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Gothics and Armstrong
(peaks 10 and 11)

See Macromedia photo album. (Requires Flash)

This was my 4th solo trip - 11.8 miles by topo, and signs on the trail. It's now early November. We've already set the clock's back, and it feels as if winter is overtaking the year. The time change forced a change in base strategy. Almost all trips to date were based on a 5am departure time. With the clock's back an hour, and the accompanying sunset too, I opted for an earlier departure. Three a.m. came, and I got up to stoke the fire, and was completely awake. Started the morning hike ritual - made simple by the night before's ritual of checking gear, and packing. Coffee, warm the car, go!

With the earlier departure, I was physically on my way, but the biological processes set in motion by a good cup of coffee were on their old timetable. Not sure why, habit I guess. The 'business' that I usually take care of at the High Peaks area rest stop on the norht way wasn't to happen, as scheduled. Too early. BUT, once it hit 630am, my usual time to be at the rest stop, it was time. Unfortunately I was on the Ausable Club Rd., behind the gate, about a mile down.

Now, the Ausable Club rules say stay on the trail. Hmmm. Prudence seemed to dictate that this was probably one time where they would appreciate someone skipping over a rule. I did limit my off trail bushwhack to about 150 ft. Now we're ready to hike!

Not far from where I turn off the road to get on the Trail to Gothics (and only a couple minutes from returning to the road after my off trail romp!), I hear someone coming up from behind - it was Pinpin Jr! For those not in the know, Pinpin is the 'handle' for a very serious Adirondack hiker. He's done all 46 high peaks at least 46 times. Including at least a full course in winter, another under a full moon - you get the picture. His handle is Pinpin because of the little bunny who rides along on all his trips.

I walked with Pinpin for just a couple hundred yards. His English is better than my non existent French, so we talked for a little. Mostly I was huffing, trying to keep up. Soon my trail turnoff came up and I was on my own again. I hadn't properly stored the camera yet, and I did not get a picture of Pinpin. I kicked myself up the first part of the mountain for missing that opportunity.

From the road, we (me and shadow = we, makes me seem like not so much of a recluse) slogged through an almost frozen muddy and wet section of trail back over to the River, the bridge across, and the falls. This is where the picture taking begins. I believe this is called Beaver Meadow Falls.

(Mouse over the picture to see the image full size.)

After a quick break at the falls to get the camera situated up front where I could reach it, and to break out the gummy bears for breakfast, we were off. This is really where the hike begins, even though it's about 3 miles into the trop from the car. Up a ladder, to overcome the same structure that created the falls, and we in a steady gradual climb for the next mile. The turn off to lost lookout is on this part of the trail, probably less than a half mile from the falls. The trail heads directly towards Armstrong, and you can see the slides on Upper Wolfjaw for most of the way.

Soon it's time to make a turn to the southwest, and start up the steep part of the trail that leads to the col between Armstrong and Gothics. I am up early enough, an the sun is low enough that we are hiking in the shade of the false summit just east and a little south of Armstrong (almost due east of Gothics). Towards the top the trail is a little rough, bouncing over sections of rock that look like they want to let go pretty soon. There's a picture in the album from this section of a huge rock balanced atop another flatter rock that looks like it was put there. Since the rock is as big as a small shed, it probably wasn't people, but nature that resulted in it's precarious position.

One more section of trail worth noting on the way up to the col between Gothics and Armstrong. There is a section of trail on the steep southwest side that gave me the willy's. Bare rock above, and below, like a slide interrupted by only the trail. I was nervous crossing this section. At one point there was a short 3-4 ft scramble up, but if you fell there was only one small scrub tree between you and the true freedom of flying in open space. And of course this is where the wind picked up. Also of note on this section are a couple sturdy ladders to make some of the more insane scambles manageable.

Finally, the col. It was only 10:30am when I got here, and with the wind catching the snow off the trees and depositing it on my fleece, I was pretty wet.

Opted for an almost complete changeout of clothing, including pants, for the final ascent on the 2 peaks. Had a bite to eat, put on some nice dry layers, and headed for Armstrong. Changing when it's only 14F adds it's own excitement to the trip. From the trail junture in the col, it's only .45 mi to each peak. Here's a nice picture of Gothics, from Armstrong. There are more photo's in the photo album. Also put on the Icer's at this point, as conditions were getting a little more icy and slippery, but it didn't seem as bad as the trip to Upper and Lower Wolfjaw.

Armstrong is mostly covered, but as you can see above there is a large exposed rock cliff, facing west south west, with good views of the peaks from Gothics to Marcy, and over to Colden and Algonquin.

Back to the col where I met my first two trail companions - Bernard B. and William, from Canada. They were on their way to Gothics, and I followed, after a quick break. On the summit of Gothics we encountered some people hiking the range - they were in a hurry and after a brief hello were on their way. Summit time of Gothics was brief. The wind was strong - 20-30's, and the temp was low, 14F according to my little thermometer.

The return trip was uneventful. Took pictures of a couple of the ladders encountered to record their condition. Got to the road by 315pm, and to the gate by 4:45pm. Did make one stop when on the road to investigate a pool in the creek running along side. I was shocked to see such monster trout, and also the number of them. The largest was at least 14 inches long, and there were over a dozen! And that's no fish story!

A good time was had by all.

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