The top of Ledge Mountain includes several comfortable viewing areas to rest and enjoy the landscape. (Provided photo — Spencer Morrissey)

This is an interesting peak that “piques” a lot of interest. Not a lot of climbers, but more in the terms of armchair interest.

It can be seen on some maps as “Ledge Mountain” and others as “Ledger Mountain.” Ledger is surely a typo because it simply is a mountain with a massive ledge.

A group of us decided it would be a good day to explore this interesting peak, and this would be my first foray there without snow.

We entered the woods right at the Rock River Trailhead, and as usual it was about a quarter-mile up the trail before we headed off into the forest. The forest floor is flat but I had decided to go over a small knob to our left to keep me on target.

The climb wasn’t too demanding, but the footing was a bit off in this particular spot. A couple screened views were captured on the climb to the wooded top.

The top of Ledge Mountain includes several comfortable viewing areas to rest and enjoy the landscape. (Provided photo — Spencer Morrissey)

Usually I don’t bother to go over a knob in the way, but the footing around it was really not any better. I am a glutton for punishment, no doubt a different take on one of the seven deadly sins.

A short steep drop brought us quickly back onto level ground and at the crossing of the snowmobile trail that passes through the area. However, this trail really gave no aid toward the bigger project. We used it for about 300 feet before we went back into the woods; I guess just to say we did or maybe to feel solid ground beneath our feet again.

Descending slightly, we crossed a small seep using a natural puncheon from a dead spruce. We were now on the way up.

The slopes were steep as we started to crest a small knob on the upper ridge. Unfortunately, we needed to drop off of it, steeply into another col.

The climb out is where it got fun. The ridge was just above us and we could start to see the views arising around every corner. The first ledge offered us nice views out toward White Birch Ridge and the Mill Mountains.

The higher we climbed the better the views became. Cameras started whirring, chatter started forming and everyone was having a blast.

Soon the Pisgah Mountains came into view and then the Little High Peaks and the Moose River Plains. There are so many viewing areas along the top of the ledge that it seems I find a new one each time I visit.

We visited the true summit, which is a large boulder in the middle of the trees, but we didn’t hang around long. I had a date with bologna sandwich and we were to hold hands at the top view.

Daylight was burning, but our hustle gave the opportunity to bask at the view for well over 30 minutes, nearly enough time to nod off. I actually think I did hear a snore-snort.

The descent was a fast one with no time wasted. Up and over the ridge, back along the flats, over the soft duff layer and back to the car. Nearly the same route we took in.

The day was nearly all used up as the shadows got longer and the temperatures dropped a bit. The car was around the corner, and we were tempted to visit Rock Lake. But we bowed to the evening gods and decided to let a good day rest, and save a cooling dip in an Adirondack lake for another adventure.