Rooster Comb Mountain, August 12, 2013, Adirondack Park

View of Giant Mountain from Rooster Comb Summit

Two days removed from the hike up Giant Mountain and I was still feeling the effects. Not anticipating that I would want to hike, I let myself sleep in until 7 AM - super late by my standards. But while brewing up a morning espresso, I reasoned that this might be the last chance to hike the ADK in the summer season and decided to throw together some gear and hit Rooster Comb Mountain. I wasn't feeling up for a big day; a quick climb up Rooster Comb would allow me to get back with plenty of time to plan a picnic lunch with K.

Starting out at 8 AM sharp, the trail leads over some bridges and past a pleasant wetlands area that would be a boon for birdwatching. I hadn't brought along my binoculars, and instead pressed onward and upward along an ascending track that offers solid footing the whole way. Other than some rock steps early on and a boulder scramble in the final summit push, the trail is mostly well graded over packed dirt with a minimal number of roots and other obstacles. It's neither long in distance nor high in elevation, but offers a pleasant sustained climb.

Self Portrait on Rooster Comb Mountain

I arrived at the summit just past 8 AM. The winds were nothing like I had experienced on Giant two days prior, but I still needed a sweater to be able to tolerate the chill. I hung out for a half hour or so and admired the amazing views into the Giant Mountain Wilderness to the southeast and the High Peaks to the west. After my break, I headed along the ridge spur to the northeastern overlook point that offers great views down into the Keene Valley.

Being a Monday, I passed only a few parties of upward-bound hikers on the descent and arrived back at the trail head around 10:30 AM. Plenty of time for a picnic lunch on the banks of Moose Pond. We hung out there for most of the afternoon, entertained by a noisy loon and (fortunately) some not so noisy kayakers.

Peak: Rooster Comb
Elevation: 2,788 feet (Gain: 1,750)
Distance: Up and Back, 5 miles round trip
Conditions: Partly sunny, 70 degrees F

Cooper Kiln Pond, August 11, 2013, Wilmington Range, Adirondack Park

The Lean-To at Cooper Kiln Pond

It wasn't supposed to be an "ascendant outing," but our recent hike to Cooper Kiln Pond turned out to be just that. The pond is one of our favorite spots in the ADKs. We're always there on busy weekends and still have the place all to ourselves. We usually come at it from the west, via an easy rolling trail that covers only around five hundred feet in elevation gain over 3 miles of distance. This time, we decided to come in from the east and parked near the trail head at the intersection of Bonnieview Avenue and John Bliss Road north of Wilmington.

Not a good idea. The western approach is not hard, but it is a long, sustained climb that starts off on a dirt track along Pettigrew Brook that eventually gives way to an ankle-breaking walk through dry steam beds and rocky washouts. On a normal day, the hike would be just fine. But since we were both expecting a nice lollygagging amble through the woods, the unexpected uphill slog had a definite psychological effect. Plus, the ass-kicking that I got from Giant Mountain the day before was making itself known in my ankles and thighs.

Trail to Cooper Kiln Pond

Still, as expected, the ultimate arrival at our little spot made it all worthwhile. Lunch - nap - and espresso on the big flat rock in front of the pond-side lean-to rounded out a pleasant Sunday afternoon at CCP.

By the way, I do in fact know how to read a topographic map...

Chalk it up to a late summer brain fail.

Destination: Cooper Kiln Pond
Elevation: 3,011 feet (Gain: 1,689)
Distance: Up and Back, 6.4 miles round trip
Conditions: Sunny, 70 degrees F
Notable Flora: Mycologists Delight

The Pond

Shrooms

Giant Mountain, August 10, 2013, Giant Mountain Wilderness, Adirondack Park

In the AM clouds on Giant Mountain Summit

I made quick work of Giant of the Valley, the original name for one of the first 4,000 footers that one encounters when driving into the High Peaks via the Keene Valley exit off of the Northway. Being a Saturday in August, I figured that I needed to get to the summit pretty early to have any hopes of an isolated peak experience. Thus, I pulled into the parking area for the Roaring Brook Trail at 5:50 AM, laced up my boots, and was on my way at 6 AM sharp.

Lost in my thoughts, it felt was as if I suddenly found myself transported to the summit. My watch read 8 AM; I had made it in a brisk two hours flat with little more than a five minute break. I threw down my pack, pulled out my ibex wool sweater, and sat down for a much-needed break. Though an absolutely beautiful summer day down below, there was a brisk wind, cold temperatures, and quickly-moving clouds swirling at the top. As I had hoped, the summit was devoid of people at that early hour.

Final Push to the Giant Mountain Summit; Peak in Distance

The temperature and strong wind didn't allow for a long, relaxing rest, so I spent only fifteen minutes on the top before deciding to head back down. I opted for a loop descent, taking the Ridge Trail and then turning west just before the Giant's Washbowl, crossing Giant's Nubble, and finally reconnecting to the Roaring Brook Trail. All in all, it made for a very pleasant loop and a much better experience than a simple up and back. The only downside was the expected traffic jam of folks heading up the ridge trail as I descended... I lost count at 30. Saturday in August.

Giant's Washbowl

Arriving back to a packed parking lot at 10:30 with overflow parking lining the highway, I immediately began to feel the results of the rapidly-paced hike and my decision not to do a shorter warm-up hike the day before - as is the usual routine before tackling a 4,000 footer. The aches and pains stayed with me for days.

Peak: Giant Mountain
Elevation: 4,627 feet (Gain: 3,375)
Distance: Partial loop, 8 miles roundtrip
Conditions: Sunny, 70 degrees F, windy