Region: Adirondacks (46er)
Level: Difficult
Mileage: ~11 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: ~4,700 feet
On this journey, you’ll hit the number 2 and number 8 highest peaks in NYS - Algonquin and Iroquois Peak. You’ll also hit Wright to get in a 3-peak day if you decide it’s worth it, depending on weather.
The trailhead starts on the Algonquin trail which is accessible from the Adirondack Loj parking lot. Be prepared to pay for parking - $15 I believe now. Also, if going over summer, be prepared to get to the Loj early. The parking lot has filled this summer by 6-6:30 AM.
Algonquin Summit from the Summit of Iroquois
The trail starts relatively easy. Around a mile in you’ll hit an intersection that can take you towards Algonquin/Iroquois/Wright (straight ahead) or left towards Marcy Dam. Stay straight, it’s about 4 miles to the Iroquois Summit, 3 miles to the Algonquin summit. The hike continues on for about a mile through still relatively moderate terrain. At around mile 2, the hike begins to become rocky and an increase in grade. In dry conditions, it’s technical but manageable. In snowy conditions (my trip up Algonquin in the late fall and my trip up Wright in the late winter), you’ll 100% need spikes, and poles would be helpful. The increased grade can become extremely slippery at times and the rock underneath gets iced over. While i’m writing this post as all three, I actually hit all 3 separately due to weather conditions each time. Luckily I took a late afternoon trip up Iroquois in the early summer, so it was not only dry, but also relatively quiet. After about 3 miles, you’ll come to a junction which sends you either up Wright for a short but adventurous .4 miles to the summit. Pics below for Wright in the winter. You can also head up towards the Algonquin summit and Iroquois, around a mile to Algonquin and another one to Iroquois. Push through to the summit of Algonquin at about 4 miles. Incredible 360 degree views. Once over the top of the summit, continue on down the backside of Algonquin. You’ll eventually come to an intersection where you can take either a left or a right - head right to Iroquois. The trail markers really make it look like left is the way to go, but keep right. There are cairns along the way to help guide you. You’ll eventually come up over a mid-way summit between Algonquin and Iroquois. This is a false summit. Continue on through the herd path, down the false summit and then finally up the Iroquois summit. It’s about a mile of travel in between. You’ll head up the Iroquois summit, a couple small scrambles, eventually to reach the top of the 8th largest mountain in NYS with incredible views of Algonquin, Marcy, Colden, Whiteface in the distance and a full view of some of the high peaks wilderness. Once you’ve taken it all in, head back exactly how you came up, and enjoy the trip down.
