Ideas for First Time Visitors to ADKs

[DaVinci]

So my college roomates and I have finally tracked each other down and agreed to meet for some sort of reunion this summer - been a while, we graduated from Ohio University in 1993.

I've talked them into the ADKs and have gladly taken responsibility of "planning".

We will do some paddling (and Lake Placid Pubbing ), but what I'm interested in from you all is ideas for a "First ADK experience" day-hike.

• We are shooting for 6 - 10 hours.
• Everyone is in pretty good shape (hikers, runners, etc.)
• Most have never been to ADKs - coming from Denver, Houston, Cleveland and NYC
• We will be staying in Sara-Placid area
• Trip will likely be in August - NO FLIES PLEASE!

.

Curious where you would take "newbies" - Thanks for your ideas

Davinci

[redhawk]

So my college roomates and I have finally tracked each other down and agreed to meet for some sort of reunion this summer - been a while, we graduated from Ohio University in 1993.

I've talked them into the ADKs and have gladly taken responsibility of "planning".

We will do some paddling (and Lake Placid Pubbing ), but what I'm interested in from you all is ideas for a "First ADK experience" day-hike.

• We are shooting for 6 - 10 hours.
• Everyone is in pretty good shape (hikers, runners, etc.)
• Most have never been to ADKs - coming from Denver, Houston, Cleveland and NYC
• We will be staying in Sara-Placid area
• Trip will likely be in August - NO FLIES PLEASE!

.

Curious where you would take "newbies" - Thanks for your ideas

Davinci

Depends on whether you plan to hike before or after your 'pubbing"

[rdl]

First -- pick up this guidebook: http://www.adk.org/new_store/Product...?productid=GHP

Then -- my suggestions would include:

Walk up the Ausable Club road, ascend the trail towards Pyramid & Gothics, continue to Armstrong and Upper Wolf Jaws then back down to the road.

Or...

ADK Loj to Marcy Dam to Avalanche Lake to Lake Colden, ascend Mt Colden from the lake side trail, descend via the Lake Arnold trail and back to the Loj.

Or...

Dix Mountain from Rt 73.

[Neil]

Or...

ADK Loj to Marcy Dam to Avalanche Lake to Lake Colden, ascend Mt Colden from the lake side trail, descend via the Lake Arnold trail and back to the Loj.

My gut feeling, after reading your post, and before reading RDL's post was what he said. Do the above hike and you'll have a very happy crew with you when you head to the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery for beers and burgers afterwards.

It's a fairly lengthy hike and the route up from Lake Colden is quite steep and strenuous. It's a good 2 hour hike just to the start of the real climbing.

There's even a vertical wooden ladder you have to climb. But, the views and the high mountain feeling you get as you approach the summit are among the best I've ever seen in the NE.

[DaVinci]

Thanks for the ideas

Thanks for the ideas.

Any idea what mileage might be for Pyramid - Wolfjaws? Also is there a cut off point where we could head back to Ausable club without tackling Armstrong and Wolfjaws? (don't want to bite off more than we could chew / miss happy hour! )

Any other favorite first timer hikes - I was thinking warmup with Pitchoff (to balanced Rocks) then Cascade / Porter. Your ideas sound more fun and challenging . Glad I asked,

Davinci

[hudson hiker]

How about Hopkins up Mossy Brook. It's a nice woods walk up the brook to a medium little steep section then you can sit in the sun facing generally south and reminisce while checking out the overall lay of the High Peaks area. From that perch you can plan you next adventure. This may be too easy but I always liked the view that you get right up the Johns Brook Valley. Have fun whatever you do.

[pico23]

I'm always a fan of Bald Peak and Rocky Peak Ridge. In summer it actually sees some traffic but in winter no sign anyone ever visits via Bald Peak. Decent climb, lots of views, nice summits.

Alternately, a short quick jaunt for some of the best views in the Daks is Noonmark. Definitely time to head back down to the Au Sable for some beers and wings and a BBQ sandwhich. I'd have to check my watch, but my recollection was 4.5 hours round trip with an hour spent goofing off on the summit.



Hopkins and Spread Eagle are nice. Shorter and easier than Noonmark or Bald/RPR.

I personally find the Gothics and Pyramid among the most impressive in the Daks. I avoid the high peaks in summer but this is an area that always impresses me. Pyramid deserves more acclaim than it gets.

Alternately, some of the slide climbs (Giant for instance) could be a ton of fun. Or the Trap Dike.

I'd also through a vote in for Kilburn Slide as a nice warmup. It's a half day outing at most if you take your time. Great views and easy approach. The first 3 headwalls are easy the final headwall can be skipped as you don't gain much in views for the potential technical nature of the 4th wall. Messing around we did it in 5 hours out and back including a lunch break, and some sun bathing.

Of course you cannot go wrong with anything else mentioned. I've never done colden via the route mentioned. Only the trap dike. I'll have to put that on my list for the fall.

[hikerdad]

While its a very popular hike in the summer the hike from the Adirondack Loj to Wrights Peak and Algonguin is very nice. You could do several things on this: 1) Just hit Wrights if the weather is iffy (or you just want to bail) 2) continue on to Algonquin (with or without doing Wrights) and return the same way 3) continue over Algonquin and return via Avalanch Pass (great hike along Avalanche Lake and through the pass) if you're feeling strong...

[pico23]

I'd do this in reverse. The descent down to Avy pass is extremely steep, and sometimes slick. Ascent is the better of two options. So Avy pass, to Algonquin and loop back to the loj.

If you are feeling great Wright is just .3 miles (i think) but about 600ft ascent (again I think). It's steep but fun and fast. Great views but popular in summer as are anyplace trailed in the high peaks that leads to a summit.