Slackpacking Trip - Day 14

Cooler, but clear. Up at 0700, ready to go - but waited for a bit for the weather to improve. At 0900, I drove a short distance to the trailhead (ASRC SUNY Albany Field Station) for the climb up Whiteface Mountain. The access road was closed, so the only way to the summit was the trail. Had read up a bit on the internet about where to access the trail for the best experience. It was a good thing, too, since there were lots of other trails that distracted me. Plus, there were no more white blazes (yellow, instead)... The earliest part of the trail followed an old ski lift cutout - a pretty good climb. Passed a few other hikers about a mile in - they were concerned about the incline. But after what I've already seen on this trip, this section seemed easy. After the initial climb, I entered an alpine forest and caught up to the cloud layer (no more views of the ADK) - this area was much more muddy and rocky. It got progressively colder and cloudier until I had no frame of reference for anything but the "river" I was walking in (from yesterday's rain showers, I guess...). I actually started out in shorts and a t-shirt but ended up putting on everything else I was carrying (coat, winter hat and gloves) by the end. I encountered a huge retaining wall (like something out of "Monty Python") that showed me I was close to the access road. Clamberd up slippery rocks and encountered the research station at the top (brrrr!) as it emerged out of the fog. The conditions were basically the same as the day I hiked Katahdin: very windy and summit was in a cloud (no view). Had seen no other people for several hours but encountered some staff (Rich & Paul) from SUNY Albany ASRC. They were conducting cloud, wind, pollution studies and they gave me a tour of their facility - it was very interesting. Exchanged emails with Eileen from the top (only place I've had a signal all day) and then walked a short distance down to the "castle". Thought about backtracking on the trail but decided instead to take the road back down the mountain. As I emerged from the cloud, saw some spectacular views of the surrounding area - could see for miles, actually! Probably walked about two miles from the summit (on a five mile road) before a third member of the ASRC staff picked me up, shortening the hike back to my car tremendously. Left the area at 1345 and drove into Lake Placid. Had lunch at McDonalds (1455) and then took care of work emails and timesheets. Used NY-86 and drove towards Saranac Lake, then got on NY-30. Stopped to explore the ADK "Museum" at VIC (a college). Continued north on NY-30 until I left the Adirondacks. Kept driving until I reached the Eisenhower Locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway (used US-11W, NY-11C, StLawCR-53, NY-37C, NY-37). Didn't see any ships transiting, but enjoyed a nice sunset (1730) on Barnhart Island in Robert Moses State Park (close to the Canadian border). There were deer everywhere! Eventually stopped for the night at Bob's Motel near Massena (1815). Spent a few hours watching TV and surfing the internet. Bed at 2200. Felt good after about 7 miles of hiking today. More North Country tomorrow!