My friends and I are planning a summer hiking trip from Adirondack Loj through Avalanche Pass to the Tahawas trailhead. We are planning to spend one night on the trail. I have hiked a lot in the Adirondacks, but have never spent the night on the trail. Just wondering if anyone has any advice. Can dogs go on the Avalanche Pass trail (wondering about the Hitch-up Matilda bridges)? Also, can you rent bear canisters in Newcomb or Long Lake - if so, where? Are weekends too busy to get a lean-to? Would appreciate any advice or comments.
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When you say "spend one night on the trail" do you mean you'll be hiking all night? or spending the night in a leanto? you can't camp on the actual trail.
The Avalanche pass trail is pretty rocky, lots of big boulders to climb over and between. The bridges are the least of a dog's problems. I wouldnt say it's impossible, but I'd think twice.
bear canister rentals are cheapest at EMS as far as I know (but I'd be happy to be corrected if anyone has a better deal).
I would always have a backup shelter. the lean-tos can get full any time of year.He found himself wondering at times, especially in the autumn, about the wild lands, and strange visions of mountains that he had never seen came into his dreams. -
We hiked up to Algonquin peak through Avalanche Pass this past summer, and my 2.5 year old Siberian Husky did fine. There were some tough bits and some large boulders, but she usually found her way around them fine. However, there are a few ladders that require carrying (a harness would be helpful). The Matilda bridges aren't a problem, but I'd be concerned if you had a smaller dog.Comment
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Lean-tos are tough to come by. Make sure you bring your own shelter.Comment
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I don't think there is any place to rent them in Newcomb. Long Lake would probably also be a no-go, though I'm not positive on that one. My guess is Lake Placid or Wilton EMS, the Mountaineer, or some place closer to your home are possibilities. And yes, you had better have one.
As for the hike, it does involve some ladders and steep spots, but if your dog is agile and young he should do fine. That said, the HP, and that part in particular, see a lot of traffic, so unless your dog is extremely well-behaved, leave him home or with someone else.
And yeah, the leantos get filled a lot. I haven't overnighted in that neck of the woods much, but I when I slept over on a Wallface trip (Indian Pass) a few years back, we ended up having to hike a LONG way up off the trail to find a decent tent site - and we actually had to scrounge out two tiny solo tent sites at that. Probably similar in many places along your route.
Keep in mind, of course, you have to be within a camping-allowed area - generally around a lean-to - or 150'+ away from trails and water and below 4000' to camp. That really cuts down the options.Comment
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RE: Dogs
That question is highly subjective. it's like me asking if YOU can climb a 5.10 pitch. 5.10 is well within the climbing abilities of an average human, the Avalanche Pass trail is well within the abilities of an average dog. But that doesn't mean YOUR dog won't have problems.
For what it's worth, I don't think the trail is any more complex than any other trailed hike I've been on in the Daks for a dog. I assume your dog can climb up and down ladders with profeciency? Isn't afraid of planked bridges?
I actually don't remember my dog having any issues on it whatsoever, he was carrying a full overnight pack with his food, our dinner, and the waterfilter. Probably 8lbs. I do remember my brother spending quite a bit of time on his ass.
As far as camping, there aren't a ton of options, and I'd not count on a lean-to. We went mid week (Wed-Thur or Thur-Fri) in late October and had the colden lean-to to ourselves but just above the lean-to is/was a tent site. And there was a group up there. Definitely bring a tent, or at least a decent tarp and the knowledge to set it up if the weather is poor. The area you are hiking is perhaps the most densely hiked area in the Adirondacks, you most likely won't come nearly as close as we did to solitude!
