Redfield & Cliff- Sept. 7-8, 2018
September has arrived and this trip has been scheduled for some months now. As I closed in on completing the 46ers, I originally planned on tackling Allen, Cliff and Redfield in early September with a multi day backpacking adventure but opportunity knocked in July with a short cold snap and an invitation from Brian so Allen has already been completed.
Brendan and I decided on a Friday - Saturday trip and the weather smiled on us once again with a cool change and break in the humidity. We arrived at the Upper Works lot around 6:40 and were on our way by 7am. The plan was to search for a camp once we got past the Flowed Lands and to tackle Redfield and then Cliff before returning to camp for the evening.
Early in the hike, we cross the Hudson River very close to it's source.The early morning dew and sun really enhanced this spider web and Brendan captured it nicely.
The first section of the trail goes through some lowlands that just look like they would be a bear paradise with all of the berry bushes. This years early summer drought really put a damper on berry production however, so the bears have been more active than normal near the campsites trying to get a free meal. Knowing this, we intended on making our camp decision based on the number of hikers we saw in some of the more populated camping areas.
As usual, the Mountain Goat takes the lead and sets the pace through the
lowlands and narrow trail.
Getting some views of lower hills and distant peaks from an opening
early in the hike.Near the end of the Calamity Brook Trail can be found the monument to David Henderson, who lost his life here in 1845 while searching for new water sources.
Short VideoJust prior to flowed lands we encounter the first mud pit of the trip, not the last for sure. If I can make a plea here, when you happen upon a muddy trail, do your best to stay in the middle or use log bridges when available. Going around to try to keep your boots clean only widens the path and increases the eventual erosion. Believe me, no matter what you do, before any high peak trek is over, your boots will be muddy so you might as well just get it over with early. #TB
We reached the Flowed Lands in 2 hours and saw our first real view of one of the most photographed sites in the 'dacks, Mt. Colden. The better shot is from the Colden dam itself because you can see Avalanche Pass along Lake Colden where Mt. Colden and the MacIntyre Range meet.
Brendan and I reminisced about 2 past trips to this area, when we did Marshall and then Iroquois. We had close encounters with moose and a bear known as Yellow-Yellow.
One of the camp options we wanted to investigate was just beyond the Flowed Lands along a spur trail on the east side of the Opalescent River. The Flowed Lands lean-to and adjacent designated sites were empty so I was beginning to think we would opt for something down low.
Just past the Herbert Brook lean-to the ski trail leads you directly to the Opalescent.
Here we would locate a good spot to rock hop the river and find the first (or last) designated site along a spur trail normally accessed from the other direction.
Brendan locates a spot to cross not far from the cairn at the rivers edge, I
imagine it would be a little more difficult in spring.
Bruce!We also found the campsite easily and it was open so we snagged it and setup quickly so we could start bagging some peaks.
The decision seemed to be verified as we started down the spur trail towards the junction that would take us to higher elevations. The other camps along the spur trail as well as the Opalescent lean-to were empty, so I figured as long as we kept a clean camp, we shouldn't have any bear visitation.
I have to be honest, I have no memory of this particular place so I'm
not exactly sure what's happening here.The trail, while not steep yet is very rugged from this point on, there are just huge boulders everywhere and most of them are not flat or even round but jagged with the points and sharp edges up. It just makes for a lot of work and treacherous walking. We got our first treat at the junction of the Mt. Marcy trail where the bridge crosses the Opalescent River. The water is crystal clear and the pools are deep.
The treat came in the form of a sizeable native brook trout that Brendan spotted chillin' on the bottom of one of the deep pools.
Much of the trail along the Opalescent is a treat however, with deep pools and flumes all along the way, it's very enjoyable.
And of course the real bonus is the large flume and chasm that just amazes me every time I see it. At one point from above, you are looking down at probably a 75 foot drop into a who knows how deep pool with steep narrow rock faces on both sides. It's awesome! Pictures and even video do not do it justice, you just have to go see it for yourself. I bet there's gold at the bottom of that pool.
