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Schaefer Trail at Gore –

Waterfalls and Views of the High Peaks

  

In late July of 2010, I decided to hike the new Schaefer Trail to Gore on a relatively cool and sunny day. The original Schaefer Trail to Gore was closed when Gore ski area developed their new Burnt Ridge area. The new Schafer Trail, developed and constructed by DEC Range Steve Ovitt, starts in the parking area for the town of North Creek’s swimming area.  Coming from the east on NY Route 28, pass the turn-off to Gore Mountain and then shortly turn left onto the gravel Ski Bowl road and left again at the sign for the Grunblatt Memorial Beach and trailhead sign.  The trail starts at the trailhead sign against the bank (see picture) and heads up and across the bank on the obvious footpath.  At the top of the bank, go directly across the upper road (which you now realize you could have driven to and parked along) through a person sized open gate.  Follow the footpath to the sign-in kiosk and then continue on the blue marked trail. 

The lower portion of the trail is an easy ascent through the woods towards Roaring Brook which divides Gore from the mountain that you are on.  It is about 0.9 miles over to the top of the bank far above Roaring Brook.  The trail then parallels Roaring Brook for much of the way to a crossing point about 2.3 miles further along.  In the next quarter mile the trail leaves the top of the bank and tracks down and across the bank to reach the first of many waterfalls about 1.2 miles from the trailhead.  This last section of trail up to the first waterfall resting place gives you some idea of what lies ahead for the next third of a mile.  Much of the trail climbs steeply up or along the right bank of Roaring Brook with views of many waterfalls along the way.  You will encounter two bridges that cross Roaring Brook.  The first is for a new ski trail (still under construction on the day I hiked).  As you approach the bridge, you will see a high boulder wall.  You may see a blue marker straight ahead, but ignore it and look to your right for a switchback up and around the end of the boulder wall.  You can then follow along the top of the wall and cross the ski trail (not the bridge) to the continuation of the trail still on the right bank of the Roaring Brook.  Again, when you reach the second bridge a little further up, cross the road (not the bridge) and pick up a much gentler trail still along Roaring Brook.  From here it is a pleasant walk on up to North Creek Reservoir where you will find a nice place for a rest above the pond. 

Beyond the reservoir, the trail seems to head away from what seems like the correct up-stream direction, but it is heading over to a junction with a red marked trail coming up from the north which you reach in less than 300 yards.  After the junction, the trail swings left and heads back over to the Roaring Creek drainage.  About the time you cross under the power lines, you rejoin Roaring Brook.  From here it is another ¾ miles along a gently rising trail which is in need of sidecutting.  After what seemed to me a long time, I reached a short stretch of trail that had obviously been cut through a terrible thicket and finally emerged into an open area (see right) where the trail turned sharply left and crosses Roaring Brook (now a trickle in 5 feet wide stream bed) to began its final ascent up the hillside emerging on the Gore Mountain ski trail called Woodout.  The trail crosses Woodout and enters the woods on the other side of the trail.  It continues up and crosses Woodin and finally leaves the woods for good on the maintenance road/ski run called Lower Cloud not far from the top of the ski run called Little Cloud. Follow the blue markers straight ahead down a little dip and then up a steep section to what is called Windy Hill (or some such).  True to its name, it was a pleasant place to rest and enjoy the scenery.  Beyond this point, it is obvious that your easiest way to the summit is to continue on this road.  I saw no more blue markers beyond this point, but the way is obvious.  The road takes you right past an opening back to the closed fire tower, if that is your destination (almost 5 miles from the trailhead).  Personally, I wandered east out to an open area near the Warming Hut and had lunch at a picnic table.  On leaving the summit, I started on the Cloud trail which includes a bank that looks north toward the High Peaks.  A short scramble down the bank put me back on the maintenance road. 

 

NOTE: The trail description in ADK's guide to ADIRONDACK TRAILS - Central Region, pp 47-50 is obsolete. Instead - Click here to download a free supplement to the Adirondack Trails: Central Region Guide describing the new Schaefer Trail up Gore Mountain.

Have a great hike!
Bob Goodwin