Hudson River Bridge of the Month

From Mills Point

With only one day left in the month, I had to go to the bridge nearest me if I wanted to have a bridge of the month.  If I were to do this, I decided it had to be from a different perspective.  So I walked north along the railroad tracks from Rhineciff to the base of the bridge.  I had been out here once before for a senior skip day, which was held at one of the bridges that crosses the tracks.

Site of Senior Skip Day

A bridge for private use

It's quite an interesting walk.  There are two bridges that cross the tracks about a half mile south of the Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge and clearly visible when crossing the bridge.  While walking out, I passed the Astor Estate where Chelsea Clinton got married.  Nearby, I passed the remains of what appeared to be a train station.  An old boat launch near this station would make a great spot for a picnic.

Kaaterskill High Peak

Despite the warmth, still lots of ice

What I believe to be an old train station or its a water pump station

It took almost two hours to reach the bridge.  Though I have passed over the bridge countless times, I know of only one other time I have passed underneath (via boat).  It was kind of cool listening to the cars pass overhead while watching the sun set.

Sunset

After a quick stop at the supermarket, I noticed the sun dipping down towards the horizon.  I figured now is a good time to make a quick stop at Ferncliff Forest to watch the sun set.

Artist's Falls

Artist's Falls

Though the Hudson Valley has not had much of a winter, some of the creeks and ponds have begun to freeze.  I wanted a waterfall to photograph on a weekly basis to capture the changes.  I could not think of one close by.  Last weekend my friend Pat went to Artist's Falls located in Round Top.  So I thought that would be a good one if there were not any access issues.

Artist's Falls are not located on public land.  They are located on the grounds of the Winter Clove Inn.  I parked my vehicle across from the main building.  I went inside to ask for permission but nobody answered my calls.  I proceeded to the Falls assuming there would be no problem.

The waterfall is located nearby the Inn.  After following a path for a few hundred feet that enters the woods near the entrance, I came a cross a covered bridge.  This bridge rests directly above the waterfall.  It's quite small and most likely built for the Inn's guests.

Apparently Stoppel Point can be reached from here

Covered Bridge

After wandering around a bit, I proceeded to find a way down to the bottom of the falls.  There was a path that skirted its way down.  It is quite steep on all sides, but the path is easy to negotiate.  The waterfall is about 15 feet high and it's a flume type waterfall.  It reminds me of a smaller version of Fawn's Leap.  There is quite a bit of ice that the waterfall rushes on top of.  I'm guessing a couple more weeks of freezing temps will freeze it entirely.    

Lots of ice

   As I walked back, a truck passed by that had the Winter Clove Inn logo on it.   I tried to wave it down, but the driver appeared to have no problem with my presence.  I will continue to seek permission each time I go.

Catskill Creek near Cairo with Blackhead in the distance

Algonquin

Algonquin blanketed in clouds

It would be difficult to leave the Loj after the hearty breakfast of hash browns, scrambled eggs, french toast and oatmeal and great conversation with Matt and Bailey from Montreal and Ian and Sarah from Pennsylvania.  I checked out and arrived at the trail at about 9am with plans to summit both Algonquin and Iroquois.

Like the previous two days, the walking would be quite quick.  I de-layered within a mile.  In another mile I realized I forgot two things: (1) my water; (2) my compass.  This still did not deter me from heading off to Iroquois.  As I ascended there were some views out toward Whiteface and Lake Placid.
I met up with a group of guys from Chester in Orange County.  They woke up at 4am to leave.  I found this amusing, but this happens to be what I usually do when heading up to the Adirondacks.  It's a rare occasion that I stay overnight.  One of the guys spent the past four years in Australia, so this would be his first experience of winter in a long time.  For all of us it would be the first of winter of the year.

Just below the Wright trail junction, I put on my micro spikes.  This wouldn't be necessary, but it was welcomed to have some extra traction.  The trail gets rather steep before reaching timberline, especially the section Caroline and I glissaded down a year ago.

