Wright, Algonquin, and Iroquois 9'th, 10'th, and 11'th High Peak Ascent

The McIntyre Range - Wright Peak, Algonquin, and Iroquois Peak

The 16'th, 2'nd, and 8'th highest peaks in New York State with elevations of 4,580, 5114, and 4,840 ft. 

8-20-12 We decided to try something different this trip since the ADK Loj was all booked up. We stayed at
The Keene Valley Hostel for two nights. 

We wanted to get an early start in the morning and were signing in at the trail head shortly after 8 am. 

Although I have hiked this trail several times now I still am surprised how many things I notice for the first time. 

The trail to Marcy Dam is basically flat but after the split toward Algonquin you begin to pick up elevation s pretty quickly.

There is also a cool little water fall that was not running much this year because of the lack of rain.

We decided to climb Wright Peak first so when the trail split off toward Wright we took it.

This is a picture of my and my boys on the Wright summit with our next goal, Algonquin, in the background. 

Wright Peak is the site of a fatal B-47 plan crash in 1962.  There is a plaque there in memory of the four airmen that died in the crash. In addition to the plaque there are numerous airplane parts that are still strewn on the mountainside. 

After a short break and a few pictures we descended Wright and started the climb up Algonquin, the second highest peak and the only other peak over 5,000 ft besides Mount Marcy.

On the summit of Algonquin we met the Summit Steward named Julia who took a couple pictures of us. The first picture is of us on Algonquin with Mount Colden and the trap dike that we had previously climbed this summer. As we were there the weather turned foul and we quickly put on our rain gear. The wind kicked up, the temperature dropped, and it started to mist in the matter of a couple minutes. We didn't spend much time on the summit and started the descent from Algonquin to the col and then towards Iroquois.

The col between Algonquin and Iroquois does not have a maintained trail but only an narrow herd path that was quite muddy in spots. After we came down off of Algonquin the precipitation stopped, the sun came out again, and the temperature rose so we lost the rain and cold gear. 

The summit of Iroquois was basically bald like the others and so the views were equally spectacular. Here again were more great views of Algonquin, Colden, Avalanche Lake, Lake Colden, and the Flowed Lands. 

Well we had accomplished our goal of climbing the three peaks of the McIntyre Range. Now began the long arduous task of descending Iroquois, ascending the summit of Algonquin, wishing Julia a good day around 2:30 pm and then the long descent down Algonquin past Wright and back to the trail head at the ADK Loj parking lot. I didn't take many pictures on the way back since the weather turned foul again and most of the trip back was in and out of rain. We signed out at 5:10 pm and after a short trip back to the Hostel for a shower and a chicken fajitas dinner were all in bed and asleep by 8:30 pm.

Colvin and Blake 7'th and 8'th High Peak Ascent

Mt. Colvin and Blake Peak

The 39'th and 43'rd highest peaks in New York State with elevations of 4,057 and 3,960 ft. 

8-5-12 We now know that Blake is not technically over 4,000 ft. in elevation.  But, because it was originally thought to be so, it is on the official 46'r list and therefore must be climbed. The four of us left Speculator at 6 am and started driving to the High Peaks region. We were parked and walking on the road toward the Ausable Club by 7:50 am.

After walking a mile on the Ausable Club road, we got to the trail head and signed in.

From that point we could see the iconic wooden gate which transitioned
the pavement to the dirt road we would walk on
for another several miles.

Eventually we got to the Gil Brook Trail where we ventured off of the road
and onto the trail toward our goals. 

I had been encouraged by others to make sure that we took the side trail to see Fish Hawk Cliffs
and Indian Head on our way. Although it added distance and elevation to the trip,
we were glad we did because it turned out to be the best views of the day.

After that we continued on toward Mt. Colvin.
The elevation gain started to get steep and the rain started to fall.

By the time we reached the Mt. Colvin summit we were pretty hungry and drenched.

After a quick bite for lunch we headed down the col between Colvin and Blake.
There are several places that are rocky and so steep that we would
not have been able to navigate them without man made wooden ladders.

The summit of Blake Peak is unimpressive because it is totally wooded with no views at all.
Even if there were a view; we would not have had one today because of the foul weather.

After Blake it was the arduous task of back down the col
and then up to the summit of Colvin again,
back to the car about 7:30 pm and on to Noonmark Diner for dinner.

All in all, this was another great climb.
It was a great day more because of the company than the views.
Each of us took a couple tumbles because of the weather and slick footing,
but luckily the only real injuries were to Mr. C's feet!