So as much as I really do love just hiking along the water, we eventually had to veer off and follow the trail to Redfield, which also follows a tributary of the Opalescent for much of the way. Of course it is always important to enjoy the journey, not just the destination, and this journey had plenty of flora and fauna to enjoy.
An Eastern Red Spotted Newt (juvenile) and some wild blueberries.Eventually it gets steep, I mean we are climbing a mountain right?
The Mountain Goat taking a break and sitting in this "chair shaped" tree
while waiting for the old man to catch up.Yeah, I'm coming, I'm 30 years older than you, remember?
I really enjoyed the trail to Redfield and even mentioned to Brendan that I thought it unique compared to all the other trails we've trekked.
Definitely gaining some altitude as distant ranges start coming into
view.Getting closer, I can feel it, plus my GPS App is telling me so :)
Closing in on the summit, and as usual the Mountain Goat gets this whole other gear and starts pulling away from me. I kept telling him to wait on this trip so this was a common site. Hey looks like something reached out and grabbed him, I see a little blood on that left leg.
Just about to summit and as we look back ...... nice!
Number 44 for yours truly
Is that a 29 or does he have to use the privy?
I have
The views from the north side of Redfield were awesome as you can see. The top banner for this page was a panorama from that direction.
The views off of the south side were not bad either.
With Mt. Redfield in the books, and knowing we still had another peak and a decent trek back to camp to complete before dark, we only stayed a short while on the summit. The south facing outcropping was nice and warm so I did take the opportunity to take off my boots and shirt for a short time. However, before long we were on our way back down and headed toward the junction of the herd path to Cliff Mt. I researched the distance and elevation etc.. for this peak but never bothered to ask anyone's opinion of it. Probably a good thing as you will see.
Not starting off great I can tell you, there is plenty of this at the
beginning of the trail to Cliff.And then you get a whole heaping dose of this!
And
some of this.If I look a little tired in the next picture, it's because I was. This little mountain was kicking my butt and I was beginning to not like it one bit.
At least I was also able to find a chair shaped tree trunk to rest
in for a minute.Are you kidding me right now? I was glad there was a rope to assist
I was not to be denied however - Short Video
I'd like to say that after we beasted our way up the sheer rock faces that we were on the summit, but no. Cliff Mountain had a nice little false summit and 1/2 mile rugged and muddy trek over to the true summit which was wooded so it also offered no views.
Nevertheless
With the mission accomplished and a slight dislike for the little mountain known as Cliff, we started the trek back to camp.
I've never seen this type (or size) of salamander in the mountains. Bruce was not impressed.
After arriving at camp by about 5:30, the first order of business was to fetch the bear proof canister and setup for the evening meal down by the river.
I think I know what Brendan has on his mind, hang on buddy, don't eat the spoon.
After getting things started, I decided that my feet needed some relief, and what a better way to heal than to stick them babies in the icy cold Opalescent.
Short Video
Ok, feet are feeling good, now for some hot food. Here's a non-apologetic endorsement for Mountain House brand freeze dried Chicken Teriyaki
Both of us feeling like new men, I almost feel like I could hike again. No Brendan, we are not packing out tonight.
Timestamp on this next photo is 7:16 pm.
That's a sleepy Mountain GoatSo, we hit the hay fairly early, I didn't sleep that well, never do when I'm hurting from a long day, but Brendan said I snored quite a bit so I must've dozed off here and there. At 6 am I was awakened by the sound of someone in the next camp, maybe 100 yards away at most, yelling at Yogi and letting him know in no uncertain terms that he was not welcome. Go On Git!
I half expected a visit so I laid there awake for a few minutes listening for the tell tell huff of a black bear looking for free handouts, but he (or she) never came our way. I guess my anal retentiveness for a clean camp and cooking procedure paid off. Regardless, I told Brendan that we would just chill for a while before cooking breakfast, no sense in sending the wonderful smell of maple and brown sugar flavored oatmeal into the air. I wasn't ready to get up yet anyway.
Eventually we got up, cooked, cleaned, packed up and started on our way back to the trailhead and my car. It was quite chilly in the morning.
Mission accomplished
No wait, now the mission is officially accomplished.
And I guess even Mountain Goats get tired once in a while.
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