Tassel Hill

Since I had plenty of time when I arrived to Utica and found the Saranac Brewery to be closed on Sunday, I decided to head to Tassel Hill, the high point of Oneida County.

Tassel Hill is another accessible county high point.  I walked up a private road that reaches near the high point.  A logging road continues for another half mile to the high point.  I'm unaware if the high point is on private land or not.  There is state forest land as I did see signs.  I have never read reports about access issues.

The summit does not provide much in views.  Apparently, there used to be a tower at the top.  I found some partial views to the north.  I found some trash up here, so again, not the most pleasant mountain to be on.

Gomer Hill

Since I was so close to the Tug Hill region, I figured I'd pass through the area and tag a county high point, which also happens to be the highest point on Tug Hill.  The Tug Hill region records some of the highest snowfalls on a yearly basis.  They have had snow storms that have left 9 feet of snow!

Today wouldn't be anything like that.  It's late September and it's been quite warm recently.  The Tug Hill Plateau rises about a 1,000 feet from the Black River and extends out toward Lake Ontario.  It receives the brunt of lake effect snow.

There are three counties that make up the Tug Hill region.  The county high points of Jefferson and Oswego are located near by but have access issues.  Gomer Hill, located in Lewis County is on private land, but access is allowed.

From the little town of Turin it's a pleasant drive up onto Tug Hill through some beautiful farm land.  I found the dirt road to Gomer Hill quite easily.  It was about a half mile walk up with hardly any elevation gained.  The high point is covered with about 7 radio towers, making it an unattractive spot.  Though there are many views of the Black River Valley along the road here, there are no views from the summit.  

Stillwater

Final one!

This recently restored fire tower would be the last of the 30 to complete the Catskill/Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge.  Of course, this happens to be one of the most remote.  It's located just under 16 miles west of Eagle Bay.  The last 7.6 is on dirt road.

Since there is very little information on the internets, I was not sure how easy I would find the trail head.  This turned out to not be a problem at all.  The parking is quite new and can hold about 3-4 cars.  In reality it only holds one, since one slot is designated for handicap and the other is for DEC.  The trail head is in the middle of nowhere, so I assume they don't mind if people park and the road.  I counted about ten.

Once on my way, I really enjoyed this walk.  It's only a mile with about 700 feet elevation gained.  The trail is almost all a soft dirt, which makes it quite, quite pleasant.  One of the best trails I've been on.  In about 20 minutes I reached the summit.

The tower looks and smells (fresh timber) quite new.  It's so remote, I could not make out much of the views.  It included the foothills of the Adirondacks.  I could make out the wind farms on Tug Hill to the west.  The Stillwater Resevoir was in view close by.

I really have to hand it to the numerous volunteers to make this happen.  They clearly put in quite a lot of time and effort to create a beautiful spot to venture to.

Rocky Mountain

Not to be confused with Rocky Mt of the Catskills or Rocky Peak of the 46ers, this short stroll located in between the villages of Eagle Bay and Inlet provides top notch views with very little effort.
After having a hearty breakfast in the village of Inlet, I passed a trailhead.  I turned around and saw signs for Black Bear and Rocky.  Black Bear would require a more than 4 mile round trip.  Rocky would take less than 2.  I chose Rocky.

A well trodden trail across some nice slabs of rocks and through a mostly hardwood forest, led to some gorgeous views of Fourth Lake.  The entire lake was in view along with the villages of Inlet and Eagle Bay.  I could see out towards Bald Mt, but could not make out its fire tower.  I can imagine, this is probably an awesome spot for fall foliage.

Bald Mt

Not sure if these are private

This one looks like it is

Eagle Bay

Rondaxe (Bald Mt)

Bald Mt rises above the Fulton Chain of Lakes just north of Old Forge.  I came here a few years ago since Bald is part of the fire tower challenge.  I remember the gorgeous sunrise over the lakes.

Today I would repeat that.  Despite my 6am start, I was not the first person up the mountain.  It's a real short walk, mostly over long slabs of rock.  About halfway up, the first views come into view.  A lot of fog settled on the lake.  The morning was cold, but not so much where it was the first frost of the year.  My hands got quite cold from snapping pictures from the cabin of the fire tower.  

