#29 Upper Wolfjaw Mountain
Generally climbed alongside Lower Wolfjaw, Armstrong, and Gothics, Upper Wolfjaw is not the most remarkable of the four peaks. That said, it is often a good and quiet stopping point for lunch as it’s close to the middle mark if you’re climbing all four. While the summit is somewhat treed, there are a number of side trails leading to various lookouts near the top that provide good views of the neighboring peaks and great places to pause and eat your lunch.
Trail Stats:
| Distance | ~12 miles round-trip (if not hiking all four) |
| Elevation | 4,185 feet |
| Ascent | 2,000 feet |
Beginning from the Garden in Keene Valley, follow directions to get to Johns Brook Lodge/ the DEC Interior Outpost. After hiking the 3.1 miles from the Garden to the Outpost, you will follow a suspension bridge over John’s Brook. Once you’re across the bridge, take a left and follow ADK markers down the Southside trail to a junction after .2 miles. Here you will turn right onto the Range Trail. The trail begins in earnest, leveling out a bit after .4 miles. At 1.1 miles you will reach the junction with the Woodsfall trail – continue along – the trail will get steeper after about .5 miles and continues this way until about the 2 mile mark. Here you’ll see the turnoff to Lower Wolfjaw to the left. Turn right, the trail will begin following steeply through some switchbacks and reach Upper Wolf Jaw’s false summit at 2.5 miles. From here the trail dips into a col and then heads upwards again, reaching the summit of Upper Wolfjaw in less than half a mile.
Trailhead:
If you’re driving into Keene Valley from Lake Placid, there is a DEC sign after the post office on the right, at Adirondack Street. Take this right; the road will turn into Johns Brook Lane and you follow it 1.5 miles until you reach the Garden Parking Lot. If the parking lot is full, you will have to park in Keene Valley and walk the 1.5 miles along the road or park before Keene Valley at Marcy Field (coming from Keene it will be on the right, shortly before you pass the Mountaineer) and take a shuttle from there to the Garden. You should do your research before coming because the shuttle schedule changes seasonally and as of 2016 only runs on weekends.
