46er Daily Trail Notes - YMCA Camp Chingachgook

46er Daily Trail Notes
Day 1: Camper Arrive Camp Chingachgook
Swim Check, Introductions & Personal Goals, Trip Description, Safety Briefing, Gear Shakedown
(Go through every item they plan on taking backpacking making sure its appropriate), Photos & director chat, Divide Group
Gear, Pack packing Demo/Practice, Tent Set Up, Expectations & Expedition Behavior, Vespers Introduction - Hopes & Fears
Day 2: Camp Chingachgook Bradley Pond Lean to
Driving Directions:
Depart for Tahawus Trailhead. Take the Northway (87N) from Lake George Village to exit 23 to route 9 to route 28N; then turn
right onto 2/Lake Sanford/Boreas Road. Veer left twice as you stay on Lake Sanford Road – this becomes Tahawus Lake Road
(route 25). Follow the road past Sandford Lake and stay left. See signs w/ trailhead on the left side of the road.
Hiking Description:
Easy trail but heavy packs. Gradual uphill. Starts as a dirt road then veer right and follow blue trail into forest. Passes a large
carin (this is not the trail to Couchsachraga it’s a alternate route to Santanoni), Pass a wooden sign on a tree for “times square”
this is where you will turn off to hike Couchsachraga tomorrow (Times Square is what the intersection at the top of the herd
path is called for Couchsachraga and Santanoni.) Continue to the Bradley Pond Lean to.
Camping/Lean to: There is a small stream and an outhouse. If the lean-to is occupied there is camping down the trail a short
ways on the left side of the trail.
Day 3: Bradley Pond Lean-to  Couchsachraga Peak
Hiking Description:
Head back down the trail the way you came the day before back towards car-park. The trail juction for Couchsachraga is marked
by a sign for Times Square (you should have passed it the day prior), Follow this trail it walks over an old grassy beaver pond at
the outlet with a path going right over it. Take this path crossing the pond and go into the woods. The trail climbs through the
woods until it enters a rocky streambed. Follow the streambed up, staying on the herd path passing a small campsite. You will
reach Herald’s Square after a ways (which is the intersection for Panther you will see a rock w/ the letter P and arrow) Herald’s
is marked with a square of trees that have letters carved in it. Turn Left at Herald’s square and walk down the trail to Times’
Square (just about 100 yards away). Time Square is really just a very small open section of the woods where a few people can sit
down. Facing as if you just came up from the trail: to your left is the path to Santanoni (behind the large boulder), about straight
ahead to the right, is the path to Couchsachraga. There are several swampy areas to go through on the way to Couchsachraga.
Notes: The look out around the boulder at times square is a view spot. Panther’s brook (the stream you follow up to times
square) is your last water refill spot before summit.
Day 4: Bradley Pond Lean-to Panther & Santanoni
Hiking Description:
Go back up to times square like the day before. Go Left @ Time square (behind the boulder) for Santaroni, it is about a mile of
moderate difficulty, with three or so false summits on the way -don't get discouraged- it may take longer than you think.
Go Right @ Harold Square for Panther (super short climb) Panther is a real treat. It is only about 15 minutes from Hearld’s
Square, and it is one of the few open summits from a heardpath. *Harold’s Square is marked with a square of trees that have
letter carved in.
*Times Square is a (giant boulder past Hearld’s Square)
Notes: Pretty Vista @ panthers right before summit, hang out there a while & more space to eat & hang out on false summits of
Santanoni.
Day 5: Bradley Pond Lean to  Ward Brook via Duck Hole
Hiking Description:
Continue to follow the blue trail markers down a streambed. The 1 st half of trail is rough. The beginning is a down hill section
that is a stream with very deep areas making travel slow and slippery if it’s raining. After the streambed section the trail is
rough, and muddy but flat with some stream crossings and blowdowns. After you cross the river to Duck Hole the trail becomes
flat and Easy going. At Duck hole make sure to follow the blue trail towards Cold River lean-to. After passing the lean to’s there
is another trail junction stay to the right on the red trail towards Ward Brook.
Notes: Duck Hole is a sweet place for lunch but sometimes swarming with tons of black flies. Its also a nice swimming hole and
there are a couple of lean to’s in the area.
