The One Where Hudson Waits Patiently

May 25, 2026 - By ashleykclevenstine

Hudson and I are on a roll with these Adirondack Gateway Challenge hikes. One of the things I enjoy most about this challenge is that many of the hikes are only about an hour—or less—from home, making them perfect for a day trip. Today, we decided to check out Potash Mountain, and I have to admit, this hike was far more beautiful than I expected.

The trail begins at the Harris Preserve, where it follows a peaceful little creek through the woods. After a short distance, the trail splits, with one path leading to the summit and the other to the Nature Trail Loop. I decided to head for the summit first and save the nature loop for the hike back.

Hudson continues to impress me on the trail. He’s really getting the hang of hiking on a leash, and it makes me so happy to see how much he’s learning. The trail is fairly gentle through the preserve, aside from the initial climb alongside the creek. Once you leave the preserve and enter state land, the climbing begins again as the trail steadily gains elevation.

It was also one of those magical spring days when the forest seemed alive with birdsong. I kept my binoculars close at hand, hoping to spot a few species I hadn’t seen before. I was rewarded with a beautiful Wood Thrush, whose flute-like song is always a treat to hear. I also spent several minutes watching another bird high in the treetops, but unfortunately the sun was directly behind it, making it impossible to see any identifying markings. Despite my extended birdwatching break, Hudson patiently waited beside me—and even laid down on the side of the trail while I searched the canopy. Moments like that remind me what a wonderful hiking companion he’s becoming.

As we continued climbing, we reached the junction for the summit loop. A sign cheerfully noted that both directions were lovely, so I chose to go left. I was glad I did, as it provided several nice viewpoints before reaching the summit. Along the way, I also came across one of the coolest trees I’ve seen in a while, with branches twisting and spreading out in every direction.

Hudson and I stopped for our customary summit selfies before taking a well-earned snack break. While the true summit itself doesn’t offer much of a view, it was still a peaceful place to relax. Birds continued calling from every direction, though they remained hidden among the leaves. Hudson made the most of the stop by happily rolling around in the soft grass while I soaked in the quiet.

On our way back, we completed the Nature Trail Loop, and it was the perfect way to end the hike. The trail featured labeled trees and plants with educational signs, making it both scenic and informative. It was a relaxing stroll back through the preserve and a fitting finish to a hike that pleasantly exceeded my expectations.

Potash Mountain turned out to be one of those hikes that quietly surprises you. Between the peaceful forest, the bird activity, the scattered viewpoints, and another great adventure with Hudson, it was a wonderful day on the trail and another enjoyable checkmark on the Adirondack Gateway Challenge.