Mount Colden Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · Views · Wildflowers

Very steep, to the point of ladders and wooden stairs up some rock faces. Wet rocks (presumably) all year. Potentially dangerous descending.

This is one of the most difficult trails you can do in the High Peaks. The trail leaves the east shore of Lake Colden and starts immediately uphill. The steep climb is steady with plenty of rocks and roots to overcome. At 0.6 miles, the trail takes a sharp left turn. This turn is easily missed, so if you find that the trail disappears, stop and turn back! After this 0.6 miles, the trail gets even steeper until you crest a false summit. Continue along the ridge with great views of Lake Colden, Algonquin, Iroquois, and Wright Peak to the west. There are some great views from the summit. Unless you camped at Lake Colden, it is best to descend Mount Colden on the L. Morgan Porter Trail.

On your way off the summit, keep your eyes peeled to the west for climbers making an ascent of the world-famous Trap Dike.

The lower part of the trail traverses moisture-rich forests before leaving them behind to scale the rocky slabs of Colden.