49 Photos

 Updated: 1/2005 

Numbers in parentheses, such as (ADK #123, McM #456) R on this and all other pages of Adirondack Journey, refer to trail numbers assigned by the ADK and McMartin guidebooks and the color of the trail discs marking the trail.  

The Lower Range

The Great Range is an imposing mountain range in the Adirondacks consisting of seven 4000-footers standing in a tidy row running NE to SW, bordered on its southern flank by Upper and Lower Ausable Lakes, and on its northern flank by Johns Brook.  Because of its length as well as the location of points of ingress and egress, hikers usually split up the Great Range into two hikes...  Upper Range and Lower Range. 

Lower Range consists of Gothics, Armstrong, Upper Wolf Jaws, and Lower Wolf Jaws.  It has one more peak than Upper Range, but is more convenient to the trailheads and is somewhat less demanding than Upper Range in the peak-to-peak traverse.   

Lower Range is most often hiked either from the Garden trailhead or the Ausable Club trailhead.  We have Lower Range done round-trip from the trailhead as a day-hike by the very hardy, as an overnight, or as a 3-day trip for those who light to stop and smell the roses, who want to add in one or two quick hikes in addition to Lower Range, or who just enjoy relaxing in the woods.  But most hikers will choose to make this either an overnight or a 3-day trip.  In the latter case, one would usually hike in on Day 1, hike Lower Range on Day 2, and hike out on Day 3.   

The three day option looks very good when considering the various options to take a lean-to or lodging at Johns Brook Lodge.  The nearness of the lodge to the peaks opens up opportunities for various side trips, our favorite being to hike Yard and Big Slide as an optional half day loop.  For those wanting or needing to camp over the best camping will be from the Garden trailhead via the  Yellow  Northside Trail (ADK#1, McM#108) or the Red Southside Trail (ADK#3, McM#111) . 

Access from JBL covered on the hike which here:

• The Garden trailhead to Johns Brook Lodge 
• Loop from JBL of the Lower Range: Gothics, Armstrong, Upper Wolf Jaws, and Lower Wolf Jaws
  

Peak View Rankings        Printable Version

Difficulty:
The loop from Johns Brook Lodge (JBL) is best hiked counterclockwise over the entire Lower Range starting at Johns Brook.  It is quite strenuous due to the rocky and uneven terrain, the overall length of the route (8 miles), and a number of steep and very steep ascents and descents.  The terrain poses numerous obstacles  such as ledges and steep, open rock faces.  This hike is best undertaken with an experienced hiker in the group.  No special skills or equipment are required, but the ascent of Gothics via the Ore Bed Brook Trail is intimidating for anyone with a fear of standing in the wind on steep, exposed rock sometimes without a handhold.  The danger is more one of perception than reality, but that argument doesn't carry much weight for someone uncomfortable in a very exposed position.  The other side of the coin is that this is nearly our favorite hike in the Adirondacks and one of the most exhilarating.   Gothics will occupy a special place in your memory, too.  

The upper reaches of the Blue Ore Bed Brook Trail (ADK #8, McM #119)  and the climb of Gothics from the Saddleback col  are both steep.   Both Upper and Lower Wolf Jaws are steep, requiring negotiation of a number of ledges that slow the pace considerably.  Some hikers will panic during the ascent of Gothics with its steep, open rock faces.  We encountered two such persons on our hike.  One of them had hiked the Adirondacks for many years.  With some coaching on our behalf they both made it up the steep, wind-blown slopes.  Note that there is no place on this route  where a person cannot stand safely on a calm, dry day.   Further, in 2005 the rangers have installed a new cable for those person with the jitters to hang onto as they ascend.  

Views:
Gothics offers stellar views of many peaks including the rest of the Great Range, the Colvin Range, the Dixes, and Marcy.  This is in addition to Gothics being probably the most awe-inspiring peak in the Adirondacks.  Armstrong and Upper and the Wolf Jaws pale in comparison, lacking the panoramic quality of Gothics and the massive bare rock surfaces.  But all three offer significant views in one direction or another.  Lower Wolf Jaws has good views back toward the Range.  Also, its sheltered summit has a certain charm and warmth.  While there in 2002 we encountered a married couple who claimed it was their favorite peak due to the nice summit.   

