03-02 Colden

[Neil]

Colden from the Loj via Lake Arnold up and down. Doug, Sylvie, Sylvie's colleague who is now a one-er-W and myself.
Perfect conditions, perfect trail all nicely packed down but soft and smooth, perfect company. Excellent views.
Off trail above 3000 feet the snow was deep. Like 18 inches of unconsolidated deep.
Someone skiied the Angel slide while we were in.

Got pics of the slides on Algonquin and a potential bushwhack route up Gray from the Opalescent.

[rockysummit]

Sounds like you guys had a great trip. Coldfeet & I are planning to do Wright, maybe Algonquin, Avalanche Lake/ Lake Colden, a little bit of everything. Coldfeet hasn't been to ADKS in winter, and I don't get up as much either. Really looking forward to the trip!

[randomscooter]

Off trail above 3000 feet the snow was deep. Like 18 inches of unconsolidated deep.
And we're expecting mountain snow this weekend. I'm hearing rumors of 10" or more before it's done, less in the valleys. Right now only 1/2" or so of overnight stuff down here in the valley.

potential bushwhack route up Gray from the Opalescent.
Yeah baby! :bang:

[adkdremn]

Coldfeet & I are planning to do Wright, maybe Algonquin, Avalanche Lake/ Lake Colden, a little bit of everything.

Rockysummit-
Are you thinking of doing this as a loop hike from the Loj? I'm planning on doing the same hike plus Iroquois and then down to Lake Colden and out through Avalanche Pass back to the Loj. Could you give a report and let me know how it goes, lenght of trip etc? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[hillman1]

This hike tied Pyramid-Gothics for my favorite winter hike. The view of Colden from the sub-summit is incredible. That bushwack route for gray looked very doable from Colden. It's probably alot different on the ground.

[Eric]

I agree with you Doug on the views from Colden and false summit of Colden. The views are awesome. The trail to Summit in general is a great trail and full of views all the way up of Marcy. It is great to take a break and turn around and have that for a view (Marcy) as you climb.

[billandjudy]

Neil--I think from your post this was an up and back trip? Judy and I are going up this weekend and one of our considerations was Colden--but looped--up from lake Arnold and down to Lake Colden and out via Avalanche pass--have you done this route before? We wee also thinking of Colvin and Blake--any thoughts?
Thanks Bill

[Neil]

From Colden down to Lake Colden expect as much as 6 inches of glare ice near the top on very steep slopes and side slopes. Personally, I wouldn't do it. Two guys were going up from the lake and they turned back. I don't know how equipped or experienced they were. The 1990 slide is bare ice too.

[billandjudy]

Thanks for the info Neil--with warm temps expected this weekend it might be messy too--up and back looks good

[pete_hickey]

Judy and I are going up this weekend and one of our considerations was Colden--but looped--up from lake Arnold and down to Lake Colden and out via Avalanche pass I've done that numerous times in the summer, but I don't think I'd want to in the winter. If anything, I'd do it in the reverse sense. I would go up from Lake Colden. There are a lot of steep bare rocks that I would not want to descend. I would expect at least some ice, which is not thick enough for crampons to be of use.

[Neil]

I found that Trail Conditions report:


Trail: Colden via Lake Colden

Date Hiked: 02/19/2006

Conditions: Crusty snow, significant ice above treeline. Fog w/ snow.

Special Required Equipment: Crampons mandatory; snowshoes useful for descent only.

Comments: Above the ladder @ treeline it is solid ice. 6"+ in places & 1" in others. W/ 30 - 40mph winds, we were forced to turn around just before gaining the final ridge to the smt right where it gets REALLY steep. Very upset.

Submitted by: BlackCloud

[billandjudy]

That convinces me! Up and back is sounding just fine. I left the trip plan for Judy at home this morning--she just called and gave it the "thumbs up" Now all I need to do is get her up early :whip: Maybe we will take the trip back past Indian Falls. So... Colden on Sunday, Algonquin on Monday..any suggestions for a quick trip on Saturday? We should be getting up there around noon (unless I get pulled over again!). I was thinking and up and back of Pitchoff or maybe Round (although we did Noonmark this past week) How's Ampersand?
Any thoughts? Thanks guys

[Neil]

I would do Jay if I were you but only if it was a sunny day.

[billandjudy]

Neil--I'll check Jay out when I get home--What's the 411 on it?

[Neil]

Neil--I'll check Jay out when I get home--What's the 411 on it?These may help. There's good beta on VFTT, I think.
http://neil.webcentre.ca/outdoor%20pursuits/jay/index.html
http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514