GOOD LUCK MOUNTAIN cross country skiing & hiking

 


 Mar 3, 2014 - GOOD LUCK MOUNTAIN CLIFFS from Rt.10.  Dexter Lake snowmobile trail to past the register then off-trail up the NE side of the mountain climbing moderately at first then steeply cutting switchbacks (climbing skins helped), nice view of the W Br Sacandaga valley along the way.  Picked up the hiking trail just below the cliffs & side-stepped the final steep pitch. Gain of 650' from start.  From the cliffs there is a great view across Spectacle Lake to the hills S of the Mohawk Valley & W to Hedgehog Mountain & the hills in the Jerseyfield area.  Dropped down to the W then N skirting some cliffs but with wide-open woods most of the way, much fun!  Crossed the snowmobile trail & off-trail over to State Brook (flows E) which we followed upstream to the W, some beaver ponds along the way.  Reached Hart Vly Stream (flows W) then back down State Brook further downstream.  Spent most of time off-trail - 3-4" powder on good base, excellent skiing; groomed snowmobile trail had a hint of iciness to it.  7.3 miles, 4.8 hours. 



Feb 7 - GOOD LUCK MOUNTAIN CLIFFS ski from Rt.10. Ferris Lake WF. Well over foot of snow with good base & few inches of wettish powder. Temp rising from 20s to 40°F; more clouds than yesterday. Skied Dry/Dexter lakes snowmobile trail for 0.7 miles then headed SW offtrail following snowshoe tracks. Climbed moderately at first then very steeply (skins on). Barebooted maybe 200yds due to iciness, steepness & downed trees. Crossed summit over to the cliffs on W side - views SW across Spectacle Lake with hills S of Mohawk River on the horizon. Stretched out the Thermarest on the rocks for some RnR. After studying the maps, decided the drop to the W should be more moderate. Dropped very steeply on trail a short distance then bushwhacked W over a small knob - nice open woods with moderate grade for a while. Things got very steep again but was able to make some switchbacks to more moderate terrain again. Turned N thru open woods for a sweet run down to the snowmobile trail - so sweet I went back up and did it again. Half mile back to where we had initially left the snowmobile trail then out. Neither saw nor heard any snowmobiles on this Monday - you may get a different experience on a weekend. Intermediate+/easy expert. 600', 4 miles, 4.5 hrs. Fischer Outtabounds skis, Chili bindings, Garmont Excursion plastic boots . I strongly believe the boot/binding combination made all the difference between just hanging on and having a blast.



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