Mount Colden

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Mount Colden

Mount Colden as seen from Wright Peak
Elevation 4,714 ft (1,437 m)
Location New York
Range Adirondacks
Prominence 890 ft (270 m) [1]
Coordinates 44°07′37″N 73°57′36″W / 44.12694, -73.96Coordinates: 44°07′37″N 73°57′36″W / 44.12694, -73.96
Topo map USGS Keene Valley
First ascent Unknown
Easiest route hike from the Adirondak Loj
Listing Adirondack High Peaks

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.

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  1. ^ Key col elevation between 1,160 and 1,170 m.

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