Camping: There are 4 lean-to’s in this area. Number 4 no.1, Number 4 no. 2, Ward Brook & Blueberry. There is camping behind
Ward Brook Lean-to and Blueberry Lean-to. Ward brook is the most conveniently located for the hiking trails to the peaks and
has the most camping spots as well. Sites had outhouses or privy box.
Day 6: Ward Brook Hike Seward, Donaldson & Emmons
Hiking Description:
Continue down the Red Trail past Ward brook Lean to, after about a 10 minute walk there is a large stream with a sturdy
wooden bridge. Just before the bridge on your left is a large carin and a worn path. Take this path. It follows the brook up for
most of the way, don’t stray too far from the brook. Just before the summit of Seward there is a 15ft rock walk. Take the trail to
the left. Trails to Donaldson and Emmons follows the ridge and dips down into low, swampy sections, before going back up to
the peaks. Before Donaldson there is a trail the veers to the right down a drainage toward the Carpark, take the trail marked by
the carin and the arrow on the trail continuing up a hill.
Notes: Seward and Emmons were obvious summits, but Donaldson is a large boulder on your left and high in the trees, there
was a yellow tag high in a tree, so keep your eyes peeled.
Day 7: Ward Brook Hike Seymore & Hike Out to Corey’s Road-Heart Lake
Driving Description:
Turn left out of parking lot. -Take 129 or 130 to their junction and continue on them to the summer access parking area.
-To drive to Heart Lake, follow Corey’s Road out through Axton Landing (turn right) to Route 3.
Follow route 3 (turn right into Saranac lake. Turn right onto 86 (east/south), which turns into 73 in Lake Placid.
-Follow 73 east, and turn right onto Adk Loj/Heart Lake Road after the ski jump.
Hiking Description:
To hike Seymore hike back toward Duck Hole, across the first major stream is a carin that marks the herdpath. Here the
herdpath heads upstream. The summit has no view.
Gather your large backpacks and hike out to the Corey’s Road Carpark, do not take the trail that leads to private land, the van
should be there with your resupply. It’s a long hike out since everyone very sore and tired, trail is flat/muddy to get to parking
lot (2-3 hours). *Drive to Heart Lake, check in at office, set up camp…showers
*Resupply Day
Day 8: Rest Day @ Heart Lake
-Sleep in!!!, Lake Placid, Do Laundry, Chill, Have Lunch, Shop if needed, Pack Ration into bear cans, Remember to bring lunch to
Lake Placid
Day 9: Heart Lake Day hike Street & Nye Peaks
Hiking Description:
Start at the Adirondack Loj. Take the Indian Pass trail after about 10 minutes or so to the Old Nye Ski Trail and continue on the
“unmaintained” ski trail. . The path soon leads to a large stream, which may be difficult to cross at times. In any case, expect wet
feet. Cross it, and find the path on the river bank. Take this up for a while until you reach a high, swampy beaver pond (not the
beaver pond right after the crossing) From here, there is a trail bearing right to Nye (there may still be a little sign on a tree that
points there). Somewhere to the left is the trail to Street. I recommend going to Nye first. Head to Nye through thick woods, with
steep, loose sections.
Notes: Low key day, Easy mountains to do, not great views, long approach to base and gradual uphill. Super fast to summit from
trail intersection of Street & Nye.
Day 10: Heart Lake Marcy Dam Lean to, Hike Tabletop & Phelps
Hiking Description:
Hike to Marcy Dam area and find Lean to or camping area. Drop big packs and bear cans at site. Cross Marcy Dam and continue
on blue trail towards Marcy. Pass the trailhead for Phelps and do Tabletop first. Tabletop has a carin and maybe a sign part of
the way up the trail. Trail is straightforward to viewless summit. Hike back down and follow signs to climb Phelps.
Notes: Nice lookout on Phelps, we cooked dinner on top of Phelps, which was nice. Bear activity in the Marcy Dam area…make
sure all food and trash are in the bear cans!!!
Camping: There are several Marcy Dam Lean-to and camping around them w/ Outhouses.
