Adirondacks, July 4th-6th (maybe 7th)

“Just found out the other day that my work is closing shop on July 5th, in addition to July 4th, so I'm very seriously considering a trip to the Adirondacks. It'd be my first time there, so any recommendations on a good loop to hike in the southern 'dacks? And, anyone want to come along?”

“Hey, Artex:

A good loop might be South and East Dix, Hough and Macomb from Elk Lake. They are on my list for the 46. I could perhaps get a buddy who's already done them to come along. Tell me about yourself: dougmurdoch@eudoramail.com”

“Gremlin, sounds good, I'll read up on what you mentioned. I'm at work now, but will drop you an e-mail from home within the next few days.. have family in town now so things are a bit crazy.”

“There's no such thing as a bad trip in the 'dacks, unless it's the one not taken. Wish I could join ya, but alas and alack!”

“Wonderful hiking country! Wish I could go too!”

“I've been tossing the idea around to go up there on July 5-7.

I was thinking about doing the Dog Pond Loop near Cranberry Lake.

Anybody done this loop?”

“Geobeet is right about there not being any bad trips to the 'Dacks!”

“This sounds like an interesting trip. I have those days off, and am looking to hike somewhere, I wonder how long of a drive it would be from Cleveland.”

“Buddha Bear - Not sure how long of a drive, check out mapquest. Be great if you could come! I'm going to hammer out some details next week, what gremlin suggested sound pretty sweet!”

“I have always wanted to do a trip with ya, Gremlin. Maybe I should show up just so I can say I finally hiked with you.

(By the way, I used to be Feeney)”

“I was just looking at the map.
How are those trails to those 46er's? Is there a loop or do you have to toothbrush up each one?”

“They're theoretically trailless, but there's a good herdpath. It's a good loop over a couple of days. Yesterday (I've had a bit of a rough time lately) I skipped school and buggered of to do Algonquin, which is my 'comfort peak'. The ranger said that the loop from Elk Lake is in his opinion the best route. My buddy, Johnny Walker did it that way. I have a four man tent.”

“Gremlin, I was doing reading up a bit on the loop from Elk Lake, and it sounds EXCELLENT. I'm there, hope you and whoever else can make it. I'll drop you an e-mail Monday or Tuesday next week, my father and brother are in town so my internet time is pretty much limited to slow periods here at work.

Adventurist, think you'll come? How about some of you others in the area? Sirpete? Pedxing? LyndyS? Beuller? Beuller? Beuller?”

“Wow, meeting a bunch of TTers is like a fantasy come true. Hope 'n' pray, hope 'n' pray.”

“We are putting our house up far sale by owner next weekend. I might have to stick around if we get a good response.

Right now I am experiencing Inner Turmoil. Must Hike in Adirondacks....No must stay at home?????”

“I've been hankering to get back to that same area to do some other peaks. I've done Dix via Rt.73 on the North Fork trail past Round Pond, and did the range of Hough, SDix, Macomb, and EDix...The best/strenuous/challenging hiking my dog and I ever did.

Check with someone in the area RE black flies prior to that time. I'm not sure if their still in season, but the higher altitudes may still have 'em.”

“Wish I could go folks but my trip starts on the 13th so I won't be able to free myself up for this one. I hope that I will the next time though, I love it up there.”

“I've been to the Daks many times in all kinds of weather: day hiking, thru-trekking, and multi-day basecamping. Despite adverse conditions at times, I can honestly agree with the person(s) who've said that there's no such thing as a bad trip in the Daks. Although I don't claim to be an Adirondaks expert, I offer the following - not to be pessimistic - but only as a reality check...

Black Fly season starts to wind down in July (May and June are the worst), but around the 4th you can expect 'em to still be feasting on the large numbers of people who venture into the Daks around the holiday. Take an adequate supply of 100% Deet -- though poisonous to both insects and humans, it's one of the few repellents that works effectively against the dreaded blackies - and must be regularly reapplied (if possible, try to apply it only to your clothing). Another thing that works well is campfire smoke, but don't expect to find much firewood (if any at all) in the heavily used areas, esp. around the leantos (oh, and did I mention that to get a leanto on a holiday weekend is next to impossible?).

