Planning an Adventure

[johnnab]

Hi Everyone,

My annual August vacation is rapidly approaching. I normally take a week and in the past have spent 3-4 days at Taylor Pond outside of Ausable Forks. This year however, I have decided to go for broke. I have booked 11 days at Taylor Pond, arrive 8/5 leave 8/16, and plan to do a lot of exploring. I am thinking about some day hikes, Catamount definitely, and maybe Phelps and Tabletop or loop Taylor Pond or Giant or . . . you get the picture. I have also thought to maybe take a day to visit the Adirondack Museum. Additionally I really want to do a 3-4 day backpack. I am thinking about the High Peaks and have a tentative plan. Day 1 starts at the Loj and goes over the MacIntyres to Lake Colden to camp. Day 2 starts out going over Colden to Lake Arnold, back south and over to Lake Tear of the Clouds. Hike Skylight and maybe Gray then down to Panther Gorge to camp. Going over Colden is very optional and probably unrealistic. Day 3 starts by going over to the Haystack Brook trail and up to Haystack and maybe Basin, then down to Slant Rock to camp. Day 4 starts early (pre-dawn) and up Marcy, hopefully to catch sunrise on the summit and then out to the Loj. This is probably too ambitious for me and will most likely need to be modified, but I want to dream big. I am not the strongest hiker going and this will obviously be with a full pack, which for me is 40-50 pounds. I am hoping for some thoughts on the backpack, or any of the other possible plans, and am wondering if anyone wants to join me for any of this as I will be alone for most of it (a friend will probably be joining me for the second weekend). I am thinking to do the backpack Monday the 8th to Thursday the 11th. For me It is all about getting out and enjoying myself, not necessarily doing any specific thing and definitely not killing myself in the process, so none of this is set in stone. What do you think?

John

[Neil]

On day one I would set up camp at L. Colden and then climb the MacIntyre range so as to avoid lugging my heavy pack up 3000 vertical feet then down 2500. On day two I would break camp but leave my heavy pack at L. Colden and do a there and back trip up to Colden's summit. Once at 4 corners you can decide if there's enough gas in the tank to tackle Gray or Skylight. On day 3 you could leave your big pack at Panther and do a loop including a combination of Haystack, Marcy, Gray or Skylight. On day 4 (feeling a bit tired?) you could bushwhack/explore up Panther Gorge to the headwall. You might want to omit going to Slant rock, I found it to be a bit of a zoo whereas Panther Gorge was all serenity. Nevertheless, an early morning trip up Marcy from Slant rock on day 4 would be very enjoyable.

I havn't done all that much backpacking in recent years but I know that there are great threads on this forum and VFTT about decreasing the weight of one's pack. There are people on this forum who would do your trip with a 30 pound or less pack including food.

Sounds like a great trip. Have a good one!

[Kevin]

I second most of Neil's suggestions, especially carrying heavy/full backpacks over peaks. With all the possible base camping scenerios possible it doesn't make any sense to me.

You need to be aware that it's regulation now to have a bearcan when camping in the high peaks. This adds weight to your pack as well (lightest can I could afford still weighs 2.5 pounds ).

Depending on your needs, there's a camping spot between Basin and Haystack ("Snow bird").

[Willie]

You need to be aware that it's regulation now to have a bearcan when camping in the high peaks.

The public comment period for the proposed regulation recently closed on July 5th. Has the DEC adopted the final rule? Nevertheless, a bear canister is a good idea.

Okay, to get this thread back on track, I agree that schlepping a full pack over Algonquin, Colden, and Haystack/Basin would be ... good exercise.

[redhawk]

The comment period was just for everyone to vent.

There was no intent to pay attention or make a decision based on public opinion.

Which in this particular case is probably a good thing.....

[Kevin]

The public comment period for the proposed regulation recently closed on July 5th. Has the DEC adopted the final rule? Nevertheless, a bear canister is a good idea.

When we were at Lake Colden on July 4-6 all the cables were removed. I believe Val had read something at the TH about the regulation as well.

[Willie]

There was no intent to pay attention or make a decision based on public opinion.

I believe that the bear canister regulation will be finalized in some form - and for good reason. However, I truly hope Redhawk's comments are not true, or this country's laws based upon administrative procedure are a sham. I'd like to think otherwise.

