Coon Mt. and Wilsboro Bay - 6/13

[Snickers]

The morning started out cloudy, so we decided to get some house running around done. Well, by noon the sun was shinning and the day was looking great so we finished up our chores, headed home, changed, made dinner, grabbed hiking gear, and loaded the kayaks. By 2:30pm we off to find Coon Mt.

Coon Mt is in Westport and had great reviews for a nice, short hike with great views and pretty forest. See the link below for all the details.

We were not disappointed in the short 1 mile hike to the beautiful, rocky summit. The hike up was fun, rocks were a bit slippy and the little snakes were out and about. I thought one was going to crawl right into my boot, with my foot still in it. :eek::D The forest is very pretty, hardwoods and pines mixed, nettles, birds chirpping, some wildflowers and ash berries.

At the summit we took our boots and socks off and settled in for a great show from the 8 Turkey Vultures that were enjoying riding the thermols. Views of the highpeaks, Lake Champlain and the mountains of VT. After about an hour we decided to head down and find something to paddle.

Coon Mt. (http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/preserves/art11875.html) is located is Westport.

Back at the car I changed into shorts and shirt for kayaking and we decided to head over to Wilsboro Bay on Lake Champlain for a nice evening kayak. Got to the DEC boat launch area about 5pm, had our dinner and launched our boats. The bay is beautiful, framed by mountains and cliffs on one side and shore property on the other. We paddled till about 7:30pm enjoying the warm breeze, sun, and the fun waves the passing sail boats would make. Much more to explore in the bay, we want to paddle the other side of the bay by the mountains and cliffs. Hopefully we get a nice, sunny evening this week.

Happy Trails - Cindy

[Highonlife]

Sounds like you guys are having just an awful life...hiking & kayaking, enjoying each other:D

[billandjudy]

Sounds like you guys are having just an awful life...hiking & kayaking, enjoying each other:D

Nancy...After visiting them last week, I can honestly say they're just miserable...It's a b...tch trying to figure out what outdoor activity to choose each day....I really felt sorry for them:rolleyes:

[Skinney]

Hi Cindy,

Its nice to see you are out enjoying the 'dacks....daily! :razz:
Oh how I wish I could be doing the same! :D

Thank you for the TR on Coon! This is one of the hikes for the Kids on the Trail list that I started my daughter on and now I have some insight as to what to expect. I plan on getting up there sometime soon with my daughter and the dog.

[Beth]

I'm jealous you guys get to be in that scenery every day! I hope to get back hiking wtihing the next two weeks.

[Snickers]

Sounds like you guys are having just an awful life...hiking & kayaking, enjoying each other:D

Yeah, I'm having a little difficulty adjusting to living in the north country. :D

Seriously, I have been so very blessed. I thank God every day for Brian and living in this beautiful area is the icing on the cake!! It is truly wonderful to have someone special who shares and enjoys your passions in life.

Cindy

[Snickers]

I'm jealous you guys get to be in that scenery every day! I hope to get back hiking wtihing the next two weeks.

Beth it was great seeing you at the dinner and meeting your husband and beautiful new baby boy. He is so adorable and what a good baby.

Give us a shout when you are headed up; it would be great to get out on the trails with you.

Cindy

[Snickers]

Hi Cindy,

Its nice to see you are out enjoying the 'dacks....daily! :razz:
Oh how I wish I could be doing the same! :D

Thank you for the TR on Coon! This is one of the hikes for the Kids on the Trail list that I started my daughter on and now I have some insight as to what to expect. I plan on getting up there sometime soon with my daughter and the dog.

Thank you Steve. :)

I always struggle with writing trip reports about these little mountains. I sometimes feel that know one is interested in them if they are not high peaks, but the areas we have been exploring are just so beautiful I want to share them with everyone.

I guess I struggle with the stupid mentality that if the hike wasn't 10/15 miles it not's a good hike. In reality these are beautiful hikes, with great little climbs and awesome views.

Your daughter will love this hike. It starts out gentle, with very little rock, some soft dirt, then it gets rocky as you meander your way up and around hugh cliffs. The rocky section is not very long, but is slippery, so be careful on the way down.

Cindy

[rockysummit]

Hey Cindy, can't believe how much fun you guys are having so close to home! Any pics? And please keep spreading the word about these little secret hikes! See you guys in a couple weeks.
-Tony

[Snickers]

Hey Cindy, can't believe how much fun you guys are having so close to home! Any pics? And please keep spreading the word about these little secret hikes! See you guys in a couple weeks.
-Tony

Thanks Tony; can't wait to see you.

When are you(and) Nikki coming up to visit?? We will be home over July 4th weekend.... Bring your kayaks and come up.

[rockysummit]

I'll let you know as the time gets closer. If not we'll see you July 10th!
-Tony

[Foottraffic]

Little mountains are great. Every year we climb Rattlesnake mountain on Willsboro bay, and frequent Coon Mt as well. they are great places to bring the hikers who don't want the big hikes.

[Boreal Chickadee]

Coon is one of those little ones with big views. I took my then 76 year old mother up Coon and she couldn't believe the views. Willsboro bay...I'll have to try that. Maybe when I'm up the house for the fireworks.

[Snickers]

Coon is one of those little ones with big views. I took my then 76 year old mother up Coon and she couldn't believe the views. Willsboro bay...I'll have to try that. Maybe when I'm up the house for the fireworks.

Where are the fireworks and when?

We are headed to the bay today after work to paddle the side with the cliffs. :)

[Beth]

Cindy we hope to be back up within the next two weeks. I just got clearance from my doctor that allows me to resume hiking and other exercise after having Evan. Will let you know when we head up....Will probably do something small like all the small mountains you have been writing about....6-8 miles for a starter of the season...any suggestions from your newest adventures?

[Boreal Chickadee]

Where are the fireworks and when?

We are headed to the bay today after work to paddle the side with the cliffs. :)
Saturday evening, July 3rd at the beach in Hague. Fireworks go off from a barge on the lake. Family house is there so I've always enjoyed the fireworks at the public beach. Since I'm a fireworks freak...then the next day switch to camping and the fireworks in Inlet, also watching from the beach. Once again fireworks from a barge on the lake. Hague fireworks are always on a Saturday. Inlet always on the 4th.

[Snickers]

Cindy we hope to be back up within the next two weeks. I just got clearance from my doctor that allows me to resume hiking and other exercise after having Evan. Will let you know when we head up....Will probably do something small like all the small mountains you have been writing about....6-8 miles for a starter of the season...any suggestions from your newest adventures?

Catamount was beautiful and a great rock scramble. You can probably hike Silver Lake over that way too. Hike one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

From Sliver Lake check out the cliffs on the Potter's very beautiful and impressive. There are some rock guys over there climbing new routes, some very challenging rock over there. We whacked the Potter's from Silver Lake and it is a beautiful whack, nice open woods with great views for most of the way.

Flume Knob, up by High Falls on 86 is a nice, short, good climb, again with great views. Can be combined with Catamount as well. Trailhead is right on 86, just down from High Falls. If you do that be sure to go across the street and follow the path down to the river, beautiful gorge and swimming holes.

Cindy

[SoloJoe]

Great stuff, Cindy. :tup: Hiking, paddling, sharing quality time. Life is good, huh? :)

[Beth]

Thanks for the suggestions Cindy!