My wonderful September continues...

[Rik]

Well it started off with a long weekend in the Whites, snuck a climb of Big Slide in before my sister's wedding and then took off for some hiking in Northern Arizona. You would think I would need to get some work done in order to keep my job but I wasn't quite done yet. On Friday Charlene and I drove up and parked at the trailhead for Cascade. Now I haven't climbed Cascade since 1999. I have climbed every other peak in that time at least once so this one was overdue. It was also Charlene's first high peak back in 1998 so now that she is starting to know the peaks it was worth a return visit. We left the car at the trailhead and walked down the road picking very ripe raspberries as we went. We entered the little road between the Cascade lakes and located the trail to the Cascade easily. This is well traveled up to the "Cascade" which by itself is worth the walk. Very tall and thin made it hard to get into one photo. Past the falls the trail fades in herd paths on both sides of the stream. They would get fainter and eventually be gone altogether. Navigation was pretty easy. UP! The woods were very open right up to a hundred feet from the open summit rocks where it got thicker. Not thick but thicker than we had seen all day. From there it was a quick scramble up the rocks right to the summit. The clouds had lifted from earlier in the day views were stunning. Not too many people considering how popular this peak is. After a game of Charlene naming the peaks (she's getting better at it!) we took the trail over to Porter. A little mud, as usual, between the peaks but nothing too bad. After a snack on Porter we took the trail down to our car. We then drove around to the Border Patrol checkpoint which I hadn't seen operational in quite some time. This time was the most questions I had been ask and there was even a dog sniffing cars that went through. It was late afternoon when we checked into Elk Lake Lodge. Just in time for a quick shower before dinner. That night we sat by the lake looking at the stars!

[Rik]

Day two started off the with breakfast bell and mist rising off the lake following a cold night. There was even ice on the dock. Our stay here was a wedding gift from some of my family and my aunt and uncle joined us for the weekend. We climbed Boreas in the morning. Most of this hike is an easy walk up until the last mile which is very steep. The views from the summit and surrounding viewpoints was spectacular. Great to get another vantage point of the peaks on a perfect blue sky day. The temps were perfect and the sun felt warm on the summit rocks. Little remains of the old fire tower but it is not necessary for views to the north and into the high peaks. We had our lunches packed by the lodge and then headed back to the lake for a paddle in the canoe before dinner. Met some very nice people including a couple of forty-sixers that had finished in the 60's! We all ended up in bed pretty early. I got up early and climbed Clear Pond Mt. before breakfast on Sunday. The clouds had rolled in overnight and crowned the higher peaks but the view was still beautiful looking over Clear Pond. After breakfast and putting our belongings in the car we again paddled across Elk Lake. We saw loons each time we went out on the lake. We docked the boats at Dix Landing and hiked into Dix Pond. It sprinkled a little but not enough to get us wet. We just missed seeing a moose as we returned to our canoes. I could hear it gallup off and we could then see all the very fresh tracks. I believe he/she had been in the water as several of the tracks were very wet. This place is amazing and Charlene has decided she wants to finish her 46 on Hough and then stay at the lodge to celebrate. That sure is ok with me! Another wonderful weekend in the ADKs and a great end to the perfect month of hiking.

[Mavs00]

I am glad that you guys had fun. ELL sounds nice, we've been wanting to treat ourselves there and it sounds like it will be well worth it.

[Neil]

Thanks Rik for sharing your passion with us all (I mean hiking BTW, not Charlene!) I didn't think the views would be so cool on Boreas. Just another reason to go and do it!

[Rik]

I didn't think the views would be so cool on Boreas. Just another reason to go and do it!

Fantastic views! I will post pictures as soon as I catch up on all my recent trips. I think I even have something going on next weekend too? :roll: :drink:
Actually I could see most of the Great Range, Dix Range (except Grace), Sants, N. Rivers,Allen, Skylight, Pinnacle/Blake/Colvin, Nip, Elk Lake and more! Even Giant through Hunters Pass! Vermont!

[Skyclimber]

One of these days, I will have to stay at the Elk Lake Lodge. I've heard so many wonderful things about that place. Sounds like you had a great time there.

Hey Neil, Your BIG DAY is coming up, rather soon! Just a few days away and I bet you can't wait! Don't forget your flute...

[Rik]

Pictures (http://community.webshots.com/album/479733360JfVRNB)

are here from this trip as well as a few from "Street 'n' I" and Giant/RPR.