Salmon Pond East Mountain(Blue Mountain Wild Forest-Adirondacks)

On my way north to meet my buddy in Long Lake, I made an early morning pit stop at beautiful Rankin Pond, just south of Route 28N in the Vanderwhacker Wild Forest. A short 4/10 mile trail leads down to the peaceful shoreline, where you are more likely to hear the cries of a loon, than the sounds of other people.

I walked along the south shore for a bit, soaking in the serenity.

Morning mist rising off the calm waters.

A nice and easy 4/10 of a mile hike back had me back to the car in no time.  A perfect stretch your legs hike after a long car ride. 
My buddy Jim is quite accomplished as a hiker, having climbed countless peaks and completing many hiker lists, and he needed only one more 3000+ foot mountain in Hamilton County to have finished climbing every 3000 foot peak in the county.  He asked me to join him on his 58th and final Hamilton County 3000 footer, and unnamed 3380 foot peak just west of Fishing Brook Ridge.  Our access today would be from Township 20 state easement, and would mean a long day to avoid private property.  Morning light poking through the trees as we made our way towards our mountain.

Initially it wasn't too bad ascending, but as we climbed, the slopes got steeper and filled with deadfall. 

Luckily we managed to find a fairly open route up to the summit, which unfortunately was quite thick in spruce. This is a photo from the wooded summit.  Not much to see, but success for my buddy Jim!

We decided to explore a little bit around the summit area in search of views.  Although the slopes are very steep, there are only peek a boo views available.

A view southwest towards Salmon Pond, with Blue Mountain rising beyond.

After finding no views, we headed back NW, slowed down quite a bit by decaying ground and deadfall.  We did manage another peek a boo view towards Kempshall Mountain, with the Sewards way off in the distance.

A long, grueling hike with over 1400 feet elevation gain.  This peak may not have had much in the way of views, but it was fun exploring an area less traveled.  Glad I could help my buddy hit another goal!