(Lower) Tongue Mountain Range - Part 2 [4-2-06]

[Kevin]

[Pictures]

Inspired by Zac's pictures, we decided it was time to finish our Tongue Mountain traverse (we had done the upper half May 1 last year). This time we started at Clay Meadows.

It was mostly a non-event type of day. We made trailhead by 9:40AM, made good time up to the first junction on the ridge. Relaxed at each vista for photos and some enjoyment of the views. It was the way a hike should be - all fun!

Along the way we encountered some interesting stuff. While on French Point Mt (4) hawks soared by, within a few hundred feet of us. It was as close as I've ever been to one. They are magnificent and very large predators. We joked that they probably could have taken Gerard (one on each ear and one on the tail ).

Heading off first peak I took some photos of spiders.

Throughout the day I was noticing the trail markers... because they were the old metal kind they were being twisted by the trees that had grown around them. Newer markers are plastc and would just snap off under the pressure. Made for some interesting photos.

We ran out of water and ended up driking from one of the mountain streams near the end of the hike (NOT from the lake ).

I felt good for most of the hike (been sick with a cold then ear/sinus infection). Then at the end I was drained and really had to reach back to get out by dark.

It's a much more difficult hike than it looks on paper. About 13 miles and 2900 feet total ascent.

As for the trail itself, overall it's in good shape but at times hard to follow because of last year's fall leaves and blowdown. I'm sure the adopter of the trail or DEC will be working on the blowdown issues, and because it's well marked you rarely lose track of where to head next.

For your added viewing pleasure, here's a nice pink tongue on the Tongue Mt Range.

[Dick]

Thanks for the report Kevin (and Zac). I've been on the tongue many times, and once bushwacked across it (winter), but I've never done the loop. Joanne and I are planning to do the loop within the next month or so.

Dick

[runswithscissors]

Just Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!

Kevin,

Great day! Great photos! Great company! Great route!

Great Caesar's Ghost! No snakes!

[fvrwld]

Now, there's a poodle thats happy to be back on the trail!!

It was a great hike. The views were spectacular. By the end of the day my neck hurt from looking to the left all day.

[Edelweiss]

Thanks for the TR Kevin...... and wonderful pics, as usual. This gives Dick and me a glimpse of what we are in for when we hike the Tongue soon.
Joanne

[Wildernessphoto]

Nice Pictures Kev!
I love the shots looking south on the lake with the sun reflections, and especially the picture of Gore...You can't get that shot everyday! the snow makes it stand right out. Very cool!

[adkdremn]

They are magnificent and very large predators.

I work at a golf course and we have several pairs of Red-tail hawks that nest on the course. I love watching them and seeing the young ones grow. They've become quite accustomed to people and I've been within 5-6 feet, on several occassions, one of the times watching them devour a squirrel. Amazing birds!

[Rookie]

Hey Kevin,

That looks like a nice hike and your pictures got me interested in doing that some time. If I was to take my wife and little guys and do it as an "overnighter", are there places to pitch a tent around the halfway point ? I'm thinking of bringing the tent and the fishing poles. It looks like a beautiful place to be.

Also, when is the big hike for Val's number 45 and 46 ?

[Kevin]

Also, when is the big hike for Val's number 45 and 46 ?

PM wildernessphoto or Coldriver Bob, it's going to be very close to when they just happen to be in there...

There are 2 lean-tos on the ridge, and some camping room down on the point and a few camp sites along the inlet. I don't think they encourage camping on the point because of the potential for over use but there was a small firepit that had been recently used...

Depending on the fitness of the wife and kids, getting to a lean-to on the ridge could be a chore. You climb about 800 or 1200 feet to get on the ridge in order to get to either lean-to. That's a lot if you're not used to hiking and carrying overnight gear on your back. The trail itself on the ridge has a lot of ups/downs and is tougher than it looks on paper. I wouldn't recommend this as a casual family outing unless you used 4 days to do it.

[dog]

Gerard is back !!

[Kevin]

Gerard is back !!

He sure is, and despite being shelved for 4 months he did a great job. Poodle power!

