Panther Gorge conditions

JVanAlstine · 06-17-2012, 09:51 AM

I'm planning a 3-day, 2-night trek: 1-Elk Lake to Panther Gorge (after driving up to the 'Daks, so starting about 10 am) setup base camp. 2- Climb Haystack, Marcy, stop at Lake Tear of the Clouds, climb Skylight (will have day packs, leaving tent and big pack at Panther). 3-Hike back out to Elk Lake.

Can anyone tell me the current (post Irene) condition of the Elk Lake to Panther Gorge trail?

How does the ascent of Haystack compare to Algonquin? easier or harder?

Commissionpoint · 06-17-2012, 11:22 AM

Algonquin is short, sweet, and direct. Haystack, no matter how you cut it, is a much longer hike, but IMO not that much harder, just more miles.

Marcy Swamp could be a bit tricky on the way in from Elk Lake. We have had some recent rains, and last I knew the boardwalks there were still damaged.

Rik, the meat is now jerky so its entirely possible to hike to PG without bringing any of your own food. I lie and tell the vegetarians its TVP. Its really a public service I provide. I call it Anemia Aversion Therapy.

DSettahr · 06-17-2012, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commissionpoint

Algonquin

I think maybe you got your mountains confused?

Commissionpoint · 06-17-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSettahr

I think maybe you got your mountains confused?

What??? You don't think Algonquin is short, sweet and direct? I suppose if you 'whack up the south side of Iroquois to get there it could be a bit daunting at moments, but from Heart Lake??? Are you sure it is I who is confused?

DSettahr · 06-17-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commissionpoint

What??? You don't think Algonquin is short, sweet and direct? I suppose if you 'whack up the south side of Iroquois to get there it could be a bit daunting at moments, but from Heart Lake??? Are you sure it is I who is confused?

Haha, I see now that the poster also asked for information about Algonquin... somehow I missed that when I first read the thread...

billandjudy · 06-17-2012, 12:56 PM

Big fun

...Snickers and I did this a couple years ago....Climbing Haystack from PG is awesome...steep and rugged...the view looking up at as you break into the clear is imposing....We sat on top early in the morning and watched the clouds lift from the valleys....2 nights would be ideal...we did it in 1 and the hike out w/ big packs after hiking all day was a bear....Cindy said bad words to me.....there is a good amount of elly gain on the way back

Commissionpoint · 06-17-2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSettahr

Haha, I see now that the poster also asked for information about Algonquin... somehow I missed that when I first read the thread...

Haha, I knew you must have read over the Alg part or something like that. I was just teasin' you anyways.

Ike · 06-18-2012, 08:42 AM

I just got back from doing this trip this past weekend only with the peaks in reverse (Panther Gorge-Lake Tear-Marcy-Haystack) so here's what I can add:

The trail in from Elk Lake is in great shape, though the Elk Lake property section is getting a bit grown in. There are a lot of roads and private trails in that area so take each junction with care. I would definitely recommend long pants in this area due to the grassy roads and tight nature of the trail (not sure how bad the ticks are around here but better safe than sorry).

Once you crest over the Colvin-Boreas ridge (side note: this hill SUCKS on the walk out) the trail opens up and is quite easy to follow. It's pretty dry right now, even in the swamp area. All the bridges and log stringers that may have been out have been replaced (including an awesome brand-new bridge over the Upper Ausable inlet). Rest of the trail is a slow steady climb to PG lean-to. Check out the brook if you have the time (the flumes and pools by the tent site are really nice, though the water is very cold. Great place to jump in and clean up after the peaks).

The trail to Haystack can be best summarized in the guide book: unrelenting. Up to Bartlett Ridge is ok but muddy. From there to the top of Haystack is a lesson in 10-15 foot high smooth rock slabs every 100 feet or so of trail, followed by a steep (but not as bad) climb to the summit once you break treeline. In retrospect I wished I'd done the loop counter-clockwise and ascended this rather than descended (We were there for a friend of mine's 46er completion and he wanted to finish on Haystack rather than Marcy so we didn't get much of a choice). Trails from Haystack to Four Corners via Marcy are well documented so I'll leave them off.

In comparison to Algonquin, Haystack is more difficult but a lot of it is due to its isolation from any of the trailheads (as someone stated). The north approach (over Little Haystack) is probably comparable in difficulty, but I'd put the southern approach as way more difficult than either the South or North sides of Algonquin.

Getting back to the Gorge via 4 Corners is actually fairly moderate. It looks a lot worse on the map than it does in person. A bit muddy maybe but nowhere as bad as getting up Bartlett Ridge.

Probably the most attractive part of this trip is the solitude. Outside of the hike between the summits of Marcy and Haystack we saw only one person outside our group, even with the awesome weather weekend we just had. I'd wait two or three weeks for the bugs to die down (still a bit too bitey for me). We did it as a two-nighter which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the trip (and pick up the awesome sunburn I got while napping on Little Haystack).

All-in-all an awesome trip. Definitely would go back. Hope this helps.

sukigraybaby · 06-18-2012, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ike

Once you crest over the Colvin-Boreas ridge (side note: this hill SUCKS on the walk out) .

Ike, great TR!

I am taking this route in September for a 3 day trip in and just climbing Haystack.

Would you please go into some detail about this statement you made?

Thanks,

-Suki

adkdremn · 06-18-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sukigraybaby

Ike, great TR!

