High Peaks, Marcy Damm & Avalanche Pass
August 9, 2016 9:31 pmToday I got to pass through the famed Adirondack High Peaks. After leaving the Adirondack Loj I made the 1.5 mile detour back to the base of Mt. Van Hoevenberg and headed into the High Peaks via the Marcy Damm truck trail. Marcy Damm is another iconic spot in the High Peaks. From there you can see several of the better known peaks from the valley floor before ascending up into them.
Avalanche Pass is one of the most iconic and most photographed places in the Adirondack Mountains. I had previously only seen it in photos and was dreaming of seeing it in person. It did not disappoint!
There were lots of bridges, ladders and boulders to climb over and around while passing through. It took some caution with a full pack but it was a bunch of fun!
One of the key features is the Trap Dyke. Which was greatly altered when a slide from Hurricane Irene sent piles of debris crashing down into the lake below. The dyke is a popular hike/climb in the area. It’s a borderline 3/4 on the Yosemite Scale. A 3 requiring no ropes or technical gear but some climbing & scrambling. A 4 requiring gear. My limit is about borderline 3/4. I had been wondering for some time if I could handle it. After seeing it in person I have decided I definitely couldn’t do it at this time. Too scary and if it rains forget it.
After passing through Avalanche Pass I also passed through High Peaks landmarks Lake Colden, and the Flowed Lands.
