Winter January Hiking from ADK loj

[joey8301]

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[Kevin]

Hi Joey,

Algonquin will be a bit more challenging because it has more distance to hike/climb above treeline. Above treeline in the ADKs typically means more ice during the winter months (since it's more exposed the snow literally gets blown off the moutain). What's left is a mix of various types of ice or very hard packed snow. Either way, you're going to probably need crampons or VERY aggressive snow shoes.

Colden, on the other hand, has little truly above treeline. When I was up there last February there was plenty of snow and we used snowshoes from trailhead to summit.

Both mountains offer excellent views.

One advantage to Algonquin is being able to add Wright or Iroquios to the hike. Colden is kinda alone and you have to fully descend from the mountain before trying to ascend another neighboring peak.

One option not mentioned is hiking Street and Nye from the loj. In the winter it can be challenging if no one's been up there recently, but they're within reason and are definitely only going to be snow shoe hikes this time of the year. Street offers some views.

As for short hikes in the area - Phelps is a nice summit, as is Mt Jo (from photos I've seen, still haven't taken the time to climb it). Avalanche Pass is a few miles past Marcy Dam and is one of the nicer spots in the high peaks. Indian Pass is also nearby. I think what you'll be doing in the off days will be greatly determined by weather conditions, what mountain/peaks you plan to climb on the second day, and whether the trails into Avalanche Pass and Indian Pass are broken.

Whatever you decide be prepared for potentially very cold weather. Enjoy the trip and be sure to tell us how it goes.

[oldsmores]

I think Kevin covered it pretty well. I don't think Algonquin is an unreasonable goal, as long as the weather cooperates. I took a novice up a couple years ago with snowshoes only with no problem. The most important thing is to be willing to turn around if conditions warrant (i.e., too icy, too cold, too windy, whiteout conditions, etc.). The mountain will always be there...
If the weather is really nice, the Algonquin-Lake Colden-Avalanche Pass loop is one of the best. If not, I'd encourage one of your other hikes to be up to Avalanche Lake. It's a fair distance, but not difficult. Avalanche Lake is spectacular, winter or summer. It's a much easier hike in the winter, when you can just cruise down the middle of the lake.

[adkdremn]

Definitely do Mt. Jo from the Loj for one of your smaller hikes! It's just over 2 miles R/T from the Loj. Maybe do that your first day to test out your gear on a smaller mountain before you tackle the big ones.

[Kevin]

and on our last partial day...it is up in the air...i have to read more about street and nye from the lodge...

You're more likely to fit Phelps in as the final day. Street and Nye will require a full day in the winter, unless someone climbs them the day before and you have a fresh broken trail to follow. Don't count on it - they're not a very popular pair of peaks.

As for Wright, Alogonuin and Iroquios - I prefer Iroquios. Don't get me wrong, all three are fun hikes by themselves, but Iroquios is more remote and the views into Indian Pass and Flowed Lands are clearer/closer. Walking along the ridge, over Boundary peak, to get to Iroquios should prove fun during the winter months.

[AntlerPerak]

Also bear in mind that on a loop of Colden the descent to Lake Colden is very steep. In the summer it is a rock slab It is not a true slide but close enough in parts to be treated as one. In the winter there may be considerable ice on that route making it dangerous without crampons. If you go that way make sure you know what the conditions are before hand. It is a great hike as I have done it more than once in summer conditions but not in the winter.

[Rik]

Also bear in mind that on a loop of Colden the descent to Lake Colden is very steep. In the summer it is a rock slab It is not a true slide but close enough in parts to be treated as one. In the winter there may be considerable ice on that route making it dangerous without crampons. If you go that way make sure you know what the conditions are before hand. It is a great hike as I have done it more than once in summer conditions but not in the winter.

I prefer doing the loop in the opposite direction.

[Boreal Chickadee]

JOey, Take AntlerPerak's advice to heart. VErY steep going down Colden to Lake Colden. I wouldn't want to do it with ice. It was bad enough without ice.

[eghaley]

Definitely do Mt. Jo from the Loj for one of your smaller hikes! It's just over 2 miles R/T from the Loj. Maybe do that your first day to test out your gear on a smaller mountain before you tackle the big ones.

Fun winter climb, especially if there's lots of snow. My son, a friend of his and I will be at the Loj on New Year's Eve and plan to climb Mt. Jo at midnight to ring in the New Year. Part of the descent is a "tobaggan run" by the seat of your pants, a real winter's frolic. But like others have said, a lot depends on weather conditions.

