Haystack and Blake

TEO · 07-18-2005, 04:42 PM

Friday, a friend and I did Haystack and Blake--my 41st and 42nd peaks of the ADK 46--in a big loop from Elk Lake.

Started at 9 AM from along the Elk-Lake Marcy trail. We were soon enveloped in a horrendous swarm of flies. Fortunately, I had a headnet and they seemed to focus their attentions on the first hiker, so I took the lead.

Marcy Swamp, as always, was cool. The trail up into Panther Gorge was pleasant. I must admit that the climb up Haystack's South flank was a bit of a let down. It is vastly overhyped in McMartin's and the ADK's guidebooks.

The Snobird was nice. The trail up to the Colvin-Blake Col was brutally fun. Pinnacle Ridge was a real treat, especially with the sun setting behind the Great Range.

Once we were back onthe Elk Lake-Marcy trail the climb over the pass of the Boreas Range seemed endless. By the last mile or two our legs and feet were starting to suffer--good stuff, really.

At about 11:40 PM, some 28 miles or so later, we reached the Elk Lake trailhead and our car. Time to drive back home.

peak_bgr · 07-18-2005, 06:59 PM

Dude, if you said your feet didn't hurt I would have to wonder what you were made of. I can't say I've ever heard of anyone doing that combination of peaks before, good job.

Sparky · 07-18-2005, 08:05 PM

One word - Wow!

Mavs00 · 07-18-2005, 08:37 PM

Damn Sam..................... Like the others, I'm duely impressed.

I'll answer your private ??? to me via e-mail when I get a chance.......

Awesome and weclome aboard.

Neil · 07-18-2005, 09:22 PM

Amazing hike! Must have been 5000-6000 feet of elevation gain. What's next on the agenda besides a little R&R?

peak_bgr · 07-18-2005, 10:25 PM

:idea: How about Marcy to Whteface in a day. :lol:

AlpineSummit · 07-19-2005, 03:57 PM

Your feet were tired? Wimp.
Honestly, I was getting tired just reading your report. I've not heard of those 2 peaks climbed in the same trip before and I'd bet it's not been done too often.

Way to go!

Question: Last time I was thru Marcy Swamp there was tons of moose poop - just piles & piles & piles of it. Did you see any/much?

Again, nice hike - but pls don't invite ME unless I get to pick the route.......

TEO · 07-19-2005, 05:02 PM

Hmm, I think there may have been a pile or two of moose poop, but not a considerable amount. The last time I was in Panther Gorge, the leanto diary mentioned the boardwalk being submerged at times. This was not the case, but the boards were slipper, as usual. On a related note, when we stopped at the Panther Gorge leanto this time, there was no diary. Wha'ts up with that?

Thanks for the comments, it was a fun hike. We had planned on camping at the old Snobird leanto site but atop Haystack we felt so good we decided to do day two's hike on day one.

I first thought of this route after staying in Panther Gorge back in the fall of 2002. It was a way to revist Marcy Swamp and Panther Gorge and combine some seldom traveled trails--which have an allure to me. Plus, upon nearing the end of the 46 and still needing Haystack and Blake, I figured this route was at least as good as any--and it would mean not having to repeat trails and peaks.

AlpineSummit · 07-19-2005, 10:21 PM

Nice,,,,,,,

peak_bgr · 07-19-2005, 11:34 PM

Sounds like we got another summit celebration coming up soon. What and when do you plan on finishing??

TEO · 07-20-2005, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peak_bgr

Sounds like we got another summit celebration coming up soon. What and when do you plan on finishing??

Just the Seward Range left to do. Planning on two days in the second week of August with an old college buddy who is working on the list, too. He's somewhere in the upper 30s.

07-18-2005, 04:42 PM	#1
TEO Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tewksbury, MA Posts: 115	Haystack and Blake Friday, a friend and I did Haystack and Blake--my 41st and 42nd peaks of the ADK 46--in a big loop from Elk Lake. Started at 9 AM from along the Elk-Lake Marcy trail. We were soon enveloped in a horrendous swarm of flies. Fortunately, I had a headnet and they seemed to focus their attentions on the first hiker, so I took the lead. Marcy Swamp, as always, was cool. The trail up into Panther Gorge was pleasant. I must admit that the climb up Haystack's South flank was a bit of a let down. It is vastly overhyped in McMartin's and the ADK's guidebooks. The Snobird was nice. The trail up to the Colvin-Blake Col was brutally fun. Pinnacle Ridge was a real treat, especially with the sun setting behind the Great Range. Once we were back onthe Elk Lake-Marcy trail the climb over the pass of the Boreas Range seemed endless. By the last mile or two our legs and feet were starting to suffer--good stuff, really. At about 11:40 PM, some 28 miles or so later, we reached the Elk Lake trailhead and our car. Time to drive back home.

