Street & Nye
Adirondack Hike: June 4, 2022
You just never know when life's going to change.
In March of 2020, I was spending time planning our summer hikes. Pouring over maps, analysing routes, estimating times. Then the world stopped. Schools closed. Workplaces closed. Businesses closed. The Canada US border.... closed.
Fast forward a couple years, and this month is the first time we were able to freely cross into the United States by land for summer hiking! Whoohoo! We're back! Annnnnd... we're also not that fit anymore. Covid definitely stopped a lot of 'altitude' activities for us, and after an adverse cardiac response to the vaccine (Niels) and a knee injury (Shannon), we were actually very wary of whether we could handle our beloved ADK high peaks.
Did that stop us? NO! After training in (flat) Ontario, we decided we were as ready as we could be and selected Street & Nye as our starter hike. Simply put, it was the easiest in terms of mileage and elevation gain out of the high peaks we have left on our list.
As we neared the Adirondack region, I can not tell you just how excited we were to catch our first glimpse of the high peaks again. It almost matched our excitement at actually getting an ADK Loj parking spot after 7am on a Saturday!!
In March of 2020, I was spending time planning our summer hikes. Pouring over maps, analysing routes, estimating times. Then the world stopped. Schools closed. Workplaces closed. Businesses closed. The Canada US border.... closed.
Fast forward a couple years, and this month is the first time we were able to freely cross into the United States by land for summer hiking! Whoohoo! We're back! Annnnnd... we're also not that fit anymore. Covid definitely stopped a lot of 'altitude' activities for us, and after an adverse cardiac response to the vaccine (Niels) and a knee injury (Shannon), we were actually very wary of whether we could handle our beloved ADK high peaks.
Did that stop us? NO! After training in (flat) Ontario, we decided we were as ready as we could be and selected Street & Nye as our starter hike. Simply put, it was the easiest in terms of mileage and elevation gain out of the high peaks we have left on our list.
As we neared the Adirondack region, I can not tell you just how excited we were to catch our first glimpse of the high peaks again. It almost matched our excitement at actually getting an ADK Loj parking spot after 7am on a Saturday!!
We began hiking at 7:30am, following the trail that curves around Heart Lake. Street Mountain has an elevation of 4166 ft and is #32 in height out of the 46 high peaks. Nye Mountain is only 3839 ft in elevation, but is still included in the ADK 46er list (at #45) because it was originally measured above 4000 ft. Our total mileage for the day should have been 8.5 miles, but ended up at 10 miles (16km) since we added Mt Jo to our day as well!
Very soon we came to a clearing that was very picturesque. Niels and I explored the little beach on Heart Lake, and soaked in some stunning early morning views.
If we looked to our right, we could see Street Mountain (our destination!) and if we looked to our left, we could see Wright Mountain (and Algonquin just peaking out from behind).
From the ADJ Loj to the infamous stream crossing, it was about a mile of very easy, flat paths!
I had heard a lot about the stream crossing, and read that many hikers have to take off their boots and go knee deep into the water. We had read the tip that when you first come upon Indian Pass Brook, don't immediately cross. Keep hiking along the path until you can't go anymore. At this point, the path will "end" in a T-junction with the stream and you are forced to cross. This is where it is most shallow and easiest to cross.
We were hiking during low water levels, so we found the crossing very simple (no need to remove boots!).
We were hiking during low water levels, so we found the crossing very simple (no need to remove boots!).
As the path meandered, we needed to cross back over Indian Pass Brook again. This was made easy by a large fallen tree...
For another mile after the stream crossing, the path stays level with barely any elevation gain. It was narrow at times and had a significant amount of blow down (fallen trees).
Street & Nye get a bit of a bad rep because they are unmarked trails with viewless, treed peaks. The only people who really climb them are working on their ADK 46er status. Niels and I were actually impressed with Street & Nye though. If you can accept the hike for a lovely walk through the forest, it's beautiful! We followed the stream most of they way and the sound was just so calming.
As we continued, the path definitely got steeper, rocky and full of roots. So, you know, a typical ADK trail....
After a while, we came to a spot where we could see some of the high peaks. Breathtaking views!
By 10:30am, we were at the clearing that marks the intersection. This is 3.5 miles from the Loj. We did it in 2 hours and 40 minutes, which I consider quite good as I was hiking very cautiously to save my knee! Only when we took a selfie by the tree did we realize that S & N could also stand for Shannon and Niels... in the photo below, I'm at the intersection pointing to the paths for Street and Nye.
After a quick snack, we headed off to conquer Nye first. Right before the summit, there is a little path off to the left with a large rock. This is great spot with some views! See this video to check them out!
It was a quick ten minutes to the summit, which had no views. Below I'm trying to make a "20" to signify our twentieth peak.
The way back down to the intersection involved a lot of maneuvering over fallen trees and a view of our next destination: Street Mountain!
Below Niels is pointing out the path you take up to Street from the intersection. For unmarked trails, these were pretty obvious.
At 11:45am (4.5 miles, 4 hours), we were standing on the summit of Street! 21 high peaks and counting!
