Mount Colden
- Distance13.8 miRound trip
- Summit4,714 ftElevation
- Ascent~1,950 ftTotal gain
One of the more iconic of the group, Mount Colden is an Adirondack High Peak known for the big slides on the side of the mountain. It is most often climbed from Avalanche Lake via Marcy Dam or from Lake Colden, and the route from the Adirondack Loj takes in some of the most striking terrain in the Marcy area.
The route: Adirondack Loj
Hiking Colden from Lake Colden via the Adirondack Loj is the most popular route, so that's the one outlined here. Begin at the Loj and follow a rolling to gradual trail for 2.3 miles to Marcy Dam, which makes a beautiful shorter hike in its own right and a fine place for a picnic or quick snack.
After reaching the dam, you'll see the trail register ahead for all of the peaks that ascend from here. Continuing past the register you'll pass some designated campsites off to the right, reaching the Avalanche Pass trailhead in 100 yards. Continue right on the trail to Avalanche Pass, passing the Avalanche camps, and soon afterward hit an intersection where you take a left.
Continue along the beautiful and unique trail through Avalanche Pass until you reach Avalanche Lake. Follow the trail over bridges and along the shore of the lake until you reach Lake Colden.
The trail up Colden begins on the east side of Lake Colden, less than half a mile from the Lake Colden Outlet. Follow the red trail steadily upward through a thick spruce forest. At 0.6 miles you will encounter a ladder, the start of a very steep and rocky climb. After climbing 0.7 miles past the ladder, the trail comes to another ladder that brings you to an open rock face. Hike another short way until you reach the ridge that leads to the summit, a total of 1.6 miles from where the red and yellow trails diverged below.
The views
The view from Avalanche Lake is magnificent. Before reaching the summit, you'll find a somewhat grassy area with the best views of the Flowed Lands and Lake Colden. A little after that, a balanced boulder offers great views of Avalanche Lake just before you proceed to the summit.
Other routes
If you have the proper equipment and an adventurous attitude, you can climb Colden via the Trapdike, a narrow chute up one side of the mountain that requires skilled and thoughtful ascension.
High Peak details
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- 46er rank
- #11 of 46
- Range
- Marcy area
- Trail type
- Marked trail
- Trailhead
- Adirondack Loj
- Ascent note
- 1,950 ft measured from Lake Colden
Trailhead and map
From Lake Placid, take Route 73 toward Keene and turn right onto Adirondack Loj Road. Follow it to the end. A parking fee is collected at the booth. In summer, the lots often fill before 6am on weekends and 9am on weekdays. If they are full, don't wait for a spot or park in the No Parking stretch of the road. Use the overflow parking at the end of Meadows Lane, which adds about a mile each way. ADK's website has current fees and parking tips.
Trail resources
- Conditions
- Conditions change fast. Check current trail conditions and DEC's High Peaks page before heading out.
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