MOUNT MARCY - 5,344 FT.
Highest Point in New York
July 12, 2006 (My 34th Highpoint)
I was on my second vacation of the spring/summer and I decided that I would attempt to tackle
Mount Marcy. Mount Marcy is a pretty long hike; the roundtrip distance from the nearest
trailhead is 14.8 miles with a vertical gain of 3,000 feet and it usually takes 8-10 hours
to summit. This is why it has taken me so long to attempt it (the story is the same with
Maine).
From the very attractive city of Saratoga Springs, NY, we took I-87 north to Exit 30 and took
SR-73 for about 30 miles into Lake Placid and stayed at the Alpine Air Motel (recommended).
On the way to Lake Placid, about 3.3 miles before SR-73 meets SR-86 you should see
Adirondack Loj Road on the left and we took this 4.8 miles to Adirondack Mountain Club
parking lot (it now costs $9 to park for one day). I-87 and SR-73 are really nice drives
through the High Peaks Region of New York.
My mom decided she would like to attempt Mount Marcy with me. So I agreed, remembering that
"the mountain will always be there another day" in case we couldn't make it. My mom is in
pretty decent shape for an "old woman" (her words, not mine).
We started the hike at 7:10 AM, made it to Marcy Dam in about 45 minutes, at a swift pace.
This is the easiest part of the hike, and my mom looked winded already, so I let her lead
and set the pace once, we left Marcy Dam. Here's a
shot from Marcy Dam; note that Mount Marcy does not appear in the picture (but it's
still a nice shot). We made it to the top just after 11:00 AM, which included two 10-minute
breaks. We stayed on top for about 45 minutes and left just before noon.
Here is a picture
of my third-favorite dog in the world; her name is Noli and she's a Siberian Husky. She has
those beautiful blue Husky eyes. Her owner and female companion were from Buffalo and we
enjoyed a nice conversation with them about volleyball and dogs. We also met three gents
from Duluth, MN on top (I would be heading to Minnesota the following week). Here's a
picture of my mom in front of a rock scramble in
the last half-mile before the summit. Here is a view and another
one of the surrounding Adirondack high peaks.
On the way down, it started to rain - first slowly, then a steady downpour. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND SNEAKERS
IF THE ROCKS ARE LIKELY TO BE WET. We made it down in 4 hours, getting to our car just
before 4:00 PM, with no majors issues (sore muscles notwithstanding). We finished the entire
hike in 8:45 (8 hours of actual hiking time). We then proceeded back to my mom's place
in Lititz, PA - a 9-hour trip. Don't let the fact that since a 57-year old woman can summit
Marcy, then it really isn't that bad. It's not the hardest mountain out there, but it's not
that easy, either - my mom is probably in better shape than women half her age. Just thought
you should know.
I appeared in three pictures on this day and all of them involved an
obscene gesture. Who needs a big cheesy smile?
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