Algonquin Peak
Encyclopedia
Algonquin Peak is in the MacIntyre Range in the town of North Elba
, in Essex County
, New York
. It is the second highest mountain in New York, and one of the 46 Adirondack
High Peaks in Adirondack Park. Its name comes from its reputedly being on the Algonquian
side of a nearby informal boundary between the Algonquian and their Iroquois
neighbors.
Algonquin is popular with hikers, accessible from the popular Adirondak Loj
trailhead near Heart Lake outside of Lake Placid
for a day trip. While shorter than nearby Mount Marcy, it is steeper; requiring almost as much vertical ascent in a considerably shorter distance.
The usual route is via the blue-blazed Van Hoevenberg Trail 0.9 miles (1.4 km) to its junction with the yellow-blazed MacIntyre Range Trail and follow that the remaining 3.1 miles (5 km) to the summit, during which the route gets progressively steeper and rockier, going over many steep rock chutes called "slides".
The mountain's summit is an alpine zone
above tree line, and views of the surrounding high peaks are available in all directions. However, the large numbers of hikers on the summit have in the past caused damage to the fragile plant life, and strict regulations have been put in place both at the trailhead and on the summit (all hikers must sign in; no dogs are allowed without a leash) to protect it. On busy days a Summit Steward both reminds hikers of these rules and educates them about the ecosystem.
Less frequently, the mountain is approached from the southeast via the steep, narrow, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) Boundary Trail from Lake Colden
. This trail is also dangerous because of the poor markings and steep, slippery slides that streams have formed on.
North Elba, New York
North Elba is a town in Essex County, New York, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the island of Elba.North Elba is on the western edge of the county...
, in Essex County
Essex County, New York
Essex County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 39,370. Its name is from the English county of Essex. Its county seat is Elizabethtown...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. It is the second highest mountain in New York, and one of the 46 Adirondack
Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeastern part of New York, that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties....
High Peaks in Adirondack Park. Its name comes from its reputedly being on the Algonquian
Algonquian peoples
The Algonquian are one of the most populous and widespread North American native language groups, with tribes originally numbering in the hundreds. Today hundreds of thousands of individuals identify with various Algonquian peoples...
side of a nearby informal boundary between the Algonquian and their Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
neighbors.
Algonquin is popular with hikers, accessible from the popular Adirondak Loj
Adirondak Loj
Adirondak Loj is a historic lodge near Lake Placid in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. The Loj, built in 1927, is currently owned and operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club. Located on the shore of Heart Lake, it is at the trailhead of the most popular trails to Mount Marcy and...
trailhead near Heart Lake outside of Lake Placid
Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid is a village in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 2,638....
for a day trip. While shorter than nearby Mount Marcy, it is steeper; requiring almost as much vertical ascent in a considerably shorter distance.
The usual route is via the blue-blazed Van Hoevenberg Trail 0.9 miles (1.4 km) to its junction with the yellow-blazed MacIntyre Range Trail and follow that the remaining 3.1 miles (5 km) to the summit, during which the route gets progressively steeper and rockier, going over many steep rock chutes called "slides".
The mountain's summit is an alpine zone
Alpine tundra
Alpine tundra is a natural region that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude. Alpine tundra is distinguished from arctic tundra, because alpine soils are generally better drained than arctic soils...
above tree line, and views of the surrounding high peaks are available in all directions. However, the large numbers of hikers on the summit have in the past caused damage to the fragile plant life, and strict regulations have been put in place both at the trailhead and on the summit (all hikers must sign in; no dogs are allowed without a leash) to protect it. On busy days a Summit Steward both reminds hikers of these rules and educates them about the ecosystem.
Less frequently, the mountain is approached from the southeast via the steep, narrow, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) Boundary Trail from Lake Colden
Lake Colden
Lake Colden is a lake located in the Adirondack High Peaks in New York, USA. Lake Colden sits at 2764 feet at the western base of 4,714-foot Mount Colden...
. This trail is also dangerous because of the poor markings and steep, slippery slides that streams have formed on.
Gallery