Esther

Numbers in parentheses such as (ADK #123, McM #456) on these and all other pages of Adirondack Journey, refer to trail numbers assigned by the McMartin and ADK guidebooks.

Persons wishing to hike Esther for credit to become a 46'R should commence the hike from the reservoir

Distances:
Starting at Wilmington Reservoir distances are as follows, assuming you intend to summit both Esther and Whiteface (which is logical and recommended):

Trail Updates are now the primary ongoing work that must continually be performed otherwise the contents will become outdated in just a short time.

I am, therefore, looking for a few good folks who are, perhaps, starting out on becoming 46ers who would agree to compare what is currently written here on Adirondack Journey to what they actually experience when they hike this or that peak.

The Hike In A Nutshell:
The ascent of Esther is is a very good and rigorous Fall hike when the leaves are on display. In the past (the mid-nineties) Esther was a confusing maze of herd paths. While this situation has been remedied you will find some very wet, boggy terrain that suggest you wear a good pair of boots!

Also, Esther has a mystique associated with it brought about by a teenager named Esther Macomb who got lost and ended up being the first person to summit this peak, hence its name.

On a sunny day it can be a nice walk in the woods, particularly the ascent from the trailhead at Wilmington Reservoir to the summit of Marble Mtn, which comprises nearly half of the total distance to Esther, and consists of open hardwood forest, making Fall a good time to tackle this peak. Others, looking for a faster way up will elect to follow the chairlift route.

It could be that if Esther was nestled within the bosom of all the rest of the High Peaks instead of being set apart from them, it would have more visitors and be better known, but located as it is next to Whiteface Esther comes across as a bit of an afterthought of Mother Nature. Whiteface, the other peak you ought to climb since you're going to Esther, has its own problems. It is a nice climb and surprisingly easy, but once at the summit it is like being at a theme park. Tourists everywhere! As for them, the only challenge faced by the tourists gawking at you on the Whiteface summit is to fork over the price of admission---the $13.00 toll to drive to the summit.

My preferred route to Esther begins at the Town of Wilmington's water reservoir. This is on the left about a mile out of town on the Whiteface Memorial Highway (well before you come to the toll gate). Park at the reservoir parking lot. You'll see the red trail marker and register at the start of the trail to the left of the pump house. From the reservoir, the hike begins gently on the RED , heading W and then S, rising slowly through an open forest of mixed hardwoods. After roughly 1.5 miles the trail turns W and begins a stiff climb for about 0.8 miles to a point very near the summit of Marble Mtn. If it's your first hike of the season, as it was mine, this section might knock you on your can despite its sunlit beauty and nice breezes. From Marble's summit you will continue upward until you are almost at the summit of Lookout Mtn. The trail levels, and you intersect the herd path to Esther. If you choose not to take one of the herd paths to Esther, and just continue onwards, you'll ascend Whiteface as described on the Whiteface page.

Despite my preference for the route starting at the reservoir, there is a shorter and easier route. From the crossroad of Rtes 431 and 86 at the center of Wilmington head as toward Whiteface on Rte 431. You'll quickly pass by the reservoir to your left and then drive a total (from the 431/86 intersection) of 2.3 miles to the left turn that takes you to the old ski-lift and some sort of scientific center.

Difficulty:
As has already been noted, Esther was part of a two-mountain hike, coupled with Whiteface Mtn. By all means, climb both of these peaks on one hike. Overall, it was strenuous, although the individual peaks were each moderate. The initial climb from the reservoir is steep, although it is only a 770 ft elevation change. On the return, the descent seemed endless, but I suppose I was just ready to get to the car and drive to the A&W down the road for an ice-cold root beer. As I recall, I drank two.

Esther, if taken by itself, is a moderate hike that follows the ridgeline from Lookout Mtn out to Esther's summit. It is characterized by a narrow, often wet, but always clearly defined herd path (ADK n/a, McM #80).

