Mount Colden
Encyclopedia
Mount Colden is the eleventh highest peak in the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains
, New York
, USA.
The peak is named after David S. Colden, an investor in the McIntyre Iron Works, in 1836. The peak was briefly renamed "Mount McMartin" the next year, but the older name persisted. The mountain is known for its distinctive Trap Dyke, a large crevice running up the center of the mountain, which can clearly be seen from Avalanche Lake.
There are two maintained trails up Mount Colden. The first, which approaches from the northeast, passes by Lake Arnold before ascending the summit after crossing over several false peaks. The second trail, which is steeper, approaches from the southwest, starting from Lake Colden
. Both approaches can reached from the popular Adirondak Loj
trailhead. After hiking from the Loj to the Avalanche Lean-Tos, climbers can head southwest through Avalanche Pass and past Avalanche Lake to reach Lake Colden
and the trail to Colden from the southwest. Alternatively, they can head southeast to reach Lake Arnold and the northeast approach. Lake Colden
and the southwest approach can also be reached from the Upper Works trailhead. Finally, the summit of Mount Colden can be reached by climbing the Trap Dyke from Avalanche Lake. This approach leads to a long slide and a short bushwhack to the summit. This last approach does not follow a maintained trail, is extremely steep in places, and should be used with caution.
Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA.
The peak is named after David S. Colden, an investor in the McIntyre Iron Works, in 1836. The peak was briefly renamed "Mount McMartin" the next year, but the older name persisted. The mountain is known for its distinctive Trap Dyke, a large crevice running up the center of the mountain, which can clearly be seen from Avalanche Lake.
There are two maintained trails up Mount Colden. The first, which approaches from the northeast, passes by Lake Arnold before ascending the summit after crossing over several false peaks. The second trail, which is steeper, approaches from the southwest, starting from Lake Colden
Lake Colden
Lake Colden is a lake located in the Adirondack High Peaks in New York, USA. Lake Colden sits at 2764 feet at the western base of 4,714-foot Mount Colden...
. Both approaches can reached from the popular Adirondak Loj
Adirondak Loj
Adirondak Loj is a historic lodge near Lake Placid in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. The Loj, built in 1927, is currently owned and operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club. Located on the shore of Heart Lake, it is at the trailhead of the most popular trails to Mount Marcy and...
trailhead. After hiking from the Loj to the Avalanche Lean-Tos, climbers can head southwest through Avalanche Pass and past Avalanche Lake to reach Lake Colden
Lake Colden
Lake Colden is a lake located in the Adirondack High Peaks in New York, USA. Lake Colden sits at 2764 feet at the western base of 4,714-foot Mount Colden...
and the trail to Colden from the southwest. Alternatively, they can head southeast to reach Lake Arnold and the northeast approach. Lake Colden
Lake Colden
Lake Colden is a lake located in the Adirondack High Peaks in New York, USA. Lake Colden sits at 2764 feet at the western base of 4,714-foot Mount Colden...
and the southwest approach can also be reached from the Upper Works trailhead. Finally, the summit of Mount Colden can be reached by climbing the Trap Dyke from Avalanche Lake. This approach leads to a long slide and a short bushwhack to the summit. This last approach does not follow a maintained trail, is extremely steep in places, and should be used with caution.