The Adirondacks Blog

Bald Mountain in Old Forge NY

Posted on by Robert

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.

exposed rock on Bald Mountain

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.

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Tagged: Adirondacks, Hiking5 Comments

Gore Mountain: Closing It Out at Home

Posted on by Harvey

It’s natural to want to close it out at home, skiing that last day of the season on your turf. I did it this season at Plattekill, and I came pretty close at Gore, skiing both Friday and Saturday before Gore closed on Sunday. Connecting with friends, the weather was sunny and the snow was soft, a closing day feel.

booting up

I’m starting to believe a home mountain is a responsibility of sorts, a little like having a nephew or niece. You want to be there on big occasions, like opening day, powder days, perfect spring days, maybe the pond skim, and yes, closing day.  Beyond all those specific occasions, you need some minimum number of ski days at home to actually be a part of the community. At least I do, and it’s more than ten.

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Tagged: Adirondacks, Gore Mountain11 Comments

Adirondack Double: Gore Mountain and Rogers Rock

Posted on by Brownski

The number of eastern mountains running lifts has dwindled quickly in April. I might still get more days in Vermont but this weekend was the end of the ski season for New York. It’s a melancholy time every year but of course, we have to accept reality. I remind myself, there is more to life than just skiing. We still have lots of fun, adventurous things to do.

Gore Mountain summit

My favorite way to get outdoors during the summer months is flatwater paddling. I’ve long had the idea in the back of my mind that I could make the transition from skiing to paddling in a single trip. I didn’t invent the idea. This time of year, social media fills up with “I skied and golfed the same day” or “I skied and mountain biked” posts. But I haven’t done it before.

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Tagged: Adirondacks, Gore Mountain, Paddling8 Comments