look...It should hold a few fisher or marten, maybe even an otter or bobcat.
I'd like to get back up there and scout a couple more areas prior to the season, never hurts to have a back up plan. Especially since this area was literally the end of the road. The main road I was on was closed for repairs due to high water. This place is about a mile hike back in, but I will likely add another mile or more circling the pond and venturing up a feeder stream and the outlet in search of otter.
After the scouting of that area was complete I decided to climb Wakely Mountain, the trail is 3 miles in, 3 miles back. The first two miles aren't bad, its that last mile that gets ya. This is the sign found at the two mile mark telling you that you have another mile to go. What it fails to tell you is that you have to climb nearly 1200' in the next mile.
This is what the trail turns into...
Yep, thats the trail straight up the rocks. And yes they are wet. I can't say climbing the mountain in a thunderstorm was the smartest thing I ever did. Luckily the storm was more bark than bite, with a whole lot of rain to go with it.
That wasn't the bad part...within a 1/4 mile of that sign the trail and habitat make a complete change from deciduous to coniferous forest and keeps the flat, large rocks in the trail to make things interesting...believe it or not it is pouring rain in this picture and the sunlight was shining through each drop. It just didn't turn out that way in the picture. And yes this is still the trail, note the trail marker on the pine in the foreground.
The rewards are well worth it though. Here is a sneak peak of the view, pre-summit, looking out towards Cedar River Flow...
Before reaching the summit there is a heli-pad just off the trail...
Then you will reach the observatory cabin, pretty neat for being on top of a mountain...looks like a fine place for a hermit (or trapper) to live.
Of course, the most prominent feature on this mountain is the fire tower. At 70 feet, it is the 2nd tallest in NY state. And a tad bit rickety I might add. I only had the gumption to make it up four flights of stairs. It was really windy though. That and I think I mentioned that climbing this mountain in a thunderstorm wasn't the brightest of ideas. I didn't want to stand on a rickety metal tower on top of a mountain in a thunderstorm for any duration of time.
A view from the forth flight or stairs, note those ominous looking clouds obscuring the view...
One last picture before descending. I know my hat is all jacked up. Thats because it is retaining more water than the bottle of Gatorade in my day pack.
And this is why my wife frowns on me going on these solo excursions 6 1/2 hours away from home. This was in the trail register at the trailhead. Don't know if the poor chap was ever found or not, I don't believe he was.
Oh yeah, those North Bay turkey calls work in the Adirondacks too. Called this fella in at 07:30 yesterday morning. 9 3/4" beard, spurs 1" & 1 1/8". Figured I had a couple of NY tags to fill still, why not bring my turkey hunting gear.
T
And one last picture looking out over Adirondack Lake...note the two kayakers (the little spots left of the island in the middle).
This concludes my Adirondack journey. Next stop the Adirondack High Peaks Region...Thanks for looking,
Steve
I'd like to get back up there and scout a couple more areas prior to the season, never hurts to have a back up plan. Especially since this area was literally the end of the road. The main road I was on was closed for repairs due to high water. This place is about a mile hike back in, but I will likely add another mile or more circling the pond and venturing up a feeder stream and the outlet in search of otter.
After the scouting of that area was complete I decided to climb Wakely Mountain, the trail is 3 miles in, 3 miles back. The first two miles aren't bad, its that last mile that gets ya. This is the sign found at the two mile mark telling you that you have another mile to go. What it fails to tell you is that you have to climb nearly 1200' in the next mile.
This is what the trail turns into...
Yep, thats the trail straight up the rocks. And yes they are wet. I can't say climbing the mountain in a thunderstorm was the smartest thing I ever did. Luckily the storm was more bark than bite, with a whole lot of rain to go with it.
That wasn't the bad part...within a 1/4 mile of that sign the trail and habitat make a complete change from deciduous to coniferous forest and keeps the flat, large rocks in the trail to make things interesting...believe it or not it is pouring rain in this picture and the sunlight was shining through each drop. It just didn't turn out that way in the picture. And yes this is still the trail, note the trail marker on the pine in the foreground.
The rewards are well worth it though. Here is a sneak peak of the view, pre-summit, looking out towards Cedar River Flow...
Before reaching the summit there is a heli-pad just off the trail...
Then you will reach the observatory cabin, pretty neat for being on top of a mountain...looks like a fine place for a hermit (or trapper) to live.
Of course, the most prominent feature on this mountain is the fire tower. At 70 feet, it is the 2nd tallest in NY state. And a tad bit rickety I might add. I only had the gumption to make it up four flights of stairs. It was really windy though. That and I think I mentioned that climbing this mountain in a thunderstorm wasn't the brightest of ideas. I didn't want to stand on a rickety metal tower on top of a mountain in a thunderstorm for any duration of time.
A view from the forth flight or stairs, note those ominous looking clouds obscuring the view...
One last picture before descending. I know my hat is all jacked up. Thats because it is retaining more water than the bottle of Gatorade in my day pack.
And this is why my wife frowns on me going on these solo excursions 6 1/2 hours away from home. This was in the trail register at the trailhead. Don't know if the poor chap was ever found or not, I don't believe he was.
Oh yeah, those North Bay turkey calls work in the Adirondacks too. Called this fella in at 07:30 yesterday morning. 9 3/4" beard, spurs 1" & 1 1/8". Figured I had a couple of NY tags to fill still, why not bring my turkey hunting gear.
T
And one last picture looking out over Adirondack Lake...note the two kayakers (the little spots left of the island in the middle).
This concludes my Adirondack journey. Next stop the Adirondack High Peaks Region...Thanks for looking,
Steve
thumbsup smiley here
