Camels "Bump"(Dix Mountain Wilderness/ Eastern High Peaks Wilderness-Adirondacks)

Finally got out for a real autumn hike, heading up into the Adirondacks to do some off trail exploring in the Dix Mountain/ Eastern High Peaks Wilderness near the Northway.  The goal for the day was to utilize the lightly used West Mill Brook access trail/ road to the west side of the Northway and eventually bushwhack up to a small, 2405 foot rocky knob NE of Camels Hump, dubbed Camels Bump.  It is possible to drive all the way to the gate and state land, but I do not have a high clearance vehicle so I simply parked along Route 9(Elevation 985 feet) and walked the 1.1 miles along the rough road.  The walk was uneventful, although there is one stream crossing, which was a non issue.

Fall conditions were simply perfect on this day, with temperatures close to 60 and a carpet of fallen leaves underfoot.

The access road/trail is in remarkably good condition for not being a maintained trail and basically parallels West Mill Brook for over 3 miles before finally petering out. 

After a 3+ mile walk, the trail is lost somewhere around a large and scenic wetland deep in the valley between Camels "Bump"and the eastern slopes of Macomb Mountain.

A wonderful area to explore, the wetlands provide marvelous views NE to Buck and Bear Mountain's(which are also both great bushwhack peaks).

West facing views towards the dazzling fall colors on Macomb's lower slopes.

After enjoying the wetland views, I headed southeast into the woods, bushwhacking steeply up towards Camels "Bump".  It was mostly easy going through hardwoods down low, but became more mixed, with more scratchy spruce up high.  I was able to find one nice east facing view on my way up into the many peaks of the Hammond Pond Wild Forest.

The woods opened up to several areas of moss covered rock as I neared the summit.

One final, steep push brought me up to the wide open, rocky summit cone of Camels "Bump".  The views were nothing short of spectacular.  This is a look north towards(L-R) Grace, Wyman, Bear and Buck Mountains, with Giant and RPR in the distance beyond.

Incredible views SW, with Sunrise Mountain rising to the right and the Niagara Brook valley below.

A look to the true summit of Camels Hump, just over half a mile away, to the south.

North views towards Macomb and Grace Peak.

Looking directly across the deep valley at Macomb Mountain's east slopes.

At a lower ledge, a view SE towards neighboring Camel Mountain, with more fall foliage all around.

Looking back up towards the open summit of the knob.

After enjoying the views, a steep descent NE through mostly open hardwoods brought me down to the West Mill Brook trail once again.  

Once back on the road, it was an easy hike back to the car.  Covered 8.2 miles round trip and over 1450 feet and didn't see another soul all day on a spectacular fall day.

Map Below.  Blue P=Parked Car      Blue X=Camels "Bump" summit     Red X=Wetland

 

 

Hand Hollow Hill(Hand Hollow State Forest-Town of New Lebanon, Columbia County)

Got out for a very short, but steep Sunday morning stroll at the Hand Hollow State Forest in northern Columbia County under beautiful early fall conditions.  Parked at the marked DEC parking lot off of Route 20(Elevation 685 feet) and then hiked past the gate and headed south up a rough access road.

The road walk was mostly uneventful, but steep and ablaze in early fall colors.

After a short but relentless climb up the road, a short drop then brought me to a cell tower in a small clearing.

From the cell tower, I turned back on the road, quickly leaving it and heading into the woods to bushwhack up to the nondescript 1364 foot summit.

After leaving the summit, it was a steep descent back to the road and the car, covering 2.2 miles RT and 700 feet of ascent.

Map Below.   Blue P=Parking   Blue X=Summit    Red X=Cell Tower

 

 

Bear Cubby Hill(High Peaks Wilderness-Adirondacks)

A few years ago, while looking over a map of the High Peaks, I noticed a spot labeled Bear Cubby sitting just north of Cascade Mountain and knew I wanted to check it out someday.  Although there are no formal trails on this obscure 2757 foot peak, there did appear there was some open rock up high.  I parked at the trailhead for Pitchoff Mountain East off of Route 73(Elevation 1840 feet) and headed south into the woods, closely following a drainage as I slowly gained elevation.

 

Most of the bushwhacking was pleasant, SW through through deciduous woods, interspersed with some patches of scratchy spruce.

