The plan for the day was 12.7 miles beginning with the nasty ford at the North Branch of Trout Brook Creek.
Will showed us a picture from just a week ago that looked about like it did three years ago, which is this view.
We all (Bill and me with Marie) hiked the 1.5 miles in to the location. That way Marie could be sure we got safely across. Ha, ha, ha! Here's what it looked like today.
It was to my crotch last time. We decided that was a no-go with the possibility it would be to my chest.
Will reports that the DNR is planning to rebuild this bridge next year. Good news for sure.
So we went to Schroon Lake and had a nice lunch. Called Matt the trail mapping guy to participate in the decision about what we could do. There was not time to hike in from the other direction and back out. Matt said the group that is going to go through later can fill in the gap.
So we decided to do a "fun hike." We went to Dirgylot parking and hiked up the east side of Jones Hill. This is brand new trail. I bushwhacked down this in 2022 (not much fun). So I wanted to see the new trail, and Bill really wanted to go to the top of Jones.
The first thing we passed on this route was the rock work that the crew I worked with in 2021 did. I have to show you the water bar again. We built this correctly, and it is still nicely diverting water off to the side. I'm a little proud of that water bar.
I'd been told that the last piece of that trail puzzle was also complete- a bridge over Platte Brook. Here it is! Made of logs.
After the bridge, the trail starts UP, and this is all new trail since 2022. It was very good building work for such a long climb. Lots of switchbacks, most grades not more than 10 percent.
Marie went part way with us, then she waited while Bill and I went on.
Part of the view from the top.
Just showing off.
Then we had to come back down, collecting Marie on the way. Three happy and satisfied hikers.
We came back to our motel, got cleaned up and ate a light dinner. Then it was out for ice cream! We know how to end a hike right.
So we missed a 7-mile stretch of trail, but I'm pretty satisfied with what we were able to accomplish.
New York, North Country Trail, Adirondacks. Loch Muller TH to the North Branch of Trout Brook Creek and back. Dirgylot TH to the top of Jones Hill and back. 11 miles total.
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