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- Mount Colden
4,714 ft · Adirondack High Peaks, New York
Mount Colden
Mount Colden is a 4,714 ft peak in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York. The standard route is the Via Van Hoevenberg Trail: 12 mi, 2,854 ft of gain, Class 2.
Mount Colden at a glance
- Elevation4,714 ft1,436 m
- RouteVia Van Hoevenberg TrailClass 2
- Distance12 mi2,854 ft gain
- Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJun – Oct
- RangeAdirondack High PeaksNew York
Climbing the Via Van Hoevenberg Trail
From the Adirondak Loj near Lake Placid, reach Colden via Avalanche Pass and Lake Arnold, a scenic route past cliffs and slides. The trail climbs steadily with rocky, sometimes slabby footing to twin summits with excellent views. The open top is exposed to wind and quick weather, and trails are muddy and rooty in spots. Slides are dangerous when wet. A popular but long outing often paired with nearby peaks. Carry water and food and start early to beat afternoon storms.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (20–30 L)
Water
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Whistle
Offline Maps- Compass
Headlamp
Power Bank
Hiking Boots
Trekking Poles
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Light Gloves
Buff
Sun Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
What to watch for
- Steep exposure
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- Loose rock
- Stream crossing
- High winds
- Storms
- Cold summit conditions
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
- Slippery terrain
Mount Colden on Yak
Climbers have shared 8 climbs of Mount Colden on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app
Quests with Mount Colden
Adirondack 46ersPeaks near Mount Colden
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Colden?
Mount Colden is 4,714 feet (1,436 m) tall. It is in the Adirondack High Peaks, New York.
How does Mount Colden rank among the Adirondack 46ers?
At 4,714 feet, Mount Colden is the 11th highest of the 46 Adirondack 46ers. The highest is Mount Marcy.
How hard is it to hike Mount Colden?
The Via Van Hoevenberg Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 12 miles with 2,854 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Mount Colden?
Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the Via Van Hoevenberg Trail, covering 12 miles with 2,854 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Can a beginner hike Mount Colden?
The Via Van Hoevenberg Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 12 miles with 2,854 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
When is the best time to hike Mount Colden?
The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
What is the trailhead elevation for Mount Colden?
The Via Van Hoevenberg Trail starts at about 2,190 feet, roughly 2,524 feet below the summit.
Climb Mount Colden with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list