Schaefer Trail Redux

View of Crane Mountain from Gore
(Note: For a photo of Gore Mountain, click on "June 2006" in the Archives. Scroll down to find the June 26 entry. To read about my climb up Crane Mountain this spring, read the June 16 entry.)

I climbed the Schaefer Trail yesterday, revisiting Gore Mountain. This time I had the card in the camera, but the haziness made for some less than spectacular pics. Next time--maybe in the fall when all the sugar maples turn that brilliant combination of orange, yellow, and red?

This time I had no trouble sticking to the trail, because once you're on it, it's extremely well-marked. Problem is, without instructions, a person may be hard-pressed to find the spot where the hiking trail crosses the ski trail. The laminated instructions at the trail register work only if you happen to know the names of the old North Creek Ski Bowl trails (no longer operating). Enough about that. Let's talk trail talk.


The appeal of this trail is two-fold: 1) Don Greene designed the Shaefer over a long period of time. During this period, he climbed Gore everyday "just for the fun of it." He wanted the trail to highlight the mountain's wild, rugged beauty, to capitalize on mountain ledges for glorious views, and to steer the trail away from areas prone to flooding and muddiness. 2) The trail leads the hiker up, but gradually. If someone were to name the most difficult part of the trail, they'd probably point to the beginning. All it requires is walking a wide, steep trail up. No other hazards. After that levels out, you march steadily uphill, but the grades are not as taxing as you might expect for a mountain that's 3,600 feet at the summit.

Who would want a Gore safari? Gore skiers of all ages, for sure. It's fun to see the Saddle Lodge appear through the trees. (Oh, how I love the view of Mt. Marcy and other High Peaks from there). Your reward is also knowing that you're now at about 3100 feet or so. It's fascinating to climb up "The Cloud," the ski trail that commands some other beautiful mountain views to the north and east. And then it's just a short ways to the summit.