Finch Mountain(Silver Lake Wilderness-Adirondacks)

After a weekend with temps soaring into the 70's under wall to wall sunshine, we took a big step back today with temps holding in the low 50's under mostly cloudy skies.  Welcome to spring in the northeast! I decided to check out 2030 foot Finch Mountain, a small peak in the Silver Lake Wilderness that sits high above the West Branch of the Sacandaga River, hoping that any rain that might move in would hold off.  I parked on Blackbidge Road, dropping a monetary donation in the coffee can at the private residence at the end of the road.  State access can be found just beyond there, where a very old town road, clearly defined continues on(elevation 1140 feet).  

Even this far north in the Adk's, spring is beginning to take hold.  Spotted some wildflowers scattered throughout the woods, including painted trillium.

A bit higher up the mountain, I came across this red trillium.

I followed the old woods road for a little more than half a mile before starting my bushwhack west/ NW going right up the ridge.  At about 1500 feet, the slopes become very steep with several cliff bands that were easily climbed up and around.  The biggest issue I had to contend with was substantial blowdown that covered much of the slopes.

As I approached the summit area, I was a bit surprised to see some buds beginning to "green up" the undergrowth areas.

The summit area of Finch Mountain, where a large moss covered rock marks the high spot.  There is one view SE near here, but the better views are just west of the summit and down about 150 feet.

A steep drop off the summit brings you down to an area of precarious ledges.  A first set of ledges at about 1950 feet provide good views, but the lower ledges, roughly 100 feet below that provide spectacular views of the West Branch Valley. 

The view even encompasses some of the peaks to the SE, with Vly and Little Roundtop Mountains in front and much larger Wallace Mountain in the distance.

A great lunch spot to soak in the west facing vista.  The West Branch of the Sacandaga River can be seen threading its way through the valley.

To the NW, 3015 foot Dugway Mountain towers across the West Branch.  A careful eye can pick out West River Road running down near the conifers on the lower slopes.

Most of Finch Mountain is covered by hardwoods which allows for screened views of the surrounding peaks nearly the entire hike.  On my descent route, I could easily pick out many of the peaks to the east through the mostly bare trees.

 

Eventually picked up the old woods road once again, and followed it back out to the car.  A nice and easy 3.6 miles RT with 1200 feet of ascent.

Near the tiny community of Blackbridge, I stopped to check out the West Branch Sacandaga River from the current bridge, built back in 1991.