Day 11: Marcy Dam Lean toLake Colden & Hike Mt. Colden
Hiking Description:
From Marcy dam take the yellow trail over Avalanche pass to Lake Colden. Parts of Avalanche pass are very tedious especially
with packs around the lake . Less than 1 mile per hour. Its an Awesome/Pretty area. Colden is very steep w/ rock slabs, some
exposed areas near the top. No summit marker. Great views. Mt. Colden trailhead is marked, its on the East side of the lake.
Notes: Definitely take some time to enjoy Avalanche Lake. We dropped our packs at the trailhead for Colden but it might have
been better to get a lean-to or campsite in the area first and then go climb the mountain. (Also note that Opalescent lean-to &
camping area becomes very crowded on weekends with people & there is bear activity!!!)
Camping: There are several lean-to’s around Lake Colden, Beaver Pond 1& 2, Opalescent and Nos 1 & 2. There is also tent
camping all around the Opalescent lean-to area, but again very busy w/ people and toilet paper piles on the weekend.
Day 12: Lake Colden Hike Redfield & Cliff Peaks
Hiking Description:
Follow Red trail towards Marcy/Uphill Lean to. Redfield/Cliff Trailhead is marked by a carin right across from the uphill lean-to
trail and a small ways up the trail is another carin marking trail off to cliff. Cliff is to the right and is shorter than Redfield.
Expect some muddy/marshy areas.
Notes: Do cliff first, Redfield had better view. The Red trail is really beautiful following along the Opalescent River.
Day 13: Lake ColdenHike Marcy, Skylight & Gray
Hiking Description:
Follow the Red trail as you did the day before towards Marcy. At an interection it becomes the yellow trail also towards Marcy
and Lake Tear of the Clouds. At Lake Tear in the Clouds a carin marks a trail to the left for gray & straight for Marcy & skylight.
The herdpath up Gray crosses the outlet at the end of Lake Tear in the Clouds. Its not a long hike to the top (~30min). From
Lake Tear of the Clouds continue on the yellow trail up Mt. Marcy. It has a fun steep rock slab section to the summit with great
views. Marcy is usually pretty busy, keep the kids off of Alpine plants, there is a Summit Steward at the top.
Notes: Do gray first, then Marcy & Skylight, good progression as far as the views get better and better. Busy on Marcy and the
marker was stolen but the pin is still there. *Have the kids carry a rock up Skylight but don’t tell them why then have them make
a wish when they put their rock on the rock pile at the top.
Day 14: Lake Colden  Flowed lands & Hike Mt. Marshall
Hiking Description
Hike down the red trail towards Flowed Lands and Griffin Lean-to with full pack. Drop Packs at Lean-to and hike up Marshall.
The trailhead for Marshall herdpath is between Flowed Lands and Lake Colden. There is a Carin marking the trail. If you have
crossed a wooden bridge w/ handrail, go back 30ft to the trailhead. The herdpath follows the stream up and goes directly up on
the streambed on open smooth rock. A swampy area is near the top, bear left in the swampy area to find the herd path to the
summit.
Notes: good swimming hole/small waterfall on trail to Marshall. Hung out there for an hour on the way back to lean to.
Camping: Flowed Lands Lean-to is the nicest lean-to but there is no camping near it. Griffin is nice as well up in the woods but
also no camping near it, it has a great hang out spot by the lake where the trail crosses the dam. Calamity Lean-to would work
too, but I’m not sure about the camping near it. All have outhouses.
Day 15: Flowed Lands Hike Mt Allen
Hiking Description:
Red trail is a bit overgrown and slightly downhill so it’s a bit harder on the way back. Eventually you get to an intersection
where you meet up with the yellow trail and herdpath to Allen…There is a big sign on a tree. The trail has a few stream crossings
that can flood with bad weather so be aware. After you walk down the Allen herdpath a little ways you reach a road turn left to
the open gravel pit area and you’ll see the trail register and the trail. This is where you re-enter the wilderness area. . The herd
travels for quite some time through rolling woods, never climbing much at all. After a while, the herd reaches Skylight Brook,
climbs a little, and then reaches Allen Falls on Allen Brook. This is a small waterfall, very pretty, with what looks like a campsite
near it. The herd goes up to the right of the Falls. From Allen Falls, the vast majority of the climbing ensues. It's pretty steep and
goes up the steep, slippery, exposed streambed of Allen Brook - be careful. Eventually, it gets on a stable herdpath and hits the
wooded summit.