I first angled my way to the north slopes of Bear Cubby, finding some good views NW across Route 73 towards Pitchoff Mountain.

From the same area of steep ledges, the view north towards Pitchoff Mountain East.

Higher up, the woods grew tighter and the hardwoods were mostly replaced with larger patches of spruce.  Thankfully, there is a decent amount of open rock to explore, with steep ledges dropping off to the south and east, providing views towards neighboring Laramore Mountain's ridge.

  

Small stretches of mossy rock slab made for easy bushwhacking.

Stellar views opened up to the NE, where nearby Owls Head and its open rock stood front and center.  Early fall foliage only enhanced the vista.

NE views, with Owls Head left and Laramore's long ridge on the right. The Hurricane Mountain Wilderness rises just beyond.

I continued my ascent SW, hugging the bare rock ledges facing SE towards the summit, with many grand views.  Perhaps the best view of all was the amazing up close and unique perspective of Cascade Mountain, rising over 1300 feet above to the south.

After hitting the top, I began to descend the north slopes, carefully weaving my way down towards one more large area of open rock.  Once on the open rock, I captured this shot back at Bear Cubby's slopes that I had just descended.

This area of open rock provided even more killer views, such as this look north at Pitchoff Mountain's long ridge.

Wandering the area of open rock at just over 2400 feet.

SW views across Cascade Pass.

What followed these views was a steep, boulder laden descent back to Route 73 and my waiting car. Didn't cover a lot of miles, but did feel good to get back out and do some exploring.  3.3 miles RT, with 930 feet of ascent.

Map below.   Blue P=Parking   Red X=Summit    Black X's=Views 

 

 

Hand Hollow Conservation Area-Town of New Lebanon, Columbia County)

Finally got out for some much needed woods therapy this afternoon at the Columbia Land Conservancy's Hand Hollow Conservation Area.  I have been here many times previously, but sure felt good to be back out again.  Parked at the trailhead along Gale Hill Road(Elevation 950 feet) and set out, soon arriving at the shores of beautiful Meizenger Pond.

Almost stepped on this little guy while checking out the views.

Had the woods to myself and really enjoyed the solitude on this sultry summer day.

Didn't have a lot of time, so kept it fairly short, covering a little over two miles total.  Can't wait to get out exploring again soon. 

Pilot Knob NW Sub Peak(Lake George Wild Forest-Adirondacks)

Headed north to visit Pilot Knob's NW ridge and sub peak, a part bushwhack/ part herd path hike that I have done a couple of times before.  I opted to start from a small sliver of state land at a gate directly across from Echo Bay Lane(Elevation 400 feet), immediately picking up a wide woods road heading east.

After a short distance I left the main woods road for a foot path heading south, before eventually simply bushwhacking my way up the steep slopes of the mountain.  The woods varied greatly from dark evergreens to open hardwoods and between 850-1000 feet I hit the first of many small clearings with okay views down towards Lake George.

Wide open, grassy clearings traded off with steep, rocky terrain.

At about 1275 feet, I emerged in a larger clearing, with views of the NW ridge and some of its rock ledges towering overhead.

 

The first really good views of the day from the large, rocky clearing around 1300 feet.  French Mountain(center), Prospect Mountain(top right) and southern Lake George are all easily visible.

West views from the open ledges across Lake George. 

Climbing up through wide open, often times rocky terrain.

Higher up on the ridge, the views west/northwest stretch all the way to the Tongue Range.

A small little perch overlooking Lake George to the SW.

Ascending up the NW ridge, with a great view towards the true summit.

My turnaround spot, just below the top of the ridge, provides an up close view directly across the col towards Pilot Knob's true summit.

Climbing back up on the herd path towards the 1920 foot high spot on the ridge.

Spectacular views are aplenty on this ridge!  Here's yet another view to the south, with the true summit to the left.

Hazy south views over the south end of Lake George, with Dunham Bay to the left.

After soaking in the views, I descended via a combination of the herd path and buhshwack all the way down to the car. Felt good to back out and about for a little bit.  Covered about 3.8 miles RT, with 1580 feet of ascent.

Map below:  Blue P=Parking   Blue X=Summit