We had heard that if you explore the summit of Street, there is a hidden lookout. It took us a few minutes to find it (at first, it really didn't seem as though there was much to explore!). Finally, we found a little skinny trail off to the right and it lead us to this:
NOT bad for a viewless peak! Also, a great place to sit down, kick off our hikers and have lunch. Avocados, high peaks and a cute boy... what more could a girl want?
After a quick video of our view, we were on our way down. The descending path was steep , and we used our poles to save our knees. This slowed us down a lot, but hey - isn't it about enjoying the journey?!?
Since this is an out and back, we basically did our trek again in reverse... slow down the steep part, hike along the lovely stream , walk the tree bridge and then rock hop across the stream.
This man could sit by a stream forever...
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I think it's fitting for a bit of a background regarding Mt Jo... STORY TIME!
The trail leading from the ADK Loj towards Mt Marcy is called the Van Hovenberg trail, named after Henry Van Hovenberg. While Henry found success as an electrical engineer genius in big city New York, he also found himself consistently afflicted with hay fever. In the early 1870s, he began to venture to the Adirondacks, where he found relief from his condition and a love for the mountains.
In 1877, Henry Van Hovenberg met Josephine Schofield while camping with some friends. They soon fell in love and became engaged. Once while on the peak of Mt Marcy together, they spotted a small heart shaped lake about five miles away. Together, they decided to build a lodge there where they would spend the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, Josephine's parents had a different idea for her future. They were not that happy with the idea of her marrying a man of the mountains. She was whisked away to another life, and sadly passed away within the year (some claim she was so broken hearted that she jumped into Niagara Falls). Henry decided to stay in the Adirondacks and fulfilled their dream on his own. In 1880, he built the Adirondack Lodge (later rebuilt after a fire in 1903 and renamed Adirondack 'Loj').
Henry's lodge was situated on the shores of Clear Pond, which he renamed Heart Lake. The lodge was the largest building in the United States at the time, having a 70 foot tall observation tower, 60 rooms and three floors. Guests could stay for $4 per day or $16 per week, with both food and lodging included. Henry commissioned the construction of 50 miles of surrounding trails and could usually be found telling stories around the campfire to his lodge guests.
The ADK Lodge was situated at the base of a beautiful mountain, which Henry renamed Mt. Jo in honor of his lost love, Josephine. He spent the rest of his life living at the lodge, comforted by the deep Adirondack wilderness and surrounding high peaks. He never gave his heart to another.
The trail leading from the ADK Loj towards Mt Marcy is called the Van Hovenberg trail, named after Henry Van Hovenberg. While Henry found success as an electrical engineer genius in big city New York, he also found himself consistently afflicted with hay fever. In the early 1870s, he began to venture to the Adirondacks, where he found relief from his condition and a love for the mountains.
In 1877, Henry Van Hovenberg met Josephine Schofield while camping with some friends. They soon fell in love and became engaged. Once while on the peak of Mt Marcy together, they spotted a small heart shaped lake about five miles away. Together, they decided to build a lodge there where they would spend the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, Josephine's parents had a different idea for her future. They were not that happy with the idea of her marrying a man of the mountains. She was whisked away to another life, and sadly passed away within the year (some claim she was so broken hearted that she jumped into Niagara Falls). Henry decided to stay in the Adirondacks and fulfilled their dream on his own. In 1880, he built the Adirondack Lodge (later rebuilt after a fire in 1903 and renamed Adirondack 'Loj').
Henry's lodge was situated on the shores of Clear Pond, which he renamed Heart Lake. The lodge was the largest building in the United States at the time, having a 70 foot tall observation tower, 60 rooms and three floors. Guests could stay for $4 per day or $16 per week, with both food and lodging included. Henry commissioned the construction of 50 miles of surrounding trails and could usually be found telling stories around the campfire to his lodge guests.
The ADK Lodge was situated at the base of a beautiful mountain, which Henry renamed Mt. Jo in honor of his lost love, Josephine. He spent the rest of his life living at the lodge, comforted by the deep Adirondack wilderness and surrounding high peaks. He never gave his heart to another.
The trail for Mt Jo is well marked with many signs. We ascended via the "Long Trail" and descended via the "Short Trail" simply because of how it connected on our descent of Street & Nye. Enjoy the frogs and cool rocks!
After a while, the path got very rocky and full of roots. Mt Jo might be short on mileage, but I personally think it was pretty steep! We especially loved the ladders near the summit!
After the ladders, there is a beautiful rock ledge with stunning views. This is a false summit! Look closely for a little path and a sign to the real summit...
Yup, Mt Jo certainly doesn't disappoint! Breathtaking views all around...
Below is our best guess at the summits we were looking at. Even further to the left is Cascade and Porter. In the photo below, we've climbed all the peaks except Marcy & Gray together.
Here's another beautiful view from the first lookout on Mt Jo. I always love looking back at what we've just hiked earlier that day (Street and Nye are the peaks on the right).
As we descended, I definitely felt my knee not enjoying all the rocks. Thank goodness for poles.
Total distance: 10 miles; 8.5 were for Street & Nye & 1.5 were for Mt Jo (16 kilometers total)
Total elevation gain: 3,301 ft
Total time: 10.5 hours (we spent a lot of time on Mt Jo!)
Total elevation gain: 3,301 ft
Total time: 10.5 hours (we spent a lot of time on Mt Jo!)
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