Attainable Goals: ADK Snow Falls Challenge

A guest blog by Alicen Hutcheson of Wistful Wanderings

Alicen completed our challenge in the 2022 winter season, and was the first challenger to tag us in all of her social media posts. It was exciting for us to follow along on her expeditions- pictures, thoughts in the moment, goals. Even more special for us, is to experience this thing we created through someone else’s eyes and mind (and boots!). You are invited to do the same with Alicen’s blog posted below. And be sure to visit her site for other blogs about her worldly wanderings! ~Anne

All content and photos below are the property of http://www.wistfulwanderings.com and shared with permission. Enjoy!

January 12, 2023 

Attainable Goals.

View from the top of Roaring Book Falls, Giant Mountain, ADK

A winter waterfall hiking challenge in the Adirondack Mountains.

I’m not entirely sure how I found Expedition Midlife to learn about this hiking challenge, but it was most likely through Dig the Falls.
Before I began this winter journey, I had visited 4 of the waterfalls listed previously.
Beecher Creek Falls, Rockwell Falls, Mill Park Falls, and Shelving Rock Falls.
All of which I learned about through Dig the Falls.

ADK Snow Falls Challenge
December 21st – March 21st
10 Roadside Falls
5 Modest Hikes
1 Challenging Hike

16 winter waterfalls!

Ever since I learned about them, I’ve been interested in doing a hiking challenge.
I have considered hiking challenges not only in the Adirondack Mountains, but also the Catskills.
Honestly, the challenges I’ve considered all seem rather daunting.
I have many incomplete lists involving high peaks, fire towers, and waterfalls.

Attainable Goals.

It makes sense for me to take on hiking challenges in the Adirondack Mountains because I can get to the Adirondack Park fairly easily year round.

Participating in this winter hiking challenge was an amazing experience.
I loved planning the drives and hikes.
All winter long I had something to look forward to, keeping my cabin fever depression to a minimum.

frozen waterfalls

so peaceful
unfrozen water flowing beneath the
sculpted ice with unique formations
rushing and roaring
echoing so hollow
so beautiful
so surreal

Honestly, getting out in the woods and breathing in the delicious, crisp winter air is an amazing way to spend a day.

Roadside Falls

1. Jay Falls

It was so beautiful here.

January 8, 2022

2. Wilmington Flume Falls

In classic Alicen fashion, I looked up deaths at this location right before trying to sleep, lol.
There’s been a few…

January 8, 2022

3. Monument Falls

It was nice way to end a day of chasing waterfalls.

January 8, 2022

4. Beecher Creek Falls

It was a cold and beautiful day!

January 16, 2022

Beecher Creek Falls – Historic Copeland Bridge
I had visited before.
I learned about Beecher Creek Falls from Dig the Falls, back in 2017.
Cute place.
Glad I got to go back.

5. Falls of Carillon/LaChute River Walk

I don’t know what I was expecting, but I had an amazing day once I got the courage to leave the house.
A solo trip to a waterfall up north.
I basically drove up the west side of Lake George, until I got to the river that flows between Lake George and Lake Champlain.
It was fun walking around.
I wish I had looked at a trail map while I was there.
I would have walked the entire length, I certainly had the time.

Falls of Carillon – January 19, 2022
LaChute River Walk – January 19, 2022
Richard’s Dam, LaChute River Walk – January 19, 2022

6. Mill Park Falls

I wish I had worn boots!
Also, I really wish I was better at taking pictures of frozen falls.

Upper Falls – January 31, 2022
Lower Falls – January 31, 2022

7. Rockwell Falls

The narrowest point on the Hudson River.

January 31, 2022

8. Rainbow Falls at Ausable Chasm

February 9, 2022

9. Anderson Falls

February 9, 2022
February 9, 2022

10. Wadham’s Falls

February 9, 2022

3 more waterfalls!
Completing my goal for Roadside Waterfalls.

I didn’t think I’d get this far.

Modest Hikes

1. Falls on Clay Meadow Trailhead

We hiked up.
It was fun.
Then, we hiked back down to the bottom of the falls and it was truly rewarding.
Just starting to freeze for the season, we watched and listened to the water for a while.

January 3, 2022

2. Northwest Bay Brook Falls

100% worth seeing.

January 3, 2022

3. Roaring Brook Falls

Roaring Brook Falls from the bottom, beautiful!
The view from the top of the falls, beautiful!
The sight of it from the road?
Wow!
We hiked to the top of that?!
I loved this day with my husband so much!

Bottom of Roaring Brook Falls – January 8, 2022
Top of Roaring Brook Falls – January 8, 2022

4. Auger Falls

It was a cold and beautiful day!
Auger Falls!
Wow!
Loved this hike with my husband.
Magical!
But also very scary.
Maybe even terrifying.
The angle and the power of the water was spectacular!

For the briefest moment, my husband and I saw a little rainbow in the icy waterfall spray.
And just as quickly as we noticed the rainbow, it was gone.

January 16, 2022
January 16, 2022

5. Shelving Rock Falls

My last waterfall hike, completing the ADK Snow Falls Challenge!
This place is beautiful to visit any time of year, but winter is best!

March 5, 2022

Challenging Hike

1. Tenant Creek Falls aka Hope Falls

Is it even a challenging hike if I don’t cry?
I cried.
Twice.
Classic Alicen.

In the end, I had a great day hiking with my husband.

February 12, 2022

My husband joined me for all of the hikes, and some of the roadside falls.
All photos were taken by me or my husband.

Expedition Midlife created the winter waterfall challenge.
All information about the hiking challenge is on their website.

I had the best time accomplishing this hiking challenge, and would like to be able to visit the rest of the waterfalls listed on the ADK Snow Falls Challenge.

My Patch

January 3 – March 5, 2022

When I need information about a waterfall in New York, I visit Dig the Falls website first.

Most of the hikes I needed my micro-spikes, and maybe two hikes I needed my snowshoes.
Winter in the Adirondacks can be moody so it’s best to always be prepared with appropriate winter gear.
Always check the weather before heading out for a hike.
Stay hydrated.

Me and my husband at some of the different frozen waterfalls.

Alicen Kym Hutcheson

the purpose of Wistful Wanderings is to share my experiences
photos, stories, poems
facts I learn, how I feel
hiking, traveling, wandering
wondering

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