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Algonquin summit, Iroquois Peak in the distance Algonquin summit, Iroquois Peak in the distance

At 5115 ft, Algonquin Peak is the second highest mountain in the Adirondacks and New York State. The summit is 4.3 miles from Adirondack Loj, making it a feasible day hike.

The hike begins from Adirondack Loj on the Van Hoevenberg Trail. It becomes progressively steeper approaching the summit, with exposed bedrock in portions, requiring some careful maneuvering.

The summit view is uninterrupted, with a good vantage point of the MacIntyre Range, Lake Colden, Mount Colden, and Mount Marcy in the distance.

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  1. The Adirondack Loj parking area is divided into prongs. At the end of the rightmost prong, the Van Hoevenberg Trail begins.

    Van Hoevenberg Trailhead

  2. Van Hoevenberg bridge, Adirondack Park, NY

    Van Hoevenberg Bridge

  3. The trail to Algonquin splits from Van Hoevenberg trail at 1.0 mi.

    Van Hoevenberg-Algonquin Trail Juncture

  4. The Algonquin Trail is well marked and easy to follow, though it gets progressively steeper towards Algonquin Peak

    Algonquin Trail

  5. A copse of birch trees intersects the Algonquin trail.

    A Copse of Birch

  6. Exposed bedrock with glacial till on the Algonquin Trail becomes progressively more common. This can make for a slippery ascent, especially when coated with ice in the mid to late autumn.

    Exposed Bedrock

  7. The first and most impressive waterfall encountered on Algonquin Trail, at 2.6 mi.

    Algonquin Trail Waterfall

  8. Chris Bemis at the base of a waterfall on Algonquin Trail, Adirondack Park, NY.

    Adirondack Waterfall

  9. At the higher elevations of the Adirondacks, alpine vegetation takes hold. Deer hair sedge, bog laurel, Labrador tea, bilberry, and mountain sandwort, among other plants, cling to the thin soil, leading to dwarf morphology.

    Alpine Vegetation

  10. Approaching the summit of Algonquin Peak, the trail narrows and is hemmed in by dwarf spruce, fir, and birch trees.

    Algonquin: Alpine Trail

  11. Algonquin summit trail, Adirondack Park, NY

    Algonquin Summit Trail

  12. Northern view from Algonquin summit. To the right, Wright Peak. The small body of water next to Wright Peak is Heart Lake.

    North View, Algonquin

  13. The expansive northern view from Algonquin summit

    North View, Algonquin

  14. Algonquin Summit, Adirondack Park, NY

    Algonquin Summit

  15. Deer hair sedge, bog laurel, Labrador tea, bilberry, mountain sandwort, and dwarf birch, among other plants, carpet the thin alpine soil. Algonquin Peak and other alpine ecosystems are slow growing and difficult to recover. As a result, summit stewards protect the vegetation.

    Alpine Vegetation, Algonquin

  16. The Algonquin summit is lined with rocks to prevent trampling of alpine vegetation

    Algonquin Summit

  17. Mount Colden as seen from the summit of Algonquin. The eleventh highest peak in the Adirondacks, it's known for its large crevice running up the center, Trap Dyke. Mount Marcy can be seen in the distance.

    Mount Colden

  18. Lake Colden, as seen from Algonquin Peak.

    Lake Colden

  19. Large boulders at the summit of Algonquin.

    Boulders, Algonquin

  20. The summit of Algonquin may become crowded at times. with English, French, and other tongues heard.

    Algonquin Summit

  21. A 1.1 mi trail from Algonquin summit leads to Boundary Peak and Iroquois Peak

    Iroquois Peak, Boundary Peak

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