Hudson Valley Hikers

Contact/host Mike Clancy - 845-542-2049

** Two-way Brewing is down by the train station. They have beer, cocktails and food.

** Not recommended as a "first time" hike. The first mile is a steady, and somewhat strenuous uphill that some hikers find very difficult. Hikers should not overestimate his/her abilities.

The Hike: This is a nice loop that includes the very popular fire tower and some nice, lesser used trails, We start hiking up the trail at 9am so please arrive earlier . The pace will be a moderate but steady 2.2-2.3mph and there's no sweep.. There will be several brief stops at viewpoints. On a clear day, we should have great views of the Hudson River and some places further away such as Minnewaska, Mohonk and the Catskill Mtns. Hikers who choose to hike faster or slower than the main group should familiarize themselves with the route.

Here's the route:
- Take the red Casino Trail one mile to site of former casino/hotel.
- Continue on red one mile to white trail.
- Turn right onto white. Take white several hundred yards to tower.
- Return back to red
- Continue on red to yellow.
- Left on yellow to blue.
- Turn left onto blue.
- Go 200 yards on blue to an old woods road.
- Turn left onto old woods road and continue to a paved service road.
- Turn left on service road and go 100' to white trail.
- Turn right onto white trail. Continue to yellow trail.
- Left onto yellow and continue to the red casino trail.
- Turn right onto red and back to cars.

Distance: ~ 6.4 miles
Elevation gain: ~2,100'
Pace: a steady, moderate 2.2 - 2.3mph
Duration: approx 3.25 hours including brief stops at viewpoints
Difficulty: first mile is all uphill and can be very difficult for some; rocky trails; some short, steep ups and downs
Gear: Microspikes or similar traction; moisture-wicking layers; water; snacks; poles may be helpful
Views: All directions

Map: NY/NJ Trail Conference map for East Hudson trails; Avenza phone app for Hudson Highlands Park trails; or similar maps or apps.

***

HUDSON VALLEY HIKER LEGAL DISCLAIMER & WAIVER OF LIABILITY

You agree when you sign up for this group or any of the events that you have read and understand the below.

If you join us for a hike (or any other event), please understand that you are responsible for your own preparedness and well-being and will hold no one else liable in case of injury or mishap. You agree not to hold the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, or any other members responsible for any injuries, mishaps, or any other situation that may happen at a planned event. You are responsible to research the event, know the area, and bring the proper gear.

The Hudson Valley Hikers Club does not provide liability insurance for the protection of individuals who may participate in any of the events planned by the Organizer or Assistant Organizers.

This release extends and applies to, and also covers and includes, all unknown, unforeseen, unanticipated and unsuspected injuries, damages, loss and liability.

Your attendance on a hike signifies that you have read and accept the terms of this liability waiver. By signing up for this group or event you understand that you are attending all events AT YOUR OWN RISK. Organizers and Assistant

Organizers of this group are just that, we organize the events and hike together as friends. There are no leaders on these hikes, you are your own leader - This is YOUR hike

Details
Adirondack High Peaks WINTER CREDIT; This ADK classic visits 4 High Peaks amazing 360* views

Total Mileage : approx. 23 miles OVER 3 DAYS
Total elevation Gain over 2 days ~6,500ft

Hike Plan:
We'll meet at the Seaward Trailhead around 12PM Saturday, then hike ~4.5 miles on the Blueberry Trail, an old logging road which is generally flat towards our camping area at The Blueberry Lean-To. Plenty of space to pitch a tent or hang a hammock plus we are next to a constant source of clean water. Sunday morning (Dec 21-winter credit) after breakfast we'll start our hike up the steep Seward trail, summiting Mounts Seaward, Donaldson and Emmons, round trip from camp approx. 8.5 miles. Tuesday night we'll have a nice dinner back at the Blueberry Lean-to for the night. Monday morning we'll breakdown camp after breakfast, stash our gear at the Lean-To them proceed to Seymour, our final peak for this trip. From Blueberry Lean-to to the summit of Seymour is approx. 2 miles with a STEEP WINTERY climb ascending approx. 2,100ft. then we return collect our gear and backpack out to our cars.

THIS IS AN ADVANCED WINTER BACKPACK/HIKE, must have winter backpack experience!!!!

Everyone will start on the waitlist and will be moved to going once we determine your backcountry experience or if we know you and have hiked with you.

The Adirondack mountains will/can present TOUGH WINTER CONDITIONS this time of the year!!

EXTREME weather, temperatures, wind, rain/snow mix cancels this event

You should understand & have knowledge & experience of your winter gear, Layering systems, calorie burn during cold winter hiking & the 10 essentials of hiking, if you need to ask.... you should not consider this hike. You should be getting regular cardio and have done a hike equal to this length & elevation Gain in the past month. You need to have WINTER hiking UNDERSTANDING & EXPERIENCE!

THIS IS BACKCOUNTRY IN THE ADIRONDACKS AND WILL PRESENT SEVERE COLD, ICE & SNOW CONDITIONS, WHERE POSSIBLE WHITE OUTS COULD AFFECT TRAVEL. YOU MUST HAVE NAVIGATION EXPERIENCE AND BE ABLE TO MANUEVER THROUGH EXTREME WINTER CONDITIONS

Know the terrain and topography, have a map and compass and know how to use them, you should know & understand your winter gear, calorie burn, and electrolyte requirements necessary for this hike, if you do not this hike is not for you.

WINTER GEAR: winter layering is a must to control body temperature! you must be able to control your body temperature to prevent Hypothermia.

MUST HAVE:
Snowshoes, crampons, microspikes, Ice Ax, winter boots 200 to 400 grams of Thinsulate, hard shell, down mid shell, mid/heavy weight base layer, wool/smartwool socks, summit mits, glove liners, balaclava, neck gator, wool hat, goggles, winter day pack, extra clothing, trekking poles, hand/foot warmers, first aid kit.