I am taking this route in September for a 3 day trip in and just climbing Haystack.

Would you please go into some detail about this statement you made?

Thanks,

-Suki

Having done this trip in the past he's referring to having to climb this ridge on the way out. It's not horrible, but after hiking a bunch of peaks one day and then hiking out with full packs and tired legs it's a little challenging is all.

Uphills aren't always all that fun on your way out after a couple days of hiking.

mbowler · 06-18-2012, 02:29 PM

Did pretty much that same trip a month ago. We encountered one bridge out which required fording the stream. We also removed the meat.

http://web.ncf.ca/mbowler/hiking/adk...r_gorge_1.html

Cheers,

Mike

06-17-2012, 09:51 AM	#1
JVanAlstine Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 2	Panther Gorge conditions I'm planning a 3-day, 2-night trek: 1-Elk Lake to Panther Gorge (after driving up to the 'Daks, so starting about 10 am) setup base camp. 2- Climb Haystack, Marcy, stop at Lake Tear of the Clouds, climb Skylight (will have day packs, leaving tent and big pack at Panther). 3-Hike back out to Elk Lake. Can anyone tell me the current (post Irene) condition of the Elk Lake to Panther Gorge trail? How does the ascent of Haystack compare to Algonquin? easier or harder?

06-17-2012, 11:22 AM	#2
Commissionpoint Alpine Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Diamond Point, NY Posts: 1,285	Algonquin is short, sweet, and direct. Haystack, no matter how you cut it, is a much longer hike, but IMO not that much harder, just more miles. Marcy Swamp could be a bit tricky on the way in from Elk Lake. We have had some recent rains, and last I knew the boardwalks there were still damaged. Rik, the meat is now jerky so its entirely possible to hike to PG without bringing any of your own food. I lie and tell the vegetarians its TVP. Its really a public service I provide. I call it Anemia Aversion Therapy. __________________ -Wolf Say you don't know me or recognize my face Say you don't care who goes to that kind of place Knee deep in the hoopla sinking in your fight Too many runaways eating up the night

06-17-2012, 12:56 PM	#6
billandjudy Jimmy Dolan Notch Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,020	Big fun...Snickers and I did this a couple years ago....Climbing Haystack from PG is awesome...steep and rugged...the view looking up at as you break into the clear is imposing....We sat on top early in the morning and watched the clouds lift from the valleys....2 nights would be ideal...we did it in 1 and the hike out w/ big packs after hiking all day was a bear....Cindy said bad words to me.....there is a good amount of elly gain on the way back

06-18-2012, 08:42 AM	#8
Ike I Like Myself Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 26	I just got back from doing this trip this past weekend only with the peaks in reverse (Panther Gorge-Lake Tear-Marcy-Haystack) so here's what I can add: The trail in from Elk Lake is in great shape, though the Elk Lake property section is getting a bit grown in. There are a lot of roads and private trails in that area so take each junction with care. I would definitely recommend long pants in this area due to the grassy roads and tight nature of the trail (not sure how bad the ticks are around here but better safe than sorry). Once you crest over the Colvin-Boreas ridge (side note: this hill SUCKS on the walk out) the trail opens up and is quite easy to follow. It's pretty dry right now, even in the swamp area. All the bridges and log stringers that may have been out have been replaced (including an awesome brand-new bridge over the Upper Ausable inlet). Rest of the trail is a slow steady climb to PG lean-to. Check out the brook if you have the time (the flumes and pools by the tent site are really nice, though the water is very cold. Great place to jump in and clean up after the peaks). The trail to Haystack can be best summarized in the guide book: unrelenting. Up to Bartlett Ridge is ok but muddy. From there to the top of Haystack is a lesson in 10-15 foot high smooth rock slabs every 100 feet or so of trail, followed by a steep (but not as bad) climb to the summit once you break treeline. In retrospect I wished I'd done the loop counter-clockwise and ascended this rather than descended (We were there for a friend of mine's 46er completion and he wanted to finish on Haystack rather than Marcy so we didn't get much of a choice). Trails from Haystack to Four Corners via Marcy are well documented so I'll leave them off. In comparison to Algonquin, Haystack is more difficult but a lot of it is due to its isolation from any of the trailheads (as someone stated). The north approach (over Little Haystack) is probably comparable in difficulty, but I'd put the southern approach as way more difficult than either the South or North sides of Algonquin. Getting back to the Gorge via 4 Corners is actually fairly moderate. It looks a lot worse on the map than it does in person. A bit muddy maybe but nowhere as bad as getting up Bartlett Ridge. Probably the most attractive part of this trip is the solitude. Outside of the hike between the summits of Marcy and Haystack we saw only one person outside our group, even with the awesome weather weekend we just had. I'd wait two or three weeks for the bugs to die down (still a bit too bitey for me). We did it as a two-nighter which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the trip (and pick up the awesome sunburn I got while napping on Little Haystack). All-in-all an awesome trip. Definitely would go back. Hope this helps. __________________ #6752W "Watch out where the huskies go, and don't you eat that yellow snow" - Frank Zappa

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06-18-2012, 02:29 PM	#11
mbowler 46er Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 147	Did pretty much that same trip a month ago. We encountered one bridge out which required fording the stream. We also removed the meat. http://web.ncf.ca/mbowler/hiking/adk...r_gorge_1.html Cheers, Mike

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