rasgoat - May 3, 2009 6:52 pm Date Climbed: May 2, 2009
Did it
Ok mountain, hiked with Whiteface. Herd path easy to follow.(right at cairn)
starship_jen - Dec 31, 2008 11:21 am Date Climbed: Dec 27, 2008
From the Weather Station
Pouring rain, wind, but a fairly well packed trail until the herd path. Hard snow made for quick travel though. Didn't need to hike Whiteface, so it was a fast trip up and down. 37/46 : )
Tahawus - Aug 11, 2008 1:56 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2006
Esther Mountain
Climbed via the Wilmington Trail from the Wilmington Reservoir. There was still a lot of snow around this time of year, especially over 3000'. The herd path wasn't hard to follow but the tree branches and occasional blowdown, along with the usual spruce traps, made this a fairly challenging peak in its own right.
Had done this previously in June 1998. Went with my brother who needed it for his 46. Did a slightly alternative route by going up the old T-bar line for the old Marble Mtn. ski area. Currently there is a sign for the herds path and actually some bridges through the swamp area (which I do not remember in 1998). Hazy summer day, so views were average. Bugs were terrible!
WinterWarlock - Jan 15, 2008 12:32 am Date Climbed: Jan 12, 2008
ADK 46W Number 1
After a week of warm weather, and a few days of rain, the day turned out beautifully, and the trail was in pretty good shape. Bare booted most of the way, then switched to snowshoes. Climb from the weather station along Mt Marble ridge was tough because conditions were mixed - some ice, running water, soft snow and exposed rock.
CookieMonster - Jul 25, 2007 12:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2001
Heardpath from Wilminton Trail
Bagged with Whiteface on a paddle over Lake Placid and climb from Connery Pond.
The edge - Mar 14, 2007 6:17 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2005
ADK #29
solo
lalpinist - Nov 6, 2006 8:03 pm Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2006
Soaker
Beautiful fall colors, but a lot of rain in the AM.
There are a couple herd paths. Some are blocked and some have significant blow-down. Take the path that starts at the cairn.
Jerry L - Nov 4, 2006 12:52 pm Date Climbed: Oct 29, 2006
From Wilmington
Combined with Whiteface. Difficult to find the trail with all the snow and no tracks before us.
locationA_D_D85 - Feb 13, 2006 1:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2005
MUDDY ESTHER
Did this one on the way back down from whiteface_because i didnt want to hike back in just to do a short mountain__nothing special about Esther_tight trail and very muddy_ just a hill_
Route Climbed: Wilmington Trail to herd path. Date Climbed: July 10, 2004
Some older published books make this "trailless" peak seem a lot harder than it is. The herd path is fairly worn and mostly easy to follow, although it gets very thin in places. Expect a very muddy journey to the top, where views are partially blocked by trees. Still worth the trip, and you get the best view of Whiteface from Lookout Mountain on the way.
Route Climbed: herd path from Wilmington Trail Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2000
This was my first ADK solo herd path peak. I remember being somewhat counfounded at the swampy col where the path was difficult to distinguish. I finally found it and proceeded easily to the Esther summit, where a reasonable view of Whieface greeted me.
rasgoat - May 3, 2009 6:52 pm Date Climbed: May 2, 2009
Did itOk mountain, hiked with Whiteface. Herd path easy to follow.(right at cairn)
starship_jen - Dec 31, 2008 11:21 am Date Climbed: Dec 27, 2008
From the Weather StationPouring rain, wind, but a fairly well packed trail until the herd path. Hard snow made for quick travel though. Didn't need to hike Whiteface, so it was a fast trip up and down. 37/46 : )
Narendra - Dec 21, 2008 11:35 am
EstherW/Whiteface - nice addition
Tahawus - Aug 11, 2008 1:56 pm Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2006
Esther MountainClimbed via the Wilmington Trail from the Wilmington Reservoir. There was still a lot of snow around this time of year, especially over 3000'. The herd path wasn't hard to follow but the tree branches and occasional blowdown, along with the usual spruce traps, made this a fairly challenging peak in its own right.
