Type: Trail, Loop
Difficulty: 9 / 10
Dog Friendly: No
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Unknown
Filed Under: Hiking, Running
This run starts at the Adirondack Loj at Heart Lake. Take the private trail to Marcy Dam. Follow the signs for Mt. Marcy trail. This trail is quite steep but you can run for a while until it gets too steep. Then it's a easy scramble to the top of NY's highest peak. Enjoy the view, then head down the back (south) side. The trail turns west toward Avalanche Pass. There are a few intersections so follow you map closely as the turns are now intuitive especially if you tend to zone out on long runs... like me.
You'll cross a suspension bridge and pass some deep gorges on your way to the Pass. Once in the Pass you'll turn north and run along the wooden suspension catwalks above the waters of Lake Colden. Cliffs rise 1000 feet or more on either side of the lake.
At the north end of the pass you will traverse the remains of a massive mud slide that burried the only exit with 20 or more feet of mud and trees. The NYS DEC cleared a narrow path through the slide with pick, shovels and chainsaws. It's a humbling sight. The trail back to March Dam is relatively easy from here.Take Rt 73 east out of Lake Placid towards Mt. Van Hovenburg. Rt. of CR34 in town of N. Elba. Take CR34 until it ends at the gate to Adirondak Loj and the trail head. There is a fee to park. An evening at the loj is most enjoyable. A bunk dinner and breakfast will set you back less that $50 and is worth every penny after a long run. The food is excellent... at least it seems that way at the end of a long day.
Posted by: RD Jim and last modified on Feb 10, 2008 by RD Jim
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