peak_bgr
New member
“It’s a great day for a long approach to an easily accessible peak”, that was our thought the morning of our trek to the start of the Burning Heart Gully. There’s nothing like putting a new twist on one of the most popular peaks in the Adirondacks-Algonquin Peak.
We started our hike by following the Indian Pass Trail from the Adirondack Loj. As usual we encountered a well trotted and hardened trail, mostly dry due to the unseasonably dry weather. Usually we can count on at least muddy pant legs half way to our knees, but no we were quite clean-as clean as two hikers can be after a 3.8 mile approach. This section is an excellent warm up trail for any demanding hike in the area; it’s relatively flat with only a couple moderate pitches.
At Scott Clearing’s four way intersection we followed the high water route (left), for a short distance, until it started to bend away from the brook. Straight at the intersection is the low water route through Scott Clearing, and right is the trail to Wallface Ponds.
Once at the shore of the brook we started a long rock hopping session toward the Burning Heart Gully. This is an easy rock hop, especially in dry conditions which we were facing. Only a few times did we have to retreat to the woods, and thankfully for only short stretches to get around a water hole or small cascade. We found the woods generally open enough to tolerate, but many boulders littered the shores and many of which had duff and moss covering the holes between them. Boys and girls we call these “Femur Eaters”, and they hurt the shins and sometimes your “Pride” if they’re deep enough.
It was a quick hike and rock hop to the first split, which is very easy to recognize, even in low water. We followed the left split and rock hopped another 0.4 miles to a second split. But, not before we had to overcome a small section of blow down. Actually, blow down would be a misrepresentation of this jumble of trees. It’s actually the aftermath of a small landslide, and one that was not that old. The land gave way right into the brook and a dozen or so trees were placed lying over it. This was at around 2950’ in elevation.
At the second split we thought we were at our starting point of the Burning Heart Slide, but in fact it was the base of what is referred to as Munnchkin Alley; which is another slide track that leads to the col between Boundary and Algonquin. The left is the route we needed and followed. Shortly beyond this split the brook started to get very interesting.
First there was a waterfall that cascaded down a good 20 feet, this one was easily climbable. Immediacy after was a second waterfall of equal size or larger again cascading. A third waterfall appeared after that, this one much more prominent and larger yet. It fell down over a couple shelves the last being a bout 20 feet in itself. To get above this one we had to climb an old runoff to the right of the rock face before we could look back at the view it had afforded us.
On top of this massive rock we could start to see the rock rising toward Little Algonquin, Wallface Ponds in the distance, Wallface itself, MacNaughton and the Sawtooth Range in the shadows.
Oh, but the hike was far from over, once above the waterfall the brook lead us right into the “Heart” of the Burning Heart Gully. At 3770’ we were faced with an extremely steep headwall to overcome, that was nothing in comparison to the 30 foot plus flume that was next. After some close inspection we found that the left side, no matter how steep was our best approach. It was nearing an almost vertical rise in spots, and all four were needed for most of this section. There are small bushes that worked great for balance throughout this intense exposed climb. Looking down, we did not want to make a wrong move for any reason, complete concentration was at times best.
Once atop the flume it was just another straight forward slide climb, albeit steep, but very straight forward. This slide/gully is slightly different in that it’s not a continuous rock slab but shorter sections of rock slab and short sections of small bushes, and moss.
Note; if you visit this route please respect the alpine vegetation and walk on open rock whenever possible.
Eventually we ran out of open rock blab and had to enter a whole new world-one of thick cripple brush. It was a fight that we were going to win, even though it meant donating a little blood to the cause. We aimed for open rock shelves and ledge just to get a break from the constant battle with what must be some of the strongest and most resilient trees in the world. Then we were finally truly above tree line and on open rock all the way to the summit, in roughly only 1.5 hours longer than the trailed approach. Not to bad considering we explored a new route and hike a little over a mile further. The views of course, do I need to tell you-are breathtaking.
We started our hike by following the Indian Pass Trail from the Adirondack Loj. As usual we encountered a well trotted and hardened trail, mostly dry due to the unseasonably dry weather. Usually we can count on at least muddy pant legs half way to our knees, but no we were quite clean-as clean as two hikers can be after a 3.8 mile approach. This section is an excellent warm up trail for any demanding hike in the area; it’s relatively flat with only a couple moderate pitches.
At Scott Clearing’s four way intersection we followed the high water route (left), for a short distance, until it started to bend away from the brook. Straight at the intersection is the low water route through Scott Clearing, and right is the trail to Wallface Ponds.
Once at the shore of the brook we started a long rock hopping session toward the Burning Heart Gully. This is an easy rock hop, especially in dry conditions which we were facing. Only a few times did we have to retreat to the woods, and thankfully for only short stretches to get around a water hole or small cascade. We found the woods generally open enough to tolerate, but many boulders littered the shores and many of which had duff and moss covering the holes between them. Boys and girls we call these “Femur Eaters”, and they hurt the shins and sometimes your “Pride” if they’re deep enough.
It was a quick hike and rock hop to the first split, which is very easy to recognize, even in low water. We followed the left split and rock hopped another 0.4 miles to a second split. But, not before we had to overcome a small section of blow down. Actually, blow down would be a misrepresentation of this jumble of trees. It’s actually the aftermath of a small landslide, and one that was not that old. The land gave way right into the brook and a dozen or so trees were placed lying over it. This was at around 2950’ in elevation.
At the second split we thought we were at our starting point of the Burning Heart Slide, but in fact it was the base of what is referred to as Munnchkin Alley; which is another slide track that leads to the col between Boundary and Algonquin. The left is the route we needed and followed. Shortly beyond this split the brook started to get very interesting.
First there was a waterfall that cascaded down a good 20 feet, this one was easily climbable. Immediacy after was a second waterfall of equal size or larger again cascading. A third waterfall appeared after that, this one much more prominent and larger yet. It fell down over a couple shelves the last being a bout 20 feet in itself. To get above this one we had to climb an old runoff to the right of the rock face before we could look back at the view it had afforded us.
On top of this massive rock we could start to see the rock rising toward Little Algonquin, Wallface Ponds in the distance, Wallface itself, MacNaughton and the Sawtooth Range in the shadows.
Oh, but the hike was far from over, once above the waterfall the brook lead us right into the “Heart” of the Burning Heart Gully. At 3770’ we were faced with an extremely steep headwall to overcome, that was nothing in comparison to the 30 foot plus flume that was next. After some close inspection we found that the left side, no matter how steep was our best approach. It was nearing an almost vertical rise in spots, and all four were needed for most of this section. There are small bushes that worked great for balance throughout this intense exposed climb. Looking down, we did not want to make a wrong move for any reason, complete concentration was at times best.
Once atop the flume it was just another straight forward slide climb, albeit steep, but very straight forward. This slide/gully is slightly different in that it’s not a continuous rock slab but shorter sections of rock slab and short sections of small bushes, and moss.
Note; if you visit this route please respect the alpine vegetation and walk on open rock whenever possible.
Eventually we ran out of open rock blab and had to enter a whole new world-one of thick cripple brush. It was a fight that we were going to win, even though it meant donating a little blood to the cause. We aimed for open rock shelves and ledge just to get a break from the constant battle with what must be some of the strongest and most resilient trees in the world. Then we were finally truly above tree line and on open rock all the way to the summit, in roughly only 1.5 hours longer than the trailed approach. Not to bad considering we explored a new route and hike a little over a mile further. The views of course, do I need to tell you-are breathtaking.
