We chose Goodnow Mountain for our
"black friday" hike. This is the second year my friend Sherilee, Reagan and I have hiked as opposed to shopping. My father, of course, joined us this year. Turns out hiking a snowy cold mountain in upstate NY is safer than shopping at
Walmart. This solidifies my new goal of trying to avoid being a gluttenous consumer. Anyhow, Goodnow Mountain is located in Newcomb, New York, which is often referred to as the "heart" of the
Adirondacks. It is home to the Santanoni Preserve and the Upper Works Trailhead. Goodnow Mountain is less than a mile from the
Visitor Interpretive Center on route 28N. The trailhead is well marked and parking is available for about 20 cars. The elevation is just under 3,000 feet and the change in elevation in the 2 mile one way hike is 1,000 feet. The elevation change is very gradual with a couple moderately steep sections. We chose to "bareboot it" even though from the
start to halfway up there was a 3-4 inch snow covering. As we got to the mid to upper section there was about 4-5 inches of snow but it had been packed down by a group of 12 hikers a day earlier. Reagan did put on her snowshoes at about the halfway point. More to amuse herself than anything else. It was a little slick in spots, which makes me really think about getting stable-icers if not crampons...someday.
I also chose to only wear my fleece pants with my new
180's underneath. The only problem with this was a little snow did get in my boots. I am definitely buying gaters in the next day or so (online most likely and not at any store remotely resembling Walmart), just for the purpose of days that are too warm for snowpants. Then of course I will have the gaiters for next hiking season. Goodnow Mountain has a firetower and is on the
Firetower Challenge list. Right now the focus is on climbing the mountains on the 46r list but we are not going to attempt to be winter 46r (ever) so the winter months are good for fitting in some of the smaller mountains that we feel comfortable snowshoeing. If we eventually finish the firetower challenge...great. Goodnow was my 4th fire tower climb. It was not a sunny day North of Lake George and the view
from the top was limited to the mountains closest to us to the east. The fire tower offers 360 degree views and on a clear day the Santanoni range is visible as is Colden and Marcy. We already discuss climbing this one again in the spring as we would like to see the view and bring the non high peak baggers with us (mom, jane, allison). We started the hike at 10:45am and with a 15 minute lunch break on the steps of the firetower, we were back at the car at 2:30pm. There are benches all along the trail for rest stops too...I know this because Reagan sat on each and everyone of them. Just as I am questioning why I drag her with me...she states that she would like to climb Buck Mountain again because she likes that mountain. She also announced while nawing on a slim jim that her main reason for hiking is
the food. Someday she will hike for the beautiful sky, mountains, fresh air and much needed connection to nature to offset the craziness of life. I am lucky to have spent the day this way.
We chose Goodnow Mountain for our "black friday" hike. This is the second year my friend Sherilee, Reagan and I have hiked as opposed to shopping. My father, of course, joined us this year. Turns out hiking a snowy cold mountain in upstate NY is safer than shopping at Walmart. This solidifies my new goal of trying to avoid being a gluttenous consumer. Anyhow, Goodnow Mountain is located in Newcomb, New York, which is often referred to as the "heart" of the 
Adirondacks. It is home to the Santanoni Preserve and the Upper Works Trailhead. Goodnow Mountain is less than a mile from the Visitor Interpretive Center on route 28N. The trailhead is well marked and parking is available for about 20 cars. The elevation is just under 3,000 feet and the change in elevation in the 2 mile one way hike is 1,000 feet. The elevation change is very gradual with a couple moderately steep sections. We chose to "bareboot it" even though from the
start to halfway up there was a 3-4 inch snow covering. As we got to the mid to upper section there was about 4-5 inches of snow but it had been packed down by a group of 12 hikers a day earlier. Reagan did put on her snowshoes at about the halfway point. More to amuse herself than anything else. It was a little slick in spots, which makes me really think about getting stable-icers if not crampons...someday. 
I also chose to only wear my fleece pants with my new 180's underneath. The only problem with this was a little snow did get in my boots. I am definitely buying gaters in the next day or so (online most likely and not at any store remotely resembling Walmart), just for the purpose of days that are too warm for snowpants. Then of course I will have the gaiters for next hiking season. Goodnow Mountain has a firetower and is on the Firetower Challenge list. Right now the focus is on climbing the mountains on the 46r list but we are not going to attempt to be winter 46r (ever) so the winter months are good for fitting in some of the smaller mountains that we feel comfortable snowshoeing. If we eventually finish the firetower challenge...great. Goodnow was my 4th fire tower climb. It was not a sunny day North of Lake George and the view
from the top was limited to the mountains closest to us to the east. The fire tower offers 360 degree views and on a clear day the Santanoni range is visible as is Colden and Marcy. We already discuss climbing this one again in the spring as we would like to see the view and bring the non high peak baggers with us (mom, jane, allison). We started the hike at 10:45am and with a 15 minute lunch break on the steps of the firetower, we were back at the car at 2:30pm. There are benches all along the trail for rest stops too...I know this because Reagan sat on each and everyone of them. Just as I am questioning why I drag her with me...she states that she would like to climb Buck Mountain again because she likes that mountain. She also announced while nawing on a slim jim that her main reason for hiking is 
the food. Someday she will hike for the beautiful sky, mountains, fresh air and much needed connection to nature to offset the craziness of life. I am lucky to have spent the day this way. 
4 comments:
Beautiful pictures - I can't wait to hike this with you in the SPRING! I'm not one for roughing it in the snow... Glad to see your fried modem didn't keep you unblogged. - Quick repair man!
have you hiked Hurricane yet? I've been up that one a couple of times and always enjoy it. Sounds like Goodnow is one i should put on my list for spring. See you on the trail!
Hey! I did that one, too! I went with a group of 5 people and 3 doggies. Tosca climbed the mountain twice, I think, while I trudged up once. We were there early September 2002. Worth it!
BTW, that Walmart thing was so sick. What could possibly be so important? At least in other countries, people are trampled in moments of religious fervor. What was the big item this year that would you would kill for? Biscuit the animatronic puppy? Or grand theft auto #54?
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