This Picture was taken on December 11th at the top of Mount Adams. Mount Adams is 3540 feet in elevation, located in the Tahawus Tract; the southern entrance way into the high peaks. The tower looks like it's in peril. It's roofless and the guy wires look like they have been torn loose. The only thing that looked new where the wooden steps. They appeared to have been recently installed. The DEC has put a warning sign on it that states it's a dangerous structure. Altogether it needs help.
This is a interesting area. For starters the Hudson River comes together here from brooks flowing down the high peaks. One of the sources is called Lake Tear of the Clouds near Mount Marcy. It was there our former Governor and President Theodore Roosevelt received word of President Mckinley's assassination. Looking on a map of the area, a Brook Mountain, and pond are given the name Calamity. This is because a man named David Henderson accidently got shot and killed there. Tahawus also has a long history of mining. The mining operations are now closed down.
To find this place, look for Newcomb on route 28N right in the heart of the Adirondack park. East of Newcomb is county route 25 branching off of 28N. It follows the Hudson River northward to Tahawus. Many roads branch off of it. The road crosses to the left side of the Hudson near the beggining. It's important to take the left forks and to stay on the left side of the Hudson. Along the way there is strong evidence of the mine. I saw huge tailing piles. Just before the trail head there is a massive stone furnace called the McIntyre Furnace. It sits on the side of the road. After that is the trail head on the right. This trail is used to reach Mount Adams, the bushwhack trail to Allen Mountain, and Hanging Spear Falls near Avalanch Pass.
The hike to Mount Adams is as incredible as the drive. The ascent is 1800 Ft. It starts out dropping to the Hudson close to where it begins at Henderson Lake. There I got to use a steel rope bridge to cross it. After a short distance I came across Lake Jimmy. To my surprise, I was crossing it on a floating log bridge. Another short distance and a log cabin is reached. A little further a path branches left leading to Mount Adams. This is the path to take and was marked. Going straight would lead to the Opalescent River where it can be followed to Hanging Spear Falls. The climb up Mount Adams starts out slow and steady. As I gained elevation, I looked down and saw the tahawus area. It's quite a site. The climb started to become steep where I came upon a wall of rock at the side of the trail. After passing that, the grade got a little easier before turning steep again. Once it turned steep, it stayed that way for quite awhile. For a moment I had to just stop and take notice at how peaceful it was. There was no wind. Everything appeared to be frosen in time. It was a total contrast to raging factory life. Finally, the climb ended abruptly and the tower was right in my face. It was too bad it was cloudy. I can only imagine what the view must be like. This mountain is practically at the base of the high peaks.
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