Was looking for something new and a little different while in the Lake George area today and remembered reading a trip report about this small 1650 foot unnamed peak which sits just north of Prospect Mountain and right beside the Northway. Thought it looked interesting enough to give it a shot so drove to the parking area on Big Hollow Road just east of I-87 to get started, elevation approximately 620 feet. Immediately after leaving the car I headed west under the set of culverts running beneath the interstate.
Big Hollow Road is a very, rough old road that climbs very steeply west up away from the interstate. Off to the left of the road is Big Hollow Brook, which offers up several pretty cascades as it makes its way down the hollow.
The small falls and cascades are easily reached down lower in the hollow, but the walls above the brook grow increasingly steep and difficult to traverse the higher you get.
The ascent up Big Hollow Road is rocked filled and steadily steep, but never too difficult. The high humidity did make the climb seem much tougher, however.
Just above 1300 feet I left the road, heading northeast, then crossed under power lines and re-entered a conifer forest. Found a small old woods road that climbed for a bit before eventually picking up a foot trail of sorts, marked with white blazes. They headed towards the unnamed summit so I simply followed them up. Near the summit, the woods transitioned to mostly hardwoods and sedge grass.
From a clearing just below the summit, a southern exposure provides up close and personal views of Prospect Mountain and Black Spruce Mountain. The radio towers between the two peaks can be easily picked out as well.
Dark storm clouds were rolling in all around us, quickly surrounding Prospect's summit area.
A framed look down towards Million Dollar Beach and Lake George Village. This is certainly a view that would be much better with the leaves off the trees.
The summit ridge was very pleasant and made for a nice stroll through meadow like conditions.
I searched around and found the nondescript 1650 foot high spot that was less than a football field away from the ledge views.
Instead of turning back, I decided to follow the white marked trail east, where it dropped down the nose of the ridge. A short distance down the white markers disappeared, but the remaining herd path was very easy to follow. With strengthening winds and claps of thunder all around, I made a hasty retreat down this trail.
The trail basically vanishes at the bottom, but I was within eye sight of Big Hollow Road again, so I popped back out onto the road and made it back to the car in no time at all.
Hiked about 3.3 miles RT, with 1100 feet of ascent.
You crazy bushwhacker! Maybe I'll do this in the winter; I'm afraid of ticks...Have you ever climbed French Mtn, it's in that area on the other side of the Northway?
ReplyDeleteTicks? What are they? Never heard of them! lol Yes, I climbed French Mountain a few years ago off the bike trail. I know there is a new access area to the other side of the mountain now too. Haven't been to that part yet.
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