Sept 21st'13
Yesterday was another trip to Adirondacks Park. I got up at 3 am to get ready and was on the road around 3:45. The drive was nice and easy. I got to the Garden parking lot around 8:06 only to find out it was full an i had to turn around. Thankfully they have a shuttle service from nearby Marcy place where i drove to, and after 3 or 4 minutes waiting i got on the shuttle.
I started the hike at around 8:36 half hour later than expected. Last shuttle was leaving at 6 pm so i had a little less than 10 hrs to do the hike.
When i signed in the register i only put Basin and Saddleback but i was hoping to hit the Haystack as well, it all depended on my timing.
Half mile before hitting the Adirondack Lodge there was another register where i signed in as well. There was a ranger on patrol walking he asked me where i was going. I asked him if i was too late to do the two peaks,he said that indeed i was and if i had a headlamp, i assured him that i had it with me and i continued, i tried to be fast and not have to finish in the dark.
I was worried that i havnt seen any people on the trail. I figured that everybody that was hoping to bag peaks left at reasonably earlier time. That only motivated me to move faster.
I passed two people after i crossed the river nearby the lodge. The were moving slow, i left them in the dust thinking that i might have a good chance to go for Haystack.
The weather started to change around that time, sun which was peaking through the clouds for the first hour of the hike, now was totally covered by heavy darkish clouds. It was getting cooler as well,and my hopes for the warmer temps to dry out the trail were gone. It was wet everywhere, rocks were covered in moisture and it was slippery. It was not a perfect weather to catch any views. Nearby the slant rock leanto i meet two young guys. We talked and looked at the maps. They were going for the grate range in its whole awesomeness. I was surprised that they were in that section of the trail that late but they seemed to be moving fast. They told me that the got info on the weather at the loge and that there were supposedly thunderstorms approaching. I was not happy to hear that. At this point i had to decide if i was going to do Haystack or just Basin Saddleback. I decided that at 10:36 i still had pretty good chances to avoid the thunders and go to all three peaks. The wind picked up in strength. It got colder.I put my gloves on an pushed on. It was not far from there to Haystack summit.
It was tough climb of one mile and i tried to keep moving steady. It didnt take long before i saw Little Haystack in the horizon. Also i met group of people heading up the main summit. I felt a little better to see more people around because i was getting concerned to be in the woods on my own. When i got to the Summit there was another group of people there celebrating reaching their goal. Also those two young men were there as well.
The wind was so strong it was hard to keep balance. Clouds were covering everything and you could barely see anything around. I decided to just take couple pics with my cell phone not even bothering to get my camera out. It was going to be picture less day.
After maybe 10 minutes i headed down. One of the groups was going to go to Basin as well what got me reassured i was not going to be there alone.
On my way own from the Little Haystack i passed the same two guys talking to the group of girl scouts, i briefly asked them where they were doing there knowing there were going to do the Great Range, they said they changed their plans and were going to do the same hike as i was. I was glad to hear it because i doubted they would be able to finish their original plan. Also one of them kept complaining how hard for him was to get a good footing and that he was getting tired. Also i didnt mind having more company on the same hike as i was!
I continued quickly down the mountains and hoped to get to Basin fast. It was only 0.8 miles from there but i was getting tired as well. Yes it took me only around 3,5 hrs to do that section but my muscles were screaming at me for going up again. Basin summit was very uneventful. I didnt even take a picture. I didnt spend much time on it and continued with my trip down anticipating the cliffs that were awaiting me at the Saddleback. On my way down i passed another group of hikers, but they were moving slow and i knew i was not going to see them again today.
I was a little surprised that the two guys didnt reach me and it looked like i was going to be alone again for the climb. Right before hitting the cliffs i met two hikers going down. They said it was tough and it took some time to figure it out but they made it. They asked me questions about my experience and said i was brave to be there alone. I was thinking if indeed i was brave or reckless. They wished me luck and moved on.
So yes i was there alone facing the infamous cliffs.
At that point i was happy i didnt drag Misha with me on this hike, while i believe its doable for the dogs, it also could have been very stressful an dangerous for a dog.
Ok so i started for the cliffs. The very first climb was the hardest!! i ha to brainstorm for couple of minutes to figure the was to getup. It was tricky and i almost got scared i was not going to be able to do it!
But i made it through. There was another spot that gave me little headache but beside that it was not that bad. Counting that it was cold, no visibility and crazy winds wiping my back i did a good job climbing it fast.
At the top of the cliffs i met three Russian hikers getting ready to go down. hey had little dog with them as well. But weighing not more than 5lbs he could be easily placed in the backpack if there were any problems.
We talked a bit and then went each our own way.
I was more than half the hike done and had great timing. I just had to go down the Saddleback slide and down Ore bed to get back to the lodge and from the retrace my steps from the morning.
That also was the only place where i got my camera out. The sun was trying to get through the sky and i though i might as well take some pictures of the amazing slide and the work that was done there to help hikers out.
The trip down from the slide was ok. A lot of rock hopping and sliding down the boulders. Also i lost a trail at some point and got a little scared. I had a vision of me going down the river bed from year ago on a Dix range hike where i lost the trail and bushwhacked for almost two hours. This time fortunately i walked back to the trail and found a spot where i took off the main trail. After that i had no problems and i was going fast down.
The last 5 miles were dragging. I knew i had enough time to catch the shuttle, but didnt feel like enjoying the walk any more. The sun decided to get out and i was bummed that it was so nice out then. Some people must have enjoyed beautiful views. There were no thunderstorms all the time i was there.
I got to the parking lot at 3:22, it took me less than 7 hrs to do the whole hike. It was fast. I was ready to get to the car and hit the road. I waited maybe 5 minutes for the shuttle and was able to start driving before 4 pm.
I got home at 8:13 and hit shower 5 minutes later. I was stinky!!!
