SALMON FISHING 2014

Something different has been going on in the world of salmon fishing this year. Since I started salmon fishing 4 years ago, the salmon runs have been on the earlier side. In fact one year it was so early that I almost missed it all together. This year the run has finally started to become more progressive that earlier this month when it was going for 24 hrs and then significantly decreased for days before another short increase. I even contemplated skipping the salmon season all together this year because of a busy Fall. However, I decided to give it a try and see how it goes.

The outside temperature was a nice 47 degrees. No rain in the forecast, just a nice sunny day. It's always more enjoyable to go fishing with someone than by yourself, even though at the river you are amongst a nice crowd of people. So I made a few phone calls and a group of 5 people, including myself, expressed the same interest. I haven't been to "our favorite fishing spot" since last year but I have heard about the conditions and changes from other fisherman. So it was exciting to go back to a place where there have been good memories.

Arriving at the good ol' spot, there were more people already fishing than I have ever seen. But being the determined fisherman that I was, I made my way amongst the crowd and started casting. I stood between two guys that weren't too thrilled to have one more person close by and after a few minutes I decided that I it was time to go to a new spot. Meanwhile my fishing companions wondered further downstream to seek out better fishing grounds. I on the other hand went to the corner where no one wanted to fish. I have finished from that corner before and have been successive so I wasn't worried. It took me about 30 minutes or so before I caught my first fish and so the game was on.

While casting I had the wonderful opportunity to meet the guy standing next to me and we made small talk about work and fishing. After catching the second fish, the New Jersey fisherman started to look at my technique more and asked questions. So after changing out his hook for a larger one and showing him a different casting method, he had a "fish on" in 5 minutes. I caught another fish and maxed out but decided to continue fishing anyways since my buddies were still downstream. Meanwhile an elderly gentleman started fishing on the other side of me and asked if I would catch him a fish. After a few more casts the rest of the crew arrived with all of their fish and I decided to call it a day as well.

It was a successful day with 3 King Salmon's. I drove to Pulaski to get them cleaned and filleted.

While walking in to go down to the river I noticed a sign posted on the tree. It appears that there will be new rules for fishing that river in 2015. I might have to inquire to see if I can continue fishing at my favorite spot.

The amazing cook at our house, my wife, decided to try out a new recipe for baked salmon. It turned out to be a very delicious meal with white rice and a cucumber-tomato salad.

HIKING THE BROTHERS AND BIG SLIDE MOUNTAINS

The following day we got up at an early hour, 6 am and were out of the hotel by 7:30 am. Ausable Inn is located on the corner of John Brooks Lane and route 73 and so the plan was to quickly go up the road to the Garden parking lot and start hiking. But as we got closer several signs along the road announced that the parking lot was full. But we drove to the lot anyways thinking maybe we will get lucky and find one spot. Sure enough it was full, more full than I have ever seen it. So we chased the shuttle down the road and over to Marcy Field where there is a much larger parking area.

This was my first time utilizing the shuttle service. Shortly after getting on the bus we realized that there was a fee for riding: $5 for a one way or round trip per person. It travels about every 20 minutes between the Garden lot and Marcy Field. It was a surprisingly small bus but can hold 16 people comfortably and 20 with people standing. It runs from 6 am to 6 pm. It was definitely a better option compared to walking an additional 5 miles from the field.

Blue marker trail

First intersection

Glimpse of the Great Range covered in morning clouds

Beautiful leaf covered trail

So after a 30 minute delay due to parking issues we finally started hiking at 8 am. It was 37 degrees when we started out and so the gloves and hat were a good idea. Surprisingly about an hour into the hike we all warmed up quickly so we go rid of a layer of clothing. The trail started out in a hardwood forest with plenty of foliage all around. At certain points of hiking, it was difficult to tell where the trail was because of thick layer of leaves on the ground. It was a beautiful start. It was a gentle rise in elevation up to the summit of Brother One.

Brother One views down the valley with Great Range to the left

Down the trail with Brother Three in background

Climbing up Brother One

Oleg and Luba in the morning sun

Lesya set a good hiking pace and we made good progress to a very nice lookout on Brother One. Open rock with marked yellow dashes was the start of many more rocky areas and great views. The summit of the first brother was difficult to tell but when we got to Brother Two it was easy to look back and establish the rocky and bald summit.

Brother One from Brother Two

From Brother One we could easily see the summits of Brother Two and Three and therefore nice to get a sense of the trails direction and elevation. This hike was very unique because the trail was across open faced rock and many great views. In many ways it spoiled the hiker, yet kept him in suspense of the views the summit provided.

Brother Two from Brother One

Along the way we met several hikers and therefore I wondered how many people would actually be at the summit. But nevertheless, we engaged in some good conversations along the way. It was also nice hiking with Oleg and Luba. There were times when we simply walked in silence and enjoyed the  autumn hike.

