The Great Range – The Biggest Challenge in the Adirondacks
This post draws from both my Mt. Marcy Post and that of the Keene Valley. For more information you can read either one below:
Mount Marcy – Theodore Roosevelt’s Legendary Hike
Indian Head, Gothics and the Keene Valley – Exploring the Ausable Lakes
Table of Contents
What the Hell is the Great Range
A 15 hour, 31.4 km, journey though the High Peaks Wilderness, this hike will take you up to hit many of the forty-six High Peaks. This is a gruelling hike and can be done in a day if started early or over several. The start in the Keene Valley point does not match the end point and as such you may need a ride from one to another, another method.
The hike can encompass at least 12 different mountains with nearly 10,000 feet of elevation gain. As such come prepared, this one is one of the most difficult in the country. Highlights include Mount Marcy, Haystack and Gothics among others.
What To Expect
From the keen valley you will follow a steep ridge that includes Lower Wolfjaw, Upper Wolfjaw, Armstrong, Gothics mountain heading eastward.
From Gothics, my favourite of these mountain, the path takes a turn north for its most majestic. Here is the bread and butter of the trail leading to Saddleback, Basin, and Haystack.
If you are exhausted and don’t think you can make it you can always bail out towards Lower Ausable Lake via Sawteeth Mountain (not part of the Great Range). This area is equally beautiful and you will find both Rainbow Falls Indian Head Vista.
The Great Range culminates at Mt. Marcy, the famed mountain climbed by Teddy Roosevelt before his fabled Midnight Ride. It is the highest of the high peaks. Coming down will take you past the Marcy Dam towards Heart Lake. It is rather uneventful with the exception of a waterfall lookout and the ruined dam.
