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Keene Valley, New York, United States

Lower Great Range

In this epic loop hike you will climb Sawteeth, Pyramid, Gothics, Armstrong, Upper and Lower Wolfjaw grabbing five 46ers

Lower Great Range
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    This guide contains photos
 (4 votes, 3 reviews)
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 17.0 miles / 27 km
Duration: Full day
Family Friendly
 
Overview: This is one epic loop climb that will gain you five more 4,000 foot 46er peaks as well as Pyramid Peak on the way to Gothics. You'll start off down the Lake Road to the beautiful Ausable Lake, take a detour to Rainbow Falls and then ascend a less traveled scenic trail up to the top of Sawteeth with great views over Lower Ausable Lake to Colvin and Nippletop. From there you will climb up Pyramid to Gothics with many views of slides everywhere on the mountains around you. From there you will travel north along the Lower Great Range over Armstrong, down steep ladders and ledges to the Wolfjaws to return via the East trail along the Ausable river on the opposite side of the Lake Road for a change of view. This trip is 17 miles of pretty tiring terrain with a lot of ups and downs between peaks. You can accomplish this in a summer day but be sure to get an early start.

Tips: St. Huberts Trailhead:
The parking area is just off of Rte 73 just 7.5 miles west from exit 30 off of I-87. You'll then need to walk up the golf course road to the beautiful wooden gate marking the entrance to the Lake Road which you will follow for several miles until veering off on the Gill brook trail. There are no fees to park here.

Points of Interest

Parking
map

St. Huberts Parking Lot
This parking lot is just off Rte 73 but you'll need to walk up the road towards teh lodge to meet up with the gated Lake Road into the mountains. Check out the scenery over the golf course as you go.
Junction
map

Lake Road Gate
You'll be following the lake road all the way to Lower Ausable Lake
Viewpoint
map

Lower Ausable Lake
This is a great view south down Lower Ausable Lake with the Colvin and Blake Range towering above to the east. Look carefully and you may see Indian Head above to the east (rock face that looks like a Native American).
Viewpoint
map

Rainbow Falls
There are wonderful views of this 150' tall waterfall on Cascade Brook.
Viewpoint
map

Sawteeth Scenic Trail
This part of the trail from the north end of Lower Ausable Lake to the top of Sawteeth is the only part of this gps track that isn't precise but I've copied it as well as I could off a very detailed map. There is only one trail, it is well marked and it will take you directly to the top of Sawteeth. You will hacve spectacular views as you skirt around the lake and then from the ledges climbing up of Mt. Colvin, Indian Head and down the lake. This trail is worth taking rather than the usual Weld Trail up Sawteeth.
Mountain
map

Sawteeth Summit
This 4,150 foot summit is the southernmost peak on this route and it's the only one that isn't directly on the Great Range.
Junction
map

Weld Trail Junction
Ignore the trail heading downhill called Weld Trail. This is the other way up that most people take, but hopefully from the views you had on the way up you'll agree the scenic trail was worth it.
Mountain
map

Pyramid Peak
You are at 4,515 feet but because this summit doesn't have enough prominence from its neighbor Gothics it cannot be considered a seperate 46er peak.
Mountain
map

Gothics Summit
This long broad summit offers amazing 360 degree views of all the surrounding high peaks. You'll be able to look down the broad slides of the western face as well.
Mountain
map

Armstrong Mountain Summit
You are now at the top of this 4,445 foot mountain. There is a partially open summit here. The trail down from Armstrong towards Upper Wolfjaw is very steep (ladders) as it descends around cliffs and ledges so be careful.
Mountain
map

Upper Wolfjaw Summit
You are now at the top of this 4,203 foot peak and there are many views from the summit of surrounding high peaks.
Mountain
map

Lower Wolfjaw Summit
You are now on the final peak of this epic climb at 4,173 feet. The summit is wooded but there are views as you descend it.
Junction
map

Wedge Brook Trail Junction
Here you will start your descent.
Junction
map

East Branch Trail Junction
Here the Wedge Brook Trail meets the East Branch Trail. You will follow this trail on the opposite side of the Ausable River as the Lake Road you came in on. Near the end of the trail you will see signs to cross the river and exit out the Lake Road back to the St. Huberts parking lot.
Pictures in this guide taken by: JonathanEllinger, msavarie, chan77, Tripper, ADKSherpa5344, haderondah, 100%Agave, gmansan, globalbing, LIHiker, cbrande1

Jonathan Ellinger
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Reviews
tgoodwin
The hike is fine, but the review is inaccurate. It is not "dog friendly". The area has been a game preserve for 125 years and dogs have never been allowed.
Visited on May 24, 2012

by tgoodwin on May 24, 2012
Brifle
AMR is not the only way to get to lower range. The garden parking area is also available via john brook lodge. A great hike and you can easily make it an overnight with campsite and lean tos available at wolf jaws lean to
Visited on Sep 30, 2011

by Brifle on Apr 23, 2012
mgiacopassi
As with any hike originating out of the St Huberts parking lot and using the Lake Road - there are NO dogs allowed. You can only access these peaks via private AMR property - which does not allow dogs at all. Just a word of caution.
Visited on Apr 15, 2012

by mgiacopassi on Apr 18, 2012

Lower Great Range Trail Map


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About the Author

JonathanEllinger
JonathanEllinger
333 guides
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Although I have climbed over 250 mountains from various places around the U.S. and have hiked in Europe...

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