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.