Charles (Charlie) Beede served as a guide between the 1870s and 1920s.  He died April 28, 1933 in his home in Keene Valley.  The nephew of Smith Beede, son-in-law of Orson “Old Mountain” Phelps, and brother of Verde and Ed Beede, Charlie Beede was considered to be one of the strongest guides of that era. 

A contemporary of Ed Phelps and LeGrande Hale, many trails were cut by Charlie and his fellow guides.  Most often cited among these were the trail from Giant to Rocky Peak Ridge, and the Range Trail.  An ardent fisherman and axe-man, he was known for carrying a cookstove on his back over the Upper Pond Carry, and a 100-pound pack over the top of Mount Marcy to the Upper Works at Tahawus.    

Charlie Beede married Ed Phelps’ sister, Luna, and in later years, the three of them shared a farm together on the east side of Keene Valley.  The farm had a view of Dix, Dial, Nippletop, Noonmark and Colvin. The family was known for maple syrup and one report noted that they had 1,200 trees tapped on their property.  After his death, Luna continued to live in the two- story house with her grown children Edna and Allan until her death in 1941.

 

(Contribution by Liz Coccia)