[windsong781]

Kevin,

I have to agree with you that this hike is much more challenging than one might think. I have hiked in from the northern most trailhead on 9N. to the lean-to at Fifth Peak, as well as from Clay Meadow which is where we also began our loop hike. It would be nice if there was another lean-to closer to First Peak as this is where I really had to push myself to get out before dark.

The top of the Tongue Mountain Range is noted as being dry, therefore anyone hiking the entire loop should carry lots of water and be sure to DRINK it along with some Gatorade or like beverage. I learned a valuable lesson on this hike and that is to pay attention to what is going on with your body. I was so concerned about getting out before dark and staying ahead of the storm that was brewing that I wasn't drinking or eating enough. By the time we got to First Peak I was really struggling, but somehow figured out what was going on physically. Once again a shelter would have been nice in this area if worse had come to worse. It took us a bit over 8 hours to complete this hike. I'm not sure how long we stopped along the way though.

Rookie, Kevin is correct in saying that this may be a tuff hike for the family, unless they have the level of fitness and endurance that would be required for a day hike or an extended hike carrying gear and alot of water. His description of the many up's and down's on the top of the ridge perfectly describes this ridgetop hike. Your kid's will probably be saying "are we there yet". I found myself very wary, as we were not prepared to camp overnight, nor did we see anyplace that a tent could have been pitched, if we had had one, although I am sure that there are places available. I believe I recall that Dick may have camped when he bushwacked up the side of the mountain in the winter. Is that correct Dick? I wouldn't set up anywhere on top though unless you were sure that no storms were due to roll through.

As Kevin mentioned, there is camping on the point, but I am not sure if the sites are legitimate. We would like to canoe in sometime from the N.W. Bay Inlet and camp on the point or along the bay if it is legal. I wonder about leaving a canoe unattended though, esp in the summer months when things get very busy around Lake George. Anybody have any thoughts or experience with this? I've heard of hiding your paddles, but what is to keep someone from hooking up your canoe to the back of their boat, with the exception that if they were traveling with any speed, they would probably swamp the canoe.

Windsong

[Adk Keith]

Well, as with all locations, unless marked with the "Camp Here" disk you must stay 150' from roads, trails, lakes, ponds, streams or other bodies of water. So if it meets that criteria I think you are good to go.

Also much of NW Bay inlet area is owned by the Nature Conservancy. You should contact them to find out if camping is allowed there.

I too would be concerned about someone stealing your canoe.

[Dick]

Kevin,

I found myself very wary, as we were not prepared to camp overnight, nor did we see anyplace that a tent could have been pitched, if we had had one, although I am sure that there are places available. I believe I recall that Dick may have camped when he bushwacked up the side of the mountain in the winter. Is that correct Dick? I wouldn't set up anywhere on top though unless you were sure that no storms were due to roll through.

We took the trail up from Clay Meadows, but did an unplanned bushwack across the tongue. Fortunately we were prepared for that, as one in the party was slightly injured and we were passed the point of no return. It's been a while, so I can't recall the exact location. Fairly open (relatively speaking), had to avoid ledges, steep in places. Some nice butt sliding as I recall. In the AM we hiked a short distance to the shore trail and out. I still have yet to do the entire loop, but we plan to do that soon.

Dick

[runswithscissors]

Random (Tongue in cheek) Thoughts

From my hiking journal -- June 4, 2004

My hiking partner and I selected this as a spring conditioning hike. We certainly got our monies worth! The 13-mile, 4280-foot accumulative vertical gain is as tough a hike as any in the Adirondack Park. It just goes to show you that you don’t need 4000-foot summit elevations to get a workout. We could have simply hiked a 5.4-mile round trip to Fifth Peak. Yet, going beyond that typical hiker destination provides panoramic vistas, spectacular overlooks and a stunning perspective of Lake George, The Narrows and the surrounding mountains seldom seen by the general public. It is by no means an easy hike with countless severe descents and challenging ascents. Be prepared to pay the price for getting there, but the memories will last long after the sore muscles have healed.

AND

One note regarding the Eastern Timber Rattlesnake population that inhabits this mountainous terrain; although we did not see one or even hear a rattle, we were aware of the potential of a sighting and remained vigilant throughout the day.

Snakes......why did it have to be snakes! -- Indiana Jones

Pete Hogan