Peak 817 "Kings Seat"(Siamese Ponds Wilderness-Adirondacks)

Met up with my buddies Spencer and Jim to hike a small 2680 foot peak which directly south of Chimney Mountain and NW of Puffer Pond.  The peak is labeled on USGS maps as 817 meters, but Spencer came up with the name "Kings Seat", due to the mountain's proximity to Kings Flow.  The draw for us on this peak was a series of steep ledges on the south side of the peak, which we hoped would provide views.  We parked at the trailhead for Chimney Mountain($2 for parking on private property) at the end of Big Brook Road, and got geared up.  Temperatures were in the single digits so it was going to be a cold one for sure.  Elevation to start is quite high at 1730 feet.  We headed out on the trail to Puffer Pond, where the trail was nicely broken out.

Although cold, the conditions were almost perfect for a great snowshoe hike.  The mileage on the trail went super fast as we climbed to a height of land.

At a height of land, we left the trail and began our bushwhack west climbing steadily up the unnamed peak.  Within a short time we began to get through the trees views towards Puffer Mountain.

 Bluebird skies and deep, fluffy snow greeted us as we neared the wooded summit area.

Continuing on beyond the summit, we dropped through a section of spruce before we found one of the ledges we were looking for.  The views did not disappoint.  We enjoyed a great view of 3450 foot Puffer Mountain towering across the valley.

An east view toward Puffer Pond provided us with a glimpse of Gore Mountain peeking out over Puffer's ridge.

 From our ledge we had a nice look through a stand of white birch back over at the summit we had just been on.

One last glimpse at our view before we headed back up, then down to another lower ledge.

The next view spot, a bit more than a hundred vertical feet lower, provided us with another view towards Puffer Mountain.  This open area was actually much broader than the higher ledge.

As we left the second open area, the summits of Humphrey Mountain could be seen poking out to the SW.

After dropping down a bit in search of hidden ledges, we found ourselves re-climbing.  An impressive rock wall made it difficult to find a way up.

 Spencer aims for a chute up..but the snow and ice were a tough challenge..

 ...Jim heads up next, in search of a way up..but to no avail.  We eventually had to give up and head all the way around these enormous rock walls.

All of our hard work and perseverance paid off, as we emerged at another impressive ledge, just off the west summit bump of this peak.

 

SW views towards Humphrey Mountain and Horseshoe Mountain just beyond.  In the foreground is the far west ridge of Puffer Mountain.

A nice and easy descent west through hardwoods brought us back down to the marked trail along the east shore of Kings Flow.  We left the trail briefly and took a few moments to enjoy the views across Kings Flow. 

Jim and Spencer soaking in the views and sunlight across Kings Flow to the south.

We hiked the trail back from there, emerging to an open view of the peaks just NW of Chimney Mountain, with Chimney Mountain Cabins below.

Our part trail-part bushwhack hike was short and sweet, with just under 5 miles and 1200 feet of ascent.