After missing out on stays at Johns Brook Lodge (JBL) for the last several years, I booked two stays for Frankie and I in 2022: one in July to climb Marcy with Erwin, and one in August to climb Gothics, Armstrong, and Lower Wolf Jaws with Erin and Alden. I hiked these peaks solo back in 2017, using the same trails, but as a day hike, and this loop is one of my favorites. It would be new for everyone else and I was excited to share it. Staying two nights at JBL spreads the miles out over three days, making the peaks more accessible for the kids. We lucked into among the very last parking spots at the Garden; it was very full for a Wednesday yet again. I had been prepared to drop Erin and the kids and send them on ahead, but was very relieved not to have to do that. We booted up and made last minute pack adjustments while the kids bounced around the trailhead area, then finally set off.
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| two impatient boys |
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| the purple track is the Phelps Trail from the Garden to JBL |
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| the random benchmark on the trail to JBL |
We arrived with plenty of time to spare before dinner, and Erin and Alden had never been to this area before, so we went down to the creek as part of the tour. Then back up to the Lodge for dinner.
As with our Marcy stay, Thursday morning dawned fair, but afternoon showers were predicted. Given the age of the youngest in our party -- Alden is just 7 years old -- this is already a pretty aggressive hike, so we didn't want to rush him too much. Still, I thought it best if could get up to Gothics at least before the rain set in. That view ascending the cables is not to be missed, and there are a few big, steep slabs with no cables that I wasn't eager to attempt in the rain. So that was the goal...
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| the green track shows our loop up the Orebed, across part of the Lower Great Range, and back down the Wolfjaw and Woodsfall Trail |
The grades are gentle for a while, but then the trail starts getting a little gnarlier. Teaser views of the Orebed Slide started to become visible. Everyone was looking forward to getting out there, perhaps most especially Frankie -- he had vague memories of this trail from hiking it en route to Saddleback years ago, and loved Bennie's Brook last year. He is fully on board with slides.
At the top of the stairway to heaven, the trail re-enters the woods and the terrain is rougher, steep and wet. Up, up, up. The grade levels briefly in the col between Gothics and Saddleback, where the trail diverges. We turned left to ascend the cables up Gothics -- another exciting feature of this hike that Frankie was especially looking forward to. Note that there are additional steep slabs both above and below the cables where they would be useful.
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| steep slab below the cables |
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| looking back - these views are in your face |
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| steep slab above the cables |
After the steep scrambles above the cables, the trail tops out at the false summit, pictured in the photos immediately above and below. There were several parties resting here, but we didn't linger long. The true summit was calling.
We achieved the goal of beating the rain to the Gothics summit - hurray! We took some quick pictures, then settled in for lunch. Then more pictures, of course.
It was hard to tear the kids away from the summit, especially knowing these would be the best views of the day, but we had two more peaks ahead of us, and another goal: getting back to JBL in time for dinner.
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| col between Gothics and Armstrong |
When we topped out on Armstrong, there were still views back towards Gothics, but the wind was blasting and there was a wall of low clouds moving in fast from the other direction. A group of young men were hiking in the opposite direction from the AMR side and asked for advice about the path ahead, given the rapidly worsening weather. I told them about the bail-out option via Beaver Meadow Falls and some of them seemed quite relieved to hear of it. We rushed to pull out our rain gear and pack covers. Alden was in a hurry to get off the exposed ledge and back in the shelter of the trees, so we moved on in short order, heading towards Upper Wolf Jaw.
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| looking at the clouds bearing down on us |
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| the view toward Gothics - literally TWO minutes later |
It rained pretty steadily for much of the traverse across the ridge between the peaks and I took very few photos. This section is fairly rugged, so we were extra careful not to slip in the rain. I couldn't resist getting the phone a little wet to document to boys descending the ladder though - another highlight for Frankie. And mercifully, the rain let up by the time we summited Upper Wolf Jaw, allowing for a proper rest where we could stuff some more calories in the kids.
The gang wasn't thrilled with the little bit of extra climbing to get over the "tooth" in the wolf's jaw, the rise in the foreground on the right side of the picture above, but at least I could warn them about it by pointing it out in the view. Lower Wolfjaw is the peak in the center of the above picture, but we would not be climbing that today. The Wolf Jaw Trail on which we would descend splits off in the col between the tooth and LWJ.
We were spared more rain for most of the descent, but not quite all the way. It started sprinkling when we were almost back. We rock-hopped across the Orebed Brook together, then I told Frankie he could run ahead if he wanted, but to wait for us on the covered part of JBL's porch. He gladly took me up on the offer and took off like a rocket. I jogged a bit, too, as the rain was quite unwelcome at that point. Luckily this is a short stretch, perhaps a quarter mile. We left our muddy boots on the porch and went inside to grab a few supplies -- because to my great relief, we still had time to freshen up before dinner. The boys were very resistant to going back out in the rain to clean up in the creek, but we insisted, and felt so much better for it. I was the only one who went for full immersion, but everyone got cleaned up. Then dry warm clothes, a delicious dinner, and even hot chocolate for the boys. Life is good!
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| Friday morning, packing up for the hike out |
Friday morning was nice again and we poked about, taking our time packing up and enjoying our last few minutes at JBL This is such a great spot, so many happy memories here! Then the hike out, relatively easy for being mostly downhill.
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| obligatory stop for more patches |
The Adirondack Mountain Club's stats for this hike, as posted at JBL, are as follows: Day 1, the Garden trailhead to JBL, 3.5 miles with 700 feet gain; Day 2, Gothics-Armstrong-UWJ Loop, 8.2 miles with 3,122 feet gain; and Day 3, JBL back to the Garden, 3.5 miles with minimal gain. This loop, whether done as a day hike or split up over multiple days, is super rewarding, with stunning views and lot of variety. This was Alden's biggest hike to date and he did amazingly well. And my boy, well, he was just over the moon. He loved all the fun challenges -- the more scrambles and ladders, the better.
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