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!!!
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