Colvin and Indian Head

Colvin
Elevation: 4057 ft (1237 m)
Peak: N44 05.655 W73 50.072
Parking lot: N44 10.945 W73 57.769
Distance: 22.7 km

Not long ago I thought my last hike of the '08 season in the ADK was Big Slide. Boy was I wrong.

Mike and I left Ottawa before sunrise at about 5:15 am. After several photo ops along the way we arrived at the parking lot a little late but luckily we found a spot and wouldn't have to contemplate parking roadside.


The day was a little chilly but beautiful which of course slowed us down as we stopped here and there for a photo or two. After the golf course and manditory hiker sign-in the road follows the east branch of the Ausable River. It was here that I spotted a crane fishing in the small river (more like a creek really).



We finally hopped off the road and on to the Bypass Trail that would soon meet up with the Gill Brook Trail. From here we followed the signs until we stepped out on our first lookout. Nice. Moments later we were officially standing on Indian Head and looking at Ausable Lake surrounded by numerous high peaks.



Here are a few shots of Indian Head from Fish Hawk Cliffs.



Next stop, Colvin.

From Fish Hawk Cliffs we headed down towards Colvin and Blake. The trail was about 3 km from here with some ups and downs and even a scramble or two. The extra effort was well worth it though as the views from Colvin are sweet.

Haystack, Basin, Saddleback, Gothics



Giant, Rocky Peak (with Noonmark, Round in front)
And that should be it for peak baggin' in '08. No (viewless) Blake for us today. We left Colvin around 15:40 which meant that it was well dark by the time we finished the death march and arrived back at the parking lot. A quick stop for some fast food and coffee and we were ready to make the trip back to Ottawa.