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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 106
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Best way to climb haystack
What are your favorite ways to climb haystack?
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#2 |
No Ramen Allowed
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 101
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I Heart Haystack
From a base camp at Panther Gorge, combined with Marcy, Skylight, and Gray.
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 232
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And what wold your fav trail-head be for getting to Panther Gorge? Long walk from Elka Lake? From Flowed Lands? Heart Lake?
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eyes on the Forest, not on the Trees |
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#4 |
No Ramen Allowed
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 101
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I actually enjoy the hike up from Elk Lake, though taking the route from Upper Works is a close second. I'm thinking of doing just that as part of a backpack / base camp trip going from UW to PG (with a stop at Cliff/Redfield along the way), then down Bartlett Ridge and up the Elevator Shaft to Colvin and out Lake Road.
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#5 |
Kayak-46
![]() Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,891
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Having done Haystack every way possible numerous times each, my preferred route for a day-hike is from the High Peaks Info Center. Admittedly, there is the psychological (and physiological) burden of re-climbing those pesky 700 feet back up to the Phelps-Van Ho junction but I prefer that to the very long hike back out to the Garden. Also, since you are right there at the junction you can always scoot up Marcy for an added bonus.
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The best, the most successful adventurer, is the one having the most fun. |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 4
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debmonster, I'm planning to do this set, but coming from Colden. Gray->Skylight->Haystack->Marcy->Loj, so I'd get the full traverse of Haystack, but only the north side of Marcy x2. Am I missing much by not doing the south ascent of Marcy via Schofield Cobble?
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,470
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To me, the hike from Elk Lake is BORING!!! However, there is the great section of above treeline hiking past the LT at Panther Gorge.
The trip from the Garden or from Marcy includes that wonderful view from Little Haystack. Take your pick, either way is long. Some dull parts on each, but the end result is great. |
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#8 | |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 842
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Quote:
The climb from Bartlett Ridge to Haystack is notable for its steepness. It's very rugged but does not traverse open terrain (i.e. it is flanked by woods). Only the top end of the trail emerges onto open, bare rock. I've been up and down this challenging route and I think it's well worth the visit ... but I still prefer the south side of Marcy. I assume you know that you lose/regain a crapton of elevation between Skylight and Haystack by way of Panther Gorge. Marcy, Skylight, and Gray is considered by many to be a challenging day-hike. Adding Haystack (by way of Panther Gorge) really ups the ante. If you were not aware of this significant loss/regain, I offer you this alternative route: Gray, Skylight, Marcy, and Haystack. When you're standing on Haystack, you have the option of returning via the Loj by backtracking to the VanHoevenberg/Phelps junction (north of Marcy) or descending into the bowels of Panther Gorge, climbing up to Four Corners, then continuing on to the Loj via Lake Arnold or Avy Pass (my feet hurt while writing this). Good luck!
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Looking for views! |
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#9 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 295
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Quote:
I would also suggest doing this route on young legs.... |
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#10 |
Kayak-46
![]() Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,891
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Haystack to Panther Gorge = about 1700' of elevation loss, 2/3 of which is very steep. Nothing wrong with that, unless of course you're a pair of knees.
__________________
The best, the most successful adventurer, is the one having the most fun. |
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#11 | |
No Ramen Allowed
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 101
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Quote:
![]() As you can tell by the many comments about the elevation loss from Sky to PG, it probably only makes sense to include Panther Gorge if you're starting/ending there. The elevation loss at the end of the day didn't bother me much, but it's probably because we knew that we were on our way "home" to camp and dunk our feet in the refreshingly cold stream! |
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#12 |
No Ramen Allowed
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 101
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#13 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 4
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Makes sense, thanks all!
I had noted the significant elevation change down and back out of Panther Gorge, but I think I may have been underestimating its implications.. |
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#14 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 11
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Looking to hike Haystack this August by way of parking at Gardens-->Haystack-->Basin-->Saddleback then back to the car at Gardens.
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#15 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: New York
Posts: 8
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I started my walk to Haystack from Honister Hause, initially walking up the steep track at the back of the car park. When you get up to the mine workings, then the rest of the walk is almost flat. I was exited by amazing views of the surrounding countryside, including two lakes and views of Green Gable, Great Gable and a multitude of other fells. I continued my trip and walked across to Green Gable, then Great Gable before walking down 'Windy Gap' and then back to Honister Hause.
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#16 | |
Kalie
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 214
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Quote:
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#17 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 842
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http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-1065-introduction The word "fells" tipped me off. The UK is a long way from the Adirondacks! ![]()
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#18 |
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 16
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Question about Blue Connector trail at top of Johns Brook Valley
I am writing to see if anyone can tell me something about the Blue trail that connects the Phelps trail at the top of the Johns Brook valley to the Yellow trail that heads to the top of Haystack. The ADK trail guide (14th Ed, p. 43) describes the west end of that connection as a "nearly vertical pitch". My question is - how bad is it? I believe I have been on that trail before, but that was 41 years ago. Is this the best way up Haystack for a couple of 50-somethings closing in on the Forty-Six (my wife's first time and my second)? Thanks.
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#19 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 11
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Finally going up there for my hike this week! Driving up tomorrow and hiking Wednesday. Weather looks slightly iffy, but hopefully the worst of it will hold off for us.
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