Lake George

Lake George
Lake George - from Tongue Mtn Range - 11/11/2011

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Morton Mountain - 1/15/12

Monday was a great day skiing at Gore Mountain, but Sunday took quite a different turn for us.  We started the day in Schroon Lake, NY intending to head north to hike Lyon Mountain in far northern New York.  When we left the house, it was minus 9 degrees.  We got down to town and the car overheated.  I was able to get antifreeze and that seemed to cure the problem, but we weren't comfortable heading north, where it was minus 20 degrees, if the car was having problems. 

We got home and unpacked, switched cars and set off on a short adventure to Morton Mountain in Lake Luzerne, NY instead.    

We weren't expecting much from this hike, but it turned out to be better than we had hoped.  We parked at the designated trailhead and followed the trail east then north.  Shortly thereafter, Buttermilk Brook appeared on the left.  The brook has an incredible water slide combined with several small falls that made us decide we need to go back in the summer.   It is one of the nicest water courses I've seen (especially from a smaller brook).

After following the trail along the brook, we crossed the brook and bushwhacked up Morton Mountain to the west.  It wasn't a difficult climb and was a pleasant summit with open hardwoods.  With the leaves down, some views were possible.   



A nice water slide 


Water flowing over ice


Morton Mountain summit


A open one holer!... found this on the SW slope of the mountain

Below are some pictures of Buttermilk Brook.  It really is a nice brook.  We'll be back in summer.














Hike Stats

Hike Distance:  2.4 miles
Hike Time:  2 hours
Total Vertical Gain:  575'
Summit Elevation:  1063'
Trailhead Elevation:  584'



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