Besides Marcy, name a harsh winter trek in the Dacks?

[mtbnski]

I'm looking for a tough winter trip later sometime in January and am curious what everybody thinks would be a good one. Ideal length is 3 days and two nights.

Thanx!

[lumberzac]

Sewards.

[Rick]

Santanoni's - Camping at Times Square (I beleive it is still legal)

[ADackR]

Sewards.

double that,

i'm heading in tonight and they expect to have at least 6 inches in the mtns.

yay

[Tom McG]

Times Square

Rick,
I don't believe it legal to camp at Times Square anymore, it's above 4,000 feet.
Tom

[Dick]

"No camping is permitted above 4,000 feet (1219 meters) at any time of the year. Camping between 3500 and 4000 feet (1067 and 1219 meters) is allowed at designeated sites only. Currently Sno-Bird and Lake Arnold are the only designated sites found between these elevations." (Adk. Trails High Peaks Region, 13th edition).

[lumberzac]

statement retracted

[Kevin]

Sewards have a long trek just to get to the bottom of the mountain (the gate on Corey's road gets closed during winter, adding another 3 miles to the trailhead, another 4+ miles to a lean-to which puts you close to start climbing).

Dennis, I may be interested depending on a lot of things. Keep me in mind when the time comes and maybe we can meet up for the hike that weekend.

[Rick]

Ooops sorry, my bad. I used to think of Times Square as being at or just under 4K -( I always think of it as being less than 200 higher than Couchsie.)
I just rechecked my map and it is ~4300. I recall RWMS always camping there, but then again, that was in the 90's.
Maybe I need to get back up there more often?????

[Dick]

Dick keep in mind that is only for the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness. Other places like the Dix range you can camp above 3500', but not 4000'.

Lumberzac, the regs I quoted were listed under the heading of "General Forest preserve Camping Regulations" (p. 25-26). The High Peaks, Dix Mt. and Giant Mt. Wilderness areas all have additional and equal camping restrictions, and Eastern HP carries yet an additional one of no fires for any purpose (p. 25).

[lumberzac]

I guess I stand corrected. DEC should update there website. I can't even find the camping regulations for different wilderness areas anymore, just the general regulations for the entire park, which only states no camping above 4000' between March 22 and December 20. I knew that the 3500' rule was in effect for the Eastern High Peaks, but they must have added Dix and Giant to that within the past year. Probably when the unit management plans went into effect.

Good catch

[Dick]

Of course, I'm assuming the guidebook is correct!

[mike1889]

I'm looking for a tough winter trip later sometime in January and am curious what everybody thinks would be a good one. Ideal length is 3 days and two nights.

Option 1

Day 1: Walk in from Adk Loj to Feldspar Lean-to. If time permits, climb Cliff and/or Redfield.
Day 2: Climb Gray, Skylight, and Marcy or some combination.
Day 3: Walk back to Loj. If time and energy permits, climb Colden via Lake Arnold.

Option 2

Day 1: Walk from Garden in Keene Valley to Bushnell Falls Lean-to or Slant Rock Lean-to. Climb Haystack.
Day 2: Climb Basin (either via Basin Brook or Chicken Coop Brook), Saddleback, Gothics.
Day 3: Walk back to Garden, climb Big Slide or Wolf Jaws on the way.

[Skyclimber]

[QUOTE=Kevin]Sewards have a long trek just to get to the bottom of the mountain (the gate on Corey's road gets closed during winter, adding another 3 miles to the trailhead, another 4+ miles to a lean-to which puts you close to start climbing).

But it is legal to use a snowmobile from Stoney Creek to the trailhead. Have done that a couple of times.

[mtbnski]

Hmmm, lots to think about. Which of these hikes give the best views at the summit? Thanks everyone for the feedback!