Cliff & Redfield

On the summit of Cliff

Crescent Moon

This is near Livingston Pond.  Looks like a good place to get a Xmas Tree.

Colden Dam

A little waterfall along the Opalescent

A muddy trail

Some helpful steps

A little gorge in the Opalescent

Mushrooms!

The Cliff herd path

This guy didn't want me around

Cliff

Rightly named

Colden

Iroqouis and Algonquin

Looking down one of the cliffs

A sweet area

I like how this tree has wrapped its roots around that rock

The Opalescent 

Whiteface

Chris Hiker on Redfield

Nippletop and the Dixes

Marcy

Iroqouis, Algonquin and Colden

A pretty little Fall

Colden Dam in the afternoon light

This is what it was like for much of the day

When I see this, I'm amazed at the work that must be involved

Colden from Livingston Pond

Henderson monument 

The color of these leaves reminded me of Valentine's Day

Calamity Brook

My annual Sherman and 9/11 memorial hike would be another learning experience and the difference between my ambitions and reality.  With the 5am start I had every intention of doing Cliff, Redfield and Marshall.  This was my intention 7 years ago.  It was also 7 years ago after going up Redfield that I found Sherman in a box on my porch upon ariving home.  So now these hikes are in memory of both 9/11 and my beloved cat Sherman.

I rolled into the Upper Works parking lot at 1am.  After catching about an hour of sleep, I set out at 5am.  Almost immediately, I thought, "Why don't I do night hikes more often?"  The waning crescent moon had just become visible in the night sky.  Although the temp would be in the mid 30s, the clear, crisp air was more than welcome.  Just like in Maine, there were more stars than I could even begin to count.  Amazing.

The walk along Calamity Brook to Livingston Pond can be slow at times.  Although it has been dry and there is not much elevation gained, it's still an arduous walk filled with rock hopping and plenty of mud.  About 20 minutes in and I don't know why, but in one of the marshy areas I got quite spooked.  Eventually the sun started to rise and I could lose the headlamp and begin to delayer.  Although I didn't have front row seats to the sunrise, it still would be quite nice with plenty of color. 

After 4.5 miles of walking along Calamity Brook, I arrived to a string of Lean-Tos at Livingston Pond.  I thought immediately, "this is what I need to do, walk into here and set up a base camp."  What a great spot it is.  The first views start to pop up.  At Livingston Pond there are exceptional views of Colden.  The next mile to Colden Dam would be much easier.  The footing was far more forgiving and this part of the trail did not have all the mud the first 4.5 miles had. 

I remember Avalanche Lake being quite spectacular.  But Colden Dam is just as an amazing place.  The view of Colden Lake with Algonquin and Colden rising up from both sides is a site to behold.  Looking in the opposite direction, you have the marshy Flowed Lands.  Consequently, this area has many Lean-Tos.  Another reason I need to get here earlier and have my own base camp.

Finally after 3 hours of walking and 5.6 miles, I begin the ascent.  That's how it is in the Adirondacks.  The approaches are real, unlike the Hudson Valley where the approach is made in a vehicle.  The trail up the Opalascent is one of the best I've been on.  I remember the hike from 7 years ago was great, but I couldn't remember why.  I will remember this time.  The headwaters of the Hudson are far more beautiful than the Hudson itself.  So many pretty cascades could be found along the way.  The water seemed to be roaring by, it's hard to believe it's been dry here.  To my surprise there was a deep little gorge, that I have no memory of. 

After about an hour of wandering my way up the trail, I reached the cairns marking the herd paths for Redfield.  I had no problem finding this last time.  I couldn't find the Cliff herd path.  I walked for a couple minutes up the Redfield herd path before I came to a second set of cairns.  I unleashed a fist pump, I found the Cliff herd path! 

I've heard so many stories about Cliff, that I've always considered this the SW Hunter of the Adirondacks.  The path was quite muddy in the beginning, but there was no sign of the blowdown that I've read about in the past.  There would be some, but nothing like I was prepared for (or unprepared for).  Once climbing, the water seemed to disappear.  There would be mud, but the big obstacles would be the cliffs.  Cliff is rightly named.  At the top of these cliffs, views opened up of the surrounding mountains. Marcy and Gray and Skylight to the east. Algonquin and Iroqouis loomed large to the Northwest. 

Once above the cliffs, the path flattened out and became quite muddy.  I thought I was approaching the summit, but it would be a false one.  A close look at the map, shows the second hump to be the summit.  So I had more work to do.  After a down climb and a small climb up, I reached the summit.  The views here were some what obstructed, but better than I imagined.  But, the summit sign was the greatest sight of all!

The descent was a bit tricky at times, but I made it back to the cairn.  At this point I had given up on the idea of doing both Marshall and Redfield.  I'd been on Redfield before, but I wanted to return, so I slowly made my way up the herd path to Redfield.  The path follows along a brook that joins the Opalescent.  While going up I wondered, "If I spit in this brook, How long before it reaches New York Harbor?"  It's these kinds of things I think of. 

The herd path to Redfield would be easier than I recalled.  It had some really beautiful waterfalls and cascades along the way.  One spot I marked in my GPS, I enjoyed it so much.  It was not easy to spot, but a the time I was sucking wind. 

The climb steepened once leaving the brook.  So after some more lung busting, I reached the summit.  I met a woman who has as many 46ers as I do, but she is going at them a bit more diligently.  From here, there are views of Marcy, Gray and Skylight. Allen Mountain is also in view. Iroqouis and Algonquin and Marshall can be see to the west and Whiteface is seen in the distance to the north.

I took my time on the descent, taking in the views and enjoying the lovely brook.  I dipped my hands and face into the water countless times, unable to keep myself from the crystal clear water.  I finally reached Colden Dam, where the views were even more impressive.  It seems to be a better place with the afternoon sun. 

The last few miles out were a bit painful.  The walk along Calamity Brook is tough on the tired hiker.  I met a guy coming in to camp out.  He thought the trail was pretty damn tough also and asked, "How much further?"  I was thinking the same thing. 

Here are some stats:

4.5 miles on Calamity Brook, 2 hrs 15 min
1.1 miles to Colden Dam, 45min
1.5 miles up Opalescent to start of herd path, 1 hr
Cliff herd path, 2 hrs 45 min
Redfield herd path, 3 hrs 15 min
1.5 miles Down Opalescent, 1hr
5.6 miles from Colden Dam to Upper Works, 3 hrs

1L of water, 32oz gatorade, 1 grapefruit, a few peanuts, 1 snickers bar, 4  0.65 oz baby ruths, a little trail mix and one would be orange if it weren't rotted.

Total hike would be 14 hours.  If I included Marshall, the hike would have pushed 17 hours.