Fortunately, the un-snowshoed section was relatively short, and we reached the end of the turnaround point for most of the hiker traffic from the western Pitchoff trailhead (and most of that traffic had been wearing snowshoes, so the track was good again). Instantly, my walking pace doubled and my effort halved!
In a few more minutes, we reached what can arguably be called the highlight of the Pitchoff Ridge traverse - a short side trail leading to a huge open expanse of bedrock on a lower shoulder of the ridge. The situation is superb, with excellent views across Cascade Pass to nearby Cascade Mountain, to the more distant high peaks, and to the flatter lands north and west. Several big glacial erratics lay perched on the edge of the open shoulder.
Enjoying the expansive view
After exploring the open area for a bit, we headed back to the main trail (back in 2004, we had actually scrambled down from the shoulder directly).
There are several steep descents from this point on, but with good snow conditions and our well-toothed snowshoes, we had no traction problems.
courtesy JInnes
After the steep descents, the trail resumed its westward march mostly on the level and mostly in forest, until we reached the final slope leading down to the western trailhead at route 73. Route 73 was now very busy, with a lot of traffic zooming by.
The NYSDEC points the way
It was now time to decide how to get back to our car - which was parked at the eastern trailhead. I had contemplated asking a fellow hiker to give me a lift back, but as I looked around at both the Pitchoff trailhead and the Cascade mountain trailhead on the opposite side of the road, I couldn't see any hikers milling about their cars. That meant the fallback plan would need to be put into motion: running back to the car.
I put on my sneakers and ditched by camera bag, pack, gaiters and hiking boots. The others agreed to wait and guard the items. Fortunately, there was no wind and plenty of sun at the trailhead, so the wait would not be too unpleasant for them.
courtesy JInnes
courtesy JInnes
The total distance from trailhead to trailhead was about 4.3 km (perhaps 2.6 miles). I do run fairly regularly, so this is not a particularly difficult distance for me. However, running along the highway through narrow Cascade Pass - although scenic - required some care. There's not much of a shoulder to run on, and there was a lot of traffic - including big semi transport trucks. As I ran along, I was prepared to launch myself into the snowbank the instant anything seemed amiss.
Fortunately, nothing went amiss. I made fairly decent time, arriving back at the car less than 25 minutes after starting out. A three-minute drive and I was back at the western trailhead, where Jenn, Andy and Andrea had occupied themselves in conversation with a fellow Pitchoff Ridge hiker.
All in all, a thoroughly enjoying winter day in the Adirondacks. Pitchoff Ridge deserves to be done more often than once every ten years!
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Pitchoff Ridge - click map to view
Pitchoff Ridge Traverse - Hike Data
Start Time:
8:18a.m.
End Time:
1:55p.m.
Duration:
5h36m
Distance:
8.01 km
(4.98 mi)
Average Speed:
1.4 km/hr
(0.9 mph)
Start Elevation:
1849ft
(563m)
*
Max Elevation:
3522ft
(1073m)
*
Min Elevation:
1849ft
(563m)
*
End Elevation:
2159ft
(658m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain:
2076ft
(633m)
*
Total Elevation Loss:
1748ft
(533m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