Enapai - Jul 11, 2008 4:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2008
From ASRCHad done this previously in June 1998. Went with my brother who needed it for his 46. Did a slightly alternative route by going up the old T-bar line for the old Marble Mtn. ski area. Currently there is a sign for the herds path and actually some bridges through the swamp area (which I do not remember in 1998). Hazy summer day, so views were average. Bugs were terrible!
WinterWarlock - Jan 15, 2008 12:32 am Date Climbed: Jan 12, 2008
ADK 46W Number 1After a week of warm weather, and a few days of rain, the day turned out beautifully, and the trail was in pretty good shape. Bare booted most of the way, then switched to snowshoes. Climb from the weather station along Mt Marble ridge was tough because conditions were mixed - some ice, running water, soft snow and exposed rock.
CookieMonster - Jul 25, 2007 12:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2001
Heardpath from Wilminton TrailBagged with Whiteface on a paddle over Lake Placid and climb from Connery Pond.
The edge - Mar 14, 2007 6:17 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2005
ADK #29solo
lalpinist - Nov 6, 2006 8:03 pm Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2006
SoakerBeautiful fall colors, but a lot of rain in the AM.
There are a couple herd paths. Some are blocked and some have significant blow-down. Take the path that starts at the cairn.
Jerry L - Nov 4, 2006 12:52 pm Date Climbed: Oct 29, 2006
From WilmingtonCombined with Whiteface. Difficult to find the trail with all the snow and no tracks before us.
locationA_D_D85 - Feb 13, 2006 1:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2005
MUDDY ESTHERDid this one on the way back down from whiteface_because i didnt want to hike back in just to do a short mountain__nothing special about Esther_tight trail and very muddy_ just a hill_
Seth Maciejowski - Oct 18, 2005 8:49 am
Route Climbed: Herd Path from meteorological station Date Climbed: October 2003Went to esther on the way down from whiteface. It was a nice side trip up a very visible herd path. Snow was on the ground.
woodstrider - Apr 28, 2005 4:28 pm
Date Climbed: Dec 25, 98beautiful weather
SMILLER - Apr 27, 2005 4:15 pm
Route Climbed: WILMINGTON RESEVOIR Date Climbed: OCTOBER 9,2004HERD PATH FROM WHITEFACE TRAIL-FAIRLY EASY TO FOLLOW-NICE VIEWS.
avidwanderer - Sep 24, 2004 8:01 am
Route Climbed: Dont know Date Climbed: August 2002Did this along with allen, whiteface, and one more(can't remember which one) in a 4 day trip to get my friend's last 4 in the 46.
mikethehiker - Sep 8, 2004 9:22 pm
Route Climbed: whiteface route Date Climbed: september 2004The trail was very narrow and muddy, but easy to follow. Nice supplement to whiteface and one more on the 46ers list!
kevsmith - Jul 16, 2004 11:05 am
Route Climbed: Wilmington Trail to herd path. Date Climbed: July 10, 2004Some older published books make this "trailless" peak seem a lot harder than it is. The herd path is fairly worn and mostly easy to follow, although it gets very thin in places. Expect a very muddy journey to the top, where views are partially blocked by trees. Still worth the trip, and you get the best view of Whiteface from Lookout Mountain on the way.
hillman - Jun 6, 2004 2:50 pm
Route Climbed: from the res. Date Climbed: 5-29-04Great little peak. Easy trail to follow. NIce views of whiteface.
ADKhiker46 - Feb 27, 2004 12:25 am
Route Climbed: herd path from whiteface Date Climbed: 11-22-03Cairns marking the start of the herd path; easiest bushwack i have done. Decent views; same as whiteface.
climber46 - Aug 6, 2003 8:03 pm
Route Climbed: herd path from Wilmington Trail Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2000This was my first ADK solo herd path peak. I remember being somewhat counfounded at the swampy col where the path was difficult to distinguish. I finally found it and proceeded easily to the Esther summit, where a reasonable view of Whieface greeted me.