hillman1
01-02-2006, 08:25 PM
Went up for a new years trip to hopefully turn a couple of kids on to the mountains. Stayed at Schultes inn on friday night, and woke up to a dead battery. It was quikly fixed by Rolf, the owner of the inn. Started a bit late, but the blue skies changed the introduction to snowshoeing trip to marcy dam to a trip up Mt Jo.
The day started going right by the girl in the toll house telling us parking was free for us if we only were going to Mt Jo. Smiles all around for this one. Got the snowshoes on after a few minutes, and while I was putting mine on, the 8 year old found out that sometimes snowshoes must be made on monday morning. The rivets popped right out and she walked back to me with a snowshoe in her hand, and a binding still on the boot. A late start was now a get undressed for a hike and go back to EMS on main st. in Lake Placid. EMS customer service shined through again, and I walked out with a snowshoe upgrade for the young gal. Back to the loj and started hiking. We walked out onto heart lake to a great view of the small peak that we were about to hike. We went up the rock garden trail to make it a day. Great little peak. They were loving the climb, and everyone was smiling. It was better than I ever could have imagined(the views were endless this day). Lots of buttsliding down the other way(I forget the trail name) and it was a hoot. The 11 year old found out that falling on ice can bruise your hip, but a few tears later brought the smiles back. Made it down quickly and checked in to the golden arrow. The girls enjoyed a dogsled ride on mirror lake before dinner.
Breakfast on new years day was a trip planning party. The success of Mt Jo had people dreaming of something I talk about--the hundred highest. I explained that I want a peak that I know it won't be too hard, and one I have not hiked(my list obsession is an illness). They agreed to try for Mt Morgan. I didn't have my gps, so I hoped I wouldn't get us lost, and have my girlfriend think I was a big jackalope. I was paying close attention to my map and compass, which was making people a bit nervous. I was full of "don't worry, and it won't be long now..."anyway, the trail was broke out from the parking area by snowmobiles, which made for easy snowshoeing. I was watching for where we would cross a stream that was on the map. Soon after we crossed it, we came upon a set of broke out snowshoe track heading straight up where I was already imagining we should go. The anticipation was boiling over, they had all heard stories of some of my trips, and thought I might be leading them into a little bit of hell. This is a great little side trip. They absolutely loved it. A few short minutes later brought us to the obvious summit. High fives were given all the way around--but sadly, the cloud cover offerred no views this day.
We went back and soaked in the hot tub, then went skating on the Olympic oval in town. They cannot wait to get back and bag some more peaks. My girlfriend wants to try for Marcy, her only other trip was Giant on the day after Christmas. Looks like a few more folks are stoked about winter hiking. I really love the Adirondacks. It is a winter wonderland.---PS---if anyone is planning on going for Morgan in the near future it looks to be a great cross country ski trip right to the turn off for the summit. It would make for a super quick return to the car.
The day started going right by the girl in the toll house telling us parking was free for us if we only were going to Mt Jo. Smiles all around for this one. Got the snowshoes on after a few minutes, and while I was putting mine on, the 8 year old found out that sometimes snowshoes must be made on monday morning. The rivets popped right out and she walked back to me with a snowshoe in her hand, and a binding still on the boot. A late start was now a get undressed for a hike and go back to EMS on main st. in Lake Placid. EMS customer service shined through again, and I walked out with a snowshoe upgrade for the young gal. Back to the loj and started hiking. We walked out onto heart lake to a great view of the small peak that we were about to hike. We went up the rock garden trail to make it a day. Great little peak. They were loving the climb, and everyone was smiling. It was better than I ever could have imagined(the views were endless this day). Lots of buttsliding down the other way(I forget the trail name) and it was a hoot. The 11 year old found out that falling on ice can bruise your hip, but a few tears later brought the smiles back. Made it down quickly and checked in to the golden arrow. The girls enjoyed a dogsled ride on mirror lake before dinner.
Breakfast on new years day was a trip planning party. The success of Mt Jo had people dreaming of something I talk about--the hundred highest. I explained that I want a peak that I know it won't be too hard, and one I have not hiked(my list obsession is an illness). They agreed to try for Mt Morgan. I didn't have my gps, so I hoped I wouldn't get us lost, and have my girlfriend think I was a big jackalope. I was paying close attention to my map and compass, which was making people a bit nervous. I was full of "don't worry, and it won't be long now..."anyway, the trail was broke out from the parking area by snowmobiles, which made for easy snowshoeing. I was watching for where we would cross a stream that was on the map. Soon after we crossed it, we came upon a set of broke out snowshoe track heading straight up where I was already imagining we should go. The anticipation was boiling over, they had all heard stories of some of my trips, and thought I might be leading them into a little bit of hell. This is a great little side trip. They absolutely loved it. A few short minutes later brought us to the obvious summit. High fives were given all the way around--but sadly, the cloud cover offerred no views this day.
We went back and soaked in the hot tub, then went skating on the Olympic oval in town. They cannot wait to get back and bag some more peaks. My girlfriend wants to try for Marcy, her only other trip was Giant on the day after Christmas. Looks like a few more folks are stoked about winter hiking. I really love the Adirondacks. It is a winter wonderland.---PS---if anyone is planning on going for Morgan in the near future it looks to be a great cross country ski trip right to the turn off for the summit. It would make for a super quick return to the car.