Views:
At Marble Mtn, there are some views from its rock summit. While you will agree that they aren't anything to write home about, get used to the fact that they are waaay better than what you will find on Esther. You will also find at Marble's summit, some long-abandoned ski lift machinery that serviced the former ski lift that passed away back before the days of the rape of Whiteface's slopes by the State of NY. The walk on the herd path to Esther offers a few inconsequential views, but the trees are very seldom sufficiently open to see any distance. At Esther's summit in 2001 the conifers obstructed most of the view and I'll bet you they haven't grown smaller since then.

Water:
If you plan to climb both Whiteface and Esther on this hike plan to bring along a hydration unit, preferably a 100 ounce bag. This is a dry hike all the way to both peaks with the exception of the small bog mentioned above. As that is still-water with a nasty appearance, we suggest you avoid drinking it. A true hiker, though---as we are sure you are---will prefer to risk poisoning himself at the bog, than to buy the bottled water and cokes at the refreshment stand at the summit of Whiteface. (The machine takes only correct change.)

Now that you have conquered Esther, go to the Whiteface Page to continue on to that summit. This hike was completed in the summer of 2001.

Ascent of Esther from Wilmington Reservoir RED (ADK #82, McM #79 & #80)
1	Parking and trailhead for Esther is at the Wilmington reservoir. To get there from Wilmington, turn left off Rte 86 coming from the direction of Lake Placid onto the Whiteface Mt. Memorial Highway. Drive just under a half mile to a turn-off on the left for the town reservoir. The turn is also marked with the usual DEC brown sign with yellow letters indicating a trailhead. A very short drive puts you in the parking lot shown in the photo at left. The trail and trail register are across the bridge to the left of the shack. Note that the ascent of Esther for purposes of
2	The view from Lookout Mtn on the herd path to Esther is just a short distance after leaving the DEC red trail (ADK #82, McM ?). This is the only view to be had on the herd path. Views from the summit of Esther are poor due both to its distance from any notable scenery and the trees that obscure a view almost entirely in almost every direction.
3	The bog. The herd path out to Esther's summit is generally dry, but this spot at the saddle between Lookout and Esther seems to be a genuine bog. Keep it to your left to get around it. Test your footing as you go, and you should be able to avoid wet feet. If you've ever been out to Couchsachraga's summit you'll agree that this bog is a piece of cake compared to the bog between Times Square and Couchie..
4	The occasional view of Esther's summit from the herd path after leaving Lookout Mtn.
5	This photo is pretty much representative of the Esther herd path; i.e., it's generally dry, very clear, and no unpleasant surprises except the nasty bog in Photo #3. When first starting out toward Esther from Lookout Mtn. you will see Esther in the distance as in Photo #4 above. You're going to , except that, as you are approaching E. The col between Lookout and Esther, over which the herd path travels, will periodically be able to see that you'll have to make a big right turn as you near the low point , TAs you near the summit the herd path will be less of a constant grade and will do 3 bumpity-bumps before reaching the summit.
6	Looking behind you as you approach Esther's summit, some glimpses of Whiteface's north side are visible.
7	This photo was taken 10 minutes past the bog and close to the summit. The trail will now take you over three successive hills with the third of these being the actual summit which is bare stone.
8	Until 2003, as we recall, this plaque planted in anorthosite rock marked the summit in lieu of the usual USGS benchmark. The 46'ers installed it in 1940 to commemorate Esther McComb's accidental ascent. The young girl became lost on this peak and apparently ended up on the summit, being the first recorded ascent. When you think about it, that makes absolutely no sense. If I was lost I'd head downhill, not uphill. Anyway, the plaque you see at left has now been removed to protect it from the thieves that have been stealing the summit signs from the trailless peaks. Another, much heavier, plaque has taken its place.
9	The view from Esther's summit is minimal as shown in these three photos. As views go, nothing to write home about, so chalk one up and move on.
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