New Russia 08-27-11

[RTSpoons]

The day after my first slide climbs I hike a particularly attractive route to Rocky Peak Ridge. The start is the New Russia trailhead and according to the ADK guide it is 6.7 miles from trailhead to peak. Give yourself plenty of time to do this hike.

The route has it's ups and downs. The first real climb comes at Bald Peak (3060 ft). There are many views as you climb this rocky peak, a great hike all by itself. From Bald you get a clear picture of your next challenge, Rocky Peak (4060 ft). It is a nice drop off Bald to a birch forest than a pretty long climb to the summit of Rocky Peak. Once on top things ease up. You are now on the ridge to Rocky Peak Ridge. As you look back, many of the ledges and rock face you pasted are viewable.

Here are some of the things you will see, don't wait until fall to do this trip.

https://picasaweb.google.com/RTSpoons/NewRussia

[Snickers]

Link to pics not working??

[RTSpoons]

I changed the setting, hopefully it works now.

[Gregory Karl]

Hey Ron,

Looks like you had some of the partially misty conditions we had on Friday. From the closeups of the Giant East Face I trust you have been tracing the path of our traverse? It's cool that one can use that view as a kind of map.

[RTSpoons]

Yes, I have looked at the pictures and tried to imagine our path. I was also thinking of Madrat and Rico's climb. It looks like one can get from the lower portion to the upper portion in the area we first descend. If I'm describing it correctly, where the East Face meets the southeast face. Basically the lowest spot we were at.

The New Russia hike was quite nice. Two very good climbs, one up Rocky Peak, mostly in the woods and the other up Bald Peak with plenty of open rock and views.

From the approach to Bald Peak to the summit of Rocky Peak Ridge is just one nice view after another. The really nice thing about the area you can look toward the north or south, Whiteface side and High Peak side and see for a great distance.

The weather was great and only of occassion did the clouds blow through the ridge. After the hike I stopped at the waterfalls along Route 9 for a refreshing dip. One great spot to swim in.

[Gregory Karl]

Yes, I have looked at the pictures and tried to imagine our path. I was also thinking of Madrat and Rico's climb. It looks like one can get from the lower portion to the upper portion in the area we first descend. If I'm describing it correctly, where the East Face meets the southeast face. Basically the lowest spot we were at.

Yep, you are describing it right. I got up the wall farther over and away from the southeast face. That's probably why I had to try three different lines and abuse the local flora before I finally made it. I posted maps and pic overlays of our route on the East Face at the beginning of the pics (on the thread for Friday's hike) in case you want to check them out.

[JMoore]

Yes, the climb from bald up to Rocky Ridge is quite steep! We did this hike not too long ago and really enjoyed the views. It's a good one!

[RTSpoons]

Another nice aspect of this trail, the areas between the peaks. Between Bald and Rocky Peak there is the birch forest. After Rocky Peak you have the alpine vegeatation and Mary Louise pond. Not to mention the abundant of blueberries along the way. If you go over Blueberry Cobble, you have some nice pine trees. Overall I find this trail to be one of best in the Dacks. The combination of views, vegetation, and rock keep your senses working all the time.