Three days of Winter Hammock Camping and backpacking in the Adirondacks High Peaks Region.

GPS track data for the full trip was recorded using my new Garmin 650 gps unit, and can be found on the Trip Data page, for download in GPX format. (All photos in this post are geo-tagged as well)

Parking Location: At the end of Upperworks Road 44°05’20.6″N 74°03’22.7″W

The Upperworks Trailhead Parking Area

Trails Used in Order:

Day 1 (Hike In)

Begin at Upperworks Trailhead
Calamity Brook Trail
Cross frozen Lake Colden towards the Ranger Station
(If lake is not frozen, the Algonquin Peak Trail can be taken instead)
Take Avalanche Pass Trail to visit Avalanche Lake
Reverse course on Avalanche Pass Trail back towards Lake Colden
Camp near intersection of Ranger Station Spur Trail and Cold Brook Trail
Campsite coordinates N44 07.494 W73 58.912
Mileage Total: 9.16 miles

Elevation Profile for Day 1

Day 2 (Above Treeline Excursion)

Avalanche Pass Trail
Algonquin Trail via Lake Colden
Enjoy the views (or summit fog) and head back down towards campsite
Mileage Total: 4.16 miles

Elevation Profile for Day 2 (Ouch)

Day 3 (Hike Out)

Head out across frozen Lake Colden back towards car
Calamity Brook Trail
End back at Upperworks Trailhead
Mileage Total: 6.38 miles

Elevation Profile for Day 3

Returning to the Upperworks Parking area, via Calamity Brook Trail

Mileage & Elevation Profile for Full 3 Day Trip

For a look at my winter gear, check out my Winter Gear List Video. Notable changes: Hammock instead of Kelty Salida 2 Tent, MSR Rapidfire Stove instead of generic upright canister stove, and I picked up another pair of fleece lined hiking pants as an alternative to the backup sleeping pants I used to pack.