One final thing...technically your dog is supposed to be on leash in the EHPW. It's a rule that in theory bans dogs since by leashing your dog in 3 season conditions (you know when all those jagged boulders are sticking up) you are putting yourself at risk. it's hard enough sometimes to not do a face plant with a overnight pack, but add in having to walk in syncrony with you dog and it become an issue of ticket or safety. It's why I rarely hike with my dog in the High Peaks because the enjoyment is gone wondering if around the next bend I'm getting a ticket.sigpic
"As to every healthy boy with a taste for outdoor life, the northern forest -the Adirondacks- were to me a veritable land of enchantment." -Theodore Roosevelt
Mountain Visions: The Wilderness Through My EyesComment
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You may be able to rent a bear canister at Raquette River outfitters in Long Lake(near the bridge and Helms seaplane service)Comment
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MountainMan Outdoors in Old Forge rents cannisters as well, if your drive takes you past there that would be an option.
Definitely take a tent, you can't count on getting a lean-to especially on a weekend.
Leash law is in effect that entire trail. I've taken my lab mix on the Avalanche Pass trail and she definitely could not do some of the ladders. It was a treat to hoist her up the ladders wearing a full pack.
You might want to consider the Indian Pass trail between the Loj and Upper Works. Less traveled, higher likelihood of getting a lean-to, much easier on the dog(and you).Comment
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I swore I would never respond to another post on this forum but I can't resist in this case.
1st, you need to have in your possession current rabies vaccination information for your dog.
2nd, you are required to keep your dog on leash at all times except:
"The Department recognizes that handlers may have to take their dogs off leash for short periods of time to take navigate obstacles that might pose a safety hazard to the hiker where he or she to have their dog leashed (i.e., cliffs and ledges) and enforcement discretion will be appropriate at these times."
NYS Register May 9, 2001
Don’t let facts get in your way, live life like you don’t care. Seems to be a theme around here.Comment
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good to know. at least someone finally corrected this, or perhaps they were happy people didn't realize this exception still existed. Some of us DO NOT read the entire DEC regulations every time they make a correction. It took me two years to realize that the DEC changed the 4000ft camping rule. I still plead ignorance occasionally in winter.
for state parks at least you are supposed to carry the actual (or copy of) the form, not just the dogs collar tag for proof of rabies. We only found this out after showing up to a park to camp one year. They explained the tag didn't give enough info such as 1 or 3 year vacination (however, all vacinations are the same, just some are marketed as 3 year, make sure to get that one), but allowed us to camp anyway. I've never been asked for proof of vacination anywhere else in the United States, and I'd assume the tag would be good enough.sigpic
"As to every healthy boy with a taste for outdoor life, the northern forest -the Adirondacks- were to me a veritable land of enchantment." -Theodore Roosevelt
Mountain Visions: The Wilderness Through My EyesComment
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Important Related Fact to Keep in Mind:
The interpretation of this exception clause is decided by any Ranger that comes into the picture, i.e. if Ranger Tikketsalot interprets a situation to be safe for leashing and your dog is unleashed, any tickets will be binding and legal if Ranger Tikketsalot testifies.
This is called "expert opinion" In my experience, rangers run the gamut from being sensible individuals who see their job as a positive service, to those who are bucking for their ticketing proficiency and citizen abuse badge.
Moral of Story: if you choose to take a dog, and unleash a dog at times, make sure those times really do warrant unleashing.Comment
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You should learn to develop your resistance a bit more. Call it obnoxious post resistant training.
I would estimate that we get 2-3 members per annum of your ilk.
It's impossible to say what makes some of these ex-members tick but they just can't frame their thoughts or express themselves in the acceptable manner of normal social discourse.
The good news is, once they have left the site, or been removed, the sun comes back out.The best, the most successful adventurer, is the one having the most fun.Comment
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Neil, forgive me my ignorance, but what exactly is that on your face...other than egg, my only other guess is a modified face hugger from the movie "Aliens v. Canadians".
Sorry for the diversion, but like the man says, seems to be the theme around here.Comment
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Without getting into the abuse of discretion issue, common sense to me is leash a dog. Don't get me wrong, if I were the last person on earth and they gave me a choice of dog or human as a companion, I might select the former.
I've encountered unleashed dogs many times while hiking and there is always that moment of not knowing what I was dealing with...especially when the owner was nowhere to be seen. If a dog is in a mood or put off in some way, he can cause a lot of damage...and trust me, in that case the owner had better call his lawyer...after he calls 911.Comment
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