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New York, United States

Mt. Colden

Climb Mt. Colden on this beautiful loop hike through Avalanche Pass and returning via Lake Arnold.

Mt. Colden
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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 14.0 miles / 22.5 km
Duration: Full day
Dog Friendly
 
Overview: On this beautiful loop hike you will pass through gorgeous Avalanche Pass and then ascend the steep Mt. Colden trail from the shores of Lake Colden. On top of this 4,715 foot peak you will have great views of the MacIntyre Range and also southeast towards the state highpoint, Mt. Marcy and the Great Range to the east. You will be able to look down the massive western slides on Colden and down the trapdike to Avalanche Lake below but becareful not to get too close to the edge as you would never be able to stop a awkward tumble. Be very careful if there is ice around. You will descend north down to Lake Arnold and exit via the Avalanche Lake Trail. You have the option of heading over to Indian Falls and descending that route as well.

Tips: Heart Lake Adirondack Loj Trailhead:
From Exit 30 take Route 73 towards Lake Placid for 26.5 miles. Take a left onto Adirondack Loj Road and continue 5 miles to the Loj and the parking area. There is a $10 fee to park here for the day.

Points of Interest

Parking
map

Adirondack Loj Hear Lake Trailhead
Parking here is $10 per day. Head on down the most traveled trail towards Marcy Dam after signing into the register.
Junction
map

Marcy Dam
From Marcy Dam look for the trail for Avalanche Lake. It should be well marked. If not you can always ask the ranger at the station for help with directions.
Junction
map

Lake Arnold Trail
The trail heading off to the left is the Lake Arnold Trail. This is the trail you will be returning on. For now just continue on towards Avalanche Lake.
Viewpoint
map

Avalanche Lake
Take your time and enjoy how awesome this area is as you traverse the lake on wooden ladders and bridges bolted to the cliff faces. You can look up the massive trapdike towards the summit of Colden far above with all its slides.
Junction
map

Mt. Colden Trail
This trail departs from Lake Colden about a third of the way down the shore and less than a mile from the outlet of Avalanche Lake. This way up Colden is much steeper than the descent route down to Lake Arnold which is why you should choose to ascend this way.
Mountain
map

Summit of Mt. Colden
At 4,715 feet you are at the summit of Mt. Colden with spectacular 360 degree views all around. Across Avalanche Lake is the McIntyre Range and behind is Mt. Marcy and the Great Range in the distance. Take some time to relax up at the top if it is a nice day and get plenty of pictures. Try to snap a few in order of the MacIntyre Range to make a cool panorama when you get home.
Viewpoint
map

Lower Summit
The lower north summit of Colden looking back.
Junction
map

Lake Arnold Junction
Head downhill to the north from this junction following the outlet of Lake Arnold.
Junction
map

Trail to Indian Falls
You have a choice here. If you have the energy and want to take a slightly different route back to Marcy Dam you can feel free to head right on this trail to check out the beautiful Indian Falls. I've included those falls in my Guide for Redfield and Cliff so chose to take the easier way back on this Guide. But, if you have the energy go for and simply follow the Von Hoevenberg Trail down to Marcy Dam from the falls. As the sign implies this also leads to Tabletop Mountain which you could combine into this long hike as well. See my Tabletop Guide for reference if you'd like to do this.
Pictures in this guide taken by: CascadeClimber, chan77, jonbellemore, ershadz, AnArcticPuffin, msears101, millsbeastice, davnadz, spongebob

Jonathan Ellinger
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About the Author

CascadeClimber
CascadeClimber
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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