Gray Peak and Mount Marcy, NY
Date: 07/09/2006
Persons in Group: Brian
Weather Conditions: 75-80 degrees, Sun/Clouds
Route: ADK Loj - Marcy Dam - Lake Arnold - Feldspar - Lake Tear - Gray Herd Path - Bushwack to Marcy - Out via Van Hoevenburg.
Notes: I hit the trail around 7:30 AM, my origional plan being to swing around the backside of Marcy via Lake Arnold, Feldspar and Lake Tear, climb Skylight, Gray and bushwack over to Marcy from there. Due to time constraints, I had to ixnay Skylight for this trip
The Trails themselves were in good shape, with the exception of the stretch between Lake Arnold and Feldspar, which had some nasty sections of mud. The Herd Path up Gray, which begins right at the Lake Tear outlet was in OK shape, some blowdowns but the path has already started rerouting itself. The bushwack from Gray to Marcy was slowgoing, very thick. There is a definate "path" you can follow by keeping your eyes on the ground, but make no mistake, you will still be crawling, pushing and fighting your way over to Marcy. Bushwack clothing is recomended. My trip was about 17 miles or so, I did it in 8 hours flat. Gray was #14 on my ADK46 and #73 on the Northeast 115. (I had previously climbed Marcy).
My path for the day, starting at the ADK Loj. I came in on the Lake Arnold side, out on the Table Top side. Marcy and Gray are very close together, rather than going back down the Gray herd path, and continuing on to Four Corners, I chose just to bushwack over.
The junction connecting the Lake Arnold trail to Indian Falls. This is already 4.3 miles into the hike.
A view of Colden from the trail between Lake Arnold and Feldspar.
Farther in, the junction at Feldspar. 6.3 miles in.
Lake Tear, beautiful area. Roughly 4300' at this point, this is the Feldspar brook outlet where the Gray herd path begins.
This cairn at the Lake Tear outlet marks the Gray herd path start.
The summit of Gray Peak. The herd path has some cliff scrambling in places, steep but pretty standard.
A view of Skylight from Gray. Allen is peaking behind it.
Colden in the front, behind it Wright, Algonquin and Iroquois.
Next stop - Marcy. This is from the Gray summit. Rather than climb down the herd path and swinging around via trail, I chose to bushwack over. There isn't much elevation lost on the ridge, and there is a path you can follow with your eyes on the ground.
Pretty much pushing through this on the way over, and thicker. There are few breaks.
Getting closer on the bushwack. This is taken from a cliff off of Gray you need to traverse.
Finally reaching treeline on the slopes of Marcy, a cairn on the side.
A look back from the end of bushwack route on the slopes of Marcy. Gray Peak, and also the cliff where a previous picture was taken. It's probably about 300 yards to the summit from here up the west slope.
A shot of Skylight from Marcy. Allen behind it again.
A shot of Haystack from Marcy. (My final 46er and 115 peak). You can also see Dix, Haystack, Dial, Colvin and Blake in this picture, among some others.
A show of the Great Range. Gothics, Basin, etc.
West to Colden in front, and then Wright, Algonquin and Iroquois. Also, Marshall to the far left.
A final look back at Marcy on the way down.