Wright, Algonquin, Iroquois, and barely Marshall

[HighMaintenance]

It was Thursday night and I was sleepless reviewing my new tyvek map thinking this was the best thing ever. It has all the herd paths on it and it's waterproof. What could be better? So my plan was to hike Wright, Algonquin and Iroquois the next day (8/17) but I kept looking at that little red line connecting Iroquois and Marshall on the map. It looked like it couldn't be much more than a mile. I tried to find some information on that route but I was at my parent's house and their computer was giving me fits so I just kept studying. I felt sure if it could be done I could do it. I promised my mother and my daughter that I would be careful knowing the descent from Iroquois was supposed to be very steep and that there was a chance of rain and thunder storms. So that was it. My mind was made up.

Sleep eluded me and by 4:23 I was wide awake and on my way to the trail head. I arrived and began my hike fully prepared at 7:15am at the LOJ. I had even brought the old hand me down Garmin and set a way point just for good measure. On up the trail I went. I love getting an early start before the sun is completely up. It didn't take long to summit Wright but boy was the wind whipping. There were 2 hikers ahead of me and they were coming down as I was going up. I enjoyed a nice breakfast and some beautiful views of the range hunkered down at the top of Wright. It was too cold to linger so off I went to catch Algonquin. On the way there 2 more hikers zoomed past me obviously on a mission. I met the Steward at the top of Algonquin who warned me to watch out for the weather. He was expecting those thunder storms to materialize. I mentioned that I was planning on heading over to Iroquois next and he tipped me off not to follow the marked trail at the tree line but instead to go the other direction as this was a herd path over there. I mentioned my plan to him to continue on to Marshall that way and he looked at me like I had 3 heads. I assured him that I knew it was steep and I would be careful. He didn't look convinced. But on I went.

I got to the tree line on the other side of Algonquin just as the 2 speedy hikers ahead of me reached it and turned to follow the marked trail. I could clearly see that someone had written on the trail sign that the marked trail lead to Colden Lake and the unmarked one went to Iroquois so I called after the hikers asking if they were planning to go to Iroquois. They were but took some convincing that they were on the wrong path. When they did head back up and look at the sign they were very appreciative of this information and zoomed on off once more.

I followed behind. It was a nice quick hike over Boundary Peak and then onto Iroquois. Aside from some mud it was relatively easy. So now the 4 other hikers were already on Iroquois when I arrived. I mentioned to the 2 my plans of continuing on to Marshall. I thought surely someone else has considered this considering the proximity shown on my wonderful map. They also looked at me like I had 3 heads and quickly turned around to head back. No one was lingering today and it looked like it could storm at any minute and with the wind it was a bit chilly. But my mind was made up so I started down the other side of Iroquois. But where was the herd path? I couldn't find it so I went back up for a better observation point. No herd path, no cairns, no nothing and the weather wasn't looking good. I remembered my promise to my daughter and my mom and turned to head back to Algonquin. I stopped at the tree line and sat to eat my sandwich and review my fabulous map again not really ready to give up so easily. It was not even noon yet and I didn't hear any thunder or even feel any rain yet.

Looking at the map I finally realized the reason I couldn't find the herd path was because there wasn't one. There was just a line marking a bush wack and that I was not prepare to do. But I realized if I followed the Colden Lake trail down to the main trail I could get to Marshall that way. It still didn't look too far. So down I went. For the first mile I didn't run into anyone. It was a very steep trail and I thought it would never end. When I finally did run into some hikers they told me this was the 2nd steepest trail in this area and I still had a mile to go. Ughh!

I made it to the bottom and headed on around Lake Colden. I stopped when I came to a lean to and snacked on a few nuts. I figured I would check out the log book and see what other hikers said about the climb up Marshall from here. I got worried when I looked through the whole book and found no mention of anyone climbing Marshall from here. Then I pulled my map back out and realized that the trail didn't go all the way around to where I was trying to go. It stopped at a lake and then another trail picked up a bit later. I guess there was no way to get to Marshall without going up the trail to the Indian pass trail. So I backtracked and found that trail which said it was 3 miles and 1050 ft of elevation gain to get to the Indian Pass Trail. It was still early enough but it was starting to rain. It looked like there was a herd path about halfway down this trail that would take me to the summit of Marshall in less than a mile. Seemed reasonable enough to me so on I went.

This is when I learned that all marked trails are not created equal. This was a somewhat rugged trail and obviously didn't see much traffic as I was going through spider webs the entire way and didn't see a soul the entire hike up. I had no trouble finding the cairn though which I assumed was for Marshall. I could see from the map that there was a little peak to climb and then it was just a little further to Marshall's summit. Just a little ways in from the marked trail I got more optimistic when I saw that another hiker had left their poles. It was nice to know there was someone ahead of me and I decided to leave my pole as well and grab it on the return trip.

