Locatios

“The trailhead is at the ghost town of Adirondac at Upper Works.”

“Thanks Zac! The area looks nice...still wondering about the campsite size, since we tend to have "tent city."

Last year was perfect for dayhiking options and for the hike-in distance, but I didn't like the way we all had to space out our tents. (although, on second thought, that does have its advantages too...stinky boys)
:)”

“Debating with herself or with her dog?”

“".....but I didn't like the way we all had to space out our tents."
AmyGeeeeee

Isn't that just like a woman to fuss about the arrangement of the furniture?

"No.....no, try the sofa over here, again."”

“http://www.adirondackjourney.com/Lake_Colden_Flowed_Lands.htm

If if it wasn't for the "no fires" thing the Lean-tos around Calamity Pond and the Flowed Lands still are an awesome destination.”

“Yeah, but it would make a lonnnnnng night without a campfire. A fire is a must.

Dork :)”

“Uh...................yeah.......fire”

“Umm location please.....”

“Reasonable distance................please!
>8^b”

“20 MILE DEATH MARCH!!!!!!!!! ;-)”

“I think we should make sure that any approach is do-able by MarkO after his knee surgery.”

“I thought Lt said he was going to pull MarkO in on his gear sled.”

“No I think the youngest FYAO attendee should drag Marko in on my gear sled.”

“Here is a "crazy" idea:

I just pulled this from last year..

The plan that has been laid out is to hike into Slide Brook, via Elk Lake Trail. The Winter trailhead access is at the Ranger station and the total miles into basecamp would be about 3.5-4 miles.
Regular trailhead to the leanto is 2.3 miles, but the Winter access adds another mile or 2.


Pros:
*mostly-level, wide trails with markers, make it very sled-friendly and decrease the chance of anybody getting lost.
*campfires are permitted
*slide brook is an excellent jump-off for peaking Macomb, Hough, etc

Cons:
*ranger station has limited parking, so carpooling may become mandatory
*the beginning section is on private land(there is an easement for hikers to pass through) and camping anywhere prior to arrival at lean-to is not permitted...meaning, get to the trailhead with plenty of time allowed for hiking in!

This is the destination I am leaning towards at this point, due to very little input from others. If anyone has any other suggestions, questions, ideas, or mindless rambling that they would like to share, NOW is the time!

Final Destination will be decreed no later than 1 month prior to D-day.

discuss.
:)

AmyG
”

“OK, so we are less than a month away...

I am jonesin' for a peak this year...last year's trip up Hurricane was awesome!!!!

Everyone happy with Dix??

Speak!!!
(please)
:)”

“Sounds good to me. Macomb and Hough are also possible climbs.”

“It sounds good to me, if I remember right there isn't a lot of tent space around the LT but the should be some depending on the snow. I would love to see those summits in the winter. I went up Hough a few winters ago with Bobo to get his final 46er.

last edited: 1/15/09 7:41:20 PM”

“Here is a map showing the route up Macomb



We need to check on access to the TH I found this blurb

To reach the Elk Lake trailhead one must leave the Adirondack Motorway (interstate 87) at exit 29 (North Hudson) then go W for 4 miles on Blue Ridge Rd. following the signs for Newcomb. Turn R off Blue Ridge Rd. onto a gravel road marked with a sign for Elk Lake Lodge. At 5.2 miles there is a parking lot on the right just before the road drops down to Elk Lake.

Please remember that this part of the trail is on private land so please be respectful of this. As well this trailhead and all private land around Elk Lake is closed during the Big Game Season i.e. Hunting, Guns, Beer, Elmer Fudd’s running amok in the woods. The season is from the next to last Saturday in October to the first Sunday in December. Usually this is well posted at the parking lot but if unsure check at the clubhouse.

