I am planning a hike for next week up Algonquin, Iroquois, and Wright peaks. I have heard of people hiking these three mountains in a one-day loop, in 10 – 12 hours, which seems feasible. However, I like to spend a little time at the top of the mountains, and really enjoy being in the outdoors, unplugged from my life for a few days at a time. So rather than rushing out before the sun sets, we are planning on making this an overnight, two-day trip.
We will be heading up north on Sunday morning, towards the Loj at Heart Lake. We plan on hiking most of the morning/afternoon, making camp somewhere along the trail, and continuing our journey Monday morning.
I haven’t looked at a map yet so I am unsure of the route we will be taking. I am hoping for some feedback from any readers that may have hiked this loop in the past as I have a few questions:
- In what order should the peaks be climbed? As we will have at least a day and a half, we can be flexible with the route we choose.
- Are there any lean-tos along the trail? Or campsites? (I now have a tent)
- Are there any mountain streams or ponds along the route that we might be able to camp near? If so, I will certainly bring some fishing gear and try to catch dinner once we make camp.
- If this will be relatively easy to hike through in two days, should we try to summit another peak while we’re in the woods? If so, where should we extend our loop to?
If you have advice or recommendations for any of these questions, please let us know. The more information we have, the better! I will also be stopping in at the Adirondack Mountain Club at some point next week to see what advice they can offer.
I am really looking forward to this, my first real backpacking trip in the Adirondacks (it’s a short stay, I know). I’ll be sure to follow up with a detailed trip report when I get back to civilization.
From Heart lake most people go Wright, Algonquin then Iroquois. Iroquois is right off of the southern shoulder of Algonquin so it is the easiest traverse. For day trips they will either finish the loop through Av pass or head back over Algonquin and back down.
There is no camping going up from Wright and your last water source is about halfway up Wright. After getting Algonquin and Iroquois you can can head down the eastern face of Boundry. You follow a stream bed to the ranger cabin on Lake Colvin. There are plenty of sites and leanto’s in that area. The hike out through Av pass is a great hike. You could do the loop in the opposite direction but heading up from the ranger cabin is a beast. If you wanted to get in another summit do the loop where you climb the 3 on Day 1 and day two go with a fast pack from the ranger station camp and grab Marshall. Head up the cold brook trail and cut over to the summit. It is a lot less wet than Herbert Brook.
This is too much for one day if you wish to enjoy the glorious forests, terrain, and views. Surely a very fit hiker can manage it, but not one with an esthetic appreciation of the mountains. Still, if you are determined, come in from Heart Lake and bag Wright first, then descend the half mile to the Algonquin train junction and do this ascent, then on to Iroquois, which is more seldom climbed and so has a more remote feeling on the summit with views back over towards Wallface. Descend to Lake Colden and come back through Avalanche Lake to marcy Dam and out to Heart Lake. As I said, this is too much for one day, although technically possible if a mountain athlete begins at dawn and does not pause to take it all in.
I’ve camped in the lean-tos at the Loj. They are only around $40 for i think 2 people and 5$ per extra person. (summer months, half for winter). We climbed Mt Jo as a warm up when we got in, (its right next to the loj) and then the next day climbed Wright and Algonquin. We could have continued onto Iriquois but decided to head back to the Loj.
Scott, …Andrews comment is well done, and good advise…the camping area near the falls is a good spot…or hiking down to lake Colden after bagging all three…the distance isn’t that much…4 1/2 miles to Algonquins summit…doing all three with full packs and camping near lake Colden would be exhausting, however…camping near Heart Lake and using day packs to enjoy the 3 peaks and maybe a second day hike to Indian Pass, up cold Brook, to Marshal, down Herbert brook to Aval. Pass and back to heart lake, or what ever else calls to you…so many choices from Heart Lake, but I personally would rather tackle these with lighter packs….good hiking…David S.
I would absolutely hike back down the way I came from Algonquin.
Especially if you are staying at Marcy Dam or the Loj. The hike down
to Colden to Avalanche Lake is very steep and pretty much at times
follows along Cold Brook or Colden Brook (can’t remember the name of it). It was not
a very enjoyable way down but it was what I had to do, due to the
weather.
I know this information is probably irrelevant, but may be of use to others that look for info on Algonquin. Hope you enjoyed it, its a great hike!
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