phelps mountain

At sunrise on Saturday, Dan and I headed up to the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks to do some hiking with Cate and Kendra. We were hoping to get accustomed to full backpacks in preparation for our trip in Nova Scotia (leaving tomorrow!!) and had chosen Phelps Mountain because it was (relatively) easy compared to some of the other High Peaks. Halfway through Saturday’s hike, though, we decided to change up our original plan and make a base camp 3 miles in from the Adirondack Loj and do Sunday’s hike with just a day pack. All in all, we ended up doing about 10 miles with our full packs and about 8 without, and are feeling great for Cape Chignecto. In the next post, I'll post pictures from Sunday's hike up Mount Colden!

Here we all are, ready to go!

Cate and Kendra head up the trail:


Suckling from Dan's camelbak, a source of lots of entertainment for our hiking mates! (Thanks for the pic, Kendra!)



A lady slipper undisturbed along the trail:


Marcy Dam, our first stop 2 miles in:


Dan and me at Marcy Dam:


Bear warning! We did have to carry a bear-proof container for our food, and the boy scout group camped next to us told us that they saw a big black bear next to our campsite on Saturday night - we must have already been asleep!


Up we go! (thanks for the pic, Kendra!)


Starting to see views:


View from the summit of Phelps:


Lunch on the top:


Kendra relays critical information to her husband Ryan - how to make potato salad!


Crossing the river on the way back down:


Cate and Kendra rest for a short minute!