Bald Mountain - Trail to Balancing Rock - Words of LbNA #33085
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Aug 5, 2009 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Old Forge |
| County: | Herkimer |
| State: | New York |
| Boxes: | 3 |
| Planted by: | Limekiln Loons  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | Three little foxes (2) |
| Last found: | Aug 24, 2012 |
| Status: | FFFFFaFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Aug 5, 2009 |
Until very recently, Rondaxe Mountain has been called Bald Mountain by everyone except the State of New York which has finally agreed with us. Whatever you call it, this is a must-do hike for a spectacular view of the lower Fulton Chain.
To access the trail head from the south, take Rt. 28 north out of Old Forge for about 5 miles. As you roll past Bald Mountain Colony on your right along the 3rd Lake - 4th Lake channel, the road rises in a recently widened & straightened curve with the old Brooker Ski Lodge & gift shop("The Tourist Trap") on the left. Put your left signal on, you will want to be turning left onto the Rondaxe Road near the crest of this hill opposite Fulton House Way.
From the North, the Rondaxe Road is about 5 miles south on Rt. 28 from Inlet, at the end of the long straight section above Daiker's Brookside Lodge & Daiker's Inn. Near the crest of the hill put your right signal on, you will want to be turning right onto the Rondaxe Road opposite Fulton House Way.
The trail parking comes up almost immediately on the left on Rondaxe Road. Follow the sign-in instructions for the trail register.
"Bald Mountain - Trail to Balancing Rock" Box #1 of 3 - Bald Mountain – Words of Wisdom Series
Box 1 – Shortly after entering the trail (while it is still fairly level and mostly dirt), you will find three large rocks sticking up in the middle of the trail (a bit bigger than bowling balls). Stand on the middle rock and turn to the right. Several feet into the woods, you will see a large mound with a tree growing out of it. Go behind the mound, and you will find the box covered with leaves under a dead fallen tree.
"Bald Mountain - Trail to Balancing Rock" Box #2 of 3 - Bald Mountain – Words of Wisdom Series
Box 2 – About half way / two-thirds up the trail, you will come to a large rocky area that overlooks the Fulton Chain of lakes (there is a smaller overlook just before this one with a limited view). Facing the lakes, go down the rocks a bit and to the left. There’s a clump of ferns and pine trees. The box is under a large heavy rock and low pine tree branches.
"Bald Mountain - Trail to Balancing Rock" Box #3 of 3 - Bald Mountain – Words of Wisdom Series
Box 3 - Climb to the top of Bald(Rondaxe) Mountain. Continue past the fire tower(recently renovated & opened to the public) on the rock face with the Fulton Chain on your left. Descend a bit and stay to the right of the clumps of bushes on the rock face. The path continues on the rock going to the right through an opening in a cluster of bushes and small trees.
Continue along the path to the right under some tree branches. There are large boulders surrounded by a clump of trees. Take the small path to the right up onto the rock face. Take an immediate left. With the chain of lakes on your left, continue along the rock face (sharp drop-off to the right) until you get to a clearing. You will find the “Balancing Rock” on your left.
Please respect this natural wonder and do not tip the rock or disturb it's stance or equilibrium, so that others may enjoy it for years to come.
To find what you seek, once at the Balancing Rock, stay on the upper level of rocks and face the lake (with Balancing Rock down and a bit to the left of you). There’s an area to your right where the rock face is split by a clump of bushes and trees. Go to the right of the split. There is an old stump in the clump of trees and bushes (on the left). The box is hidden next to the stump under some old wood and branches. Please re-hide this well, as this is a busy spot.
To access the trail head from the south, take Rt. 28 north out of Old Forge for about 5 miles. As you roll past Bald Mountain Colony on your right along the 3rd Lake - 4th Lake channel, the road rises in a recently widened & straightened curve with the old Brooker Ski Lodge & gift shop("The Tourist Trap") on the left. Put your left signal on, you will want to be turning left onto the Rondaxe Road near the crest of this hill opposite Fulton House Way.
From the North, the Rondaxe Road is about 5 miles south on Rt. 28 from Inlet, at the end of the long straight section above Daiker's Brookside Lodge & Daiker's Inn. Near the crest of the hill put your right signal on, you will want to be turning right onto the Rondaxe Road opposite Fulton House Way.
The trail parking comes up almost immediately on the left on Rondaxe Road. Follow the sign-in instructions for the trail register.
"Bald Mountain - Trail to Balancing Rock" Box #1 of 3 - Bald Mountain – Words of Wisdom Series
Box 1 – Shortly after entering the trail (while it is still fairly level and mostly dirt), you will find three large rocks sticking up in the middle of the trail (a bit bigger than bowling balls). Stand on the middle rock and turn to the right. Several feet into the woods, you will see a large mound with a tree growing out of it. Go behind the mound, and you will find the box covered with leaves under a dead fallen tree.
"Bald Mountain - Trail to Balancing Rock" Box #2 of 3 - Bald Mountain – Words of Wisdom Series
Box 2 – About half way / two-thirds up the trail, you will come to a large rocky area that overlooks the Fulton Chain of lakes (there is a smaller overlook just before this one with a limited view). Facing the lakes, go down the rocks a bit and to the left. There’s a clump of ferns and pine trees. The box is under a large heavy rock and low pine tree branches.
"Bald Mountain - Trail to Balancing Rock" Box #3 of 3 - Bald Mountain – Words of Wisdom Series
Box 3 - Climb to the top of Bald(Rondaxe) Mountain. Continue past the fire tower(recently renovated & opened to the public) on the rock face with the Fulton Chain on your left. Descend a bit and stay to the right of the clumps of bushes on the rock face. The path continues on the rock going to the right through an opening in a cluster of bushes and small trees.
Continue along the path to the right under some tree branches. There are large boulders surrounded by a clump of trees. Take the small path to the right up onto the rock face. Take an immediate left. With the chain of lakes on your left, continue along the rock face (sharp drop-off to the right) until you get to a clearing. You will find the “Balancing Rock” on your left.
Please respect this natural wonder and do not tip the rock or disturb it's stance or equilibrium, so that others may enjoy it for years to come.
To find what you seek, once at the Balancing Rock, stay on the upper level of rocks and face the lake (with Balancing Rock down and a bit to the left of you). There’s an area to your right where the rock face is split by a clump of bushes and trees. Go to the right of the split. There is an old stump in the clump of trees and bushes (on the left). The box is hidden next to the stump under some old wood and branches. Please re-hide this well, as this is a busy spot.