Silver Lake Mountain 12-4-2017 Solo

For whatever reason, I had been dealing with a feeling of anxiety for a few days. I decided that a good hike might be the perfect cure before Winter really picks up. So, I chose to climb Silver Lake Mountain once again.

It's a quick hike with a nice payoff and it's close to home, which was important since I had to pick Kailee up after school.

It was cold, gray and gloomy
in Plattsburgh. But, only a few
miles away at Silver Lake it
was gorgeous!

It was cold and gloomy in Plattsburgh when I dropped Kails off at school and made my way to Black Brook. I assumed that I'd be summiting into a cloud.




On the contrary, as soon as I exited P-Burgh and entered the town of Saranac, the sky opened up to a beautiful shade of blue.

This was unexpected and fully welcomed.

It felt warmer at the trailhead than it did back home!

SLM is only a two mile round trip but I think it's a pretty good practice mountain. The incline jumps at you as soon as you begin your hike. Then it levels off for a bit before picking back up for a final open rock push to the top.

I stumbled upon a geocache, which was a brand new experience. I noticed that my friend was the last person to sign it. I scrawled a note in it and put it back and continued forward.

I reached the Summit in a half hour and enjoyed the panoramic view. I love looking at mountains that I've hiked from other mountains. SLM offers a great view of Catamount which was a really fun climb. Poking up from behind it was Whiteface... Kailee is dead set on climbing it in 2018. You gotta love the determination of my little girl.

I was distressed to find that someone had brought two cans of paint and left a bunch of graffiti on the trees and ground in the time since I had last been there.
Seriously... Not cool!

Bushwhacking.

As I began my descent, I decided to try out some basic easy bushwhacking on my way down. I'm glad that I did. I was able to get some views to the North and spot Lyon Mountain/Averill Peak along with other mountains.


I used the three bodies of water (Mud Pond, Taylor Pond & Silver Lake) and my compass to keep my bearings and enjoyed this different side of SLM.

More whackin'.

I linked back up with the trail near the register, signed out and headed back to gloomy old Plattsburgh with plenty of time to pick up Kailee!

This was a nice late season hike. It was fun. My head and body really needed it. A good hike is amazing for the soul.

Looking back at the Summit on my
bushwhack down Silver Lake Mountain.

Silver Lake Mountain is on Silver Lake Road in Black Brook.