31 & 32: Nye & Street

 

Some friends and I had carved out a day to hike MacNaughton Mountain, the lost 46er. We stayed in lean-tos at Heart Lake the night before, having fire and conversation until 10pm. The weather seemed poor for the next day, so we fell asleep with some trepadation.

We had wind and rain overnight, but Sunny and I slept very well. The rain on the roof of the lean-to was pleasant to listen to, the temperatures were cool, and the lean-to did a great job of blocking the wind gusts. What's more, I'd brought a real pillow from my bed and it was amazing. I may try to find room in my backpacking pack for a real pillow in the future.

At just past 6am, I made a trip to the privies. When I stepped out to use the hand sanitizer, I slipped off the narrow top step, stumbled down the stairs, tripped over a rock, skinned my knee on said rock, and bonked my head on a log. I said several very loud swears and probably woke up several campers. Fortunately, I felt okay shortly after. I'm sure things would have ended very differently if I'd hit my head on the rock instead.

After breakfast, we used the wifi at the Loj to check the weather report. The forecast called for cool temperatures, showers, and sustained winds of 15mph. We discussed our options and decided that a 17-18 mile hike featuring a notorious bushwhack in those conditions was a bad idea. Jay suggested the group help Sunny and me bag Street & Nye instead. Although we knew it wouldn't be an easy hike, it promised to be a less dangerous option.  

Five humans and three dogs hiked around the lake and arrived at the Indian Pass/Mt.Jo trail register at 7:50am.

Sunny was pulling me hard along the well-maintained lake trail.

The fabled river crossing was quite dry despite last night's rain. The colors were popping!

This broken tree provided evidence of nature's awesome power. 

We crossed the stream immediately and had to use a narrow trail along the West bank. However,  if you follow along the East bank, the trail is much clearer and easier. Today, it was easy to cross further upstream, so we did that on the way back. Use your best judgement.

As with many Adirondack hikes, this one threads amidst wet terrain in the beginning. The Street & Nye hike is an unmarked trail and at this lower section, there are numerous herd paths giving hikers various options in order to manage high water levels.

Despite the fallen leaves, the trail was easy to follow, especially with the help of doggie noses.

We explored the fascinating remains of the old camp.

After the lowlands section, and the abandoned camp, the trail soon began following a trickling brook.

There was a surprising amount of trail maintenance evident throughout the hike.

As we climbed, I cut Sunny loose.

Sunny was having a great day.

So was Zuko!

It was a very pretty trail going up the drainage. It actually hadn't started raining yet and the air was cool and muggy. The mountains and woods were blocking much of the wind coming in from the Southwest. The wind, unsurprisingly, picked up gradually as we climbed.

Sunny didn't run out of energy at all throughout the hike.

As you gain elevation, the terrain gets rockier, but it's still mainly a roots-and-soil ascent.

There were a few rare spots of exposed rock here and there. Near the top, the woods drew closer and we were getting wet from the foliage and in the clouds.

The forests on this mountain, a Southern approach with windbreak protection on the West side of the trail, are thick, mossy, and lush. It's very pretty through here.

Lots of trail maintenance was still evident near the high-elevation col. This seems very necessary on these mountains which feature dense forest, even at elevation.

 

Sunny and Zuko were like peas in a pod.

After climbing for some time, there is a bit of a wide, windy, marshy flat section that you might think is the col. It is not; it is a wide shoulder on the side of the mountain. You can see it in the lower right hand corner of the map above. I didn't get any photos of it, but you'll know it when you come to it. 

Although Sunny does love running around during a mountain ascent, he does a pretty good job of staying on-trail near the summit. In groups, he tends to run along between the vanguard and the rearguard, ensuring everyone is together. Zuko was doing the same thing on the way down. Luna stayed with her dad most of the time, but she also liked to make sure everyone was okay.

Nye summit was socked in and windy, but the woods seemed to be protecting us from most of it.

Zuko did great on his very first High Peak!

We started the half-mile hike to Street.

The geography at the top of this hike is actually quite interesting. When you come up to the junction, it's actually a small area between Nye to your right, and a small nub of a peak to your left. Hiking over to Street, you hike across the nub, then descend quite a bit through thick, close conifers. We got very wet here. This descends into a lovely, quiet hollow, which I'd say that's the true col between the two mountains. The ascent begins again in earnest shortly after this.

The change in conditions from one part of this hike to the other thanks to the way the different features break the wind and how close or separate the trees are necessitate the ability to shed or add layers at a moment's notice. We had many costume changes throughout this hike.

The elevation gain here feelt like a lot more than it is, I think partially because of the chill in the air and the wetness. We had a snack or two along the way here to bring our energy up.

Although there is some contention about Street's status as a High Peak, I give it credit for the amount of work it made us do on the way over.  Still, it is a very pretty place with mossy trees and rocks.

Sunny was still full of energy.

Dad.  Sammich. Sammich, Dad. Don't worry; he got some.

Zuko's 2nd High Peak summit!

The descent was a piece of cake. I did land on my butt twice, but that's to be expected.  It took us 4 hours to get to the summit of Street, then 3 hours to get back to the Loj. All in all it was a great day despite the ick weather.  

Sunny was ready for a nap by the time we got back to the car.

We hit up Big Slide for dinner.

I really appreciate the guys for choosing to do a High Peaks hike that I needed as our backup plan.  

That makes 14 High Peaks this season. Sunny and I are now at 32/46. Thanks again to the guys and dogs who helped us hike these latter two and the advice throughout the year.  

I'm looking forward to working on some lowpeaks the rest of the year. Though I haven't completely ruled out any High Peaks, conditions and home life will be in complete control of whether any happen or not. If anything, it's possible we could have a go at Seymour if we get a good stretch of weather.