Colvin and Blake

[NumNum]

Decided to take the day off and try for a third time at these peaks. My son was off from school and I just needed a reason to not go to work. I had tried these peaks on two other occasions, both times I didnt make it pass the Nippletop/Colvin junction, not today.

We signed in at the gate house at 6:45, there was only one other hiker ahead of us going to Armstrong/Upper Wolfie.

Gotta love the lake road trek, arrived at the Gill Brook shortcut trail at 0800.

Arrived the Nip/Colvin junction 10am, summit of Colvin at 1130. Took a break on the summit, enjoyed the views and headed off to Blake.

The trail over to Blake was worse than what I had expected and read about, seriously wish there was some ladders in there. From the col up to Blake summit was pretty steep also, what seemed most discouraging was the elevation loss, you think your hiking two mountains when in reality its 3. Colvin twice (once from each direction), and Blake.

What is most memorable were the two good samaritans we ran into 3/4 the way up Blake. I was not feeling very well and asked them to stick with us until we all got back to the Nip/Colvin junction. They agreed and also helped me with my issues. It was a good day of team work, and we met some really cool hikers.

we got back to the gate house at 6pm.

trails were in pretty good shape. Very little ice mostly on the north face sections, not enough to need microspikes, and this was predominately above 3500'.

PICS (http://outdoors.webshots.com/slideshow/575495004DNBwNz)

[ADK46rfan]

congrats on the 3rd try! I thought the trail down Colvin and up Blake was brutal. Not to many stories told on this section of trail.

[Dick]

The trail over to Blake was worse than what I had expected and read about, seriously wish there was some ladders in there. From the col up to Blake summit was pretty steep also, what seemed most discouraging was the elevation loss, you think your hiking two mountains when in reality its 3. Colvin twice from each direction, and Blake.

congrats on the 3rd try! I thought the trail down Colvin and up Blake was brutal. Not to many stories told on this section of trail.

I discussed the evils of Colvin/Blake with our correspondent, who told us to just suck it up and do it! My worst memory of that trip was trying to get up the short, steep cliff face on the return trip back to Colvin (Edelweiss did it like Spiderwoman!). On the other hand, her worst memory of that trip was the final pitch to the summit of Colvin.

Dick

[vieWseeker]

nice guys, third times the charm.... and onto to the pics..

[yvon]

Congratulations Craig.
Blake is the curse for Annie and me. :twisted:
Whenever we tried to do it, there's always something happened. And when we finaly did it, Annie did a sprained a ankle, on the return.
Blake is not our favorite. :razz:

[klip59]

Nice job Craig and family!
Seems Colvin and Blake can be a problem. Myself, I ended up walking out with a broken ankle. Thought I had sprained it bad but the Dr told me otherwise. I was fortunate that it happened butt sliding on the way out. :)

[1ADAM12]

Craig and Derek great job! Third time is a charm! :tup:

If you want to do the Sewards in December get on that treadmill :twisted:

[Gray Ghost]

That col is one of my least favorite sections for sure. Glad you got 'em.

[billandjudy]

I did Colvin 3 times..Judy twice before including Blake,,Although we pi**ed and moaned on the way it actually ended up being one of our favorites last winter...our last on 3/21..There were great views of the Range all along the ascent and the top of Blake
http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/21606/2936142010082736937S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2936142010082736937WqedWv)

[NumNum]

I did Colvin 3 times..Judy twice before including Blake,,Although we pi**ed and moaned on the way

Glad it wasn't just me. :)

That col is one of my least favorite sections for sure. Glad you got 'em.

Me too!

Craig and Derek great job! Third time is a charm! :tup:

More hiking and eliptical is where its at. :razz:

Nice job Craig and family!
, I ended up walking out with a broken ankle. Thought I had sprained it bad but the Dr told me otherwise. I was fortunate that it happened butt sliding on the way out. :)

Thanks, that would be a long hike with an ankle fx! :cry:

Congratulations Craig.
Blake is the curse for Annie and me. :twisted:
Whenever we tried to do it, there's always something happened. And when we finaly did it, Annie did a sprained a ankle, on the return.
Blake is not our favorite. :razz:

Not my favorite either Yvon. But for some stupid reason I may do it again. :rolleyes:

nice guys, third times the charm.... and onto to the pics..

