Out with Ruthie: Join me on the long-awaited return to Black Mountain | sport

Black Mountain dominates the southern view from our family cabins on the shores of Lake George in the Adirondack Park. I’ve been thinking about hiking Black Mountain again for several years, but the opportunity to go swimming for a week is a treat not worth interrupting. However, I have to admit that I have looked longingly at this summit for far too long.

This year it was our family that had to close the cabins in mid-October. With two new grandchildren at home, Adam and I headed out alone to finish work so the others could rest.

When we arrived on Friday afternoon, we entered an autumn paradise. The air was warm, the leaves were starting to turn red and orange, and the sun was shining in a bright blue autumn sky.

We worked quickly, doing little things like packing up cutlery to keep the mice out, tipping over picnic tables, and covering furniture with old olive army blankets before going for a sunset run.

That evening, the moonlight sparkled over the water as the temperature dropped. We eagerly climbed into bed to escape the cold and listened to the waves lapping on the shore.

The morning dawned cold and bright, we completed the last tasks and ate breakfast. It was hard to leave on such a perfect day, but with everything buttoned up there wasn’t much to do without undoing work already done.

We drove around the lake to enjoy the view from the opposite side with a hike up Black Mountain. My husband Adam, our dog Yadi and I got off to a quick start, hiking through the glowing October forest. The foliage was further away than on the lakeshore, and the early sunshine illuminated the golden leaves above us.

The last time I climbed Black Mountain I was a young teenager. I had never hiked the loop planned for that day, so the trip had a sense of adventure.

We reached the first overlook and then the summit, both of which offered sweeping views of the north end of Lake George. I could see O’Dell Island, Stark Point, and the spot on the shore where we had left the cabins closed for the winter.

Also the pathA quick jump from the summit that lets us hop from one viewpoint to the next. We had excellent views of the Narrows and Mother Bunch Islands and the long, sloping flank of Tongue Mountain (where the rattlesnakes are). Just when we thought things couldn’t get any better, we arrived at Black Mountain Ponds.

I’m pretty sure dogs aren’t excited about the prospect, but I know Yadi likes a good swim. He waded into the clear water in two of the three ponds, swam extensively and drank.

At the last pond, trails wound into the forest in different directions, and we met backpackers heading into the forest. It was hard not to be a little jealous, it was such a beautiful day.

As we prepared to come full circle, we entered a clearing created by a beaver pond with a classic Adirondack bridge, and for me, the trip was complete. There wasn’t enough water to swim in, but there was enough to capture the dazzling reflection of the trees and the bright blue sky. I bet we’ll come back next year.