5 days hiking in the dacs

[KaineK]

The guide books just arrived in the mail. So far I have come up with two options for a week of backpacking.

Trip Option 1 N-P Trail (High Peaks Region)
Day 1- Averyville to Wanika Falls (7.9 miles)
Day 2- Wanika Falls to Cold River (6.9 miles)
Day 3- Cold River to Millers Falls (7.7 miles)
Day 4- Millers Falls to Plumleys (8.2 miles)
Day 5- Plumleys to Tarbel Rd. (7.6 miles)

Trip Option 2 Five Ponds Area (Northern Region)
Day 1- Wanakena- Dead Creek Trail(58) to Cowhorn Pond- Cowhorn Jct Trail(61) (7 miles)
Day 2- Cowhorn Pond to High Falls- High Falls Trail(58) (6 miles)
Day 3- High Falls Trail to Five Ponds Trail(59) to Sand Lake (8.6 miles)
Day 4- Sand Lake to Cage Lake/Wolf Pond(60) to Buck Pond (6.9 miles)
Day 5- Buck Pond to Youngs Rd (7.3 miles)

What I am looking for is advice on which to do. Also to make sure my trails work and the milage estimates are accurate. I am looking for ruggedness (hills vs flat swamp land), scenery(mountains, waterfalls), few to none strem/river crossings, and remoteness (how many people will I see/not see). By the way will be doing this from May 12 through May 20.

Thanks in advance
Kaine

[adkdremn]

(hills vs flat swamp land),

It doesn't matter if you're in the hills or not, the time you're planning on going is "mud season". There will be mud everywhere, and it will be of the thick, deep, boot sucking variety!

few to none strem/river crossings

Good luck with that as well. With the snow melt/spring rains a lot of trails virtually are streams. So not only will you have numerous stream crossing you'll get to actually hike in streams! But, don't worry, you'll have a blast!

Unfortunately, I can't give you much advice on these particular trails, I'm sure others will chime in though. For the most part, it doesn't matter what time of year you go, Adirondack trails are notoriously muddy, especially the time frame you're looking at. Some people avoid hiking all together that time of year.

[what'sinaname]

Trip Option 2 Five Ponds Area (Northern Region)
Day 1- Wanakena- Dead Creek Trail(58) to Cowhorn Pond- Cowhorn Jct Trail(61) (7 miles)
Day 2- Cowhorn Pond to High Falls- High Falls Trail(58) (6 miles)
Day 3- High Falls Trail to Five Ponds Trail(59) to Sand Lake (8.6 miles)
Day 4- Sand Lake to Cage Lake/Wolf Pond(60) to Buck Pond (6.9 miles)
Day 5- Buck Pond to Youngs Rd (7.3 miles)

Can't comment on your first plan, but can provide some insight on days 1 and 2 above.

Your distances might be off. The entire High Falls loop is 15 to 16 mi, depending on your source. Wanakena to Cowhorn Pond Jct is only about 5 miles and, aside from two spots, is generally high and dry. Be warned, the +/-2 mi from the trail going to Janacks to the Jct is uphill, but not a bad grade. From the Junction to the falls, there were a lot of wet spots in November, most easy enough to skirt or walk through, but there was one spot where we had to cross on a log because the water was easily waist deep (I don't do balance beems well!). You can easily hike back from High Falls in a day, going in will depend on you.

All that to say, it's a great hike that gets more and more scenic the further you get from the trailhead.

[Sasquatch]

Another thing to know, depending on how the weather this spring goes, the black flies could be out that early and they are just soooooooooooo much fun.

[redhawk]

Pretty much been said. As far as the NPT probably one of the worst times to try it. MUD, runoff may make it difficult to cross the Cold River in spots, trail flooding.

Would be better at a later time.