Done. :cool:

I discussed the evils of Colvin/Blake with our correspondent, who told us to just suck it up and do it! My worst memory of that trip was trying to get up the short, steep cliff face on the return trip back to Colvin (Edelweiss did it like Spiderwoman!). On the other hand, her worst memory of that trip was the final pitch to the summit of Colvin.

Dick

Gee, who was your correspondant....

trail down Colvin and up Blake was brutal. Not to many stories told on this section of trail.

For sure!

[Dick]

I discussed the evils of Colvin/Blake with our correspondent, who told us to just suck it up and do it!
Dick



Gee, who was your correspondant....

I realized after I wrote that, that it had a negative tone to it. Unfortunately I took it out of context. My correspondent was wonderful, and didn't mean it the way it may have sounded.

Dick

[NumNum]

I realized after I wrote that, that it had a negative tone to it. Unfortunately I took it out of context. My correspondent was wonderful, and didn't mean it the way it may have sounded.

Dick

I took it the right way, sounds like my correspondant who likes to razz. :D

[WinterWarlock]

Even better than completing this one, is completing it with your son! Nice pics Craig...

[Rik]

I like Colvin and Blake.

[Jim C]

Looks like a great, Fall day up there.

Glad you got 'em and had a good outing w/ your son :tup:

[Adirondack Ladies]

Nice TR Craig - nice photos - thanks for sharing.

[NumNum]

I like Colvin and Blake.

Why am I not surprised.

I actually thought of you and Nancy with your Pinnacle to Noonmark traverse as I was going between Colvin and Blake. :drop:

[RockON]

Craig,

Nice job of sticking with it. I loved Colvin, hated Blake. I guess that's because I pulled a leg muscle decending Colvin to Blake and got whacked with a thunderstorm going back over Colvin from Blake. I never pass up an opportunity to hike with my sons either. Well done!

Bob

[vieWseeker]

looks nice up there still... thumbs up Mtngoat...

[PA Ridgerunner]

Nice job, guys! :tup:

[HummingBird]

I loved Colvin, hated Blake.


I concur! Did them in the winter. Getting to Colvin wasn't so bad but that col btwn Colvin and Blake was brutal with all the backsliding in the unconsolidated snow. Don't know how we actually made it to Blake! I thought we'd never get there. I am glad those are done! It was a better view from Blake than I was expecting though since the guidebook said there was no view. A nice reward after all the hard work. Glad you guys finally made it! Congrats!

[Highonlife]

Way to go Craig....what better way to spend a day....not to work and be with you son:tup:

Hope to hook up with you in the near future, photos were great.

[1ADAM12]

Way to go Craig....what better way to spend a day....not to work and be with you son:tup:

Hope to hook up with you in the near future, photos were great.

I would love to hike with you and Nancy give me a holler too :tup:

[Snickers]

I would love to hike with you and Nancy give me a holler too :tup:

Me too. :) I need Colvin and Blake for my winters.

[NumNum]

Hope to hook up with you in the near future, photos were great.

I would love to hike with you and Nancy give me a holler too :tup:

Me too. :) I need Colvin and Blake for my winters.

The Three Musketeers, or is that the Three Snickers? ;)

[Snickers]

Way to go Craig!!

They are still on my winter list. :rolleyes:

Glad to hear you are ok and great to hear there were folks kind enough to help you out.

Happy Trails - Cindy

[vieWseeker]

I would love to hike with you and Nancy give me a holler too :tup:

Me too. :) I need Colvin and Blake for my winters.

Make that 4, as i only need blake..Thinking Id like to come upo thru the Col to blake from the Lake. I could meet you all there.:tup:

[adkdremn]

I need Colvin and Blake too!!

[Rookie]

Nice bunch of pics !
See ya Saturday !

[vieWseeker]

I need Colvin and Blake too!!

ill do blake via the lake this winter with you..

[Rik]

Make that 4, as i only need blake..Thinking Id like to come upo thru the Col to blake from the Lake. I could meet you all there.:tup:

As has been mentioned previously this is not a legal route unless you go over Sawteeth to get to the Carry. It will also be much more difficult than going over Colvin if that matters.

[twinpeaks]

nice pictures and TR. When I did N-D this week I thought of trying C-B but when I got to the junction I thought better of it. After reading your report I'm glad I skipped it. Colvin would have been one thing but that traverse to Blake sounds nasty.

Happy Thanksgiving