Bald & Blue

[saabrian]

I've climbed mountains before but never in snowshoes. Is Bald/Rondaxe a good first one? How about Blue? Arab

Are there any other ones you'd recommend as a first one?

[richard1726]

Always use Hadley fire-tower as a snowshoe shake-down. It is short, has steep sections and a great view on top.

[Wldrns]

Note that Bald has a couple of steep smooth rock pitches as well as sharp dangerous edge run offs. Other than that, it is generally doable with snowshoes, though I have not done it on shoes.

[saabrian]

Always use Hadley fire-tower as a snowshoe shake-down. It is short, has steep sections and a great view on top.

Good shout. Hadley was actually my worst experience as a hike. The trail was very stony and did not combine well with my bad ankle. But the views were amazing so I've always wanted to do it again (but preferably without ending up on crutches that night). A snowshoe would be a great way to do it.

[geogymn]

Twenty-five plus years ago a couple of us climbed the well beaten trail up Rondaxe with snowshoes. A couple of youngsters lapped us with low cut sneakers.

[Buckladd]

Depends on the snow cover. The more snow the better for both of those trails. But, although it's longer, i would choose Blue as it might be a better overall winter trail.

[dundee]

Hadley is a fine peak, but its proximity to Glens Falls & Saratoga means it gets a lot of use. I climbed in the winter once and will probably never do it in winter again; the trail was completely destroyed by barebooters. I'd have to go again right after a good snowfall.

The next hiker might have better luck, but just FYI.

[Hear the Footsteps]

The climb to Sawyer Mountain that has a ledge lookout toward Blue Mountain is not too long (2.2 mi round trip) nor too steep. It's also not far south of Blue Mt Lake.

Take extra credit for a short bushwhack to the high point.

Don