January 10th, 2023
ADK Snow Falls and ADK Lakes and Ponds Challenges.
We took our first trip to the AMR in August of 2020. It was such a memorable experience-multiple extraordinary waterfalls, Lower Ausable Lake, and the iconic view from Indian Head. So we added Beaver Meadow Falls as one of the “Challenge” Hikes in the ADK Snow Falls Challenge and Lower Ausable Lake, as viewed from the bridge, as part of the ADK Lakes and Ponds Challenge. Because the AMR is private club property that allows hikers access to several ADK peaks, there are some additional rules to consider when planning a trip. They do not allow dogs on property, so Floki had to stay home again. In the summer of ‘21, the AMR implemented a reservation system to control excessive traffic. Reservations are only required May through October (hikeamr.org), and since ADK Snow Falls is only Dec 21-March 21, we had no issues for our winter hike. We basically had the area to ourselves the whole day, only seeing a few club employees on the main road.
We decided due to some stress injuries, it would be best to stay low level and skip the ascent to Indian Head this time. It was a lovely sunny day, in the low 30’s and trail conditions required spikes only, although we did carry our snowshoes just in case. We did the 9 mile loop from the parking lot along Ausable Rd., passing the gate and hiking Lake Rd. to Lower Ausable Lake, and on to Rainbow Falls. We then took the West River Trail to Beaver Meadow Falls and took the Beaver Meadow Falls trail back to Lake Rd and out.
Lake Rd. from the gate to the lake is about 3.5 miles with a gentle elevation gain of about 600ft. If your only goal is Beaver Meadow Falls for the ADK Snow Falls Challenge, your easiest option is to take the right turn at about 2 miles in. (Gothics via Beaver Meadow Falls Trail). We stayed on Lake Rd. and went to the lake first.
Lower Ausable Lake is considered to be one of the most scenic lakes in the Adirondack Park. It’s visible from a number of the Adirondack High Peaks and from the scenic Trail that passes along part of its northwest edge on the way to Sawteeth Mountain. At the end of Lake Rd. is the Lower Ausable Dam and bridge that provide awesome water level views in all seasons. You may recognize this view as the image on the ADK Lakes and Ponds Challenge patch and logo. Any season hike here counts towards the challenge. Cross the bridge and carry on to Rainbow Falls, an ADK must see!
Rainbow Falls is a monster fall, as Cascade Brook drops along the canyon slope an impressive 150 ft. Because it is set so deep into the canyon, it doesn’t get much sun below the top. It’s named after an impressive rainbow that sometimes forms, but we did not see one on either of our visits. On this day, much of it was solid, but a lovely pink ribbon of water was still flowing through. Huge chunks of snow broke off the top and came crashing down, but just our luck, we didn’t manage to get on camera.
We then took the West River Trail to our final, and main goal, Beaver Meadow Falls. This was the toughest part of the day. This section has several scramble spots and with the river edge not being solid, we had to negotiate a little bit of mud. It wasn’t bad though, and is probably easier when there is a more solid snow base. There’s lot’s of beauty along the way, like the ice formations on the rock walls, and the Ausable River rushing by.
Beaver Meadow Falls is the smaller of the two, at only about 60ft tall. But this beautiful horsetail fall is so much more picturesque in all seasons. In summer, the water flowed gently and the rainbow was a constant.
This day, we we’re greeted by some nice water flow and magnificent ice formations on the jagged rock wall. It is more open to the sky and offers easier surfaces to sit and take a break. It’s definitely worth the effort to check this one off in the ADK Snow Falls Challenge.
At this point, our already sore hips said “time to go” so we cut across the river and took the Beaver Meadow Trail back to Lake Rd. and out. There is so much more to see and do at the AMR- so many more waterfalls along Gill Brook and several 46er peaks. We’ll be back soon enough to get to it all.