Notes: This is the longest herdpath of the 46 peaks. Watch out for red moss, very slippery, Spear falls is cool to stop @ for a Hot
minute (not recommended to hike down the steep path to the base of the falls). Long day so make sure the kids are efficient with
their breaks.
Day 16: Flowed Lands Backpack to Heart Lake
Hiking Description:
Hike back the way you came from Heart Lake over Avalanche pass.
Notes: Check in at Heart Lake, Set up Camp, Swimming & Showers & Relax
*Resupply Day
Day 17: Rest Day @ Heart Lake
Sleep in
Clean & fix any gear
Pack Bear Cans
Lake Placid: Laundry, relax, ice cream
Remember to bring lunch to Lake Placid
Day 18: Heart Lake Hike Whiteface & Ester Peaks
Driving Directions:
Leave Heart Lake, Left on 73, Right on 21, then right on 86, left on 431, left into SUNY parking area.
Hiking Description:
Park by SUNY Atmospheric Sciences Research Center. Hike up Marble Mountain on trail 83, then continue on trail 82 up to
Whiteface. The trail follows along the road for a bit, but always hike on the trail. You will pass a huge rock Carin & sign for the
herdpath to Ester. Do Whiteface first. The top of Whiteface has a weather station and indoor space you can have lunch in bad
weather. Hike back down and do Ester (there is no view on the top of Ester.)
Notes: There is a Café a little ways down some steps from the Weather Station, supposedly there is no Potable water there.
Day 19: Heart Lake Elk Lake Backpack to Slide Brook
Driving description: Take 73 east back to 9 to I-87south. Take exit 29, follow Boreas/Blue Ridge Road west towards Blue
Ridge. Turn right on Elk Lake Road (gravel) and continue to the trailhead parking area.
Hiking description:
Hike the Red Trail from the Car Park to slide brook. Wide flat easy trail. 3 miles of hiking, takes about an hour.
Notes: Have lunch at trail head…take your time. Sleep in and don’t rush unless you want to get to camp to take a long afternoon
nap (which we did).
Camping: Lean-to may be full but there are lots of tenting sites with good water source and outhouse. We really liked the tent
site up the herd path next to Slide brook.
Hike to Slide Brook
Whiteface & Ester
Day 20: Slide Brook Hike Macomb, South Dix, East Dix, Dix and Hough Peaks
Hiking Description:
Take herdpath next to slide brook that walks through a campsite. Follow the stream up to the slide. Hike to the top of the slide
and follow the trail to the top of Macomb. Follow the herd path to the top of South Dix. Continue past summit to East Dix
(Grace), Retrace path back to South Dix, down from the summit back toward Macomb there is a trail just before an opening
where there is a rock clearing. The trail just before this clearing heads towards Hough Peak, you can see the range ahead of you
as you start down this trail. There was not a carin but it’s a more direct route (if you miss it there is another trail further down
with a carin that will take to the Hough saddle its just a bit longer and uphill). You pass the trail down to Lillian brook in a
forested saddle before the last climb to Hough peak. Continued from Hough to Dix where you connect to the blue state trail.
After summiting Dix backtrack on the Blue trail to the yellow trail and complete the loop back to Slide Brook.
Notes: Pretty long but exciting day… Most number of mountains climbed in a day!!! Macomb slide is steep and crumbly but fun
trail. The trail for Hough is just before the summit of south Dix on your left if your back is to Macomb. Great views on Dix
and Beckham. Steep coming down from Dix.
Day 21: Slide Brook Backpack out  Day hike Giant & Rocky Peak Ridge
Driving Directions:
Drive to Giant Mountain trailhead.
Follow Elk Lake Road south back to Boreas/Blue Ridge Road (turn left)
Get back on I-87N, exit 30 towards Keene on 9 then 73.
