A remote High Peaks trail incompassing Indian pass and mountian views?

[PhishinSince83]

Hello all, i have a question about a hike.

I am looking for a lesser traveled trail including Indian pass and open ridge hiking.

I will be hiking with my father, of whom has climbed big slide. Keep in mind he is 61 years old and in fairly good shape. However i think the Big Slide trail via brothers and JBL loop are a pretty good example of his limits, so keep this in mind while reccomending a hike.

Also a loop would be preffered although not required.
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Any reccomendations would be really appreciated,
Jeff

[adkdremn]

There's two ways to get to Indian Pass that offer good loop hikes.

Will you be backpacking or dayhiking?

You can start at the ADK Loj and head towards and through Indian Pass. At the other end of the pass there's a trail (I forget the name) that leads over towards Lake Colden. Or, you could start at the Upper Works trail head and head through Indian Pass from the other direction and meet up with the Cold Brook Pass Trail that goes up over the shoulder of Iroquois and down to Lake Colden. I haven't done Big Slide yet so I can't give you a comparison, but Cold Brook Pass is pretty steep in spots and very rocky, and oh yeah, muddy. Typical ADK trail.

This summer I started at the Loj went to the summit rock of Indian Pass, backtracked to Cold Brook Pass and went over to Lake Colden. Then went out thru Avalanche Pass. Great hike, hope this helps. Let us know if you want more info. If you're doing Indian Pass there's not too many opportunities for an open ridge walk, but the views of Wallface are unmatched!

[Kevin]

As adkdremn said, there's really no open ridges along Indian Pass, but high above the pass you can walk the ridgeline between Algonquin and Iroquios mountains. Adds a lot of effort and some mileage to a loop hike, but there are some nice lookouts into the pass (especially on Iroquios).

[lumberzac]

As others said, there really isn’t any open ridge walking that can easily be tied in with Indian Pass, but I don’t think you will need it. The pass is jaw droppingly amazing as you hike along the base of Wallface cliff for about half a mile. Be sure to pack some Ibuprofen for the neck pain you will almost certainly get from staring up at the cliff face.