nartreb - May 31, 2016 3:06 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2016
Lucky to find water
Started from the west trailhead, visited all the peaks and then returned along the top of the ridge.
Not as many open views as I'd expected, but an enjoyable trail with several little half-scrambles.
Brutally hot and humid day, I carried way too much gear and not nearly enough water. Luckily there's a spring near the middle of the ridge. The spot was fly-infested and smelled of dogs, but the water tasted fine and was blessedly cold.
Black flies got increasingly aggressive as the day wore on. I put on some DEET around 3:30 PM and they hardly bothered me after that.
Wildlife log: clintonia, claytonia, cypripedium (pink), trillium (painted and red); blackpoll warblers, white-throated sparrows, ravens, crows, hawks, one snowshoe hare (all brown except for white feet), one turkey vulture dropping bits of moose organs onto the trail.
racek2 - Aug 25, 2011 12:37 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2011
Great views on a clear day
The multiple peaks along the ridge line provide an interesting series of views across the valley to Cascade mtn and the spur trail to the lookout point provided a panorama that was well worth the diversion! Didn't encounter a single other hiker, a good challenging day hike to save for when many of the other popular trails are busy.
ScAtTeRbOnE - Aug 9, 2011 7:04 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2011
Great Ridge Walk!
Brutally hot and humid, nice breezes on the ridge though, many places to steal away and have great views in solitude along this ridge. Went East to West, hitchhiked back to car, swam in cascade Lake and then kayaked in Lake Placid afterward.
forgues9999 - May 1, 2011 12:11 am Date Climbed: Oct 14, 1986
Climbed twice
Nice view of the drop to the road below
dawson83 - Oct 28, 2009 8:48 pm Date Climbed: Nov 8, 2008
We Climbed the West to east route from 73, nice hike but the cloud ceiling was at about 2500' so the views were about 20' infront and that was it. If you find that going up scrambling sections is easier than going down them, as I do, you may want to climb from the east (lower lot) to west being thta the western side is easier to desend. If you like to hike with dogs, you may want to think twice about this one. Other than that it is a great hike and alot of fun, I will do it again!
Bark Eater - Aug 19, 2007 9:53 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2007
Beautiful spring hike
Awesome spring day! Clear skies and no bugs. The ridge hike is great, with frequent views from all the numerous knobs.
CookieMonster - Jul 25, 2007 12:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 1990
Climbed from West 73
Made it to the third summit and turned around back to 73.
starship_jen - Nov 27, 2006 1:14 pm Date Climbed: Nov 24, 2006
West Trailhead from Rt 73
Beautiful weather made for an enjoyable hike. Fantastic views and a gorgeous sunset!
Route Climbed: West TH on Rt 73 Date Climbed: September 2, 2005
Fun climb with nice lookouts along the way. The rocky subsummit before the true summit was very cool. Great views of Cascade mountain & Lake as well as several other peaks. Windiest conditions I have ever experienced on any Adirondack peak - probably the last of Katrina blowing itself out. My dog was freaked out!
nartreb - May 31, 2016 3:06 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2016
Lucky to find waterStarted from the west trailhead, visited all the peaks and then returned along the top of the ridge.
Not as many open views as I'd expected, but an enjoyable trail with several little half-scrambles.
Brutally hot and humid day, I carried way too much gear and not nearly enough water. Luckily there's a spring near the middle of the ridge. The spot was fly-infested and smelled of dogs, but the water tasted fine and was blessedly cold.
Black flies got increasingly aggressive as the day wore on. I put on some DEET around 3:30 PM and they hardly bothered me after that.
Wildlife log: clintonia, claytonia, cypripedium (pink), trillium (painted and red); blackpoll warblers, white-throated sparrows, ravens, crows, hawks, one snowshoe hare (all brown except for white feet), one turkey vulture dropping bits of moose organs onto the trail.
racek2 - Aug 25, 2011 12:37 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2011
Great views on a clear dayThe multiple peaks along the ridge line provide an interesting series of views across the valley to Cascade mtn and the spur trail to the lookout point provided a panorama that was well worth the diversion! Didn't encounter a single other hiker, a good challenging day hike to save for when many of the other popular trails are busy.
ScAtTeRbOnE - Aug 9, 2011 7:04 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2011
Great Ridge Walk!Brutally hot and humid, nice breezes on the ridge though, many places to steal away and have great views in solitude along this ridge. Went East to West, hitchhiked back to car, swam in cascade Lake and then kayaked in Lake Placid afterward.
forgues9999 - May 1, 2011 12:11 am Date Climbed: Oct 14, 1986
Climbed twiceNice view of the drop to the road below
dawson83 - Oct 28, 2009 8:48 pm Date Climbed: Nov 8, 2008
flurries!windy, with flurries.
Narendra - Dec 21, 2008 12:13 pm
PitchoffThis is my favorite peak below 4k and much better than most 46 ers. numerous ways to summit inclduing some scrambling options off-route
MattGreene - Dec 1, 2007 10:23 pm
TraverseThe Pitchoff traverse is an awesome half-day hike. Great views, great snow, and great ice.
sherpapeaks - Sep 30, 2007 3:10 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2007
West to East Route in Early FallWe Climbed the West to east route from 73, nice hike but the cloud ceiling was at about 2500' so the views were about 20' infront and that was it. If you find that going up scrambling sections is easier than going down them, as I do, you may want to climb from the east (lower lot) to west being thta the western side is easier to desend. If you like to hike with dogs, you may want to think twice about this one. Other than that it is a great hike and alot of fun, I will do it again!
Bark Eater - Aug 19, 2007 9:53 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2007
Beautiful spring hikeAwesome spring day! Clear skies and no bugs. The ridge hike is great, with frequent views from all the numerous knobs.
CookieMonster - Jul 25, 2007 12:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 5, 1990
Climbed from West 73Made it to the third summit and turned around back to 73.
starship_jen - Nov 27, 2006 1:14 pm Date Climbed: Nov 24, 2006
West Trailhead from Rt 73Beautiful weather made for an enjoyable hike. Fantastic views and a gorgeous sunset!
James_W - Oct 4, 2005 10:33 am
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: June, 2004Nice easy climb from Cascade parking to summit. Views of Cascade are the highlight of the hike.
Bill Jirousek - Sep 6, 2005 12:56 pm
Route Climbed: West TH on Rt 73 Date Climbed: September 2, 2005Fun climb with nice lookouts along the way. The rocky subsummit before the true summit was very cool. Great views of Cascade mountain & Lake as well as several other peaks. Windiest conditions I have ever experienced on any Adirondack peak - probably the last of Katrina blowing itself out. My dog was freaked out!
mt10climber - Sep 27, 2003 12:15 pm
Route Climbed: From cascade lake Date Climbed: 07/01/03We were crack climbing on owls head. got bored and went up the road and climbed pitchoff.