Chimney Mountain, NY: 9/3/13

Chimney Mountain is at the end of the Big Brook Road in Indian Lake, NY.

There really is no trailhead.  It's essentially private property that allows free public access to a southern Adirondack treasure, the Chimney. OK it's nearly free, save a $2/car requested donation. Always pay the $2.

The view of Kings Flow from the property is spectacular and the photo below is courtesy the landowners.



The trail meanders for few hundred feet, crosses a stream, and then gets down to the business of gaining 900 feet.



I really had to get into an alternate zone.  By being at zen with our admittedly slow forward speed, I was at my best.  Slow steps, great exercise, nice views, no sweat.



It's real bedrocky all around.  Some steep sections when wet are very tough.

But near the top there is this incredibly pleasant bedrock spoor, if that makes any sense.



Neve led the final assault.



I told Neve the story of the magma intrusion, and subsequent erosion that caused the formation.



Ultimately we saw beautiful vistas that highlighted the scattered showers that seemed headed our way.



At the first spritz we headed down.

Amazingly we got sun and clouds all the way down, and got a downpour just as we got into our car.



Our incredible string of luck with the rain continued.

wow, Neve is getting big!  Looks like a great afternoon.  Some very nicely spaced trees in one of those shots..  Pitch seems to be an issue?

You are sure making up for lost time this summer. Hope the good times continue to roll.

Chimney has great 360 degree views at the top. The shots really capture the area. Your cabin looks so inviting the way it is lit in the last shot. Chimney is about 6.4 miles as the crow flies from the cabin. How long was the drive from the cabin?

Is that a ski in ski out cabin? Need some winter shots of the cabin it's nice.

Chris wrote

Some very nicely spaced trees in one of those shots..  Pitch seems to be an issue?

It's hard not to think about riding these trees when you do this hike. Wide open.

No pitch issues, unless you are talking about the skin track. Would have to be something well outside the trail.

X ...that's the "new view."

That pic is cool but weird because when I took it almost fully dark.  Looks like day.

I was back on Puffer earlier this year. There was tons of giant birch.......all dead.

You see any of this on Chimney?

http://www.esf.edu/communications/news/2002/07.21.adironforests.pdf

I didn't notice it on Chimney, but I wasn't really focusing skiward on that hike.

I did see several huge dead trees hiking in the Siamese today, but couldn't tell you the species.

It does feel like we're losing our maples.

Skimore, have you been to the cliffs on Puffer? The summit isn't exactly user friendly. But finding those cliffs a few years back was a thrill.

Find any summer ice and snow in those ice caves?

Michaeltokyo wrote

Find any summer ice and snow in those ice caves?

No ice this time.  Did feel some nice cool breezes from below!

Hudsonhiker wrote

Is that a ski in ski out cabin? Need some winter shots of the cabin it's nice.

Hmm ski in ski out? Depends on how you define. By my definition yes. And much more so after this past week.  :)

The first winter shot of the cabin ever taken, 3 days after the Valentine's Day Storm, admittedly not a great pic:

http://nyskiblog.com/gore-mtn-valentines-day-storm-2007/

and this one from the HQ page: