Adirondacks: Big Crow Mountain, 9/17/19

With a spectacular stretch of weather in the forecast, the Adirondacks beckoned for a mini-vacation.

The ferry ride across Lake Champlain is the best part of the 4 1/2 hour journey to the Adirondacks. A highlight is this view of Giant Mountain flanked by Rocky Peak Ridge on the left and Green Mountain on the right.

The Dix Range is also in view.

Arriving early afternoon, I had a few hours free before checking in to the house I rented through AirBnB. I decided to make the short, steep hike up to Big Crow Mountain (2800 ft.), a ledgy little peak a couple miles east of the town of Keene.

After an initial easy section, the trail climbs rather steeply over ledges.

Looking back at Hurricane Mountain.

This hike gives you a big bang for the buck. I counted 27 of the 46 High Peaks visible from this perch. Looking south and southwest, Giant Mountain is prominent on the left, then Dix, Dial, Nippletop, Colvin, Blake, the Great Range and Mt. Marcy.

The wild Sentinel Range sprawls off to the west.

Zooming in on Hough, Dix, Dial, Nippletop, Colvin and Blake.

The several peaks of the Great Range - the Wolf Jaws, Armstrong, Gothics, Saddleback, Basin and Haystack - lead across to Mt. Marcy on the right.

Spent a couple of hours up here relaxing in the sun.

Parting shot, with Cascade Mountain prominent on the right.

Before heading in to Lake Placid, I made the obligatory stop at the Adirondack Loj road for the view of Mt. Colden, the McIntyre Range and Indian Pass.