Catching up with my log…In mid September 2020 my childhood friend Paul and I headed out to the ADK to tackle Colvin, Blake, Nippletop and Dial. We left WNY around 2300hrs and drove through the night, arriving at the Ausable Club public lot around 0530hrs and it was good we left so early because it was already beginning to fill up.
We took the club road to the gate and began our hike to the Gill Brook Trail to Elk Pass. A “not too steep” hike but continuously uphill.
We set up our hammocks near the pond at Elk Pass and took off for Colvin and Blake. The ascent was sharp but I’m now used to the terrain and it wasn’t the worst I ever faced. Eventually we topped out, finding a nice rocky ledge near the summit to get a spectacular view of Ausable Lake and the Great Range…breathtaking.
Then there was nothing to do but bite the bullet and tag Blake. All the stories are true. An unremittingly steep col to a wooded peak with no good views. But….you don’t have to like it, you just have to do it. So we did it.
We then backtracked to camp, stopping at Colvin to get that view again. We then cooked up some grub and got into our hammocks. My new underquilt was appreciated because it got very cool overnight.
The next day we headed up for Nippletop. Once the trail tops out at the ridge between Nippletop and Dial you turn right for a quick half mile to Nippletop. Then it’s a trek along the ridge to Dial. It was a pleasant trail with views peaking out on both sides of you.
Eventually you reach the col and ascent to Dial. It’s pretty steep but not horrific. At the top we met Katie Rhodes and Bethany Garretson who were halfway through their unsupported through hike of the 46. They were taking in the view for a few moments before starting their bushwhacking towards the Dix Range. Good people and hardcore hikers.
We then backtracked toward Nippletop and then went back down to camp. We cooked dinner and shot the shit with a fellow camper (cool dude).
The next morning it was pack up and hike out. We took a scenic detour along Gill Brook and were rewarded with some beautiful waterfalls. We reached the car…and packed lot…around 1100 and headed home (with a stop for burgers and beer). 31 down. 15 to go.
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