Giant Mountain Trailhead is on your Right before Chapel Pond. (Parking is a just pulling off the Highway)
Hiking Directions: Hike the steep trail from the Parking area to the Giant Washbowl. Continue up the well-marked trail to the
summit of Giant. Head back down the trail to the intersection to Rocky Ridge Peak, it’s a bit of a steep downhill and then back up
to the summit. There is a nice rest spot at the bottom of the descent before the accent up to the peak.
Notes: Giant is a very popular trail and has tons of people on weekends. Nice views from the top of both. We took the steep trail
but the other trail from Roaring Brook is also an option its just longer.
Camping: Boquet River campsite is a free car-camping wilderness site. From Giant Trailhead, Heading South on HWY 73 Turn
left onto HWY 9 toward Elizabethtown at a confusing intersection w/ stop signs. The first dirt road on your left is the campsite.
There is a drive in site, but if its taken you can walk down a trail on your left to another campsite with a fire pit close to the river.
If that’s full cause it’s a weekend, just make due in the woods. There is no outhouse so there is toilet paper around which is
annoying.
Day 22: Backpack to Gill Brook Hike Blake & Colvin
Driving Directions:
Turn onto Ausable Road and Park at the Noonmark Mountain trailhead just across Hwy 73 from the Giant Mountain Trailhead at
Roaring Brook.
*You have to hike on the loop road toward the Ausable Club and turn left to walk on Lake Road. Continue walking through the
country club on the road till you reach a trail Register and a guard station, where the gated private dirt road begins. (Lake Road)
Hiking Description:
Backpacked along the dirt private road towards the Lower Ausable Lake. There is a bus that drives tourists down the road,
which is kind of annoying. Long easy road to walk. Take the trail that says Gill Brook Cut-Off Trail. Hike up the trail till it
connects with the Gill Brook trail. After a little ways it enters the wilderness area and there are several campsites. Drop packs at
one of the sites and continue up the Gill Brook trail to Mt. Colvin & Blake. Colvin has a nice small lookout.
Notes: Do not hike to the end of the Lake Road or hike over Indian head it’s a lot of extra climbing that is not necessary.
Camping: Camp along Gill Brook once you enter the wilderness area (cross the green line on the map). The camping has no
outhouse so there is toilet paper everywhere. The second campsite on the right side of the trail might be a little less used than
the first campsite across the river.
Day 23: Gill BrookHike Nippletop & Dial Peaks
Hiking Description:
Same trail as Colvin head east at intersection towards Nippletop. Nippletop is a steady climb with little/no scrambling and Dial
was even easier.
Notes: Don’t really need to wake up super early to do these peaks, maybe just try to leave camp at 9am. Not sure if there are
views or not (we had dumping rain all day)
Day 24: Indian Head  Hike Sawteeth & Out
Hiking Description:
Packed out and hiked back down the Gill Brook Cutoff trail to the Lake Road. Stashed our large packs behind a boulder and
hiked with our day packs up Sawteeth. To get to the Sawteeth trailhead hike down the Lake Road toward the Lower Ausable
Lake. You will see a sign for Sawteeth on the right and you cross a bridge over the Ausable River at the outlet of the lake. Follow
the trail up to Rainbow Falls, do not take the Scenic trail up Sawteeth is much longer and steeper. At the intersection near the
top, turn left to the summit of Sawteeth, Gothics is to the right. Then hike out back to car. Camp at Boquet River
Notes: Gothics seems close but its probably not worth it, its very steep on that side and its easier to do Gothics as a loop later in
the trip on Day 27.
Camping: Boquet River campsite is a free car-camping wilderness site.
*Resupply Day!
Day 25: Rest Day
Sleep in!!! Relax at River, go through resupply, do laundry, shopping and Prep Bear Cans
.
Day 26: Backpack John’s Brook & hike Big Slide Peak
Driving Directions:
Turn onto route 73 and drive to the Garden Parking area on the left of route 73 in Keene. Parking is at the end of the road just
follow the signs. It costs $7 a day for each the van & the trailer since it takes two parking spots *have correct change. If the
parking area is full which it probably will be on the weekends there is alternative parking in Keene and there is a free shuttle to
the trailhead.
