Journal

Essays, field notes, and mountain-side observations.

Short journal dispatches, fuller essays, practical field notes, and eventually galleries, maps, and richer trip context — ordered newest first.

Mountain Pond Reborn
2026-04-07 · adirondacks · brook trout · pond fishing · ice out · spring

Mountain Pond Reborn

TL;DR: When the first open water shows up in the Adirondacks, brook trout, mud, thaw, and quiet all come back at once.

Ice-out pond fishing in the Adirondacks carries that first honest feeling of renewal after a long winter, with brook trout, cold mornings, and a little grace in the thaw.

Stillwater Fire Tower in the Secret Season
2026-04-04 · adirondacks · stillwater · fire tower · shoulder season

Stillwater Fire Tower in the Secret Season

TL;DR: An easy shoulder-season climb with open woods, clear light, and a tower view that pulls Tug Hill, the High Peaks, and the Fulton Chain into one frame.

A quiet spring walk to the Stillwater Fire Tower, where leafless woods, shallow valleys, and wide views reveal the Adirondacks in their most stripped-back form.

Blue Mountain
2026-02-19 · adirondacks · blue mountain · hiking · winter

Blue Mountain

TL;DR: Blue Mountain in deep winter delivers a packed trail, strange snow pillars, and one of the Adirondacks' best fire tower views.

Winter climb up Blue Mountain with field notes, conditions, and summit impressions.

Mount Arab Fire Tower Hike: A Rewarding 1-Mile Summit Near Long Lake, NY
2025-08-10 · adirondacks · hiking · fire towers · long lake

Mount Arab Fire Tower Hike: A Rewarding 1-Mile Summit Near Long Lake, NY

TL;DR: Short hike, real payoff: Mount Arab delivers classic fire-tower character and a family-friendly summit experience.

A short Adirondack summit with a historic fire tower, broad views, and an approachable climb near Long Lake.

Bald Mountain Reveal (Again)
2025-01-18 · adirondacks · hiking · old forge · fire towers

Bald Mountain Reveal (Again)

TL;DR: A classic Adirondack repeat hike: Bald Mountain remains rewarding because the route, rock, and summit reveal all still work.

A return to Bald Mountain / Rondaxe near Old Forge, where familiar stone, elevation, and open views still deliver.

Exploring Morgan Hill: A Winter Hike Adventure
2025-01-15 · central new york · winter hiking · tully · exploration

Exploring Morgan Hill: A Winter Hike Adventure

TL;DR: Morgan Hill is less about peak-bagging and more about the pleasure of quiet ground, side paths, and winter solitude.

A quieter regional outing near Tully focused on hidden corners, lean-tos, streams, and winter solitude rather than marquee summits.

Good Luck Cliffs
2025-01-12 · adirondacks · winter hiking · snowshoe · caroga

Good Luck Cliffs

TL;DR: Good Luck Cliffs leans into winter texture — snowshoe travel, moderate challenge, and a scenic Adirondack reward.

A winter-focused look at Good Luck Cliffs near Caroga, framed as a snowshoe outing with scenic payoff and moderate effort.