Camping: at least a zero degree sleeping bag, gas stove, dry layers, food, liquids, warm foot wear & layers while at camp, Nalgene bottles, 4 season tent (if available I will be in the lean-to), bear bag, change of clothes.

Roads leading to this trailhead are subject to seasonal road closures

Signing up for this event means you read the liability waiver on the HVH about page and will hold harmless all organizers and hosts for any unforeseen mishaps.

HUDSON VALLEY HIKER LEGAL DISCLAIMER & WAIVER OF LIABILITY You agree when you sign up for this group or any of the events that you have read and understand the below. If you join us for a hike (or any other event), please understand that you are responsible for your own preparedness and well-being and will hold no one else liable in case of injury or mishap. You agree not to hold the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, or any other members responsible for any injuries, mishaps, or any other situation that may happen at a planned event. You are responsible to research the event, know the area, and bring the proper gear. The Hudson Valley Hikers Club does not provide liability insurance for the protection of individuals who may participate in any of the events planned by the Organizer or Assistant Organizers. This release extends and applies to, and also covers and includes, all unknown, unforeseen, unanticipated and unsuspected injuries, damages, loss and liability. Your attendance on a hike signifies that you have read and accept the terms of this liability waiver. By signing up for this group or event you understand that you are attending all events at your own risk.

Start & end at the Adirondack LOJ; Coordinates 44.18285, -73.96368
~8.4 Miles
~2,500' elevation gain
Route type out & back
Street (4160ft) first, followed by Nye (3895ft).

NOTE** must secure your own lodging!

Snowshoes must be carried when there is 8" or more snow, if you do not the rangers can issue you a ticket.

You must have foot traction; Crampons, Trail crampons & microspikes. There will be hard ice flows experienced on all the trails.

Starting from the ADK LOJ, begin hiking the 2.1 miles to Marcy Dam. Arriving at Marcy Dam, you will be greeted with a picturesque view of some High Peaks.

The hike to Street & Nye starts out at the ADK LOJ near Heart Lake. Street & Nye goes right from the Indian Pass Trail jct. which marks the old Nye Ski Trail and Mt. Jo. Follow the trail for another 0.1 miles to the the next jct. for Street & Nye (straight) and Mt. Jo (right). From here the trail is not maintained or marked. You will continue straight & hike along the old ski trail for approximately 0.75 miles until you come to the Indian Pass Brook, there are cairns near the crossing. The hike into Indian Pass Brook is a nice hike with minimal ups & downs. Getting across the brook will require some rock hopping. After crossing the brook, the hike is pretty moderate for the next mile.

At this point, the trail crosses over a brook & follows along the bank passing by a beaver pond, for about 0.6 miles before climbing steeply up to the jct. of Street & Nye Mountains. Climbing is now steady & steep, at 3.4 miles you will reach the jct. for Street & Nye Mountains. This is marked with a tree, S (left) and N (right) carved into it & a rock cairn in front.

From here you will turn left towards Street Mountain & follow the herd path down into the col and climb steeply up to the summit of Street Mountain. There is a lot of blow down through here, and the trail is very narrow in spots. At 0.6 miles (4.0 miles from the LOJ) you are at the wooded summit of Street Mountain. The summit marker is high up in a tree on your left, with a wooden plaque marked “Street Mountain”. Just past the summit is a small clearing where you will have some views of the MacIntyre and Santanoni Ranges, and neighboring peaks.

From Street Mountain, you will take the trail descending back down to the jct. of Street and Nye and turn right to head up Nye Mountain. The trail up to Nye is not as steep, or as long as the hike to Street from the jct. After following the herd path through some moderate climbing, you are at the summit of Nye Mountain. The summit marker is another wooden plaque, high up in a tree marked “Nye Mountain”. There are no views or clearings on the summit of Nye.

Descending back down the trail from Nye, you will have some partial views through the trees and blown down. It’s actually pretty neat. Once you reach the jct. for Street and Nye again, you will follow the trail back to the LOJ

Total round trip is ~8.4 miles and 2,500 feet elevation gain

Everyone will start on the waitlist and will be moved to going once we determine your backcountry experience.

The Adirondack mountains in winter conditions WILL present huge obstacles where winter backcountry experience and skills are necessary!!

!!YOU MUST HAVE ADK or NH WINTER BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE!!

THIS IS AN ADVANCED HIKE!!!! you should be getting regular cardio and recently hiked a 15-20 mile hike in winter. Know the 10 essentials of hiking, if you do not, this hike is not for you. Know the terrain and topography, have a map and compass and know how to use them, you should know your WINTER gear, calorie burn, and electrolyte requirements necessary for this hike, if you do not this hike is not for you.

Signing up for this event means you read the liability waiver on the HVH about page and will hold harmless all organizers and hosts for any unforeseen mishaps.

HUDSON VALLEY HIKER LEGAL DISCLAIMER & WAIVER OF LIABILITY You agree when you sign up for this group or any of the events that you have read and understand the below. If you join us for a hike (or any other event), please understand that you are responsible for your own preparedness and well-being and will hold no one else liable in case of injury or mishap. You agree not to hold the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, or any other members responsible for any injuries, mishaps, or any other situation that may happen at a planned event. You are responsible to research the event, know the area, and bring the proper gear. The Hudson Valley Hikers Club does not provide liability insurance for the protection of individuals who may participate in any of the events planned by the Organizer or Assistant Organizers. This release extends and applies to, and also covers and includes, all unknown, unforeseen, unanticipated and unsuspected injuries, damages, loss and liability. Your attendance on a hike signifies that you have read and accept the terms of this liability waiver.