Hiking description:
From the Garden Carpark hike the yellow trail toward the John’s Brook Lodge. Hike to the WG Howard Lean-to or Camping area
and drop packs/set up camp. Follow the yellow trail towards the John Brook Lodge to the Big Slide Trailhead.
Notes: Big slide is easy, gradual up, lots of stream crossings in 1st ½ mile makes trail sometimes hard to follow. Good views off
summit. There was a very hungry bear in this area. BE Extra Bear Cautious!!!
Camping: The Howard Lean-to has a brand new roof so it is awesome in rainy weather and has an outhouse. If its full there is
a camping nearby or you can continue past the John’s Brook Lodge to more camping areas. Do not try to put a tent near the
Howard Lean-to, the DEC rangers will literally take down your tent for you
Day 27: John’s Brook Hike Gothics, Armstrong, Upper & Lower Wolfjaw
Hiking Description:
Hiked past the DEC outpost along Wolfjaw brook, past Wolf Jaws Lean-to up to trail interection for Lower Wolfjaw. Hike Lower
Wolfjaw and then over to Upper Wolfjaw. Continue past Upper Wolfjaw to Armstrong and then to Gothics. Climb down Gothics
its steep w/ ropes. Continue down the Blue Ore Bed Brook trail back to Camp.
Notes: Pyramid just off the south of Gothics if your kids are super motivated. Gothics has “caves” that are awesome to explore
about .1 mile down from summit on the south side just before the rope section.
Day 28: John’s Brook Hike Haystack, Basin & Saddleback Mtns
Hiking Description:
Yellow trail via John Brook Lodge, following signs for Marcy, then take the red trail to Slant Rock Lean-to continue to the Blue
trail to Mount Haystack. Trail is a steady incline and quick do not take trail off to slant rock, takes much longer. From Haystack
follow signs to Basin. Basin is a short but steep section w/ a water source in the middle to refill. No marker on top. From Basin
continue to Saddleback, its very steep and has some steep rock scrambles to go up. Hike down to the Blue Ore Bed Trail and
back to camp just like the day before.
Notes: John’s Brooks lodge has potable water on outside tap. Haystack summit has exposed open bug free zone for lunch. Water
between Haystack and Basin, no more water till Ore Brook.
Day 29: John’s Brook Backpack out
Hiking Description:
Sleep in & Hike back out to the Garden and drive to Boquet River.
Camping: Boquet River campsite is a free car-camping wilderness site.
Day 30: Hike Algonquin, Wright & Iroquois Peaks
Hiking Description:
Drive to Heart Lake need $$ for parking. Start at the trailhead in the parking lot and hike the yellow trail. Hike side trail to
Wright Peak. Continue to Algonquin. Hike down the other side of Algonquin, at the next trail junction take the herdpath-like up
to Iroquois. Do not turn left and take the yellow trail down to Lake Colden. Go back the way you came.
Notes: Check out the airplane Crash memorial on Wright Peak. Enjoy Iroquois & Algonquin Views they are awesome
Camping: Boquet River campsite is a free car-camping wilderness site.
Day 31: Rest Day @ Heart lake
Relax at Heart Lake. Go to bed early if doing Sunrise hike for Cascade & Porter.
Day 32: Hike Cascade & Porter!!!
Driving Directions: Drive to Porter and Cascade trailhead. From Heart Lake, turn right onto 73. Follow to the trailhead which
is a little west of the Cascade Lakes.
Notes: Easy climbs so its really fun to do as a sunrise hike. We did Porter in the Dark and then hung out on Cascade for the
Sunrise
*Naps @ Camp & Celebration Dinner
Day 33: Drive to Chingachgook !!
*I recommend sleeping in, buying a fresh lunch (within reason) going to a movie and coming back to camp for dinner & last night
vespers. (sleep in hike center for fun)
Driving Directions: Break camp, drive to Chingachgook, clean gear, show off awesome leg muscles, and depart.
Follow 73 to 9 to I-87 south. Take exit 21, turn left off the exit ramp, fill at the Mobil, turn left at the light onto 9 into the righthand lane. Take the second right onto 9L and follow this to Pilot Knob Road
Day 34:
Clean in the morning & Relax @ Chingachgook till parents come.