[Kevin]

... this country's laws based upon administrative procedure are a sham.

Bearcan regulations by the DEC and our country's legislative process are completely different beasts. The DEC is MUCH more fair...

[Neil]

So, Johnnab. Your thread has sort of meandered its way into new territory. One never knows where things will lead. You shoulda seen my thread on border crossings last summer! Talk about thread drift!

I take it that by now you've gotten the forum's message regarding the heavy pack and peakbagging. Whatever you do enjoy yourself!

[johnnab]

Yeah, I am not really looking forward to carrying my pack over peaks. I was trying to think of this as a loop but the idea of starting with a camp at Lake Colden is appealing. I don't mind pushing myself on a peak or whatever, but overall I want to keep this leisurely so I can really enjoy the time.

Snowbird also has possibilities. One question though, is there any water up there or would I have to descend to either Haystack Brook or John's Brook to refill? Also, can anyone say how the trails to Marcy from Slant Rock and Snowbird are? I am thinking . . . hiking in the dark with a pack, at least until the intersection with the Van Hovenberg trail, good or bad idea?

Does anyone know if a day user can shower at the Wilmington Notch state campground? I'm really gonna need it no matter how I end up going.

As for the bearcan, no worries. Number 1 on the preparation to do list for this week is a trip to EMS for a Bearvault.

Thanks for the comments so far, the grey matter is buzzing.

John

[Kevin]

Surprisingly good water source near Snowbird. You'll find that most of the decent camping spots in the high peaks have a year-round water source within a minute of walking. We even found one near a camp spot in the col between South Dix and Hough. Pretty little place for camping, but I wouldn't want to be carrying my overnight pack all that way up... appears it was a spring or something, just standing clear water on the trail 100 yeards away (someone posted similar findings on our trip reports page.

Can't help with the rest.

[Willie]

Marcy night hikes

Hiking Marcy at night, by trail, from any direction is very doable (I've done it from every direction). And the reward for your effort is most excellent - sunrise on Marcy!

[johnnab]

OK . . . With your encouragement and the help of the high peaks trail book and NG Topo software, the new tentative plan is:

Day 1: The Loj to Lake Colden by Avalanche Pass, make camp.

Day 2: The MacIntyres . . . without my full pack . . . back to Lake Colden
for the night.

Day 3: Lake Colden to Panther Gorge via the Opalescent and Feldspar Brook
with stops at Skylight and maybe Gray, camp.

Day 4: Early morning trip up Marcy from the south then backtrack Feldspar
Brook to the Opalescent and out to the Loj past Lake Arnold,
Avalanche Camp and Marcy Dam.

This seems a bit more realistic for me, and certainly more in line with my goal to keep things more leisurely. Remember, Sinatra not Metallica . . . though there is nothing wrong with a little Metallica now and then. :headbang:

Otherwise I just need to keep up with my preparations. I'm keeping things simple with food, my Jetboil with Mountain House, Powerbars and powdered Gatorade. It's not gourmet but it will work. I will have my tent but I'm hoping that during the week I will be able to find space in the leantos. I am also hoping for good weather of course, but I will have the rain gear and cold temperature options just in case. Of course I will have the staples, map and compass, first aid kit, etc . . . I'm thinking hard about Neil's comment on weight but I just don't know where to cut down, in fact I was thinking I might need a bigger pack.

I know I'm missing some things but with three weeks to finalize everything hopefully it will work out. One thing that did come to mind was the parking situation at the Loj. I know I will have to pay and I assume that I will have to check in with someone, but can anyone tell me specifically what I will need to do to leave the car there four days?

Thanks again for the help. The cumulative knowledge of this forum, and the willingness of it's members to share that knowledge, has been invaluable for me in getting back out into the woods after a long time away.

John

[adkdremn]

Regarding parking, just follow the Adirondak Loj Rd. until the end. You will reach a little check in building with an attendant. Tell them when you are planning on parking there and it will cost you $9 day unless you are a member then it's only $3 a day.

[Neil]

Johnnab, one thing you can do is start a new thread in the gear section and list all the contents of your pack. The lightweight specialists will make it their pleasure to tear your list apart.