Mount Van Hoevenberg

We had originally planned on hiking Phelps today.  We are camped at the ADK Wilderness Campground and wanted to take advantage of being right at the trailhead (i.e., not having to fight for a coveted spot in the Loj parking lot).  However, I could only get reservations for two nights in the campground, and we'd rolled in last night somewhat later than planned.  We were further delayed setting up the tent due to a sudden downpour, and then the Hungry Hiker was closed, so we had to drive into town for dinner (we had a completely forgettable meal, but ate outside, which was our main priority due to COVID).  Also, Frankie's spirits were extremely high due to the excitement of camping.  As a result, we were up way too late, and consequently, slept in way too late.  It is always a challenge getting these boys moving in the morning, but I didn't want to wake Frankie, given how late he'd stayed up the night before.

 

Anyway, by the time I got breakfast in Frankie, it was late enough that a less ambitious Plan B seemed like the prudent option.  I suggested Mount Van Hoevenberg, which is just up the road.  We hiked this trail in 2016, but that was before the creation of the Lake Placid 9er Challenge; to "count" the peak for the challenge, all the hikes must be completed after July 1, 2018.  And this peak is well worth repeating: the view into the High Peaks over South Meadow is quite unique and one of my very favorites.  It was very hot and Erwin is *always* agreeable to a shorter hike.  Frankie is generally a happy little guy and was just over the moon to be camping, so anything was fine with him; the promise of having time to swim afterwards clinched Mount Van Hoevenberg for him.  So off we went.

northern wood sorrel (Oxalis montana)

The first mile is flat and quick, an easy trail through the pines that eventually opens up at a scenic beaver pond.  I love this spot because you can look up and see the rocky summit ledges of Van Hoevenberg looming above, and conversely, look down from the summit and see the beaver pond.  It's such a fun reference point!  The trail skirts west around the pond, and then begins the climb.  

The vista from this summit is just spectacular!  It was obscured somewhat today by haze associated with the excessive heat and humidity; much better pictures could be captured on a cooler day.  However, the experience of being up there is sublime, haze or no haze. 

The hike back down was quick and easy (and the swim in Heart Lake afterwards was so very nice).  MapMyRide tracked the out-and-back hike at 4.7 miles round trip with around 750 feet elevation gain, but the posted distance is 4.4 miles.  I did some extra poking around at the beaver pond and also at the summit, where I continued past the main summit ledges and checked out some of the smaller viewpoints further along the ridge.  This is a great little hike, a real gem!  I bet the views are amazing in the winter, too.  Hmmm...