High Peaks Wilderness · Keene Region

Upper Wolfjaw

Part of the 46 High Peaks
Heading out? Conditions change fast and help can be hours away. What to bring ↓
  • Distance~12 miRound trip
  • Summit4,185 ftElevation
  • Ascent2,000 ftTotal gain

Generally climbed alongside Lower Wolfjaw, Armstrong and Gothics, Upper Wolfjaw is not the most remarkable of the four, but this Great Range Adirondack High Peak is often a good, quiet stopping point for lunch since it sits close to the middle if you are climbing them all.

The route: The Garden

The hike begins at the Garden in Keene Valley and heads in to Johns Brook Lodge and the DEC Interior Outpost before picking up the Range Trail.

  1. 0 – 3.1 mi

    The Garden to the Interior Outpost

    Hike the 3.1 miles from the Garden to Johns Brook Lodge and the DEC Interior Outpost.

  2. 3.1 – 3.3 mi

    Suspension bridge and Southside Trail

    Cross the suspension bridge over Johns Brook. Once across, take a left and follow ADK markers down the Southside Trail to a junction after 0.2 miles, then turn right onto the Range Trail.

  3. 3.3 – ~5.3 mi

    Range Trail to the Lower Wolfjaw turnoff

    The climb begins in earnest, leveling out a bit after 0.4 miles. At 1.1 miles on the Range Trail you reach the junction with the Woodsfall Trail, where you continue along. The trail gets steeper after about 0.5 miles and stays that way until about the 2-mile mark, where you will see the turnoff to Lower Wolfjaw on the left.

  4. ~5.3 – ~6.3 mi

    False summit to the top

    Turn right. The trail climbs steeply through some switchbacks and reaches Upper Wolfjaw's false summit at 2.5 miles on the Range Trail. From there it dips into a col and heads up again, reaching the summit in less than half a mile.

The views

The summit is somewhat treed, but a number of side trails near the top lead to lookouts with good views of the neighboring peaks and great places to pause and eat your lunch.

Often hiked with

Upper Wolfjaw is generally climbed with Lower Wolfjaw, Armstrong and Gothics, and it falls close to the middle of that traverse.

High Peak details

Difficulty
Strenuous
46er rank
#29 of 46
Range
Great Range
Trail type
Marked trail
Trailhead
The Garden, Keene Valley
Summit
Somewhat treed, with side trails to lookouts

Trailhead and map

Driving into Keene Valley from Lake Placid, look for the DEC sign after the post office on the right, at Adirondack Street. Turn right. The road becomes Johns Brook Lane. Follow it 1.5 miles to the Garden parking lot. There is a fee to park. The lot is small and fills early, so check current parking and shuttle information before you go.

Trail resources

Conditions
Conditions change fast. Check current trail conditions and DEC's High Peaks page before heading out.
#28 Esther Mountain#30 Lower WolfjawAll 46 High Peaks

From the PureADK shop

The High Peaks

Shop the collection