07-18-2005, 06:59 PM	#2
peak_bgr Amongst the Trees Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Keene, NY Posts: 562	Dude, if you said your feet didn't hurt I would have to wonder what you were made of. I can't say I've ever heard of anyone doing that combination of peaks before, good job. __________________ "Woods are not like other spaces.Their trees surround you, loom over you, press in from all sides.Woods choke off views and leave you muddled and without bearings.They make you feel small a confused and vulnerable.Stand in a desert or prairie and you know you are in a big place.Stand in a woods and you only sense it.They are a vast, featureless nowhere.And they are alive."Bill Bryson" Cheers Spence

07-18-2005, 10:25 PM	#6
peak_bgr Amongst the Trees Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Keene, NY Posts: 562	:idea: How about Marcy to Whteface in a day. :lol: __________________ "Woods are not like other spaces.Their trees surround you, loom over you, press in from all sides.Woods choke off views and leave you muddled and without bearings.They make you feel small a confused and vulnerable.Stand in a desert or prairie and you know you are in a big place.Stand in a woods and you only sense it.They are a vast, featureless nowhere.And they are alive."Bill Bryson" Cheers Spence

07-19-2005, 03:57 PM	#7
AlpineSummit Northern Lights Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Winter Sooo Suks.......... Posts: 1,320	Your feet were tired? Wimp. Honestly, I was getting tired just reading your report. I've not heard of those 2 peaks climbed in the same trip before and I'd bet it's not been done too often. Way to go! Question: Last time I was thru Marcy Swamp there was tons of moose poop - just piles & piles & piles of it. Did you see any/much? Again, nice hike - but pls don't invite ME unless I get to pick the route....... __________________ Walk Softly

07-19-2005, 10:21 PM	#9
AlpineSummit Northern Lights Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Winter Sooo Suks.......... Posts: 1,320	Nice,,,,,,, __________________ Walk Softly

07-18-2005, 08:05 PM	#3
Sparky Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Voorheesville Posts: 65	One word - Wow!

07-18-2005, 08:37 PM	#4
Mavs00 Viceroy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: the Dark Side of the Moon Posts: 3,477	Damn Sam..................... Like the others, I'm duely impressed. I'll answer your private ??? to me via e-mail when I get a chance....... Awesome and weclome aboard.

07-18-2005, 09:22 PM	#5
Neil Enjoying Wellness Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 8,452	Amazing hike! Must have been 5000-6000 feet of elevation gain. What's next on the agenda besides a little R&R?

07-19-2005, 05:02 PM	#8
TEO Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tewksbury, MA Posts: 115	Hmm, I think there may have been a pile or two of moose poop, but not a considerable amount. The last time I was in Panther Gorge, the leanto diary mentioned the boardwalk being submerged at times. This was not the case, but the boards were slipper, as usual. On a related note, when we stopped at the Panther Gorge leanto this time, there was no diary. Wha'ts up with that? Thanks for the comments, it was a fun hike. We had planned on camping at the old Snobird leanto site but atop Haystack we felt so good we decided to do day two's hike on day one. I first thought of this route after staying in Panther Gorge back in the fall of 2002. It was a way to revist Marcy Swamp and Panther Gorge and combine some seldom traveled trails--which have an allure to me. Plus, upon nearing the end of the 46 and still needing Haystack and Blake, I figured this route was at least as good as any--and it would mean not having to repeat trails and peaks.

07-19-2005, 11:34 PM	#10
peak_bgr Amongst the Trees Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Keene, NY Posts: 562	Sounds like we got another summit celebration coming up soon. What and when do you plan on finishing?? __________________ "Woods are not like other spaces.Their trees surround you, loom over you, press in from all sides.Woods choke off views and leave you muddled and without bearings.They make you feel small a confused and vulnerable.Stand in a desert or prairie and you know you are in a big place.Stand in a woods and you only sense it.They are a vast, featureless nowhere.And they are alive."Bill Bryson" Cheers Spence

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