With the exception of MacNaughton and Yard Mountain, I hadn’t visited any point at or above 4,000’ since last winter. This past Tuesday that would change, I had Tabletop Mountain’s “Middle” peak in my sights, it’d be the tallest peak in the region I hadn’t yet climbed (with 200’ of prominence). Conditions would be ideal for an ascent first to Tabletop, (4427’) then a 1 mile out-n-back-whack to Middle Tabletop (4306’). I had been looking forward to seeing the High Peaks more up close and personal now that wintry weather has been upon them for a few weeks. For a couple days it’d been nice and cold and without a lot of new accumulation, and some blue skies were on tap. I set off from the Loj at dawn, clipping to Marcy Dam as morning’s fog subsided, revealing freshly frosted upper slopes. I would use microspikes up until Indian Falls where I stopped for a snack break and switched into snowshoes, the spur to Tabletop hadn’t been broken out when I passed it. I was last upon the Top of the Table in March working towards my Winter round of the 46 and got glorious sights of absolutely nothing, alas I was socked in that day. Enjoying my power bar and hot chocolate, clearly ahead were the MacIntyres, Algonquin’s bald dome still shrouded in mist. I knew today I’d be in for something different in the way of views, when you do as much Adirondack bushwhacking as I have in a year, you learn to never take any sort of lookout, view, or vista for granted! In a minute I was back to the junction for the climb up to my first objective, 3/4ths of a mile one-way. Originally christened “Flat-Top” by the celebrated guide Old Mountain Phelps, there are 3 apparently equidistant peaks to the massif, the southernmost being the highest as well the 19th tallest in New York State.
Reaching Tabletop after 2 hours was smooth sailing, even though I was the first one on the snowed-in unmarked route in a little while. Skies were still blue and the contast with white all around is always cool to see and photograph. Sure enough, ol' Haystack & mighty Marcy were there to greet me in full winter coats, Haystack especially appearing like it’d rather be at a far higher altitude with its distinct bare and icy summit cone. Only a few passing puffy clouds and very little wind made it hospitable to stick around for lunch, then it was time to buckle up for a snowy bushwhack above 4,000’…what better way to spend a day off! Near the wooden summit sign I took a bearing NE towards my next objective, which wasn’t yet visible, but getting there was "only" a half mile one way. It actually was pretty fun making my way off Tabletop, deep drifts cushioned my downhill strides and slides. Tree thickness wasn’t all that bad really, I found a reasonably agreeable channel and managed to avoid getting cliffed out. I could get some screened-in looks at Middle Tabletop looming directly in front, a wooded bump that too was draped in all-white. Soon enough, the terrain began to level off and in the col I was, getting slowed up a bit by some thick pockets here and there. Not lasting for too long, it was back to heading upslope bound for the Middle peak. Some cliff bands emerged as walls of multicolored thick icicle formations. There were always safe workarounds, and a nice look back towards Tabletop was afforded once past these. Some classic cripplebush guards the last push, and pushing through was indeed required. It wasn’t super obvious where the highest point was amidst the thickness, but after a bit I found a large boulder which coincided with it. A good place to sip hot chocolate and contemplate the return whack back, which I felt good about taking the reverse course following my tracks. Seasonal trade offs!
By now some clouds had rolled in and visibility decreased, although I was moving along just as confidently headed SW. The col was reached in due time and I then faced the final challenging steep ascent back up Tabletop’s NE flank, where I had encountered the deepest snow. Feeling energized and still fairly dry, I made my measured steps, keeping to my original course, only veering from it to check out a ledge that offered a unique view of the middle peak, Giant Mountain & the Lower Great Range. The clouds were shifted again and the sun cast a dramatic focus right on the Giant’s familliar face, making for a great photo op. Collecting rare snaps of these views seldom seen is certainly a favorite bonus activity when I’m out there. I paused to appreciate “God’s Spotlight” for a moment and then dug deep for the last bit, returning to Tabletop’s summit after 2.5 hours of reaching it initially. Hiking out was enjoyable with the Van Hovenberg trail greatly picking up the pace, getting to Marcy Dam and then the Loj was a piece of cake. In the trailhead parking lot I met some Quebecois who were going to climb Tabletop the following day, they appreciated my trail-breaking but I told them not to be misled by my tracks seemingly heading "nowhere" into the woods from the summit!
It was mighty refreshing to get back into that neighborhood of the High Peaks and experience bushwhacking at such an elevation, the overwhelming majority of my off-trail adventures have been to points below the 4,000’ mark. I am immensely fortunate to be based in this incredible place that never fails to reveal its treasures as the new season emerges and takes hold. Thank you kindly for reading folks, many more interesting trips to come! Take care & safe travels…