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.
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- The Upperworks Trailhead Parking Area
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- Hiking in from the Upperworks Trailhead
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- View of Calamity Pond
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- Memorial marker for David Henderson at Calamity Pond
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- One of several Lean-to’s in the Lake Colden area
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- Heading across Lake Colden towards the MacIntyre Range
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- View from atop the frozen Lake Colden (Mount Colden to the Left)
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- Another view from atop the frozen Lake Colden (Mount Colden to the Left)
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- View seen while standing on frozen Avalanche Lake.
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- Trail Junction near Campsite that was chosen.
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- Fog on the Algonquin Trail
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- Ice flow along the upper portion of the Algonquin Trail
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- Returning to the Upperworks Parking area, via Calamity Brook Trail
All video content, photos and music are original works by myself, Sintax77.