The Works

The trailhead at the Works is one of the more interesting in the Adirondacks.  The remains of the village of Adirondack are spread out along the road in.  Most impressive is the old steel mill.  Less than 200 years ago, this area was clear cut and there was a village.  Today only a few live along the road.

Aspiring 46ers like myself have been to this trailhead numerous times.  A whole slew of mountains can be reached from here: MacNaughton, Redfield, Cliff, Allen, Marshall, the Santanonis.  One can also reach Mt Marcy, though it's not the shortest route.  Each time I come, I like to wander among the old remains.  I would not be surprised if many of these buildings are removed in the not so distant future.  

Mt Marshall

Mt Colden from Flowed Lands

I can recall on at least five occasions that I had plans to climb up Mt Marshall.  Each time I bailed on those plans.  Today would not be one of those days.  My friend Caysey bailed instead after doing Cliff and Redfield yesterday.  I had a feeling that may happen.  They may be the two hardest of the 46ers.  Instead I would walk with one of Caysey's friends Julie and her Chocolate lab, Mike.

Palmer Pond at Sunrise

Gorgeous early morning Adirondack scenery

When I reached the trailhead at the Works just a little after 7, the lot was already full.  People already were parking along the road.  An ADK group of about 15 were getting ready to head out.  Julie and Mike headed out as I still got ready and chatted with Caysey.

The morning was quite cool, most likely in the upper 30s with no humidity.  We would have clear blue skies all day.  As I headed up the trail, I noticed a sign for Henderson Lake Dam.  This is the site of the headwaters of the named Hudson River.  I had to check it out.  It's a pretty mountain lake that reflects the surrounding scenery nicely.  I imagine in a few weeks at peak foliage, this spot will be especially nice.

Henderson Lake

I continued on up the trail and passed the ADK group.  Apparently there is also a plane wreck on the mountain which they would be going to.  I chatted with a guy who would ultimately leave the group due to its slow pace.  I have always enjoyed the club hikes I have been on, but sometimes the pace can be unbearably slow.

After passing them, I could here Mike barking.  I met up with Julie and Mike at the Henderson Monument.  I would walk with them the rest of the way.  Mike likes to bark, but he's probably the best dog I have encountered on the trails.  The other dogs and hikers he encounters he leaves alone.  Most dogs seem to be bothered by the presence of other dogs.  And some are bothered by the presence of other hikers.  On both of these Mike is the ideal hiking dog.  He also happens to be a 46er.

We reached the cairn for Marshall in about 2 hours.  Not bad.  The trail was quite dry, but it's not the easiest of approach trails with all the rocks and roots.  The cairn is located near one of the numerous lean-tos found along flowed lands.  Someday I'll take advantage of these wonderfully located shelters.

The herd path up Marshall follows the Herbert Brook.  Marshall is named after Robert Marshall, one of the founders of the 46ers.  The brook is named after their guide, Herbert Clark.  While folowing the brook Julie and I wondered what the name of the mountain had been when the Marshall Brothers were hiking these mountains.  Apparently, it was named after Dewitt Clinton when they climbed this mountain.  Later the named changed to Herbert.  After Robert Marshall's death, it took upon his name.  Interesting stuff.

At times the route was bit difficult to follow as their lacked cairns.  I found myself walking up the brook when their was a path to either the right or left of me.  Still, though, the route was quite easy.  It's not nearly as rugged as Redfield which also follows a brook most of the way up.

Herbert Brook

Mike wondering what's taking so long

Julie and Mike

Mike likes chewing on dead trees

"Hurry it up!"

Near the summit there was a small cliff to negotiate which provided some awesome views of Iroquois.  Mike had some difficulty but he managed his way up.  After about two and a half hours on Marshall we reached the summit.  This would be #40 for me and it would complete a 3rd go round for Julie.  She has also completed the Northeast 115 and New England 100 highest.  She is also near completion of the Northeast 115 for the winter.  All of it is quite a serious undertaking.

Iroquois

#40!

Whiteface and Lake Placid area

Mt Colden

Autumn has arrived!

A pretty leaf

I think Mike enjoyed going downhill a lot better as he did not have to wait as much.  We met quite few people along the way.  Many people were taking advantage of the blue bird skies.  I am so glad we did too.  

The end of a great day out

Already some pretty colors