We climbed to the top of Algonquin one January as a freezing rain/sleet storm moved in. There were about 6 of us in the group and we had ice axes, line, 10 point crampons, polarguard snow pants, goggles, etc. We thought about continuing or turning back and decided to keep going. What a sight we were on top. We looked liked glazed doughnuts covered with cracking ice. It turned out to be one of the more enjoyable climbs. But we would never have tried it without the right gear.

And whatever you decide to do there is a judgment call that must be made when setting out. Some days are a hoot. Other days could be terror. It really doesn't make a whole lot of difference which mountain you plan to climb. It's the conditions that you must be prepared to encounter. Or decide to try it on another day.

[adkdremn]

Joey-
Your best bet is to call the Loj's weather line. The number is 518-523-3518. It's just a recording, but it gives you the current conditions at the Loj, as well as the forcast, and also some trail conditions if I remember correctly.

[Mavs00]

Joey, I was there last week and there was plenty of snow, particularly as you started to go up. As for hikes, there has been a considerable amount of warmer (for the region) weather lately, including some rain. In the coming weeks, if conditions continue to hover in the 20's, you might find that the above treeline peaks like Algonquin, Wright, Marcy Iroquois, will continue to gloss over with significant rime ice. And the one thing you want to keep in mind when planning a hike is to plan for what you ARE PREPARED for, not what you hope for.

If you have GOOD snowshoes with aggressive crampons built in (I have Atlas 1030's, which are good), then you may be able to get away without true crampons. Many have. If you know you don't have them though (crampons), be very careful as you go above treeline without them. As we found out, It's not so much getting up to the top, but getting DOWN thats possibly the bigger issue. Last year we were able to negotiate our way up to the summit of Algonquin (and Wright) with just snowshoes, despite the fact that it was covered with bulletproof rime ice. Coming down though was a way different story. It was crampons required. There were probably 15 people or so when we reached the top, including a guy I know (Frodo, from VFTT) that has climbed Denali. As his group was heading out, he casually stated "we'll definitely need crampons going down". We took his advice too

Coming down off Algonquin was quite a trip, there is NO WAY I would have felt safe without crampons. Had I proceeded up without them in the bag, I'd have been........scre.... err, in big trouble coming down without them. Last thing you want is to get too far out without a safe option to get back again. Plan your hike with what you know you'll be brining. I'd take all "above treeline" hikes off the table for now (unless you get crampons between now and then), as any winter hike in the ADK that goes above treeline MAY require them. You may get away on a given day without using them, but you won't know that before you go.

Colden sounds like good option, just make sure to write a TR (I'm headed up it the next week). Phelps is a good one too (add Tabletop to it for a longer more exciting day). Mt. Jo is a great little gear warm-up hike. We did is on Christmas Day and it was a perfect "squeeze in" hike since time was limited. It's pretty short though.

The way we went (the short trail) it's 1.1 miles to the summit (700' climb). It took us about 35 minutes up and 20+ minutes down. Add the 20 minutes or so we kicked around on the summit and we were up and out in 1:20 hours. We are not 20-something fit young guys either.

[mad151]

Joey....I hiked Algonq. and Wright on New Year's eve. The trails were well packed. I prefer crampons, good mountaineering boots and poles. We encountered a lot of steep icy sections that snowshoes could be clumsy on. You may want to carry snowshoes as a precaution, or if it has snowed heavily (or going on trails not yet packed down).

Have a good time and be careful.... Mike

[AdkWiley]

Phelps would be a good first day trip for youjoey, I was up there yesterday and it was a nice leasurly hike, the 3.2 miles on the van hovenburgh trial is pretty level and the accent up phelps is quite nice and can easily be done with just snowshoes. I threw my crampons on twords the top but the other two people I was with made it up just fine with their snowshoes. Its a nice hike, I found it quite easy. Round trip took us about 5 hours but that was with sittin at sumit for close to an hour and frequesnt stops for one of my party members. From what youve said you expierence is hihg so i'm sure you would not have a problem with this as a nice short hike. Enjoy!

[Skyclimber]

What a bummer about Colden. From the false bump which on a clear day, has awesome views, you are less than a half an hour from the true summit. Sounds like you had a great time, just the same.

[Skyclimber]

Joey-I always have a problem downsizing pictures or else I would post a few nice shots from atop of the false bump and true summit of Colden in Winter for you. The view is very beautiful.
The alpine summits as well, are very beautiful in Winter. I think my favorite might be Haystack but Marcy on a clear day is very awesome too! Hopefully next year, you will get a few of those views, getting a nice week to go. It will be truly worth it!