Vanderwhacker Mtn.

[Neil]

This looks like a great hike. Has anyone done it? Any comments on the final 2 miles of driving to the trailhead? Ie. can a normal vehicle make it?

[Bill I.]

I know that the access road isn't plowed... but there is a place to park on NY 28N by the Boreas bridge. Walking the unplowed section is a breeze. In the summer, there are a few designated campsites along Moose Pond Club Road.

[Adk Keith]

When it's dry and if you're careful a normal car can make it, otherwise, add the two miles to the hike.

[AntlerPerak]

When it's dry and if you're careful a normal car can make it, otherwise, add the two miles to the hike.

Yup, what Keith says is right. We were in there a couple of summers ago and the road was good. Small parking lot and signs of people camping close to the road. It has a few steep spots but was ok the one and only time I was there.

[Kevin]

and a few teasers...

http://adkhike.com/2007.htm#Vanderwhacker

We didn't experience any issues with the road when we were there. It's your typical, barely-maintained wilderness access road.

[Neil]

and a few teasers...

http://adkhike.com/2007.htm#Vanderwhacker

Nice!

Is most of the mountain on state land?

[Kevin]

I don't recall seeing may posted signs (I think there were some along the road), but you would need to verify that with an ADK Club map or comparable NG Topo for that area to be 100% sure.

We stayed on the trail and it was well maintained.

[scratch]

vanderwhacker is a great hike with the best view from the south of the high peaks. 2yrs ago when i hiked the road was a little hard with a minivan especially just after crossing the boreas but after that first dip in the road it was ok. take it slow there are a lot of rocks in the road. i think the drive was as much fun as the hike. great views from the firetower too. good luck and great hiking.

[Mavs00]

This looks like a great hike. Has anyone done it? Any comments on the final 2 miles of driving to the trailhead? Ie. can a normal vehicle make it?

Katie, blew out a tire on her Subaru Forester on that crappy road. We might have been going fast (like around 8-9 MPH ). Other than that. GREAT MOUNTAIN.

[daxs]

Teejay and I did this hike last summer and we both drove in regular cars. Mine has all wheel drive but not good clearance . Most of the road is not THAT bad. The worst part is the final little uphill into the parking lot. I bottomed out on the way out but did no damage. You just need to drive slowly. This was a great little hike. There is an abandoned cabin (cabin for the firetower sitter?) along the way; door is open and you can go in. There were great views from the firetower. No pictures to show you from that hike since I had forgotten my camera.

[Neil]

Thanks for all the info.

Been looking at the map and will prolly bwhack it from where the Minerva-Newcomb boundary crosses the 28N within the next couple of weeks (in which case the road will not likely be passable due to lingering snow).

No PP to worry about if you stay on the Minerva side for the first mile or so. There is a grouping of lesser summits to the NE of V. that looks interesting. If no second vehicle then I'd go back out to the 28N. OTOH a car spot at the TH opens up more possibilities (of knobs with open rock) to the SSE.

This would be a good whack to leave the gps at home. Gotta keep those M&C skills from atrophying y'know.

Who wants to come? I bet it's all widely spaced Maples and Beeches with the odd ancient Yellow Birch and Hemlock.

[Neil]

This is one I've driven by and wanted to do for years.
Neil, others, anyone up for a hike?

Alan

See my preceding post. How does Sat. the 19th or Thurs the 24th sound?

[Neil]

Had an amazing day today on VanW. We bushwhacked from where the Minerva/Newcomb line crosses the 28N to the summit and exited via the trail and road. There is lots and lots of snow in the hills.