What can we do today? Have to check on the old chevy in Indian Lake. What expedition can we add to that?
Wakely Mountain: 3,744 ft - 12 miles away from the chevy. Lets do that!
Arrived Indian Lake at 12:30pm. The garage was deserted and the chevy sat outside. The radiator, carborator, power steering lines were all some place else. It was obvious that it would be a while before the chevy could run.
Drove 12 miles to the Wakely trailhead, 8 miles paved, 4 miles gravel. Parked the car at 1pm and started our ascent. 70 degrees, bright blue skies. A classic Adirondack climbing day.
The first 2 miles was relatively flat, smooth and perfect for a fast walk. The day before, we had 3 inches of rain in the area, so there was water everywhere, but the trail still remained dry in some places. After our 2 mile walk, we finally began to the ascend the mountain. It must have been a nice trail for the ranger who used the trail 50 years ago while manning the fire tower. 50 years, thousands of hikers and Adirondack rains and melting snow had turned the trail into a rock strewn stream bed. None the less, we were able to side step a lot of the trail, following the foot path of earlier climbers. We managed to keep our feet dry and were able to gain the 1200 elevation increase over one mile in about 45 minutes with few rest stops.
SUMMIT
There was the highest fire tower in the Adirondacks built by what appeared to be some 10 old years idea of how to use an erector set. Which only the brave would climb to the top (Stephanie), but the views from the tower was one of the best in all of the Adirondack Park. I made the third level up the tower, and saw the top of pine trees. We took a few minutes to rest at the rotting picnic table and Stephanie explored the creepy rangers house. Abandoned for at least 50 years, but still had cots with mattresses on them. Not sure who would sleep on them, but apparently some have in the last several years. Perhaps ghosts from the high peaks, looking for solace at lower elevation.
While the Adirondacks are known for their 46 high peaks, all of which are over 4,000 feet, Wakely would probably would be #53. But certainly was worth the climb. Great day. Descent and drive out to Indian lake took about 2 hours. Obvious project was made on the chevy but the carborator was still missing.
Before heading back to Raquette Lake, we had to gas up the volvo, and Steph a great chocolate milkshake and I had a klondike bar. Back to the lake, and the tap room for high-fives, mozzarella sticks and beer.
- Steve Bennett
While the Adirondacks are known for their 46 high peaks, all of which are over 4,000 feet, Wakely would probably would be #53. But certainly was worth the climb. Great day. Descent and drive out to Indian lake took about 2 hours. Obvious project was made on the chevy but the carborator was still missing.
Before heading back to Raquette Lake, we had to gas up the volvo, and Steph a great chocolate milkshake and I had a klondike bar. Back to the lake, and the tap room for high-fives, mozzarella sticks and beer.
- Steve Bennett
The chevy when in working condition
View from the tower
looking toward the high peaks
The fire tower
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