We did a "tour" of the waterfalls for my 21st birthday yesterday. Some of the falls had no trails so there was some bushwhacking but it was still really fun! The views were great.

This is the 5th 6er that I have done. Just like Haystack and Baker I walked right past the summit without even realizing it! The trail up the mountain makes up for the lack of views. You go through a pine forest which goes over a train track and a wooden footbridge. The trail was quite muddy but I went the day after a major rainstorm so that was unavoidable. This was a great trail with lots of chipmunks and quite a few partridges. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a bit of a challenge that doesn't mind the lack of views at the top.

Friday the 15th of September our Intro to Environment and Society Class met with Professor Tim Messner from Suny Potsdam for a bow drill demonstration. A bow drill is a prehistoric fire starting tool. There are several steps that are very important when using a bow drill. The main pieces are a hearth board, the bow, the spindle, and the bearing block. I, Summer Scovil, was unsuccessful creating fire with the bow drill even after working all period to attempt to make fire. It is very exhausting physically after a while of work. I, Ariel Garvin, was successful creating fire.

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This mountain is fairly difficult but worth the effort. It is part of the Saranac 6 as well as the ADK 29ster challenges. The last portion of the mountain is rocky and very brutal. At one point you have to stick your foot into a tree trunk and lift yourself straight up. Not for the faint of heart.

Pictures from a hike up Mt. Baker.

Photos from the summit of Whiteface.

Right across from Upstate Medical Center just outside Saranac Lake

I love to take out of town visitors up Whiteface by car and then walk up the trail to the summit.