I hiked this on 11-29-2014, a beautiful day in the woods. Cold or not, 8 degrees isn't bad when there's little to no wind. The dogs did great and I got rid of my cabin fever.
From the parking area followed a dirt driveway for a short distance before dropping into the woods on the left. From here I hiked through a very nice mixed forest, crossing a fairly new footbridge over Slide Brook. The climb is easy for the first mile to this crossing. Once I crossed over it began to be a steady climb to the junction at 2.4 miles. Going left from the junction is short, I found to be a moderately steep 0.2-mile spur trail that brought me to the summit.
The summit has wide-open views in almost all directions.
5.2 miles round trip
Elevation gain...
I Didn't make my destination but did have a great 5.12-mile hike in the woods. One person had gone in ahead after the last storm. Since then everything softened and froze making for not-so-pleasant snowshoeing.
The start of the trail crosses a small footbridge before hiking along with a very easy-to-follow and well-developed trail. The trail is mostly flat to the Hurricane Mountain Trail junction that veers to the right at just over a mile from the start. There is a nice lean-to located in this area to the left.
The trail continues flat for a bit before starting a steady climb that passes through a mixed forest. The trail eventually eases as you get closer to the south side of Lost Pond at 1.8 mi. where there is an excellent viewing...
Derek and I had originally planned to hike Gray, Redfield, and Cliff mountains. Like typical men, we changed our minds while en route. Actually, the dynamics of our hike changed from the previous high peak hike, we were off to a late start, and snowshoes. This was the first time this season snowshoes were needed (required).
We opted to make this a conditioning hike, and downshifted and took a nice walk into Avalanche and Colden lakes. It was a 10.04-mile round trip hike that offered some beautiful views. I made my attempt at capturing this, but nothing compares to actually standing on the lakes soaking in the views. Our change of plans diverted us from taking the trail to lake Arnold and going straight up to Avalanche lake. This gave...
This was an extension of my normal jaunt to Rooster Comb, I added a jaunt over to Hedge Hog. The trail is easy to moderate terrain. Starting from Keene Valley you hike over a wooden bridge from the parking area to the trailhead register. You'll pass a small pond on the right behind the Keene Central School. As you veer away from the pond the trail climbs steadily to a junction with one of the routes to Snow Mountain Trail at around 0.7 mi. Stay right and continue a steady climb to another junction at around 2.0 mi. (Straight ahead leads to Hedgehog and Lower Wolf Jaw. Left is an alternate return, which also connects to Snow Mt.), to the right goes to Rooster Comb.
Turning right, the trail climbs to the crest of the ridge and a junction...
Almost a year since my last hike. Life sure did get in the way of my fun time.
This is a nice little hike with some very impressive views up the Johns Brook valley. It's not a high peak at 2762 ft., but it is a rewarding hike.
The trail starts at the parking lot south of Noonmark Diner off route 73 and begins on the flat skirting a small pond. From there is a gradual climb through pines and then hardwoods. From the junction to hedgehog Mt it is a short hike to the open ledge of HedgeHog.