In the heavily-used areas, bears can be a nuisance - even a danger (don't feed 'em!) Keep the campsite clean, and protect your grub adequately, or else your trip might be cut short. What the bears don't get, the squirrels will do their darndest to reach.

Thru-trekking over the mountaintops can be murderous on the feet, legs, back, and the rest of the body - also on the mind and soul. But thru-trekking even in the lower elevations can also be tough, depending on the weather, trail conditions (there's usually lots of mud), your own conditioning, pack weight, etc. More reasonable is to hike in a few miles and set up a basecamp, then day hike to the surrounding peaks -- you might be a happier camper that way.

If you get to any of the major trailheads too late on a holiday weekend, you might expect to find the parking areas full (major bummer!).

If its rainy, the peaks will be socked in. If so, you might enjoy the challenging climbs to the tops, but there'll be no views because of the low clouds.

As for me, I wait until later in Summer to hit the Daks. And I avoid holidays there. In the meantime, I enjoy the wonders of day hiking, thru-trekking and camping here in my home state of PA - where bugs, people, bears, etc. aren't a major problem.

Just my $.02.

Have fun, kids!”

“I'm immune to black flies and mosquitos. Not naturally, however, I earned my immunity to each (sub)species of the little buggers the hard way. So far I've done 39 of the 46 peaks and have done some peaks like Giant and Algonquin dozens of times. I personally prefer to hike and camp in the winter.

The black flies were out last Thursday on Algonquin, but not that bad. As for bears, it's not a problem except in the more heavily used camping areas like Marcy Dam and Flowed Lands. I have seen a few dozen in the last few years, however.

Hundreds of people have hiked the circuit from Elk Lake, including a buddy of mine who is a year older than me - I'm 53. I plan to sleep at the Alpine Club of Canada refuge in Keene, NY and be in the Elk Lake parking lot about 10:30 am, July 4. I'll be in the flame red Jeep Wrangler with a black (I hope to find time to put the soft top on, but might still have the hard top) top and Quebec plates.”

“Gremlin - I'll be there, and I'll drop you an e-mail tonight. Work sent me to Pennsylvania the past few days, and I had family in town before that so things have been a bit hectic. 10:30am might be a bit early for me, as I'll be leaving from northeast New Jersey that day.. if you want to wait a bit, or tell me where you plan on setting up camp the first night, I can meet up with you.

One other slight thing: I think I have Lyme disease, just developed the tale-tell rash! Don't think this will be a problem or interfere with my plans.. but I'll be going to a doctor soon and will see what's up and take it from there. From what I understand, it's just a matter of taking antibiotics and it'll go away if caught early.”

“Artex: Yikes! Lyme disease is nothing to sneeze at either. I hope the symptoms do indeed turn out to be minimal, and that you have no long-term problems. Take care.”

“Thanks M Silver. Could be nothing, but better safe than sorry so I'll go to the doctor soon.”

“Okay, bad news.. Now I may have to work July 4th and/or 5th. I'm really F-ing pissed!!!!!!!!! I'm PRAYING this won't be the case, put the chances about 50-50 right now.. (((Insert dark, deep, evil growl here)))”

“F---ing pi$$ed, and praying ...interesting jutxtaposition of terms there, Artex ;-)

Hope everything works out. If not, just try to roll with the punches, eh?”

“Will do.. just got out of yet another meeting. I'm thinking the reason I'll have to say won't happen in time, too many people with too many different and strong opionions for this particular project. It'll take at least a few weeks for everyone to realize there's more than one way to skin a cat (boar?), and if all goes well I'll still have the days off! :-)”

“stay, not say”

“No sweat, Artex, just keep me posted. I replied to your email. By the way, I'm a little fuzzy on the concept of 'work' in July (and August). hehehehehehehheeeeeeeee!!!”

