Marshall from Heart Lake via Scott Clearing - 02 Jan 2016

[nundagao]

The DEC stopped maintaining the Cold Brook Pass trail between Indian Pass and Lake Colden five years ago and it is encumbered with deadfalls that require getting down on hands and knees. The dozens upon dozens of small streams crossing all the trails, and sometimes running in them, were unfrozen so there was also that. The fun really started after leaving the abandoned Cold Brook Pass trail to climb over the 4160' intermediate peak between Cold Brook pass and Marshall. It is nameless on the maps so anyone is welcome to call it whatever suits them. Little Marshall suggests itself, although one could make a good argument for Cursed Bump. The last time I was on that herd path was in 2007. It was always pretty rough and time has not improved it. We got into a bit of blowdown in the col between CB and Marshall and angled left and up intending to intersect the Herbert Brook herd path, but presently got back onto the CB herd path and then had clear straight shot to the top. The clouds were low and unbroken except for a brief and dramatic close-up of the Shepherd's Tooth on our return to Cold Brook pass. It was a long, tough day. On the trail at 7:15, out at 7:45. At any event, if you want to poach our broken trail, nail it soon, before the next snowfall!