A hot day on Whiteface - July 6th, 2012

[ADK_Dreamer]

Well, after all the great advice from you folks on a summit hike for my niece, we ended up taking her and my son to Cascade on July 5th. It seems 4 hours was about her limit, and so it was actually a great 'warm-up' hike for hubby and I to do the day before Whiteface. It was my second trip up Cascade, and brought back many fond memories. We took my son up this mountain almost 10 years ago at the age of 7!

Now, onto Whiteface. From Connery Pond, the route is very easy to follow and rather lovely. We knew the forecast was pushing 90 degree heat, not to mention the humidity, so we started early at 6am. We were the first ones at the trail register... great! No people... for now.

We reached the Whiteface landing junction at about 6:45 and decided we'd take a peak at this later on our return.

As we head up towards Whitefice (3 miles and 2,932 ft. to ascent.. ouch), the trail starts out nice and cushy. It felt like the Gill Brook trail under my feet. So many lovely pine needles and rich humous soil which I wish I could bag and take home to my garden.

At 8am, there is a sharp turn in the trail away from Whiteface brook, this is when the party begins. Boulder after boulder of fairly steep climbing. I found myself stopping for water breaks every 200 ft. There were a few interesting slides to pull myself up, fortunately not too wet. Just when you are about to whine "I want a new trail", the telescopes come in view on the summit (darn, we left our quarters in the car).

We reached the summit at 10:15. No worry about taking an elevator and having a 46r climb DQ'd. You come up on the summit side. Views were pretty descent considering the haze. Not too many people at this hour, but fortunately someone to take our photo. The washroom was 200 ft. down the other side of the mountain in the restaurant, which we decided was too much effort and really rather sacriligious to considering using.

We had an early lunch on a private ledge and started descending around 10:45. We met many groups heading up, and were most surpised to see one couple near the bottom at the Lean to just heading up at around 1pm. They seemed to have only water bottles in hand and no other supplies. Not sure if they went all the way.

Someone had left a beer bottle behind at the lean-to, so my husband carried it out. Always disappointing to find litter in the High peaks.

We reached Whiteface landing at 1:20 pm and were delighted to view a flock grebes (? I think?) diving for fish. They quickly swam away to another inlet on our arrival.

The Whiteface landing dock is in desperate need of repair. Nothing like the photos in my books. I enjoyed cooling my feet in the water, but felt it would take too much energy to actually swim. Saved that for the beach at the Golden Arrow with a cool drink in hand

We were at the car before 2:30. I recommend this hike to any of you needing an easier day or as a good 'first hike' of the season (for you concrete city dwellers like me).

No trips now until August :(

Photos:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ADK46RD...68776769425042