Dickens here again to tell you about our climb of Rooster Comb in the Adirondacks.  This 2762 foot mountain in the Adirondacks has great views of Giant Mtn, Wolf Jaw, and other peaks.  Because the forecast was  sunny, 84 degrees, Bruce picked this trail so that we two doggies (Dickens and Fenster) would have plenty of streams to drink from and bathe in to keep cool.  
     We started on the Deer Brook trail at 10:35 AM.  The trail starts south of the mountain, goes along Deer Brook, and then later crosses Flume Brook.  We dogs definitely appreciate a trail with lots of streams and stream crossings, especially on a hot day like this one.
     However, from the start it was clear that this was not the best route to take.  First, the only parking is along Route 73 where space is very limited and there is a big drop off when the pavement hits the shoulder.  Second, the trail through Deer Brook gorge is very strenous, humid, and full of gnats.  The trail goes up and down small cliffs caused by falling boulders or buttresses of the gorge.
     Although the series of small waterfalls are pretty, the trail is very tiring.  It goes through a gorge with high cliffs on both sides, thereby trapping the humidity thrown up by Deer Brook.  The combined heat and humidity can be and was brutal.   The scrambling on the sides of the stream is difficult at times and on one occasion I bonked my jaw falling down.  Luckily for me, Welsh terriers are equipped with beards for padding, and I was not seriously harmed by this mishap.
     Bruce was amazed that he only had to lift us up over one area; we jumped and scrambled on our own power over all the others.  We estimate that there is about a 900 foot elevation gain in this area, contrary to what our old map says.  The map was also wrong as to many other features on this trail, such as where the other trails join up. 
     After this very tiring area, the hiking was much more pleasant.  There were many tributary streams to help us dogs cool off.  We saw a flower that resembled panicled tick trefoil but its leaves were not in threes (see photo).  It is a mystery what this flower really might be.   We heard woodpeckers and a barred owl but never saw any birds up close.
     Just before we got to the top we met a family carrying two toddlers in packs on their backs, as if they were papooses.  We arrived on the top at 1:05 PM.  The open ledges were very hot and we dogs were a bit overwhelmed.  After Bruce snapped some photos we retreated to a shady spot where we had lunch.  The top has outstanding views of Giant, the Brothers, Lower Wolfjaw and some other distant mountains, one of which might have been Marcy.
     On the way down we took the Valley Lookout side trail for a wonderful view of Keene Valley and Mt. Baxter.  Here we heard the cries of a peregrine falcon but never actually saw it. 
     We zoomed along on the way down and were out at 3:50 PM.  We would recommend Rooster Comb as a great mountain to climb, but not via Deer Brook.  The two northern routes would undoubtedly be  preferable, with much less chance of bonking your jaw on a rock.

I have a 15 week old Welshie named Scout. Maybe when he's developed a little more I can take him on hikes. He loves finding his way onto high places like tables and desks, so why not a mountain?
Take care!
~Justin