Once above timberline I realized quickly I would not be heading to Iroquois.  The wind blew into my face ferociously.  I left the balaclava at home.  Visibility was near zero.  The past two times I came up here for New Year's, visibility was low, but not this low.

The view!

These guys are about 5 feet in front of me

I struggled to find any cairns.  Someone ahead of me flagged the way up in order to find his way back down.  I met these two guys near the summit.  I found the summit block and quickly turned around.  Despite a lot of people coming up and the assistance of the flags, I had difficulty finding my way down.  I realized again, I need to carry a compass at ALL times!!!      

Table Top and Phelps (With A Short Bushwack to TR)

Like last year, I decided to spend New Year's at the Adirondack Loj.  Also like last year, I planned to set off and walk to Table Top and Phelps.  Today there would be no change of plans.  I also decided to include TR as part of the trip.

Table Top and Phelps are two of the least difficult of the 46ers.  It has been over 12 years since one of my original hiking friends Miss Margaret and I scaled these two mountains.  When combining the two, the hike requires a little more than 13 miles with more than 3,500 feet elevation gained.  No joke, but still far more accessible than the vast majority of 46ers.

For extra measure, I would tack on the mountain TR.  Up until the 1990s, the mountain remained nameless despite being one of the Adirondacks one hundred highest.  George Pataki set the initiative to name the peak, since Teddy was one of his favorite presidents.  It happens to also make sense to have a peak named for him, since he was one of conservations greatest leaders of the early 20th century and he found out about President McKinley's shooting not far from here while traveling through the Adirondacks.

The forecast called for mostly cloudy skies and some snow showers with temps in the mid 20s.  Of course this proved to be remarkably accurate.  There would be no views, but there was plenty of snow and the temperature was just right for winter.

The first two miles of the trail rise gradually to Marcy Dam.  From here one gets a good look at the Wright slide.  One of these days I hope to tackle that, though I have no desire to in the winter.  From Marcy Dam, the Phelps trail ascends relentlessly, but it's not steep.  Within two miles I reached the unmaintained trail to Table Top.  There is now a sign marking the turnoff.  This was not here 12 years ago.  Only a cairn marked the spot.

My recollection of the path to Table Top was that it was short with next to no elevation gain.  It's a mile with about 500 feet elevation gained.  It happened to be quite steeper than I thought or remembered.  After some climbing, I reached a the summit.  The summit sign remained.  I was greeted by a friendly black Schnauzer.  He looks similar to my brother's Labradoodle.  He wore a jacket that protected his coat from the snow.  Though his beard was caked in snow.  Interesting.

Despite the tree covered summit, It was quite windy.  I did not stick around for lunch.  I must have met close to 20 hikers coming up while I walked down.  When I made it back to the Phelps trail, I walked slow to try to find the herd path to TR.  I did not have a compass or snowshoes.  I found a promising spot that looked like the col and the woods were quite open.  I gave it a shot.  I could always follow my tracks back.

Fortunately I picked the correct location.  The woods were open and I only briefly lost the herd path a few times.  A few steep sections with cliffs were a little tricky to negotiate, but after 20 minutes I reached what I believed to be the summit.  I tramped around a bit to make sure.  The way down was quite enjoyable.  Probably the most enjoyable of the day.  I love the feeling of sliding down a mountain while still on my feet.  It's not too often one can do this.

Once back on the Phelps trail , I had about a mile to go to reach the spur trail to Phelps.  Again, just like Table Top, the climb seemed far steeper than I recall.  I stopped for lunch on the way up.  Quite a few people were making there way down.  I reached the summit in what seemed to be forever.  I again would be greeted by the Schnauzer.  The couple offered me to some New Year's Mexican champagne.  Quite bubbly and not as sweet, I would have that again.  It made for a great first New Year's drink.

After sharing our marathon stories, I headed down.  The snow really started to come down,  I could hardly see any tracks on the trail.  A few sections I glissaded down.  It made for a pleasant walk down.  To top it off, I had a meal waiting at the loj with great company.  A great way to start the New Year!!!