With the recent bout of dry weather, mud season is officially over in the Adirondacks. The weekend was looking prime and the cooler weather on Friday looked especially conducive for going on a hike. Unsure of our fitness level, Farah and I decided we would take it easy and do one of the shorter hikes around Old Forge.
Bald Mountain — officially Rondaxe and home of the Rondaxe Firetower — is one of the most popular hikes in the area. It’s fairly easy out and back with some more moderate sections that takes about an hour. From Utica, it’s a short drive on the Central Adirondack trail.
Main Street Old Forge was bustling as we passed through and made our way to the trailhead. There was ample parking as we pulled in, a good sign as this hike can be crowded in the peak of summer. I ditched my windbreaker and signed in at the trail log.
Anyone who has hiked Bald Mountain will tell you the beginning is very easy but after 10 minutes the pitch greatly increases before leveling off again. By now I was glad I lost the windbreaker. The steeper section is a mix of exposed rock and tree roots. Despite its pitch, it is still fairly easy to get a good footing and scale the exposed sections.
At one point we passed a family coming down the trail, with grandma leading the pack walking stick in hand. Farah and I nodded to each other in approval, hoping we can hike like that in our 70’s.
As we made our way up we stopped at the various overlooks and ledges on the sides of the trails. It was a bluebird day in the Adirondacks and visibility was great allowing for a beautiful view of the Fulton Chain of Lakes and the High Peaks off in the distance. As the steep section mellows off, the trail begins to traverse a rocky spine towards the peak.
It became apparent where the mountain got its name as we navigated the exposed rock. Soon the trees parted and the Rondaxe Fire Tower came into sight. Without the shade of the trees the late afternoon sun was beating down on us. We waited for another family to make their way off the tower before climbing up it.
At the top of the tower the views are stunning but I think I was enjoying the cool breeze even more. After 15 minutes or so, more hikers appeared on the peak and we came down from the tower to give them a chance. Just past the tower is the perfect ledge to take a break, so we hung out for a bit before heading back down.
The hike down Bald seemed wicked easy. Usually I hate going down, and find myself slipping out on to my ass. This time I stayed upright and in 25 minutes we were back in the parking lot. On our drive back we stopped on Main Street and window shopped the stores. No trip to Old Forge is complete without a stop at Walt’s Diner. We discussed our next hike over the Friday fish fry special. Maybe it was the endorphins but I think we are ready for Mountain Marcy.
Awesome pictures and article. Hope to go one day.
Robert, nice write-up. Love Bald Mountain and have done it MANY times. Your pictures evoked many good memories! Having done 16 high peaks; if you haven’t tackled any yet, I’d suggest starting with Cascade or Porter instead of big ole Marcy! I believe you were being a little facetious… Enjoy your summer and all your hikes! Leave no trace.
Those clear blue skies sure are appealing about now.
Enjoyed reading your story and checking out the awesome pictures! Love old fire towers and the history that go’s with them! Would enjoy more stories on your hikes to fire towers. Thanks!
Very nice. I love fire towers. They’re always fun.