“Ha ha ha! I bet you are! I'll get your e-mail once I get home, and I'll definitely keep you aprised. Very frustrating, sigh... But knowing the processes of the people I'm working with, hopefully things will get delayed. Please please please please please...!”

“Ha ha ha! I bet you are! I'll get your e-mail once I get home, and I'll definitely keep you aprised. Very frustrating, sigh... But knowing the processes of the people I'm working with, hopefully things will get delayed. Please please please please please...!”

“Hey artex,
if you do get up there be sure to climb Snowy Mt. The view is gorgeous. It's the tallest mountain in it's area, (it's a large area). THe hike is awesome. Beaver damns, flooding the trail, beaver lodges, and a 50 ft. fire tower on top which gives you a commanding view of the entire area! It's gorgeous. Plus there's usually snow up there..maybe not in july but there was in late may when I was there.
Good luck!
-ű”

“Huh?”

“Here's an update: There's nothing too really update. Still waiting. Will probably know if I can make it by week's end. Pleeeeeeeeease, please, please, let me have the 4th and 5th off!”

“I'm off from work! I'm off, I'm off, I'M OFF!!!!!!!

Gremlin, so the trip is on. If anybody else cares to come along, let us know!”

“Gremlin, I also just sent you an e-mail.”

“Heck, I may be in fellas, I was going to hike Dolly Sods, then I researched Arcadia (too crowded, not enough long trails), The daks are starting to sound good. Keep the thread going, I'll probably make my decision 24 hours prior.

Late.

BB”

“Buddha Bear, it's be GREAT if you could make it! Here's some further incentive, I'm going to make another batch of homemade beef jerky this weekend.. all you can eat if you tackle the trails with us!”

“Artex, sounds good, but a better incentive for me would be: "Hey BB, I am bringing my three hot nieces with me, aged 22,23,24. They are single, and don't have a tent to sleep in." If you said that, I would have left before posting this thread!”

“Sorry, can't help you there, they're aged 19,20, and 21 so they don't match your criteria so I told them not to come.”

“Adventurist, any word on if you'll be able to make it? Good luck on the house, BTW.

Words can't explain how pumped up I am for this trip. :-)”

“Gremlin, wheeeeeeeere aaaaaaaare yoooooou? E-mail me as soon as you can!”

“I'm out, sorry guys. I've been invited to something called "festival" every year for the past 8 years, and have opted to go hiking instead. This year, I'm going to festival, and plan in hiking for two days out in Indy or MI somewhere (festival is in Chicago).

Maybe next time, have a good trip!

BB”

“:-(

Doesn't look good here. I am going into backpacking withdrawal!”

“Hope you guys have a great trip...
Sorry I am not going to make it.
Some other time I hope.”

“Sorry you guys can't make it, but there'll be other trips... Have a great Fourth!”

“I will be starting the northville-placid trail in Northville on July 7. You guys should throw me a party ;-)”

“Artex: I e-mailed you just now and I hope it's not too late. I haven't had access to the net for the past few days. If you haven't read your e-mial I hope you read this in time. I'll be at the Elk Lake trailhead to-morrow about 1.0 pm. We'll have lots of time to sort out gear and share the load. I'M looking forward to meeting you.

Doug”

“Gremlin.. Fantastic! I'm at work now and will get the e-mail when I get home. Very stoked for the trip, look forwarded to meeting you as well and conquering some mountains together! 1pm sounds great. Yahoooo!”

“i'm really jealous, i want to go too”

“JMitch - all are welcome. If you can make it, drop me an e-mail tonight.

If not, we should hit the Catskills sometime.. or I'd be more than willing to go hiking in Pennsylvania. Also, Wildflower and Geobeet have arranged a Delaware Water Gap hike for late July, be cool if you could make it! :-)”

“Have fun guys - I have to work Friday or I'd be with ya.”