Geekend
On the morning of the second day, we scoped out the swimming situation on the East Branch Ausable River across from Marcy Field, which was within easy walking distance.
The swimming situation was primo. The water was cool and refreshing. It moved swiftly over the fine sand and smooth rocks. We saw couples, families, and bus groups at this delightful swimming spot.
Judging by the sign at the swim spot, someone out there understands the Golden desire... no, the Golden need for splashing in the water. Sunny could have stayed with us, but I preferred to leave him with Wendy and Quinn. It was a good thing, too, because I think he would have been miserable in the rental.
We played lots of games: Can't Stop, Space Base, Unstable Unicorns, a creepy Dread scenario set in the Adirondacks, Trails, Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Ticket to Ride, Codenames, and Telestrations. We usually play Jackbox party games later in the evening, but the cabin didn't really have a TV conducive to that activity. We were also usually exhausted by 10pm because it was so hot.
We walked or drove past the view of Blueberry Mountain several times the first couple of days of our trip and the gears were turning in my head right away. I wasn't sure which mountain in the view was Blueberry, but after some investigation, I saw that it was the shorter one in the foreground. Beyond that was the first big shoulder of Porter's ridge which marches off out of view beyond both peaks.
Blueberry Mountain
We got some good gaming in that second night, and some really good eating. I was feeling pretty gross about my eating choices and a little overstimulated, so I made the decision to hike Blueberry Mountain. It was almost literally in the property's backyard so, as someone on Discord told me, it would have been rude not to.
Unfortunately, the only hiking gear I'd brought were the trail runners Erica gave me and a pair of Darn Tough socks. So, for the hike, I wore a pair of cargo shorts and a tee shirt. I slung my small luggage bag around my body with the shoulder strap and filled it with water, cookies, an apple, and two bananas. I forgot my hat in the house.
I signed in at the Marcy Airfield trail register and I hoped that nobody I wouldn't meet anyone I knew on the trail and have to explain wearing cotton and lack of proper gear.
The trail starts off in conjunction with a Keene town trail. The Keene portion of the trail is wide, flat, soft, and easy to follow.. The map shows this part of the hike and a few adjoining trails as appropriate for mountain biking. I also saw evidence of equestrian use.
Those who are at home on Adirondack trails will find this hike very familiar. The stages of the hike are very much like many of the others in the park. It starts off as a gentle climb where rocks, soil, and plant matter have collected over the centuries and you are surrounded by a mixed forest, deciduous and evergreen trees each dominating their favorite terrain.
The flattish sections roll past junctions with the town trail system and around a swamp. I made sure to make a bit of noise through here in case there was any wildlife to be aware of.
There are some lovely water features on this hike, including a waterfall that I believe is the "Blueberry Falls" indicated on the maps.
As expected, shortly after the cross-over to State land, the hike enters the "piled up" stage nearer to the base of the mountain where the spoil is built up much steeper and the rock of the mountain is actually poking through. Conifers and hearty trees like birches take over.
After some climbing at about an 18-23% grade, the trail bends right across a couple of water crossings for a reinvigorating flattish bit. After that, the ascent begins in earnest to a much steeper final section which features a rather impressive average 40% grade in several sections.
The main ascent includes boulder and root scrambles as well as slabs.
There are many spots on the way up to take a breath, take a drink, and catch lovely views.
The blueberries weren't ready to eat yet, but there were lots of pretty wildflowers to look at.
The summit views, even on a hazy day, are stunning. You get views of the entire length of Keene Valley...
...as well as the Northern and Central high peaks.
The views on this hike are an incredible payoff for a "leisurely" five-ish mile round trip with 2000' of elevation gain. I hung out and ate an apple, a banana, and half a cookie while enjoying the incredible morning on the summit.
After the week of oppressive heat, it was awesome to be at the summit of a mountain at 7:30am with the breeze whipping around me. Still, the climb had been strenuous and I'd worn cotton which was predictably soaked through. By this time I had a stick I'd piked up along the way to help me up the mountain and my shirt was wrapped around my head. Still, I was very happy to be there.
After the main descent, I saw my friend, Gene at one of the water crossings. He'd been out rucking and had decided to meet me. I was really excited to have the company. We chatted and enjoyed the cool forest for the rest of the hike.
We took a detour around part of the town trail to see what some of the features necessitated it. The trail curls around the other side of the swamp I'd passed on the way up and down through a forest with interesting visibility through the trees.
As it turns out, the area is an active tree farm, horse trail, and mountain bike trail with some historical components. We didn't explore the entire thing, so we didn't come to the obscured overlooks along the Keene Ridge Loop that are promised on the Lake Placid website. However, if you're in the area and looking for a less strenuous hike, that's a good alternative to the climb up Blueberry Mt. itself.
Hike Conclusion
It was great to get out and hike despite the nasty weather. If I hadn't gotten a 5:30am start, I wouldn't have gone, but everything really worked out to make it a good hike. The steepness was a bit surprising, but invigorating. I do doubt the map's inference that the hike is only 4.7 miles, however. But hikers always say that.
I am very interested in having a go at the whole ridge someday, perhaps soon. AllTrails says it's 9.7 out and back to Cascade from Marcy Field. However, plotting the ridge as a traverse from Marcy Field to the Cascade/Pitchoff trailhead is only 7 miles flat. That sounds like an awesome day on the trail to me.
Additional Adventures
We did some other fun stuff in the region while we were there. A lot of it was simply to beat the heat due to the lack of climate control in our short term rental.
On the third day we decided to beat the heat by going to lunch at Big Slide. We had a great meal as always. Big Slide is one of those places that's always worth the cost associated.
That same day some of us went into Lake Placid because Gene needed some gifts from the Imagination Station for his kids and that store is so cool. I can definitely see myself going back there to get gifts for Quinn. There are many great shops, restaurants, and hotels in Lake Placid. However, the main attraction for our visit ended up being the Olympic Hockey Center. My cousin, Erin, is a big hockey fan and the 1980 rink was a real pilgrimage for her. It was also really awesome to cool off in the ice rink!
After we left the cabin on the last day, I drove my cousin, Erin, and my brother-in-law, Brandon to the summit of Whiteface because I wanted them to experience a High Peaks summit. The fact that the summit looked clear on the way up and was partially socked-in when we got to the top really showed they got the full High Peaks experience.
It was really neat to experience the tunnel into the heart of the mountain and the elevator. It was very cold inside the mountain and the tunnel was lined with copper wiring and a copper ceiling, we suspected for de-icing purposes.
At any rate, all told, it was a good week. I think we'll stick to cooler months and scrutinize our rental options a bit more closely in the future, but that's fine as a learning experience. Thank goodness the Ausable River was there to save the day.
