chapter 454
11/27/2016
Algonquin Mountain
high peaks wilderness
link to my Algonquin photos album (18pics)
According to the 46er Club we hiked the second highest peak in NY at 5114 feet back in June 1979 and I didn't know it, or forgot. A group of coworkers and I did the 8.3 mile round trip on a day trip driving a couple hours into the Lake Placid region. Parked at ADK Loj at Heart Lake and trailhead. Hiked for maybe 6-8 hours and returned home in the evening. Steve Hammond, the guy I recruited out of Penn State getting his masters degree, leads us back down the descent trail. Bill Berner, old guy with stick, was our Section Chief in our water quality modeling group where we save the State's rivers and streams from pollution.
The trail goes down the ridge and winds to the left of Wright Peak another 46er that can be done on a .4 mile spur. Just left of Wright is Pitchoff Mt then Rte 73 cutting through the valley. Cascade Mt on the right side of the valley (bucket list item as easiest 46er).
Brendan Wiltse has a great wide angle winter shot from this vantage point as well as great coverage of the high peaks. Whiteface is far left in his shot.
Took most of the pictures on the way up, here ascending up the ridge line to Algonquin, view NE.
Crossing over the ridge line toward the top. Bill Mirabile follows our leader. Camera looks back north.
Took a little shelter break among the rocks. Nearby neighbor Hank Samide takes bite of apple. Steve chilled, Dick Draper bewildered, and Berner stoking up. Lake Colden on LT flows south to Flowedlands on RT. A storm in the 1980's blew out the dam so now it is just a meandering stream thru the lake bed. The Opalescent River flows out of it down to the Hudson. Avalanche Lake would be further left upstream of Colden.
Chris Prevolos PhotoSphere has a great 360 interactive photo from Algonquin.
My agency's Backcountry Information for the High Peaks Region gives some good guidance to hiking there.
CNYHiking's Algonquin Peak best thumbnail description. Wright and Iroquois Peaks also 46ers accessible from these VanHoevenburg and Algonquin Peak trails.
Good photo coverage of Algonquin etc
Algonquin is part of the MacIntyre Mountain Range
Cascade next hike follow up 2 lucky to be alive
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