new member- 3 day Adirondack trip

“Hey forum, new here-

I'm planning a trip to the Adirondacks in early october for 3 days with 2 friends of mine. after spending a week in the region in august, we decided to come back for another round.

we have 2 objectives- a hike in five ponds, and another through avalanche pass.

we're driving up friday night, planning to hit a day hike in Five ponds at the break of dawn on saturday- could anybody recommend a favorite day-hike in five ponds wilderness?


after five ponds, we'd likely head over to the Adirondack Loj and camp out somewhere

We are considering making a loop of mt colden, using avalanche pass as the return trip- but, at nearly 15 miles and nearly 4k elevation gain, i fear it would be a long day considering the way days draw shorter in october, perhaps making it a more reasonable overnight hike. any recommendations?

we've all got a fair share of hiking experience, but limited experience in the Adirondacks (with only algonquin/wright done in the high peaks, along with numerous Adirondack trails outside the high peaks wilderness), most of our experience is in the Catskills, Hudson highlands, NY sections of the AT, etc.

thanks for any help you're willing to offer,
Dan”

“I'll try and look into this later, but just so you know the Five Ponds area is over 70 miles and 2hours by car from Adk loj.”

“A 15 mile day that includes Colden and Avalanche Pass would be a bit ambitious IMO.”

“I'm aware of the distance between the 2, we were staying on tupper lake last month and were directly between the two, but we never actually made it out to five ponds (one of the biggest regrets of that trip, as i've heard nothing but great things about it). It's an extra distance we're willing to drive, thought it might seem a bit unreasonable.

while the two areas certain warrant their own separate trips in the future, we're planning on taking the driving time between the two during hours of darkness as to not cut into precious daylight hours.

I appreciate the quick response, Lumberzac, I've read many of your posts and you seem to be an authority on the area.

*edit* thanks for the reply Geobeet- I haven't read much about avalanche pass, and know little of the conditions in avalanche pass, other than the fact that the topo shows it as being relatively flat- Your word that it's ambitious is all i need to know to split it into 2 separate days.

would camping near lake Colden be reasonable? Mt. Colden one day- camp at lake Colden, avalanche pass back the next?
last edited: 9/22/08 1:13:08 PM”

“The Uphill lean-to, if it's still there, is a good campsite for Colden. It's not just Avalanche Pass that is a bear. The route from Uphill LT to the Colden trail, the Colden trail itself, plus Avalanche Pass all are moderate to difficult trails IMO. The view from Colden is spectacular and worth some time to enjoy. The views of Avalanche Lake are also spectacular (I call it The Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Guynt Suite). I suppose if you're in tip-top shape you could do the 15 miles in one day, but you would not have much time to enjoy the scenery you've worked so hard to see.

If you went up Colden via Uphill LT, there are campsites coming off Colden north of Avalanche Pass. Bears use those LTs as food canteens, so you need to bear-proof your food cache. If you go the other way, Uphill LT is a good site. Bears do not seem to make it all the way up the hill from Lake Colden.

Incidentally, The Flume between Lake Colden and Uphill LT is also very nice - cascades and waterfalls in a steep gorge.”

“Trail conditions change some in six years but you may find this interesting:

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/16018,-1.php

I am guessing that is the 15 mile loop you are considering.

Actually, I will probably be there there the first weekend in October. If that is when you are going maybe we'll run into each other.”

“Ok, if you are going to be camping in the Lake Colden, ADK Loj area, be sure to have a bear canister as they are required and you can be fined $250 and escorted out of the woods for not complying. Rentals are available at the Lake Placid EMS as well as to the ADK Loj itself. I would avoid Bear Vault as there are at least two bears in the area that know how to break into the new and "improved" lids.

For your Mount Colden loop, I'd suggest going in the opposite direction. The reasons being, the trail from the top of Mount Colden to Lake Colden is very steep and is easier to go up than down. Also I think you would enjoy Avalanche Pass more while you're still fresh rather than tired.

If you want to camp Avalanche Camps shelter, might make a good base camp. It sits near the intersection of the Lake Arnold Trail coming from Mount Colden and the Avalanche Pass Trail. Just be aware that this area is bear central. The general routine of the bears there are to raid Marcy Dam, continue through Avalanche Pass to Lake Colden, then Flowed Lands, hit Uphill Leanto and Feldspar Leanto, and return to hit Marcy Dam again.

I've only been in the Five Ponds Wilderness once. The trails along the Oswegatchie are very flat, on is an old railroad bed. The trail to Big Shallow (the first of the five ponds) was pretty over grown when I was there. The leanto there is nice.

Cat Mountain that is near Dead Creek Flow on Cranberry Lake has some really nice views of the area. There's also a small campsite on Cat Mountain Pond. If you head to this area, you may not have enough time to get to the five ponds.”

“You also may want to ask your questions over at www.adkforum.com and www.adkhighpeaks.com/forums/”

“The real Five Lakes Area is at the base of Mt. Fuji. It is a great area.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6900.html”

“Somehow I think the 117,978 acre Five Ponds Wilderness is a little more remote. ;-)”

“What Zac a and George said.

Good luck.

Doug”