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28th ADK Peak! While descending Redfield I had a conversation with myself. I debated whether or not it was wise to climb another peak given my dysfunctional knee and the general lack of energy I had experienced throughout the day. Mid descent of Redfield I had decided I would not climb Cliff today and instead we would camp out next year sometime and climb it with Gray and Skylight. By the time I reached the trail junction for Redfield and Cliff, had rested for a while and watched another couple hike toward Cliff, I knew I had to hike Cliff today. It felt hiking both Cliff and Redfield was my "plan/intention/goal/need" for the day. My knee was now feeling much better and I knew I would feel very discouraged if I didn't climb both peaks I had planned to climb. We left the trail junction for Cliff at 3:00 and were at the summit by 4:00. The first section of the trail was very muddy and required a great deal of rock/log hopping in order to avoid a mud pit. Shortly following the mud the "cliffs" of Cliff Mountain begin. These were manageable and the only section which gave me significant pause and concern on the way down was an area that was both steep AND muddy/wet. I have clearly learned that my fears/anxiety often get the better part of me and what seems like a great challenge on ascent will often not be as challenging as I imagine on the descent. This was clearly the case with Cliff and we found ourselves descending with a rather quick pace by just "getting low" and somewhat crawling down the cliffs. Several hikers on the way up to Cliff (and on the way up to Redfield) had warned us of the "false summit". This "false summit" occurs shortly after the "cliffs" and the herd path clearly leads further. Following along the herd path we descended down into a col and then a short ascent again up to the actual summit of Cliff. There is a small wooden sign marking the summit. The summit is wooded and viewless. We spent a few minutes talking with another couple at the summit, ate a snack and then began our descent. We left the summit at 4:10 and were able to descend by 5:00. We knew we still had a long hike back to the loj, so we immediately picked up my pack which I had left at the base of the trail junction, filled up on water at a stream and began our hike back. We had anticipated at the summit of Cliff that we would likely be hiking back in the dark given the time. We were surprised that we were able to make it well past the Marcy Dam before needing to pull out our head lamps. It took me a little while to adjust to hiking with a headlamp, but I was very thankful to have them with us. By the time we signed out of the register at the loj it was 13 hours after we began. A long, tiring but worthwhile day!

Highlights: The "energy" at Marcy Dam- I always enjoy how this area feels like a hub/gathering place of great energy and enthusiasm, first time using our headlamps- thankful for them, feeling like I didn't "give up" despite my temptation to earlier on when hiking Redfield.

Route name

Cliff herdpath

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