Fulton Chain Trifecta

The Fulton Chain Trifecta is a new hiking challenge in the Old Forge area.  The challenge consists of three small mountains: Rocky, Bald, and Black Bear, each of which has nice views over the Fulton Chain of Lakes.  According to the Fulton Chain Trifecta website, "You can complete the challenge in one day or take up to a year to reach all three summits.  The mountains are within a 10-minute drive from each other and are on DEC maintained trails.  Once you climb all three mountains, complete the registration form to receive your patch and climbing number."  

Frankie was very excited to learn about this challenge and eager to get started.  Since we have about a two hour drive each way, we decided to make two day trips rather than try to squeeze all three hikes into one day.  For us, less pressure = more fun.  If staying in the area, hiking all three in the same day would certainly be manageable.  We did Rocky and Bald in June and Black Bear in July.  Links to our full trip reports for each hike are below.  

	Rocky Mountain Total Mileage: 1.0 mile Elevation Gain: 450 feet Hike Type: out-and-back Trip Report
	Bald Mountain Total Mileage: 1.8 mile Elevation Gain: 500 feet Hike Type: out-and-back Trip Report
	Black Bear Mountain Total Mileage: 5.0 mile Elevation Gain: 650 feet Hike Type: lollipop Trip Report

After completing the hikes, be sure to register to get the patch!  I printed out two registration forms and Frankie and I each filled one out, then we took a walk to mail them together.  When the envelope with the patches arrived, I set it aside for Frankie to open when he got home.  In addition to the patches, we received a friendly note and bonus stickers.  What a nice surprise! 

We've bought Frankie patches before for completing individual climbs (e.g., Owl's Head, Mount Jo) and I got patches for the Onondaga Trail (completed in section hikes) and for finishing the North Country Trail Hike 100 Challenge in 2016.  However, this is the first multi-peak patch challenge either of have earned.  We had so much fun with the Fulton Chain Trifecta!