Some hikes are memorable for the view from the summit or trail features, others for the two- and four-legged creatures you meet along the way. When you’re lucky, you get a combination of both.
My husband, Herb, and I certainly enjoyed the views from the ledges near the summit of Potash Mountain last weekend. Located in the Lake George Wild Forest just north of Lake Luzerne, the mountain isn’t particularly tall, with a summit of just 1,750 feet. The trail up Potash is also relatively new and it isn’t on any peak-bagging lists — that may be why the parking lot was less than half full when we pulled in last weekend.
Despite its diminutive size, the mountain has been on Herb’s bucket list for a while. Its rocky upper slopes loom over the surrounding land, a pretty good sign there will be views of something. As a bonus, its location and short distance — about 3.3 miles round trip — meant we could get our usual late start and still be done before dark.
The lower section of the hike to Potash runs through the Harris Land Preserve. State land is reached after less than a mile, and the trail steadily becomes steeper. In all, hikers gain more than 1,000 feet. Our 13-year-old dog, Rocky, needed a few boosts to get up some scrambles, and the last steep climb to the summit had the rest of us huffing and puffing and stripping off layers of cold-weather gear.
Our 10-year-old daughter, referred to here as Little Wren, was lagging behind by then, and suggested she might be dying. Luckily for us, a little furball appeared. A three-month-old black puppy named Munchkin came scampering down the trail with his human companions, his leash dragging behind him.
Munchkin greeted Rocky with exuberant joy, licking his face and wriggling with abandon, before throwing himself into Wren’s arms when she sat on the ground. While Rocky had endured the enthusiastic greeting, Wren met Munchkin’s puppy energy with her own giddy spirit. The youngsters tumbled together for a few minutes while the adults watched with tolerant amusement.
Herb’s encounter with a two-legged friend was more sedate. After lunch on the blustery summit, where a flock of friendly chickadees kept us company, we continued on to an overlook. The views from the summit are screened by trees but the overlook offers clear views of the lakes and mountains to the south and west.
A few other hikers were taking in the vista. One of them was wearing shorts and a hat with a Norwegian flag on it, both of which Herb remarked on.
“Snakker du Norsk?” asked the man. Do you speak Norwegian?
“Bare litt,” said Herb — just a little — and the two were off, discussing their trips to Norway and rhapsodizing about the country’s culture and outdoor offerings.
This time, it was Wren and me who watched with tolerant amusement.
The two encounters were the cherry on top of a very fine day out. November’s beauty isn’t showy — its colors are dull browns, muted bronzes and dark greens. But with the leaves off the trees, you can often see things more clearly. This year especially, I’m grateful for every day it’s warm and sunny enough to have an adventure outdoors.
I’m grateful now, too, to the people who made our hike to Potash’s summit possible.
Outdoors writer Gillian Scott and her daughter descend Potash Mountain in the Lake George Wild Forest. (Herb Terns / Times Union)
Herb Terns / Times Union
Munchkin the puppy gives Rocky the senior dog an enthusiastic greeting. (Herb Terns / Times Union)
Herb Terns / Times Union
A sign on Potash Mountain marks the area where local landowners donated land for a trail to connect the Harris Land Preserve to state land on the mountain's summit. (Herb Terns / Times Union)
Herb Terns / Times UnionMembers of the public can explore the woods of Harris Land Preserve thanks to the generosity not of the state or an environmental organization, but of nearby landowners. Alice Harris, who passed away in 2007, willed 107 acres for the creation of the Harris Land Preserve.
More recently, adjoining landowners Richard and Joanne Sehlmeyer donated another 6.6 acres to connect the preserve to state-owned land around the mountain’s summit.
Their collective love for the woods and Potash now benefit every hiker eager to explore the mountain’s slopes.
gvscott.gvs@gmail.com
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Outdoors: Views only part of the story on mountain hike - Times Union
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