I did something I have never done before.
I hiked two mountains in one day.
Well, ok, the first one was not really a "mountain" even though the name of it is Belfry Mountain. It was very short. Only .6 miles up. But there is a fire tower on the top and since I'm doing this challenge I told my hiking buddy, Carla, that I would just have to stop there and do it since we would be in the area. The trail was extremely unimpressive and disappointing. However, the views from the top of the fire tower were breathtaking. Here is one of the scenes:
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| The High Peaks of the Adirondacks as seen from the summit of Belfry Mt 25 August |
After this quick 1.2 mile "mountain" we headed back down to the heart of the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks (Keene Valley/Keene). Our goal? To hike up Hurricane Mountain from the North Trail. This approach to the summit of Hurricane is 3 miles one way. It is considered a moderately difficult climb. Carla thought it was easy and set a very fast pace. I am more of a leisurely hiker so I told her to feel free to go on ahead of me. Which she did. At first I was overwhelmed with the feeling of "I am alone on this trail. In the High Peaks of the Adks where I haven't hiked since 2005. This is the tallest mountain I have done in several years. It is almost 4,000 feet high! OH MY GOSH I am really doing this!!!!!!
Now, as a family, Dave and I and the girls have always had a rule when camping and hiking: "don't go where our eyes can't see you". So, please don't think it is ok to hike alone. It really isn't. You should ALWAYS have a hiking buddy in the Adirondacks, especially in the High Peaks region....but we established this rule for ANY where when hiking. We have hiked in Maine, Vermont, NH, PA, and MA as well as NY. It has always been our rule to stay within eye-sight of each other.
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| At the beginning of the trailhead! I'm excited to be hiking my 10th fire tower ADK mt!! |
However, Carla and I just don't hike at the same pace. And she would hike super fast, then wait for me to catch up. We would hike a bit together and then she'd be off again! And I was ok with it. We were literally the only people on the trail going up. The trail was just gorgeous! and wonderfully maintained. There was maybe about a half mile that was not blazed with markers but it was easy to follow, although a bit narrow.
Once we got to the summit, about 2 hours after starting, this is the first thing I saw when I pulled my body up and over a large boulder:
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| the Summit of Hurricane and fire tower! 25 August |
Sadly, the fire-tower is closed and there are no plans for it to be restored so we couldn't climb it.
But we didn't need to.
This was our view:
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| The High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks from the summit of Hurricane Mt. 25 August |
.......mountains majesty.........
................the Creator has done good work, has He not?
It is breathtaking to be this close to nature....to be one with the sky and the mountains.........and God..........
...........how can you NOT believe??
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| More High Peaks |
4 comments:
That is exactly how I feel every time I go to the mountains. Love it there. I wouldn't have the guts to go out of eye sight. Too many bears here in the mountains near us. Eek.
Good for you, Faith! That is a real accomplishment!
Hi Faithe! That was an adventure, wow. You did an amazing thing, I couldn't do it, that's for sure. And then to be rewarded by such a beautiful sight.
You a really took that leap of faith that you'd be ok, and you were!
Happy Thursday!
Ceil
Great pics! Looks so peaceful and reminds me of God's majesty. 2 in one day huh? You go girl!! Glad your back is well enough for you to do hiking again :)
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