Hadley Mountain Fire Tower (Adirondack Park)

Hadley Mountain Fire Tower (Adirondack Park)

Hike Type: Out and Back

Distance: 3.44 miles

Elevation: 1,535 feet

Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes (1 hour, 30 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: ADK 29er, Adirondack Firetower Challenge, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge

The Hike

It was now the second weekend of April break, and I was in New Jersey, but had to end my day in northern Vermont. I spent some time looking at ways to break up the drive, and landed at the Hadley Mountain Fire Tower on the edge of the Adirondack Park! The drive from NJ to the trailhead was long but easy, and I made it to the empty trailhead just before 7:30am. It was a crisp 48 degrees with a few bugs hovering about, but overall all was good! The access road was dirt and narrow but in good condition. I took care of my Code Yellow just off the parking lot, feared a Code Brown, pulled it together, and got to my adventure!

I chose to be bold and start cold, which was a good move (as always), as I immediately started sweating as the trail got right to work. I had a bit of hip chafing from yesterday's hike in Harriman, but it wasn't burning too badly. Skies were overcast as I climbed up to the trail register that was missing a writing implemenet. 

The trail continued past the register on a wide, eroded trail. The dark, dense forest opened up to a young hardwood area where I noticed a #2 on a tree - maybe this is an interpretive trail? (Yes! You can download the brochure from https://hadleymtfiretower.org/). The #2 was in reference to bear marking on the trees. 

I enjoyed the smell of warm, wet forest as the trail began to climb more steeply. I misssed #3 (bedrock) but did notice marker #4 (natural sculptures). There were lots of small critters around the forest floor doing their morning chores and I enjoyed some hazy tree views behind me. The trail bends at a signed arrow, crosses a creek, and arrives at marker #5 (stream crossing). 

The trail was well-blazed in red and I was sweaty! I climbed up what was the beginning of MANY slabs, which at this moment were wet, but not slippery. I was worrying about the descent, but I'd let that be a later problem. I noticed a tree view to some undercast in the distance and also some early spring budding (as opposed to the almost-leaves of Harriman State Park). 

The slabs got a bit dicier and eventually, the trail turned off of the slabs and continued on steep, rocky footing (which was a welcome change). I zig-zagged through another ledgy spot and climbed up an adorable, ~3ft tall chimney. I felt one single rain drop as the trail continued to rise up to the col between Hadley Mountain and it's neighbor peak (#6 - The Resting Rock on Panther Pass). 

Once in the col, which I guess is also known as Panther Pass, I enjoyed a heavenly walking break before the trail narrowed and began to climb again. The climbing now was much easier as I collected spider webs and continued to fear what my stomach was capable of (remember the Code Brown scare from earlier? It's back!). I passed marker #7 ("Pioneer" White Birch - the first trees to grow after a forest fire) and enjoyed the sound of woodpeckers hard at work.

The trail climbed through a rocky notch and turned left at marker #8 ("Sharp Turn Left!") before steepening in a grassy, ledgy area, which led to a wonderful tree view to a lake. This was followed by another wonderufl walking break and another ledge view to nearby mountains. It even smelled like a pine candle up here - I was so happy.

The climbing became easy at this point as I soon arrived at the old warden's cabin and privy (with a spooky little cave, too). There was a quick scramble and push to the true summit, which was mostly open with wonderful views, the tower, a USGS disc, and a summit bolt. 

The tower climb wasn't too awful and the cabin was open with a small ladder that was terrifying, but worth the extra emotional push. The views north were exceptional, but I couldn't make out the Catskills due to clouds. The tower was marker #10 (Top and the Tower!) and I had missed #9, but it was at the cabin and cave. 

I took a bunch of photos and then started my descent right at the one-hour mark. I was thrilled to have encountered absolutely zero signs of winter, and I was back at Panther Pass in 15 minutes! On a side note, I really love hiking in New York specifically because you can tell which trail plackards are new and which are old - I find it super fun!

I significantly slowed down on the wet slabs further down and did NOT fall. I did my best to be good and avoid going off-trail, but a few stretches were too dangerous with the moss and moisture to go straight through. The lower slabs, which were dry, were an absolute dream! Soon enough I was back at the car, solidifying that this was a zero-person hike! It was now 60 degrees, and I was on my way to Vermont! I soon drove past a porcupine on the access road followed by some turkeys. Just after, on Eddy Road, I got a great view of Hadley Mountain. The rest of my drive to and over Lake Champlain was just beautiful.

Step-by-Step

- Start hike on Hadley Mountain Trail (red blazes).

- Summit Hadley Mountain, climb fire tower, return to car.

