Number Seven Mountain and Ferguson Brook Falls - Lake George Wild Forest - 4/23/16

Sometimes I do a hike and then revisit the same area to bring Leesa so she can see it also.  We just did that with Bald Mountain in Warrensburg.  This time it was to Number Seven Mountain and Ferguson Brook.  

This time I started from the south at the gate where Gay Road Road meets the Hudson River.  This was my 2nd adventure of the day after hiking in the Lake Geroge/Lake Luzerne area in the morning.  Our start time was about 2 PM.   

We followed the woods road beside the Hudson River until it was time to veer into the woods to begin the bushwhack to the southern approach to Number Seven.  The final approach up the SW flank is amazing and it reminds me of the similar SW approach to Number Eight Hill in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area.  Look at the pictures below and you be the judge.

We gained the ridge at the mostly flat plateau just south of the final approach.  This area was just acquired by New York State and is known as the Huckberry Mountain Forest.  If you pass through this area you will notice a maze of old logging roads. There are also still posted signed from the Number 7 Hunting Club.  

Starting the final SW approach to Number Seven Mountain

Looking back down on the Hudson River

There appeared to be a forest fire to the south of us near Lake Luzerne.

Nearing the summit.

The true summit is treed.  This is the open rock that lies about a 100 yards west of the true summit.

From the summit, we continued north until we could drop down the west face back to the river. 

Looking north along the Hudson River

A Subaru that must have encountered problems near the river, unless this was a farewell maneuver!

At the confluence of Ferguson Brook with the Hudson River, we quickly climbed along the north side of the brook to take a look at the cascades, water slides and falls.  It was almost 6 PM so we didn't have time to linger. 

No longer functional! 

It was getting late, and the wrong angle to get good pictures of the waterfall features.

We returned via the river and walked out in the setting sun.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  8.3 miles

Hike Time:  5.5 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  ~ 1400'

The route