Slightly belated, but a couple of weeks ago I was able to return to the beautiful ADK region with a new hiking buddy Courtney for some more backpacking adventures! We started at the Loj parking and hiked a few miles in to our campsite by Wright mountain. We had the pleasure of passing thunderstorms keeping us wet the whole time, but thankfully they moved on as we set up camp and we are able to stay semi dry as we cooked dinner. I got to use my backpack's rain cover for the first time!
McIntyre waterfall right by our campsite! So lovely to fall asleep listening to it.
The next morning we got up bright and early, and after a hearty breakfast we grabbed our day bags and hit the trail for a full day of peakbagging! We were so blessed to have straight sunshine the entire day. It made for exceptional views and severe sunburn (on my part, despite applying sunscreen 3x). Couldn't ask for a better day.
We decided to do the peaks in this order: Algonquin (second highest peak in NY), Boundary (above 4000' but not considered a "high peak"), Iroquois, and Wright.
The "trail" going UP
We reached the summit of Algonquin around 10:30am and enjoyed a chat with the summit steward about the surrounding views, and our plan of attack for the unmarked trail ahead to Iroquois. Thank you Tyler! After the obligatory summit selfies, we continued on for the next 2 peaks!
Looking back at Algonquin as we summited Boundary and Iroquois.
Looking back at Colden (my #2/46, read about that harrowing experience HERE), and Lake Colden on the right.
Leaving the summit of Algonquin to follow the last few trail markings on toward Boundary/Iroquois.
The summit of Iroquois marked by a cairn! We took a much needed snack break, then turned around and retraced our steps back over Boundary and Algonquin.
Once we got to the junction for the trail to Wright, this steep slide was the first thing to greet us. I honestly didn't think I had it in me, but after some encouragement from Courtney we ponied up and did it! Wright was very steep, and I honestly think it was the hardest summit of the 4 we did that day.
Views from Wright summit. Colden in the back
Debris from plane wreckage on the summit (a crashed flight from the 1960s)
Our legs were jello going back to camp that evening, and we came to a mutual agreement that we would be useless the next day! We had originally planned to move camp the next day and attempt to summit Phelps, but we smartly decided to save that for another trip! We packed up camp late the next morning and enjoyed a delicious post-hike lunch at the Hungry Hiker.
Check back soon! My next trip to ADK is NEXT WEEK. I'm taking Bradley for his first time there! Wish us luck.....
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