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Cotton Hill Lean-To in Late Winter

For the first day of spring it was around 65 degrees and sunny. The forecast promised only to get down into the upper 50s. The snow was gone in Albany, but in the mountains there was several feet. A top Cotton Hill, there was about two feet of snow.

Looking Down Long Path

Amazingly enough when I got up there, I was the only person who had been up to the lean-to since the last snow storm, probably two weeks ago now. It was very quiet except for the sounds of nature, from the snowy owl to the churbing robins.

Reaching the lean-to, with gear all set up for the the night.

Cotton Hill Lean To

My backpack, and flannel shirts.

Backpack and Flannel Shirts

Sitting in the lean-to, looking at the setting sun. At the front of the lean-to, snow had melted off the roof, and was piling up in the front, creating a snow berm, keeping cool drafts away. Ironically, at this point due to the warm weather, I was sitting in a t-shirt and no jacket on.

Looking Out the Lean-To

As I enjoy a nice a fire.

 Warmth from Campfire

And night rapidly approaches.

Lean To at Setting Sun

At times it was a bit smokey in the lean-to, as I played on my cellphone, jotted down some notes, read some books, and just enjoyed the first night of spring.

Smokey Lean-To

It was a nice night. When I woke up, it was a gray cloudy morning and I made up some breakfast and got cleaned up.

Lean To on Cloudy Morning

And I packed my bags…

All Packed Up in the Morning

Burned my garbage from the past night…

Camping Trash

And off I went, down to the truck, then off to Middleburgh Cliff. Here is a map of where the lean-to is.


View Cotton Hill Lean To in a larger map

Severance Hill in March

Severence Hill, mis-signed by the NYSDEC as Severence Mountain is located just North of Schroon Lake on US 9. It is a short hike, taking 45-minutes or so to go up, and is right off the Ticonderoga Exit of Adirondack Northway.

I’ve been up it a couple of times back when I was in college — if you have hour and a half to use up and your driving on the Northway near Saranac Lake it’s a must do.

Severence Hill Sign

The first part of the trail goes under the two carriageways of the the Northway in a series of tunnels.

Tunnel Under the Northway

The next 1/4 mile of the trail is relatively flat until you cross a brook and head up a series of stairs, followed by a 1/4 mile ascent, some flat areas, then a quick ascent to the top.

Stairs

As you reach towards the top, you have broken views of Schroon Lake to the South.

 Schroon Lake

Reaching the top of the mountain, you have some beautiful views of Schroon Lake. Unfortunately the village is too close to see from the mountain and trees block the partial view.

South Off Severance

On the top of Severence Mountain, overlook Schroon Lake is this cute little lean-to shelter hand-made out of branches.

Lean To

On the top of the mountain, the trail proceeds for another 1/4 mile, with broken views of Pharaoh Mountain.

Pharaoh Mountain

As you continue along the trail to it’s end, you left with a good view of Paradox Lake with Skiff Mountain in the background. Blocked by that mountain range, after a significant descent, is Ticonderoga and Lake Champlain.

 Paradox Lake

You come back the same way you came up the mountain. This is looking towards the southern-most portion of Schroon Lake at the mountains at the southern portion of the Adirondacks.

Ridges

Here is a map of the hike.


View Severance Hill Hike in a larger map