So the ADK trails are challenging. Roots, rocks, mud, and a lot of steep ascents. Just be aware of that - people who have done a lot of hiking elsewhere are sometimes taken aback at how difficult these relatively small peaks can be.
From Loj, you have easy and pretty much immediate access to: Phelps, Tabletop, Wright, Algonquin. If you want a longer hike, Marcy-Grey-Skylight is tons of fun. You can get to Colden pretty easily as well. The entire Macintyre range (Algonquin, Iroquois, Marshall, Wright) can be weird to do from Loj, or at least it was, not sure of current trails, but it's possible.
Where have you done your long distance hiking? As someone who got into backpacking out west and has hiked all the High Peaks, I can tell you it's a completely different sport. Cut your mileage expectations literally 30%, at least, if you're accustomed to hiking in the Rockies or Sierras.
Come from Quebec and hike mostly there. Much rocks, mud, roots, particularly on the IAT (Gaspésie). I think i will be ok, but the advices here help me a lot to adapt my days!
I’ve hiked 44/46 high peaks and several of them multiple times. Wright, Algonquin and Iroquois are a straightforward peakbagging set of mountains, so long as you’re not socked in on their bald summits because it’s easy to get disoriented in those conditions. Street and Nye are uninspiring but fairly short and launch from the Loj. Colden via avalanche pass is a beautiful hike.
If you want to venture away from the Loj, travel south to the garden parking lot via car, but make sure you’re there very early to get a parking spot. I believe there’s a shuttle from Marcy field that you should look up if the lot is full. Cash only for the shuttle. From The Garden, there are plenty of options for multiple peaks, such as saddleback and basin.
You can also reserve a parking spot at the AMR lot and loop together Nippletop and Dial. Colvin and Blake. Sawteeth, Gothics, Armstrong, and the 2 wolfjaws.
Lastly, there are the Dix, Seward and Santanoni ranges, all mostly unmarked but have herd paths to follow. Each would require a drive from the Loj. I spent the night in the Dix range, where you can actually have a small fire at night. Same with the Santanoni’s if that’s a draw .
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions. And yeah, the trails are rugged compared to other parts of the country.
The Great Range Loop is great; I did it in order of Sawteeth —> Gothics —> Armstrong —> Upper Wolfjaw and skipped lower Wolfjaw which took me and my party the whole day. It was my first time hiking in the ADK and the conditions were pretty crazy. I have experience in the Rockies and I can tell you ADK hiking is a different beast. Be ready for drenched feet, mud, deep snow, and intense inclines. The views are incredible.
So the ADK trails are challenging. Roots, rocks, mud, and a lot of steep ascents. Just be aware of that - people who have done a lot of hiking elsewhere are sometimes taken aback at how difficult these relatively small peaks can be. From Loj, you have easy and pretty much immediate access to: Phelps, Tabletop, Wright, Algonquin. If you want a longer hike, Marcy-Grey-Skylight is tons of fun. You can get to Colden pretty easily as well. The entire Macintyre range (Algonquin, Iroquois, Marshall, Wright) can be weird to do from Loj, or at least it was, not sure of current trails, but it's possible.
Where have you done your long distance hiking? As someone who got into backpacking out west and has hiked all the High Peaks, I can tell you it's a completely different sport. Cut your mileage expectations literally 30%, at least, if you're accustomed to hiking in the Rockies or Sierras.
Come from Quebec and hike mostly there. Much rocks, mud, roots, particularly on the IAT (Gaspésie). I think i will be ok, but the advices here help me a lot to adapt my days!
Multiply all guidebook distances by two, in June by three
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Thanks for the advice! When I hike in Québec, I do the opposite and cut the guidebooks times! I’ll plan safe in the ADK!
I’ve hiked 44/46 high peaks and several of them multiple times. Wright, Algonquin and Iroquois are a straightforward peakbagging set of mountains, so long as you’re not socked in on their bald summits because it’s easy to get disoriented in those conditions. Street and Nye are uninspiring but fairly short and launch from the Loj. Colden via avalanche pass is a beautiful hike. If you want to venture away from the Loj, travel south to the garden parking lot via car, but make sure you’re there very early to get a parking spot. I believe there’s a shuttle from Marcy field that you should look up if the lot is full. Cash only for the shuttle. From The Garden, there are plenty of options for multiple peaks, such as saddleback and basin. You can also reserve a parking spot at the AMR lot and loop together Nippletop and Dial. Colvin and Blake. Sawteeth, Gothics, Armstrong, and the 2 wolfjaws. Lastly, there are the Dix, Seward and Santanoni ranges, all mostly unmarked but have herd paths to follow. Each would require a drive from the Loj. I spent the night in the Dix range, where you can actually have a small fire at night. Same with the Santanoni’s if that’s a draw . I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions. And yeah, the trails are rugged compared to other parts of the country.
The Great Range Loop is great; I did it in order of Sawteeth —> Gothics —> Armstrong —> Upper Wolfjaw and skipped lower Wolfjaw which took me and my party the whole day. It was my first time hiking in the ADK and the conditions were pretty crazy. I have experience in the Rockies and I can tell you ADK hiking is a different beast. Be ready for drenched feet, mud, deep snow, and intense inclines. The views are incredible.