Leading up to Brother Two there were a couple of steep sections where scrabbling on all fours was necessary.

Nice house in the woods as seen from Brother Two

Brother Two

Trail along a steep drop off 

The hike to Brother Three was a bit more gradual and wooded with pines, hardwoods and couple sections of birch trees.

Views from Brother Three

Brother Three

From the summit of Brother Three there was a short descent and a crossing of brook at the col before the trail began to increase in elevation. Right before the brook crossing we had a nice Jerky and trail mix snack  and rest on fallen logs before the final ascent.

From the col we hiked to the second intersection on the trail.

I did some reading before the trip and knew that the final lag of the hike was probably the steepest section of the hike and therefore I was curious to see how steep. The mental picture of steepness that I had was when hiking the half a mile of Algonquin right after the Wright intersection. It was actually challenging because prior to this section the hike was considerably easy. A couple sections of steep ladders and tall rocks made the hike more exciting.

Luba mastering the steep ladder

Shortly after some physical challenges we were rewarded with great views of the surrounding peaks. After sitting down for a few minutes and soaking in the splendor that God's creation had to offer, I came to the conclusion that this had to be my favorite summit for views. Its location allowed me to appreciate many peaks in the ADK not seen from other places. It was truly amazing!

Mt Giant

Mt Marcy with snow (center)

The Great Range

Upper and Lower Wolf jaws 

Gothics (right) Armstrong (left)

Mt Colden (left background) Mt Iroqious, Algonquin, Wright (right background)

There were at least twenty people at the summit and after sitting for a few minutes more and more people were coming and not that many people were actually leaving. There wasn't much exposed rock and at times it was very crowded. But nevertheless we enjoyed a 40 minute break at the top, took some summit photos and headed back down the mountain.

Big Slide Summit photo

Official 2nd hiked peak

Trace amount of snow at the summit

View from just below the summit

Heading down the mountain is our least favorite thing to do, especially if we have to head back down the same trail. The other unpleasant feeling is the brutal beating the knee joints receive. I took a nice hit to my right knee against a taller than expected rock and so it was a nice reminder to process my steps more carefully.

We made it back to the Garden parking lot without anymore incidents. We just missed the shuttle and therefore had to wait about 20 minutes.

Trip Details:
Garden Parking Lot: 8:00 am
Brother One Summit: 8:50 am
Brother Two Summit: 9:45 am
Brother Three Summit: 10:37 am
Big Slide Summit: 12:00 pm
Left Big Slide: 12:47 pm
Returned to Garden Parking Lot: 3:51 pm

     

"HIKING" WHITEFACE MOUNTAIN

So my theory is, "if someone built a road all the way to the top of a mountain then they invited a new way to "hike" that mountain." And so we "hiked" in a car. That's one more checked off my 46er-to-be list.

Whiteface ski resort

Last lookout before summit

I was hesitate at first because of the weather but my "bagging and tagging" desire won. I had plenty of supporters so we drove the 15 minutes to the base of Whiteface. However when drove onto the resort we found a sign that said go into the town of Wilmington to reach the Veterans Memorial Highway which was an additional 3-4 miles further down the road. Once we turned on the road it began to ascend up the northern ridge. We came to the toll booth: $10 a driver/car, $7 for each additional person. 

 Winding road to summit

 Parking area

Castle 

Once on the highway, it was a steep climb through the pine tree forest. The temperature began to fall quickly and the vegetation thinned out as we drove higher. As we passed 3500 ft above sea level, there were several lookout spots to pull over. There were several people at each spot taking pictures. At the last lookout before the summit we were able to see the snow covered landscape at the summit.

Railed trail to summit

Hiking crew

 Research and observatory 

At the parking area we were greeted by staff who instructed us where to park and hike to the top. There are two ways to reach the summit: walking up a staircase along the ridge or taking an elevator. While the views were still okay we decided to head up via the stairs. We enjoyed the views only for a few minutes and then heavy clouds rolled in. When we reached the research and observatory facility at the summit we were completely covered in the clouds. We took some summit photos and a GoPro video and decided to wait a little longer to see if it would clear up. The sun came out for only a couple minutes and there was a quick break in the clouds before thick clouds rolled in again. On the way down we took an elevator that brought us to a tunnel that lead to the parking area. 

Lesya's 8/46 high peak

My 19/46 high peak

Luba & Oleg's First High Peak

A few minutes of sunshine

Little Whiteface

In tunnel leading to parking lot

Overall we enjoyed some nice views of Little Whiteface, Lake Placid, and snow covered pine trees. It would be nice to come back up on a day with better visibility to appreciate the spectacular views.

I was surprised to find several road bikers at the summit. We passed a few flying down the mountain. 

At the base of the mountain it was 47 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature at the top was 33 degrees. 

Total "hiking" time: 20 minutes up and 15 minutes down.