Phelps Mountain, NY
Date: 08/06/2005
Persons in Group: Brian and Greg.
Weather Conditions: 80 degrees, sunny and clear
Route: Van Hoevenburg Trail, through Marcy Dam, and up Phelps Mountain Trail. Phelps Mountain Trail to the summit. Up and back.
Notes: First time back in the ADK's since 2002 when we climbed Colden, so it was good to be back. Phelps reminded us why the ADK's are a fantastic place to hike. Excellent views from the summit, easily one of the nicest I've ever seen. You can essentially see a 250 degree span of high peaks from Big Slide to Wright Peak. Weather was fantastic, and we had a late start on the trail so the summit was clear of people when we reached it. Trails were very busy as usual, especially around Marcy Dam. Phelps Trail is in serious need of regrowth, it is worn beyond belief in places.
We reached the ADK Loj at around 1:30 PM, late start today, but we were looking to make some good time. Phelps is 8.8 mile round Trip.
2.4 miles and 50 minutes later, we reached Marcy Dam. It was actually pretty empty when we reached it. Notice our destination of the day peaking out behind me, Phelps.
Another picture of Colden from the center of the dam.
Striking a pose with Colden.
As we headed up the Phelps Mountain Trail, the views really started opening up. Here is Wright in the front, Algonquin behind it and Iroquois behind that.
A view of Avalanch Pass, between Colden and Avalanche Mountain.
We reached the summit, and had Marcy dead center in our views. Here is my dad with Tabletop in front, Marcy dominating the background.
Here is a view of Big Slide from the summit.
Here is my dad in front of a section of the "Great Range". Armstrong, Gothics, Saddleback, Basin and Haystack.
A closer look at Gothics and Saddleback over one of the Tabletop bumps.
A view east of Giant. You can't really make it out in this picture, but Camels Hump is in the far background.
Pull back shot of Tabletop and Marcy.
A final close-up shot of Mt. Marcy, with the shadows starting to roll in.