Avalanche Mountain.

[Neil]

Avalanche Mountain – a feisty big, little mountain.

Why feisty? Because I found this peak that lies shoehorned between two of the big boys (Colden and Algonquin) to be tougher than expected, right to the top.
Actually we found the approach to be fairly easy, especially after crossing Marcy Brook. We followed whispers of trails and old tote roads through moderately thick bush on our way towards Caribou Pass. As we progressed we got views of Wright including a small piece of the top of the slide and part of Algonquin. Our plan was to turn and head for the summit .2 miles from Caribou Pass. If you go this route resist the temptation to head up earlier. There are cliffs. If I was to go back I think I’d go right to Caribou Pass simply because we encountered fairly thick stuff, blowdown and very steep terrain. The contour intervals from Caribou Pass look a lot fatter. Near the top there was one big cliff that lay oblique to our line of travel and right at the base of it there was a clear channel that permitted us to gain some easy and precious elevation. Best of all, it was a totally cool place to be, especially with the unique views of Algonquin and Wright.

Near the very top we found a little treadway for the last 50 feet or so and this led us right to the summit. We found the best views by pushing through thick stuff on the Flowed Lands side. In fact, the view into the Trap Dike was totally awesome. We sat in the little summit clearing for close to an hour soaking up the rays and shooting the bull. Time and the real world ceased to exist for one little hour.

Things got interesting on the descent. We had planned on following the ridge to the Avalanche Camp LT but somehow the line of least resistance drew us down off to the east side through an amazing funnel between 2 big cliffs. The only thing I didn’t like was worrying whether lower down we would get hung up on cliffs we couldn’t get around. Frequent (constant) inspection of the map, the land, the gps and the compass did us well. By now I had the map in my head and for the first time ever I navigated by watching the UTM numbers change on the gps. What cliffs we encountered were small and easily travelled through. The going was generally a lot more open on our descent route than our ascent.

We were .45 from the LT when Alan got this brilliant idea to cut directly over to the Avalanche pass trail so we changed direction and headed SE. What was funny was we left behind open downhill woods for a 150 climb through stuff that was a lot thicker in order to save .25. The reward was we came out 50 feet above the trail and had unique views of a magnificent slab on Colden. The only problem was that we were above the trail standing on top of a cliff. Alan was kicking himself for having forgotten that the Avalanche pass trail is lined by these beautiful cliffs. Lucky for us we found a crack and had an easy, if steep, downwalk to the trail. A couple of hikers were coming through at that exact moment and must have wondered what the hell we were doing. Looking back up the way we just came all we saw one long line of vertical cliff broken only by the route we had come through.
And that was our day. Much better than a day at the office.

Here are some pictures.

 

[ebbinghaus]

Nice hike -- good pix

Hiya Neil,

Sounds like a day well spent!

 

[Doc McPeak]

Great report Neil. It's amazing how everyone does this trip a little different. Sounds like the descent was right up your alley! We climbed up the brook the whole way after contouring over after checking out the first bump and explored Caribou Pass right thru. There's an incredible cliff band between fifty and eighty feet tall that runs a good 1000' long or so on the Algonquin side. Oh yeah, the route up from the south end of the pass is no picnic either. The southern viewpoint is one of my favorites. We would have lingered too, except it was 90, humid, and the deer flies had followed us all the way to the summit. Nice to climb the funny little bump that you see every time you enter the interior from both the south and the north. Hope to do it this winter, too...

 

[prino]

Nice trip report Neil. I was studying your GPS path and was surprised that you started way up in Avalanche pass. It seems that you had to drop down a little after you left the pass?
Doing this bushwhack last year we started from behind Avalanche lean-to and went straight up the ridge. Your distance to the summit looks a lot less.

 

[MattC]

That sounds like a great route on a fun mountain Neil. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to checking out stuff like that after getting a few more of the "big boys" in the bag.

Matt

 

[Doc McPeak]

I was studying your GPS path and was surprised that you started way up in Avalanche pass.

I think that was how they descended. Though he did mention that may be a nice way to go. Going up the ridge behind the LT does send you to that amazing view from the first bump though. Pretty tough to bypass that.

Speaking of sweet views, here's one of my favorites from the summit. This one is for everyone who has gazed upon cute little Avalanche from the Flowed Lands beach or Lake Colden dam. You can almost see where you would be standing. The Adams Tower is also visible if you look hard.

 

[prino]

I think that was how they descended. Though he did mention that may be a nice way to go.

You're right Doc, I had misread the report. It was a brave descent knowing how close and steep those cliffs are in the pass.

Nice Pic by the way!

 

[Rik]

I think that was how they descended. Though he did mention that may be a nice way to go. Going up the ridge behind the LT does send you to that amazing view from the first bump though. Pretty tough to bypass that.

This is the way I went up and down. Found it to be pretty easy route.

 

[Neil]

Normally on Colden one gazes across at the MacIntyre range or towards Marcy. On Sunday I was on Colden and was fascinated trying to figure out our route of off Avalanche Mtn.
Click here for my estimate of the route we took down.

 

[buddy]

Nice bushwhack Neil

Since bushwhacking is one of my favorite things in life, how can I not be jealous. So much mountain, so little time. Thanks for the nice photo's showing approx. route. Buddy

 

[Neil]

Hey Buddy, when you bushwhack do you like the way the twigs and last year's leaves crack under foot? Or do you prefer that thrill you get when you step off the trail into the thick? Given enough time (and gas money ) I could do Avalanche 7 different ways! Cheers!

 

[buddy]

Bushwhack

Neil, I think the thing I like about bushwhacking most is the orienteering part of it. My hiking buddies( we're all named Buddy ) and I have been going out orienteering in western MA on sunday nights for the last 25 yrs. We basically pick some place out on a topo and try to get there. I've been to more places at night than at day. There's usually a road within 3 mi. any direction and the elevation doesn't change more than 1500' , so it's hard to get really lost ,however there have been some very late nights. Of course I much prefer hiking during the day in the mountains, but our night time excursions keep our navigation skills sharp. It also provides a good excuse to play with map software and gps. The gps we use mostly to track our orienteering accuracy, but in the mountains we use it for reference points on the maps. Get lost in western MA you're out late. Get lost in the mountains,way off trail, has the obvious potential consequences. I also enjoy the natural beauty, and just being out there all seasons day and night. Buddy