Lake Placid Trip
A wonderful get-away trip in late May 2008.
The trip up on the 28th was one of the clearest days I can remember;
the 29th was mostly spent on Whiteface Mountain under wonderful blue skies.
Whiteface Mountain dominates the skyline in over a wide area of this part of the Adirondacks. It's also one of my favorite places so you'll find it in a lot of my pictures. The 30th had some high clouds that made for a solar halo, then a long-lasting "fire rainbow" (or circumhorizontal arc). The last day was a rainy trip home (no pictures).
We enjoyed our stay at the Woodlake Inn in Lake Placid, and some great breakfasts
(and great servers) at the Downtown Diner (330 Main Street).
Suggestions are welcome - just send me an
email.
(Click on any Photo for a larger version)
All photographs are © Copyright Dick Bower
 |
Chapel Pond
A nice contrast of Adirondack forest and water, taken at
Chapel Pond, about 6 miles from the Northway on route 73.
May 28, 2008
|
|
|
Trees and Cliff
Taken across Chapel Pond, these trees really stand out against the dark mountain side.
May 28, 2008
|
|
 |
Lower Cascade Lake, Route 73
One of several scenic parking areas along route 73
May 28, 2008
|
|
|
Whiteface from Route 86
Scenic wetland with Whiteface in the background.
May 28, 2008
|
|
 |
White Water on the Ausable
One of many rapids in the West Branch of the Ausable River as it runs along route 86.
May 28, 2008
|
|
|
Franklin Falls
Union Falls hydro-power plant at Franklin Falls, NY.
May 28, 2008
|
|
 |
Lake Placid Golf Course
Mid-morning picture south from route 86 near Lake Placid.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Forest Preserve Commemoration
Along the West Branch of the Ausable, these tablets commemorate the
100th and 50th anniversaries of the establishment of the Forest Preserve in 1885.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Fishing under Whiteface Mt
Another view of the West Branch of the Ausable River with Whiteface Mountain.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Duck Butts
A pair of ducks (I don't know the species) dabbling for food.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Wilmington Notch
High cliffs along the Wilmington Notch section of route 86.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Whiteface Gondola
Gondola at the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area. I believe it's only used in the summer for sightseeing.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Whiteface Ski Entrance
Entrance to the Whiteface Ski Area.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Whiteface Ski Area
Telephoto view of the Whiteface ski area with ski trails and some of the chair lifts.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
View from Whiteface Stop 4
Scenic view from the Whiteface auto road.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Till Hill
This soil is glacial "till" at an elevation of about 3480 feet.
According to a nearby sign,
"Samples of Potsdam Sandstone occur here and yet the nearest outcropping of
Potsdam Sandstone is 20 miles away at 1,000 feet elevation."
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Bluets
Pretty springtime picture featuring wildflowers that I believe are called Bluets.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Avalanche Trail
A view of the Whiteface auto road and summit buildings.
The path from the summit down the center of the photograph is the result of a landslide sometime in the past.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Whiteface Road from Stop 9
One of Annie's pictures, this wonderful view shows the road we just came up.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Summit Buildings
Nearing the top, we can get a clearer view of the buildings at the summit of Whiteface Mountain.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Whiteface Castle
A view of the "castle" that marks the end of the Whiteface road.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Stairway to the Summit
From the Whiteface Castle, you can hike to the summit. The sign says:
"Hiking trail 1/5th mile in length Use caution." The stairs don't
go all the way!
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Whiteface Cirque
There are wonderful views along the Whiteface summit hiking trail.
This is a cirque formed by a mountain glacier.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
No More Stairway
The Whiteface Summit hiking trail soon stops being nice steps. This was a beautiful day, but there were 50 mph winds and I decided to take an alternate route.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Tunnel to Summit Elevator
The other way to the summit of Whiteface Mountain.
Not exactly the mines of Moria, but a 424 foot tunnel deep into the mountain to a 276 foot elevator ride to the summit.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Whiteface Summit
Obligatory view of the sign marking the summit.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Summit Frolic
Many people enjoying this beautiful day on Whiteface Mountain.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Lake Placid from Whiteface
Nice panoramic view of Lake Placid and the surrounding countryside from the summit of Whiteface Mountain.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Summit Elevator Building
Whiteface Mountain building that houses the summit elevator.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Summit Weather Tower
Weather tower at the summit of Whiteface Mountain.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Trailhead Down
The top end of the Whiteface summit hiking trail.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Trail from Whiteface Summit
The start of the hiking trail from the Whiteface summit to the Castle.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
View of Road from Summit
A view of the Whiteface auto road from the summit.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Daylight at the End
View looking out the Whiteface tunnel.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
View from Stop 8
View of the countryside from the Whiteface auto road.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Whiteface Ski Area from Stop 8
A view of the Whiteface ski area and countryside from the Whiteface auto road.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Winter Lingers
May 29th and there's still snow in the shadowy areas of Whiteface Mountain.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Lake Placid from Hairpin
This view is taken from the aptly named "Lake Placid Hairpin" turn on the Whiteface road.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Summit Castle from Hairpin
One final look at the Whiteface summit Castle.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Wilmington Flume Downstream
Wonderful gorge called the Wilmington Flume. This was taken in the morning from the highway.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
Note the Pedestrian
Wonderful gorge called the Wilmington Flume. This was taken in the afternoon from under the bridge — the fellow in
dark shirt (left center) shows the scale.
May 29, 2008
|
|
|
Wilmington Flume Upstream
Another view of the Wilmington Flume.
May 29, 2008
|
|
 |
High Peaks from Harrietstown
A view of some of the Adirondacks from route 192, not far from the regional airport outside of Saranac Lake.
May 30, 2008
|
|
|
Colonized Boulder
Roadside boulder with mossy growth on the top.
May 30, 2008
|
|
 |
Colonized Boulder Detail
Detailed view of the growth on a roadside boulder.
May 30, 2008
|
|
|
Icy Sky
High icy clouds will make for interesting phenomena.
May 30, 2008
|
|
 |
Solar Halo
Ice crystals in the clouds cause a colorful halo around the sun.
May 30, 2008
|
|
|
Fire Rainbow over Whiteface
This appears to be a circumhorizon arc or fire rainbow, caused by high altitude ice.
The taller peak near the center is Whiteface Mountain.
May 30, 2008
|
|
 |
Painted Trilliums
These are painted trilliums, one of my favorite flowers.
May 30, 2008
|
|
|
Bunchberry in Green
I was struck by the green flowers on this bunchberry plant. They apparently turn white after they open.
May 30, 2008
|
|
 |
Bunchberry
Bunchberry plant, with a white flower.
May 30, 2008
|
|
|
Starflower
Starflower in with the bunchberries.
May 30, 2008
|
|
 |
Union Falls
Hydro-power plant at Union Falls, NY
May 30, 2008
|
|
|
Odd Building
I have no idea of the purpose of this picturesque building at Union Falls.
It's apparently related to the nearby hydro-power plant.
May 30, 2008
|
|
 |
Wintergreen Berries
Nice grouping of wintergreen plants and berries.
May 30, 2008
|
|
|
Woodlake Inn
Anne took this nice picture of the back of the Woodlake Inn in Lake Placid
( www.woodlakeinn.com)
May 30, 2008
|
|
|
