Forts said:
I am looking to do the seward, emmons, seymour, and donaldson mountains in the high peaks region. I am not sure where the trailheads are and found the guide book a little confusing. Can someone give me driving directions from the north(crossing over at Cornwall Island) to the trailheads in this area and where to park if I camp.
I'll give it a go, but I hope others will jump in with any corrections or suggestions. I've quoted a few passages from the ADK High Peaks guide (the guidebook you used?). I’ve never driven from Cornwall, but looking at the map, this seems to be the best way:
Take Rt. 37 east to Malone, NY.
Take Rt. 30 south to Rt. 3
Take Rt. 3 east 2.7 mi.
As you approach that mileage point, go slowly and look for sign on the right that says “High Peaks via Duck Hole” Turn right onto this road.
From ADK High Peaks guide:
(the road) “is paved through the little settlement of Coreys, but turns to gravel at about 1.5 mi., crosses Stony creek at 2.5 mi, and continues to a parking area on the Right, 5.8 mi from Rt. 3...From this parking lot, both a foot trail and a horse trail depart for the Ward Brook Truck Trail and Duck Hole. “
This is as close as you can park to these mountains, whether dayhiking or camping.
The horse trail and the Blueberry foot trail both leave from this lot, and follow the same trail for 0.5 mi. Go left at that junction onto the Blueberry trail. Follow this trail (quite level) for 4.5 mi. to the Blueberry Lean-to, on Right (camping spots in that area also).
A short distance beyond the Blueberry Lean-to is the junction with the Ward Brook Truck Trail. Turn right onto this trail. Shortly you will pass the intersection where the horse trail comes out. You will then pass by three brooks. The first of these is the beginning of the herd path to Seward/Donaldson/Emmons. Doing these three mountains and back from that point is a long day.
After the third brook (0.9 mi. from Blueberry Lean-to, or 5.4 from parking lot) is another lean-to on the right (Ward Brook Lean-to). There are camping spots here also. Just past the Ward Brook Lean-to is another brook, which is also the beginning of the herdpath to Seymour (look for cairn on far side).
An alternate approach to Donaldson and Emmons, now a standard one, is via Calkins Brook:
Start at the same parking lot. Take the same Blueberry foot trail but only 1.2 mi. to junction with Calkins Brook Truck Trail. Turn Right onto this trail. Pass junction with horse trail at 1.4 mi., continue straight ahead (south). From the guide book: “Calkins Brook Truck Trail continues climbing at easy grades to a height of land at 2.1 mi, after which the road dips, climbs again, and then begins a gradual, rolling descent to a brook crossing at 2.8 mi. Now mostly flat or gently down, the trail comes to a junction with the herd path to Mt. Donaldson” (3.3 mi. from parking lot).
If you cross Calkins Brook (3.4 mi.), you’ve gone too far. Look for a very sharp bend in the trail to the right, and a path to the left at that point. Follow the path a short distance to the brook and cross the brook. This is the beginning of the herd path to Donaldson and Emmons. There was no cairn when we did it, but I've heard there may be one now. I’m not sure about campsites in that area.
How you plan your approach will depend upon weather, your time, and your hiking style.