Indian Head, Gothics and the Keene Valley – Exploring the Ausable Lakes

One of the most spectacular areas in the Adirondacks, the Ausable Valley may be one of the best kept secrets in New York State. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the Ausable River flows from its lakes down towards Lake Champlain. Here you can hike some of the best lookout in the region.

The culmination of all of these hikes in the valley is the fantastic panoramic view at Indian head overlook!

Table of Contents

• Exploring the Keene Valley
• Parking and the Ausable Club
• Park Entrance
• Artist Falls
• Road to the Indian Head
• Indian Head
• Ausable Dam and Rainbow Falls
• Mt. Gothics
• Heading Down to Beaver Meadow Falls
• Abusable River
• Conclusion

Exploring the Keene Valley

This little down has a few pubs, ins and a pretty church. Although picturesque, there is not much to it.

You can either grab a pint here or head to Lake Placid and enjoy the nightlife. I usually have the local but this time I had a post hike beer from Sloop Brewing Co., a downstate beer from Hopewell Junction, NY. It was pretty good!

Parking and the Ausable Club

There are plenty of plenty to park in the Keene valley but if you wish to use the seventy sport at the St. Huberts Parking Area, you will have to reserve with AMR. You can do so here. Parking spots open two weeks in advance so come prepared.

From this lot follow the road to the Ausable Club, an exclusive club with access to the Ausable Lakes!

Park Entrance

If you are staying at the club a shuttle will take you to the lake. For the rest of us suckers, we can walk along the road and take the trail that suit us. Do hit the park ranger station to log your visit before you hike.

Artist Falls

Your first stop will be artist falls as well as an old concrete weir.

There is no much to the but they are pretty.

Road to the Indian Head

Eventually a trail will take you off the road for some exploration leading up to Indian head. I saw lots of wildlife here surprisingly.

Again you will find some tiny waterfalls along the way.

Eventually you will gain elevation and start to view the mountain ranges surrounding the valley from above the tree line.

And there you are! Indian head in the distance.

Indian Head

This is the main reason why people come and do this trail… and do you blame them! From your rocky perch at over 600 meters in elevation you will see Lower Ausable Lake stretch out in front of you in a scene that seems more akin to something in the Rocky mountain then in the east.

At this point you can hike down to the lake. From here you have two options. The hike so far has already gone on for about over 8.5 kilometers and you will have to walk back. If it is later in the day I recommend this option, hitting Rainbow and Beaver falls on the north side of the Ausable in the process. Else, I recommend climbing up either Sawtooth or Gothics mountain.

Ausable Dam and Rainbow Falls

Once down from your perch you will come across a dam as well as a small bridge. This will give you nice views of the lake.

With a short hike up a steam that spills into the Ausable. This will lead you to Rainbow Falls, with a stunning drop it is much nice then I had expected.

Also this sign made me laugh.

Mt. Gothics

Gothics with its 1,443 m elevation and unhindered views is one of the most beautiful lookouts in the entire Adirondacks. Although its a tough hike up!

From Gothics you can continue on to Saddleback, Basin Mountain and the Great Range.

Alternatively you can head back down via the Wolfjack Mountains both lower and Upper but it can be a pretty gruelling hike!

Heading Down to Beaver Meadow Falls

From Gothics you can take a steep path down to the valley at several locations. I found many interesting rock formations while doing this.

Before you leave make sure to check out Beaver Meadow Falls, a gorgeous triangular waterfall.

Abusable River

Following the Valley Lakes out to the Lake Champlain is the Ausable River. Although not much of it is exposed, you will hear its strong current running as you walk along the north pathway heading back from Beaver Medow Falls.

Conclusion

Enjoy the views! This is my favorite area in the Adirondacks and I feel that it goes unrecognized compared to the big mountains near Lake Placid. India Head is awe inspiring and Rainbow Falls much prettier then I had anticipated. Honestly, I’ll be back to do this one again!