Mount Colden

Mount Colden
Mount Colden as seen from Wright Peak
Elevation	4,715 ft (1,437 m) NGVD 29
Prominence	876 ft (267 m)
Listing	Adirondack High Peaks
Location
Mount Colden Essex County, New York, USA
Range	Adirondacks
Coordinates	44°07′37″N 73°57′36″W
Topo map	USGS North Elba
Climbing
First ascent	Unknown
Easiest route	Hike from the Adirondak Loj

Mount Colden is the eleventh highest peak in the High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, New York, USA. The peak is named after David S. Colden, an investor in the McIntyre Iron Works, in 1836. The peak was briefly renamed "Mount McMartin" the next year, but the older name persisted. The mountain is known for its distinctive Trap Dyke, a large crevice running up the center of the mountain, which can clearly be seen from Avalanche Lake.

There are two maintained trails up Mount Colden. The first, which approaches from the northeast, passes by Lake Arnold before ascending the summit after crossing over several false peaks. The second trail, which is steeper, approaches from the southwest, starting from Lake Colden. Both approaches can reached from the popular Adirondak Loj trailhead. After hiking from the Loj to the Avalanche Lean-Tos, climbers can head southwest through Avalanche Pass and past Avalanche Lake to reach Lake Colden and the trail to Colden from the southwest. Alternatively, they can head southeast to reach Lake Arnold and the northeast approach. Lake Colden and the southwest approach can also be reached from the Upper Works trailhead. Finally, the summit of Mount Colden can be reached by climbing the Trap Dyke from Avalanche Lake. This approach leads to a long slide and a short bushwhack to the summit. This last approach does not follow a maintained trail, is extremely steep in places, and should be used with caution.

Gallery

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  Mount Colden seen from Marcy Dam

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  Mount Colden from Lake Colden near the Interior Outpost

External links

• U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mount Colden
• Peakbagger.com: Mount Colden
• Summitpost.org: Mount Colden
• Trail Guide
• Photos