Wilcox Lake Wild Forest

Photo Album

Mt. Arab (Adirondack Park)

Mt. Arab (Adirondack Park)

Hike Type: Out-and-Back
Distance: 2.2 miles
Elevation: 784 feet
Time: 2 hours, 18 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Tupper Lake Triad, ADK Jr. 29er, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge, ADK Firetowers

The Hike 

The parking lot for Mt. Arab is a large pull-off tucked away from the main road in the incredibly named "Conifer Emporium Conservation Easement." The parking lot was rather full, but there were no other humans in the parking lot when I was getting set up. The trail starts across the street and there is a register and information kiosk a few steps into the woods detailing recent trail work and brochures about rehabilitating the fire tower. 

 

The trail was steady with one steep section that was aided with new wooden ladder steps. Very scenic forest, and overall very uneventful. I passed a few hiking groups that were coming down the mountain - a good sign for me! Uniquely, there were numbers on trees in ascending order the whole hike up. Some were closer to others, so I do not believe they were distance markers. Not sure. 

 

Toward the top, the trail splits, both directions are red-blazed. The left side goes up a short scramble to the tower and the right goes to a viewpoint with a bench. I did not go to that viewpoint due to a couple enjoying their time, so I headed right to the tower. On the theme of this trip, there was a large family on the tower at the time. There was a group waiting at the keeper's cabin, and the family was taking their sweet time on the tower, seemingly oblivious to anybody else. When they finally descended, the other group headed up (they offered to let me go first, but who knows how long they've been waiting for). While they were up, I found the benchmark and had a snack. The tower itself was nice and provided great views in all directions, and I was joined by another solo hiker who was equally as sweaty as I, which I always appreciate. I passed one other hiker who had a collection of patches on his pack who was debating if he wanted to go up or not - I encouraged him to climb it. There was a small view through the woods, and then I did my return trip!

 

I did not realize that 11:30am was officially family hour on Mt. Arab. I passed endless families who were starting their hikes on my way down, and the parking lot was packed. Cars were even circling. Either way, I did my quick change in my car and headed back to the hotel for a shower. Thunderstorms were going to be rolling in, so I used that as an excuse to be done hiking for the day. I spent the rest of the day at the Adirondack Experience Museum which was EXCELLENT. Highly recommend! This ended up being the final hike of my first trip to the Adirondacks, and I will absolutely be back. 

Bog River Complex (Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest) (NYDEC)

Bog River Complex (Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest) Map (NYDEC)

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Bald Mountain (Adirondack Park)

Bald Mountain (Adirondack Park)

Hike Type: Out-and-Back Loop
Distance: 1.87 miles
Elevation: 420 feet
Time: 46 minutes

Hiking Challenges: Fulton Chain Trifecta, ADK Jr. 29er, Adirondack Firetowers

The Hike

Finally getting around to writing this! It's been about a week and a half since my inaugural trip to the Adirondacks - I had hoped to journal about these next few hikes before I had to teach band camp, but life happens and here we are now! Just to clearly paint the picture, I'm currently laying in bed, exhausted, hiding from my landlord and the plummer. 

 

I had a long drive after my morning hike up Balsam Lake Mountain in the Catskills, so by the time I entered the Adirondack Park for the first time I was ready to get moving again. My first impressions were that it was much more tourist-y than the Whites, but I realized that was only because I drove through Old Forge, which reminded me more of Gatlinburg, TN. I remembered listening to the 46 of 46 Podcast in the past and there was an episode dedicated to the Fulton Chain Trifecta, so I put that on to get a preview of the day which I loved. The rest of the drive was very scenic and before I knew it I was pulling into the Bald Mountain parking lot, which to my dismay was extremely busy. I had my classic inner battle of "f this" versus "just go climb the mountain you'll be fine," and thankfully I got over myself and got hiking!

 

There were a lot of people on this hike, but it was equally my favorite trail of the six ADK hikes I ended up doing. It starts off steeply climbing up rooty slabs, but always with good footing. The rest of the hike is at a gradual incline over smooth rock with a good amount of viewpoints for a rest, especially for being such a short hike. My favorite view was of Fourth Lake with the high(er) peaks in the distance.

 

At the summit area there is the firetower and another great view of the Fulton Chain Lakes. I decided to not wait to climb the firetower because there were families everywhere and I was feeling satisfied with the view already. I'm sure it was nice up there - maybe another time! The return trip was very quick and fun - I found myself whispering "parkour" to myself as I quickly hopped down the sloping rocks. There were two clean porta-potties at the trailhead, so I did my quick change and got ready for hike #2 - Rocky Mountain!

 

Fulton Chain Wild Forest (NYDEC)

Fulton Chain Wild Forest Map (NYDEC)

Photo Album