"In winter the road is only usually plowed as far as clear pond about 3.3 mile from Blue Ridge Road. It might be possible to park here, never tried myself, this alone adds over 6 miles to your trip making for at least a 9 mile hike before you are allowed to camp."
last edited: 1/15/09 8:10:16 PM”

“There are several tent sites by slide brook near the start of the Macomb herdpath, just before you get to the slide brook leanto. The Lillian Brook Leanto, I'm not so sure about.

Big game season ended in early December. The trails on the Elk Lake property are closed during that time of year because it eliminates the chance of hikers scaring off game and the chance of a hiker getting shot. I think a lot of it is a money issue as Elk Lake Lodge gets paid pretty well from hunters using the lodge and property that time of year.

Winter trailhead is at Clear Pond, which is about 2 miles from the summer trailhead. The road from Clear to the summer TH, is mostly down a gradual hill, and is often plowed making for easy sled pulling.”

“hmmm...I thought the "winter trailhead" only added 1-2 miles. :(

I don't think Marko can make it with his newly-bionic knee.

Anybody know for sure about this approach??
(we could probably call a ranger??)

LT - I remember when you and Bobo did that peak(he got it after a few attempts, if I recall.) I have been wanting to go ever since!!”

“ZAc - you beat me to it!!! LOL
:)

So, it sounds like this might be ideal!!!

Discuss....”

“So the Clear Pond Trailhead is the official Winter trailhead...yes? And it is accessible?

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

(I've had some coffee)
>;p”

“Looks good to me. Perhaps a call is in order to confirm access?”

“I don't recall it being a 9 mile hike into the LT, and we went to Lillian Brook. I also remember there being a ranger station near where we parked, right before a gate. I am not sure but I don't think we parked at Clear Pond.

Here are the directions that we used for the Hough trip.

Directions and info:

Leave Interstate 87 at Exit 29, turning W off the ramp onto Blue Ridge Road which is NY Route 28. Drive 4 miles then turn R onto Elk Lake Rd., at the sign in the photo above. Follow Elk Lake Road 5.2 miles to the trailhead. It is paved for the first 2 miles, after which it becomes a well-maintained gravel road passing through attractive woodlands. At about 2.7 miles, signs indicate that you are on private land. There is no need to turn back. The state has easements for you to use this private road as well as the parking area at the trailhead.

Parking
The lot appears to have a capacity for about 20 cars. You can park ONLY in this lot since this is private property except for the state's hiking easement. If you park on the road you will very likely be towed. In many trips there, the lot has been full once only.

Private Property
You are on private property even in the parking lot. Do not leave trash or abuse Elk Lake Resort's property.

Trails
The trail departing the parking lot itself, is the RED Dix Trail (ADK #119, McM #59). Two lean-to's are on this trail; the first at Slide Brook at 2.6 miles; the second at Lillian Brook at 3.4 miles from the trailhead. Note that this trail is maintained and is one of three maintained ascents of the Dixes.

Across the road from the trailhead parking lot you will find another trail, the BLUE Elk Lake - Marcy Trail (ADK #118, McM #52). This outstanding trail accesses Panther Gorge, Haystack, Marcy, and the Colvin Range. From this trail there is also an occasionally used true bushwhack of Allen Mtn via Sand Brook.”

“Found this on ADK Forum

There is a small parking area and trail register at the gate at the Clear Pond outlet. It is 1.8 miles from the summer trailhead. I don't think the road is ever open to the public in winter, but it is often plowed and easy walking, sometimes without snowshoes.

I remember it being a road walk for a while, some science types were trapping fischers or martins that day and drove by to check there traps. If this gate was actually the summer trail head then this makes sense.

ALGonquin Bob's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: BUFFALO
Posts: 396

"It's no big deal to walk in from Clear Pond; it takes maybe 45 minutes extra. Keep in mind that Clear Pond, Elk Lake, and everything inbetween is private land with an easement for the public to use only the road (seasonally) and the marked trails."

I think that first quote was off..”

“Everyone happy with Dix??

AmyG
6:33:37 PM
1/15/09

I'm happy with mine (singular).”

“dix is awful big”

“Do ya slide on Dix?”