Algonquin

Algonquin

5,114 feet  |  ranked 2/46 in height  |  6th peak climbed (repeat)

This is the fourth consecutive Labor Day weekend that Frankie has wanted to climb a High Peak, so of course I was thrilled to take him up another mountain.  He really wants to do Marcy, just because it is the biggest, but the length of the approach intimidates him, so he decided to wait until he is 10.  But Algonquin is a short hike for such a big mountain and he was sure he could handle that.  I tried to steer him toward Wright, leaving Algonquin to pair with Iroquois later, but for various reasons, that did not work out.  But we did make it up Algonquin...

We aimed for an early start, worried about crowds at the Loj parking area, but it being a Thursday before the holiday hordes arrived, we had no trouble securing a spot (despite the decidedly slow start - no surprises there with my boys).  The early morning sunbeams were beautiful and Frankie kept pausing to pet and hug them.  This boy!

Then up, up we went, pausing for a break and snack at McIntyre Falls.  Because it had rained overnight, the trails were very wet and there was actually flow in the waterfalls, no sure thing this time of year.

Once Frankie consumed an unholy amount of junk food, we proceeded along the trail.  There was never a point where he needed assistance.  He's got this thing down pat.  When things get slabby and steep, he gets excited and seems to speed up.

ge

When we arrived at the summit, there was very briefly a window of sunshine.  Groups of hikers were scattered about the summit enjoying the views.  Frankie and Erwin focused immediately on food. 

Then the low clouds moved closer, obscuring the sun.  The wind kicked up and the temperature dropped.  We added layers and then dropped down to a ledge so the summit rock provided a bit of shelter.  Erwin was cold but Frankie and I weren't ready to bail yet. 

narrow-leaved gentian (Gentiana linearis)

Finally, Erwin convinced us to head back down (he had not brought appropriately warm layers despite my nagging) and I agreed on the condition we walk around the summit one final time before heading down.  When we popped back up over the lip, it was amazing... we had the entire place to ourselves, except the summit steward Tom.  Everyone else had scurried back down out of the wind. 

It was our turn to descend now, too.  Despite feeling rushed off, we were on the summit for almost 1.5 hours!  I always get lost in a time warp on mountain tops. 

The upper part of the descent was slow, just as slow as climbing up.  Steep and wet does not lend itself to speed.  Because this hike is so short by Adirondack standards, much of the hike is steep.  Erwin went ahead and waited for Frankie and I at McIntyre Falls, then again at the junction with the trail to Marcy Dam (where it is signed as 1 mile back to the Loj). 

At that last intersection, Frankie became very coy, whispering to me about running ahead, so after confirming all was well with Erwin, I agreed and Frankie galloped off, with me just trying to keep up. [me: I'm not going to be able to run up all the hills... Frankie: You call that a hill!?!]  I absolutely love how this kid can bumble along slowly and then turn on the burn at the end, just when you think he should be exhausted.  Beating his Dad is always a huge motivation. 

This was my third time up Algonquin, Erwin's second, and Frankie's first.  Who knows?  Maybe we'll be back again someday.  I'm down with that.  I do so love these mountains.