After a short lunch break, we ambled over to the largest of the open areas - a large peninsula-shaped area of open rock with two huge erratics perched at the open end. Beyond the land falls away on all sides, creating a wonderful panoramic spot to look towards the MacIntyre Range, Lake Placid, and much of the Northern Adirondacks.
The way down from the lookout is not obvious, if you have come from the eastern trailhead like we have. One must walk back quite a ways, probably 200 yards at least, before catching an unmarked branch onto the western approach trail (see map). The trail then immediately descends a steep and rather rough ravine before levelling out a bit and swinging around the base of the western ridge.
Apart from one or two steep steps, it was a snow-free pleasant sunny walk down through lower forests to the western trailhead. I stopped shortly before the trailhead and switched into my running gear. Sophie graciously offered to watch my stuff and I took off eastward down route 73, returning in less than 30 minutes with the car.
Many thanks to Sophie for being my hiking buddy today. We had a great time chatting.
Interactive trackmap with photo points - Pitchoff Traverse - click map to view
Pitchoff Ridge Traverse - Hike Data
Start Time:
9:48a.m.
End Time:
2:01p.m.
Duration:
4h12m
Distance:
7.8 km
(4.85 mi)
Average Speed:
1.9 km/hr
(1.2 mph)
Start Elevation:
1857ft
(566m)
*
Max Elevation:
3482ft
(1061m)
*
Min Elevation:
1852ft
(565m)
*
End Elevation:
2178ft
(664m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain:
1898ft
(579m)
*
Total Elevation Loss:
1579ft
(481m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