Unfortunately, this herd path was a bit of a bush wack and was a little tough to follow and not well worn. I was so relieved when I made it to the summit of Marshall but concerned that I didn't run into the hiker ahead of me. I tried to be very careful to return the same way I had come but somehow I lost the trail when I went through a boggy area. I thought I was back on track and continued on down the trail for a while before it occurred to me that the herd path I was on now was much more travelled. There were cairns weaved back and forth across a brook and I didn't pass over the other peak I had passed over on my way to the summit. It was clouded in and raining now and getting late in the day so I stopped to consider my options. First I checked my GPS. Wouldn't you know it was dead even though there were new batteries in it. Maybe this is why it was a hand me down. Then I pulled out my map and compass which confirmed that I was definitely going the wrong way. I was pretty certain though with my horrible sense of direction that if I tried to go back up and find the other herd path I would get stuck wandering around in the boggy mess and never find the correct herd path anyway and it was starting to get late. My biggest concern though was the fact that this herd path would put me down on the other side of where there was the missing portion of trail I needed to get back to the LOJ. The only other route I could see on my wonderful map was to go all the way around the long way to connect up with the end of the Indian Pass trail and head back to the LOJ that way. It looked like this would add a good 7 miles or so to my hike which meant I would be hiking by myself in the cold wet night in the dark. But at least I would be on a marked trail and right now that seemed safest. I also knew I had my headlamp, extra food, an emergency blanket, rain pants and a fleece with me if I needed it so I knew I would be fine. So on I went.

This really was a very nice herd path and I made it back down to the marked trail in decent time. It put me out right by one of the lean tos. Before I headed off to go the long way around to the LOJ I decided I would just check in with the many voices I heard coming from the lean to in order to get my bearings and make sure I was where I thought I was. So we both pulled out our maps, my wonderful tyvek one and their paper one. They confirmed that I was exactly where I thought I was but then when I mentioned my long hike back to the LOJ they gave me that 3 headed look again. On their map it was clear that the trail didn't have a break in it at all but did continue around the lake. Which meant that I could head back to the LOJ in just about 6 miles and it was 4:30 now. You can't imagine how glad I was to hear that I could make it back to my car before dark. My feet were aching and I was a little chilled and I was really starting to get hungry. Only now did I start to appreciate the fact that I had actually made it to Marshall and wouldn't have to make an extra trip to do this.

The rest of the hike back was eirily beautiful going around the lake on the boardwalks with the cliffs all around me and the rock scrambles for what seemed like miles. I couldn't have been more happy to make it back to the car around 7:30 fully exhausted. Very sorry that I lost my hiking pole on that remote herd path but luckily it wasn't an expensive one anyway and I still had another hike to plan for tomorrow. I think I learned a lot from this trip and will hopefully be better prepared the next time and maybe that tyvek map isn't all that after all.

[c.j.scarborough83]

Glad you made it out! I was almost scared myself thinking of being in a similar situation. Did you get your pole back? Thanks for the TR and congrats!

[randomscooter]

Originally Posted by c.j.scarborough83

Did you get your pole back?

Toll to the infamous Marshall polecat. He'll also take skis, snowshoes, and such, but don't expect change.

[Faline]

WOW that is a long day! I remember being pretty beat after just Wright, Algonquin, Iroquois and looping around by Avalanch pass...on a good nights sleep! You are very brave!

[ADKJack]

Certainly not the most common way to climb Marshall on your first attempt, most go up and back via Herbert brook (the HP you came down) Congratulations on keeping your witts about you and having a safe learning experience.
As for the pole, I can assure you, your not the first. I have managed to fail miserably at gear LNT The list of stuff I have lost on hikes is just too depressing to think about

[Crickster]

Nice report. Glad you made it out safely. I wonder if hiking poles are like umbrellas-- loose yours, find someone else's--it is all part of the great umbrella/hiking pole exchange.

[HighMaintenance]

Thanks for not making me feel like a complete bafoon.

I guess you really do learn more from your mistakes than your successes.

Happy hiking!

[Penn-J]

I enjoyed reading that very much. I'm glad you made it out ok.
I've been wanting to hike in the Adirondacks for a while now and I just discoverd the Adirondack 46 club! What a great goal to persue!
I think I'll start off with Wright, Algonquin, and Iroquois.

[Telemarkmike]

You always have qute a story to tell. Sounds like a great trip though... especially after you found out you didn't have to go the long way around the lake. Congrats on the conquests.