First 46

[hockey2]

I'm hoping to start my task of the 46 this Saturday. I only have one day available so I'm looking for my best option.

I'm driving from CNY (Utica area). What would be the best mtn to start on? Factors based on , driving distance, time to summit and get back down in daylight.

I have good ability and I'm in good shape, so what peak should I start with.

[RonandJon]

Cascade and Porter are considered the easiest, offer some pretty great views, and should give you a flavor of the High Peaks. Good luck, good weather, good hiking. Ron

[hockey2]

Are they the closest to the Utica area?? That's what I'm most worried about.

[RonandJon]

Consider Total Elapsed Time

The Western High Peaks - the Santanoni's, the Sewards - are probably closer to Utica as far as drive time, but they take considerably longer to hike, as the mountains are significantly farther from the trail heads, and they are much tougher to hike.

The trail head to Cascade and Porter is just outside Lake Placid, and the trail head is right off the highway. The trail to the summit of Cascade is under 2.5 miles and it is only another .7 or so over to Porter. The whole thing can be hiked easily by someone in good shape in under 4 hours, including stops at both summits for pictures, naps, etc.

Compare that with the Sewards where the the trail to the start of the herd path for Seymour is around 5 miles, give or take, and it's about 4.5 miles from the parking lot to the start of the herd path for the Santanoni's.

So, if you consider total elapsed time - drive plus hike - I would still suggest you start with Cascade and Porter.

For the same reason, I would suggest that you consider hikes that start from the Ausable Club- the Wolf Jaws, for example,or from the Garden, like Big Slide, or Giant, which starts from right next to the highway.

[hockey2]

Great, thanks for the clarification. That's the info I was looking for.

[five_head]

I'm hoping to start my task of the 46 this Saturday. I only have one day available so I'm looking for my best option.

I'm driving from CNY (Utica area). What would be the best mtn to start on? Factors based on , driving distance, time to summit and get back down in daylight.

I have good ability and I'm in good shape, so what peak should I start with.

Be prepared for cold wet weather this weekend. The forecast calls for rain and highs around 50. Overnight lows on Friday are expected to drop into the 30's so you could experience ice and/or snow on any of the summits on Saturday.

I also agree with others that Cascade/Porter are your best bets. There are others trailheads closer to you, but given the extra hiking mileage, you're better of heading to Lake Placid and tackling Cascade and maybe Porter if you're up to it.

[slingshot]

I'm hoping to start my task of the 46 this Saturday. I only have one day available so I'm looking for my best option.

I'm driving from CNY (Utica area). What would be the best mtn to start on? Factors based on , driving distance, time to summit and get back down in daylight.

I have good ability and I'm in good shape, so what peak should I start with.

Hey hockey2: just wondering how you made out on your trip, and are you hooked on your 46 quest. My friend John and I have been up on Cascade twice, once we got pushed off because of a bad storm (which turned the trail into a nice brook.....I believe I saw some salmon swimming up it), and the other time we were on the summit stuck in a cloud. I hear the view is really nice though . Next time I go up Cascade I'm bringing my tripod and am gonna stay there until the weather is GOOD, I'd really like some pictures from that peak. Best of luck to you!!