Intro to ADKs/HP Recommendation?

[SLHiker]

Hey Everyone!

This is my first post, so bear with me please

I am pretty hooked on becoming a 46er, and so far have only done Giant, Cascade, Porter, and Big Slide via Brothers.

I have friends from CT coming up this weekend who are pretty experienced hikers (Katahdin, Utah/etc) and climbers, and would like to try out their first High Peak!

I'm bringing my dog, a huge springer who has climbed all of the above with me, but they are also bringing their "fairly new-to-hiking" Border Collie who is about 1 1/2 years old...he's done some long, very moderate hikes but nothing like the HPs...(he is very obedient, not skittish, and well-behaved)

Given his energy level I know he'll be fine, but does anyone have any suggestions? I really want them to get a good sense of a decent day hike here so hopefully I'll have some future hiking buddies I was thinking maybe Whiteface/Esther, or possibly the Seward Range (one day hike only though)? Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

~Gina

[DSettahr]

The Seward Range as a day hike probably isn't a good introduction to someone who has never hiked in the High Peaks before. Not only is it going to be a long, hard day, but there are very limited views from the range as well.

Whiteface/Esther is a potentially good option. Probably a good idea to plan to do Whiteface first, and then Esther after if you have time.

How about Colden? It's a moderately challenging hike, but not too long. Great views from the summit of the MacIntyre Range and down into Avalanche Pass.

[lionelhutz]

Algonquin and Iroquois.

[SLHiker]

Originally Posted by DSettahr

The Seward Range as a day hike probably isn't a good introduction to someone who has never hiked in the High Peaks before. Not only is it going to be a long, hard day, but there are very limited views from the range as well.

Whiteface/Esther is a potentially good option. Probably a good idea to plan to do Whiteface first, and then Esther after if you have time.

How about Colden? It's a moderately challenging hike, but not too long. Great views from the summit of the MacIntyre Range and down into Avalanche Pass.

Thanks, I guess I got a little excited from the recent Seward Range trip reports, it's good to know about the lack of views!

Colden sounds like a great idea, except my concern is the ladders with dogs through Avalanche Pass...

What about LWJ via Deer Brook Trail possibly via Bennies Brook Slide? Just a thought...dunno about the views there either though...

[DSettahr]

Originally Posted by SLHiker

Colden sounds like a great idea, except my concern is the ladders with dogs through Avalanche Pass...

If you do Colden from Heart Lake as an out and back via Marcy Dam/Lake Arnold, you never have to pass through Avalanche Pass.

Originally Posted by SLHiker

What about LWJ via Deer Brook Trail possibly via Bennies Brook Slide? Just a thought...dunno about the views there either though...

Views from LWJ are ok. Nothing special. I like the views from the Chin better than from the actual summit.

[SLHiker]

Those are all great suggestions! I thought about doing Colden that way, but never have done Avalanche Pass and was looking forward to it. I should have been more clear.

So far I think it's between Whiteface/Esther and Algonquin/Iroquois...

I want to them to really get a good taste of everything we love about the dacks..

[Makwa]

I'd go with Algonquin/ Iroquois or even just Algonquin/ Wright. Whiteface is a fun climb and the views are nice but you're so far from the Great Range and the other High Peaks that you don't feel like you're in the middle of it all. Plus, mingling with all the tourists on the summit who drove up the mountain is kind of a weird experience.

[SLHiker]

Originally Posted by Makwa

I'd go with Algonquin/ Iroquois or even just Algonquin/ Wright. Whiteface is a fun climb and the views are nice but you're so far from the Great Range and the other High Peaks that you don't feel like you're in the middle of it all. Plus, mingling with all the tourists on the summit who drove up the mountain is kind of a weird experience.

I think we are going to go with either of the Algonquin suggestions...thanks, guys! Can't wait

[DackerDan]

Algonquin is a great hike. If you are going with your dogs please remember to keep them on a leash, particularly on the summits where they can trample the fragile vegitation. Someone here just reported they got a ticket from a ranger for not having thier dog on a leash.

[SLHiker]

Always do

[PA Ridgerunner]

FWIW, the view from Donaldson is one of the best in the high peaks (IMHO). Enjoy the Macs!

[SLHiker]

Thanks so much everyone! Here is the plan:

Colden loop via Lake Arnold and return Lake Colden/AP this coming Saturday with my mother (also from CT and new to HP- she is in great shape and hey, she asked for it specifically after much debate)

Algonquin/Iroquois next Saturday with the dogs and CT friends...

I think I'll have to drag my husband up Donaldson later in the year...still trying to get him on the hiking bandwagon but he has been most unfortunate (quick recap of his hiking this summer so far for those who might feel pity or would like a quick giggle):

Giant- I had to drag him the whole way to the Washbowl where he first informed me that he had drank nothing but a pot of coffee all day and I promptly sent him back and summitted my first HP alone...he waited and happily fished in CP (hmmm...maybe this was planned??)

Cascade/Porter- He had our 9month Siberian who dragged him all around...it also rained, we were in a cloud the entire time on Cascade. His only enjoyment was watching me *almost* fall in the mud on col to Porter...I heard a lot of words like "pointless"..."rather be at work"..."I can't believe you dragged my children up here (which I did, on an earlier hike another day, and odd how they complained much less)etc...for that one. We also got mauled by a huge Springer puppy NOT on leash...muddy paws galore. Then our muddy nasty dogs in HIS car which will sadly never be the same...

Baxter- with the girls (age 3 and 5). uneventful. In his words "what all hiking should be like"

Severance Hill- with the children again. Unfortunately, he, and he alone, although thoroughly DEETed, found Deer Fly HQ. He had about 20 bites on his arms alone, while the rest of us had none. Such is his luck