Adirondack Adventures Part 2

RTSpoons · 03-14-2011, 01:54 PM

Sunday, March 13th: After a fun day going over Pyramid and Gothic it was time to decide on the day's hike. I wanted something not quite as strenuous but with views, so I decided on a Noonmark to Round Mountain loop. The climb up Noonmark was just about right for my legs, not to hard but not easy. Noonmark offers great views, the lower Great Range, Dial, Nippletop, Dix, and more. The day was cloudy with modest winds and the temperature was this shy of hot. Over Noonmark and down toward Round Pond. The trail down was broken but who ever came up this way sure had a hell of a time. The postholes with snowshoes on were at least knee deep at times so they really had to work to get to the summit. I met two guys coming up Felix Adler trail, who had used the trail between Noonmark and Round but had not climbed Round. The sun came out for a while and as many of you probably have experienced it makes all the difference in your attitude. The snow was softer down low but not mash potatoes. I came to the unbroken trail for Round. The trail is marked adequately but I did lose it a few times as I climbed. The wood were mostly open and the snow remained supportive enough to make trailbreaking fine. At the mountain provides great views of the Dix Wilderness area and eastward. I decided to go down the Burns Weston trail which I knew was not broken instead of returning over my track. For those who are worried about a sagging butt, climb this trail in the summer a few times and your butt will be nice and firm. The drop down was steep but trail is well defined. I was hoping to have views toward Giant but the trail is well in the woods. About half way down I lost the trail but was able to find it again. If I hadn't things could have become interesting. At some points you hear road noise and the temptation to head toward the sound could make your day very interesting. You are parrallel to Chapel Pond and the cliffs of that area. Eventually with ever softening snow I made my way to the final section of the trail which travels along the rim of the small cliffs approaching the parking area. One would not know about this interesting area because we all go right up the road toward the goft course.

The loop worked out very well and proved to be a very satisfying hiking day.

All the pictures are from this hike except the first two of Rainbow Falls.http://picasaweb.google.com/RTSpoons/2011-03-13

Just click on my gallery and you will see the pictures with the corresponding date.

mirabela · 03-14-2011, 02:15 PM

I love that loop. I've never done it in winter, but it's one of my favorite fall hikes anywhere.

billandjudy · 03-14-2011, 03:40 PM

Nice weekend Ron

Jim C · 03-14-2011, 06:35 PM

2 great days Ron. Nice!!

Murph · 03-14-2011, 08:15 PM

Nice TR. I have done that loop before but in the summer. It would be interesting to see the views in winter.

Gregory Karl · 03-14-2011, 08:29 PM

Hey Ron,

I did Round one day after you from a different direction. Two great "little" peaks.

Adirondack Ladies · 03-15-2011, 07:24 AM

Nice TR...loved the photo of the falls

03-14-2011, 01:54 PM	#1
RTSpoons Landscape Surveyor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 1,589	Adirondack Adventures Part 2 Sunday, March 13th: After a fun day going over Pyramid and Gothic it was time to decide on the day's hike. I wanted something not quite as strenuous but with views, so I decided on a Noonmark to Round Mountain loop. The climb up Noonmark was just about right for my legs, not to hard but not easy. Noonmark offers great views, the lower Great Range, Dial, Nippletop, Dix, and more. The day was cloudy with modest winds and the temperature was this shy of hot. Over Noonmark and down toward Round Pond. The trail down was broken but who ever came up this way sure had a hell of a time. The postholes with snowshoes on were at least knee deep at times so they really had to work to get to the summit. I met two guys coming up Felix Adler trail, who had used the trail between Noonmark and Round but had not climbed Round. The sun came out for a while and as many of you probably have experienced it makes all the difference in your attitude. The snow was softer down low but not mash potatoes. I came to the unbroken trail for Round. The trail is marked adequately but I did lose it a few times as I climbed. The wood were mostly open and the snow remained supportive enough to make trailbreaking fine. At the mountain provides great views of the Dix Wilderness area and eastward. I decided to go down the Burns Weston trail which I knew was not broken instead of returning over my track. For those who are worried about a sagging butt, climb this trail in the summer a few times and your butt will be nice and firm. The drop down was steep but trail is well defined. I was hoping to have views toward Giant but the trail is well in the woods. About half way down I lost the trail but was able to find it again. If I hadn't things could have become interesting. At some points you hear road noise and the temptation to head toward the sound could make your day very interesting. You are parrallel to Chapel Pond and the cliffs of that area. Eventually with ever softening snow I made my way to the final section of the trail which travels along the rim of the small cliffs approaching the parking area. One would not know about this interesting area because we all go right up the road toward the goft course. The loop worked out very well and proved to be a very satisfying hiking day. All the pictures are from this hike except the first two of Rainbow Falls.http://picasaweb.google.com/RTSpoons/2011-03-13 Just click on my gallery and you will see the pictures with the corresponding date. __________________ What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Ralph Waldo Emerson

03-14-2011, 02:15 PM	#2
mirabela Happy Ski Ball Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East Hardwick, VT Posts: 657	I love that loop. I've never done it in winter, but it's one of my favorite fall hikes anywhere. __________________ Winter hiking -- "It's so easy an eight year old can do it!" - Photobug65

03-14-2011, 06:35 PM	#4
Jim C #6385W, 46x2, HOL47er Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Long Island, NY. Avatar: Laughing all the way to Blake Posts: 1,359	2 great days Ron. Nice!! __________________ The mountains are calling and I must go - John Muir

03-14-2011, 08:15 PM	#5
Murph 46W Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: cadyville, New York Posts: 286	Nice TR. I have done that loop before but in the summer. It would be interesting to see the views in winter. __________________ The reward for climbing is not applause but new sight.- unknown

03-14-2011, 08:29 PM	#6
Gregory Karl * — * — * — * — * Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jay Posts: 1,934	Hey Ron, I did Round one day after you from a different direction. Two great "little" peaks. __________________ "a politician is an arse upon which everyone has sat except a man" (e. e. cummings)

03-14-2011, 03:40 PM	#3
billandjudy Jimmy Dolan Notch Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,020	Nice weekend Ron

03-15-2011, 07:24 AM	#7
Adirondack Ladies Adopter of Poco Lean-to Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 892	Nice TR...loved the photo of the falls

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