Another Hike to the Ledge

It seems like we should have the process down by now. Not really. On Thursday, Randy and I decided to check out the hike from a frontal assault. Knowing of course, that many of our hiking friends are expected on the upcoming Sunday, we proceed.

We go the usual route, up our back road to the cut off up toward Little Gifford Mountain where the ledge is. I've mentioned this ledge in previous years and it's view over Northville and the Sacandaga.

This time, at the top of the sand bank, we cut right an start our bushwhack thru the woods going right to pass the cliffs and take an "easier" path up to the top of the mountain. The day, forcast for the 70's, is bright and clear. I estimate mid-80's at least. I've only packed 1 liter of water and before we get 1/4 up the mountain, I'm regretting the mistake.

We have in the group, Evie, an 80+ hiker who will hike my legs off, most of the group is over 60 and about 3 of us in the 50s. Also along, my nephew and his girl friend, in early 20's. She's 6 months preggers. There fore, my prediction on Thursday, when I was hanging from the uppermost cliff face, whining with fear, has come true. We don't want this group going straight up the cliff.

So, going up the mountain till we come to the cliff face, we circle around to the right. Not is all uphill. We pause many times to identify the earliest spring flowers and plants. I see yellow woods violets, blue cohosh, red trillium, carolina spring beauty, dutchman's breeches and wild oats in bloom. Trout lily,and other plants are sprouting and getting ready to bloom in these south facing hillsides. We also see remains of deer, obviously used as dinner for coyotes or other predators.


Finally, 2 hours into the hike we reach near the top of the mountain and can cant down toward our ledge. We're so close, it only takes a few minutes from our rest stop on a rock outcrop to the ledge.


Once there we have a marvelous view of the Sacandaga River valley with Northville in the near distance. We have eagles soaring in the wind currants of the cliff. Steve (my brother) does the traditional hot dog cook out on the ledge. The two dogs, (Steve's) Apothos and Neelix have totally enjoyed the hike but because of the cliff, we tie them to trees to keep them safe. They're no longer happy.

After our rest and lunch, we take the steep path down. Randy has made a new knot tied rope and tied it to a near by tree. We use it to climb down a steep part of the cliff. It's not too bad an just about everybody, with help from the rope, slides down the rock face on their butts. The terrain is steep enough and the beech leaves dry enough that we slide down those parts on the seat of our pants too.

The hike down took only an hour to the upward hike of 2 hours. Downward we were able to take the more direct path and no really interesting things were seen after the excitement of sliding down a cliff.

Oh, you want to know about the dogs? OK! The dogs were carefully handed down the cliff face, they hardly knew there was a fuss.

After so hot a day so early in the season, at least for us!, many of us napped at the end of the trip. An ice cream treat, not totally out of the question.

AT Trail Wedding

I've spoken in the past about how I joined a group of intrepid hikers who were planning to thru hike the AT in 2008. As a refresher, Wendy Pacek organized our little group by placing an ad in the ATC magazine.

Her first respondent, Denny Libby, actually lived near her. They were able to do many training hikes together. By the time April 2008 rolled around, Denny had already proposed. They delayed the wedding till after they finished the trail. Unfortunately, physical injuries caused them to leave the trail.

The new plan, get married before hitting the trail in 2009 to finish the AT and start their new life as a couple. The wedding was Saturday, April 4th at the Quarry Gap shelter.

Stormy and positively miserable on April 3rd, by noon of the 4th, the sky was a clear blue and sunshine rained down on the festivities. Randy and I arrived at the trail head with no trouble after leaving home at 5am that morning. Friends were finishing up decorating the trail and the shelter.

Friends helping with the parking told us to turn right at the AT and follow the trail north to the shelter. The trail started up a small slope from the parking area and in about 200 feet or so, met the AT. The friends had decorated a small bush with plastic Easter eggs and a sign to keep going. Randy and I hike up the trail in very little time and found another of our little group, Grasshopper and his son Pup, already at the shelter. We chatted and relaxed while waiting for the rest of the wedding party.

Soon, everyone had arrived and the nice day and happy occasion, as well as the family reunion had everyone chatting easily. The funny story for this event was that by 1:55pm, we still didn't have the minister and maid of honor!
Wendy's brother-in-law and her sister were missing. Good thing there was cell phone service. Wendy's sister called and said, she didn't know where they were. To make a long story shorter, they had missed the Easter Egg bush and had continued straight onto the AT headed south. Eventually we were all reunited at the shelter and could begin the ceremony.


It was lovely with simple, quiet guitar music, readings on marriage from the bible by friends and the pastor and beautiful vows from the happy couple. As background, the wind sighing thru the trees and the small brook, which runs in front of the shelter, chuckling softly.


After the ceremony and congratulations passed all around, we all trekked back down the trail and headed to Shephardstown to the rennovated train station for the reception. The caterer did a great job as did the band, Don Oehser. It was a beautiful day and I'm so happy for Wendy (Tiger Bomb) and Denny (Katahdin Kid). May their trail be smooth and their water clean and still.