Grandpa Pete Mountain & Sunrise Mountain(Elk Lake Lodge Property-Adirondacks)

When you get an invite to not only hike a private property mountain with reputed great views, but to also partake in your hiking buddy's completion of the Adirondack Hundred Highest list...you jump at it!  I found myself in this extremely fortunate situation on Tuesday with my friends, Jim, John, Spencer and Correne, as we would be using exclusive access to hike on the property of the breathtaking Elk Lake Lodge.  Since we had multiple cars, we chose to make this a part trail/ part bushwhack traverse hike to see as much area as we could. Our starting point was a spot just south of Clear Pond along Elk Lake Road at an elevation of about 1850 feet.  After a short road walk, we dipped into the woods on the Old Military Road(which is actually now a trail) which follows the NW shore of Clear Pond.  We found a small view just off trail across the water towards our first destination..the open rock atop Grandpa Pete Mountain.

One of the nicest parts of hiking private trails is that they are usually in immaculate condition when compared to the much more heavily used public trails.  Solid, well constructed foot bridges also help keep feet dry, such as this crossing of Clear Pond Inlet.

Within a few minutes, we arrived at Jones Beach, a quiet little beach tucked into the NE corner of Clear Pond. The multiple northern summit bumps of Ragged Mountain can clearly be seen to the SW.  Wolf Pond Mountain and Boreas Mountain, much larger peaks and slightly to the right, were unfortunately buried in thick fog so barley visible.

A cold, light rain was falling on us at Jones Beach, so we quickly continued on, heading back into the woods and ascending Grandpa Pete Mountain, which, at just under 2400 feet, is really just a small sub peak of Clear Pond Mountain.  As the trail nears the top, it circles beneath a set of impressive rock ledges, rising nearly 20 feet up.

A stiff climb up to the top of the ledges, brought us to our first views of the day.  Fog and mist obscured the views a bit, but it was still a nice spot. Here are SE views towards Three Brothers Mountain, also on Elk Lake property.

The best view on top of Grandpa Pete Mountain was the view directly down over Clear Pond.  A careful eye can even catch a small rainbow across the pond.

After enjoying the views for a few minutes, we pressed on, dropping back down on the trail below the summit ledges.  Once below there, we began our bushwhack north-northeast towards the next peak, an unnamed 2800 foot south summit bump of Sunrise Mountain.  A drop back down below 2000 feet got us into the col, before a steady, steep climb got us up to open rock slabs on the SW slopes of the peak.  Luckily for us, just as we hit the open rock...the skies began to clear...and the sun emerged. 

Clearing skies allowed for our first good views of the day from the open rock slab, and boy were they impressive.  The view SW towards Clear Pond was amazing!  The many surrounding peaks began to emerge as well.  To say the least, we all were quite excited about what laid ahead.

Looking back south at the route we had just come from, with Grandpa Pete Mountain in the foreground of Clear Pond Mountain.

As we continued to climb, we continued to find more and more open rock, with spectacular views.  Soon, the only spot left with the clouds hanging on was to the NW beyond Elk Lake, towards the High Peaks.

Circling around the open rock to the east side of the mountain, we managed to find this east facing view of Niagara Mountain. 

A steady 200 foot drop brought us back down below 2600 feet, before we had to begin our steep climb up 3614 foot  Sunrise Mountain. What we did find on our climb up was a ton of open rock and even more great views...these being even better than the ones before!!  From just under 3000 feet, this open rock slab provide south facing views towards Hoffman Mountain and Blue Ridge Mountain.

Emerging at one of the best vistas I have found anywhere.  Nearly 180 degree views at 3400 feet.  Here is the view SW over Clear Pond towards many, many of the Adirondack peaks.  Outstanding!

Group photo!

Spencer takes a moment to check out this rock perch.

The incredible view west over Elk Lake towards the southern end of the Colvin Range. 

Proving that this far north, and at this elevation(just under 3600 feet), winter holds on tight.  Yes, a small section of rotten snow.

While much of the bushwhacking was remarkably easy, the final 2/10 of a mile was through a lot of deadfall as well a much thicker section of spruce, very typical of the Adirondack Hundred Highest peaks.

A final, steep push got us up to the summit, where we also ran smack dab into the trail.  The summit views were even better than I had imagined!!  The view towards the High Peaks, with the highest peaks still capped in white.  The Great Range is seen here, just behind the Colvin Range.

The north view towards the Dix Range and Nippletop!!  That's Macomb rising above the treetops in the foreground.

For my buddy Jim, this capped his quest for climbing the Hundred Highest Adk peaks.  In his own words, this was the list that he was most proud of.

Another look down towards Clear Pond.

Zoom view towards the Pinnacle, Blake and Colvin, with Skylight, Marcy and Haystack beyond.

Changing skies made for amazing views of the High Peaks. 

The sun poking out atop Marcy's snow capped summit for just a moment. 

A last look at Elk Lake before the bitter summit winds chased us back down the mountain.

A fairly uneventful trail hike brought us back down off the mountain(and a couple more view spots), before we eventually met up with the state trail towards Elk Lake Road.

What a great day and a spectacular adventure in an area that very few people get to see!  Hiked about 8.5 miles total with over 2000 feet of ascent.