Route In A Nutshell:  
1.  From JBL, moderate hiking most of the way, then steep hiking with a few short, very steep sections from JBL to the Gothics-Saddleback col via the Ore Bed Brook Trail.  
2.  Steep and very steep hiking from the col to the summit of Gothics over primarily smooth rock face.  The trail up the face occasionally passes through small islands of conifers which provide good shelter in case of wind.  A very strong, flexible cable is provided over most of the ascent by DEC to assist those wanting added security during the climb.  
3.  Easy traverse from Gothics' false summit to its true summit.  Easy-to-moderate hiking from Gothics to Armstrong and Upper Wolf Jaws.
4.  The descent from Upper Wolf Jaws to the pass between Upper and Lower Wolf Jaws is steep and involves negotiating a number of 5-10 foot ledges.  However, it is entirely in wooded terrain with lots of handholds.
5.  Ascent of Lower Wolf  Jaws is quite steep in a number places.  Care is warranted.  LWJ's summit is reached 0.5 miles from the pass and 660 vertical feet above it.
6.  Moderate descent to Johns Brook Lodge via the Wolf Jaw Brook Trail from the Wolf Jaws' pass.  

Drinking Water:  
Plan ahead!  Once on the Lower or Upper Range Trail, there will be no more sources of water.    Even those using a hydration pack might consider topping off their water supply at the last water.  

Trail Notes:
Ore Bed Brook Trail takes you from JBL to the Gothics-Saddleback col.  It was a nicely groomed trail and a pleasure to hike in 1999 when this hike was first taken.  It is a moderate ascent over half to three quarters of its length, but it becomes steep and difficult in the last seven hundred vertical feet that deposit you in the aforementioned col.  This distance involves steep climbing on wet, slippery rock aided by ladders.  On one hand the ladders eliminate having to walk on slippery rock, but on the other hand, the ladders themselves are tricky.  Unfortunately, the heavy rains that dominated the weather throughout 2000 dramatically worsened the trail conditions on OBBT.  We traversed it again in 2000 as the last stage of a trip over Basin and Saddleback.  Even though we were hiking in darkness we could see that the footing had deteriorated significantly.   

Further description of the trails accompanies the photos below.  

Trip Suggestions:  
Johns Brook Lodge, operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club, is the ideal base camp for climbs of the Lower or Upper Range or other nearby peaks.  JBL has lean-tos and the lodge itself available, plus special accommodations for larger groups.  A bunk at JBL runs about $35.00.  A lean-to is roughly $12.00.  If you elect to take a bunk meals including a hearty trail lunch are included.   Those not bunking in the lodge cannot buy their meals there. 

Lower Range USGS Trail Maps

Hike is a counterclockwise loop starting at JBL (red "home plate" symbol) on Map 1.  Runs SSW along Ore Bed Brook.	Map 1
Climbs out of the Saddleback-Gothics col to summit, consecutively, of Gothics, Armstrong and Upper Wolf Jaws, returning to JBL.	Map 2

 Gothics from Johns Brook Lodge via the BLUE Ore Bed Brook Trail  (ADK #7, #8, & #4;  McM #109, #119 & #118) 

BLUE Trail to Gothics-Saddleback col from JBL 1	The photo  shows Ore Bed Brook, which runs next to the trail that borrows its name  (ADK #8, McM #119).  The brook cascades over moss-covered rock about 2/3 of the way from JBL to the trail's terminus at the col between Gothics and Saddleback.  The trail stays to the left of the brook most of the way up to the col.   From about 2800' onward the OBBT becomes steep and then very steep, yet the excellent woodland scenery takes your mind off the added effort demanded by the trail.  Well-maintained ladders are a considerable aid in the more difficult spots.  Occasionally, the trail runs over steep, smooth rock, particularly as it nears the col.  The brook can make these passages wet, mossy, and slippery.	2	Ore Bed Brook for which the trail from JBL to the Saddleback-Gothics col is named. Water: If, like many hikers, you are doing a loop, either west over Saddleback and Basin, or east over Gothics, Armstrong, and Upper Wolf Jaws; note that the last water is when you leave Ore Bed Brook.  If, on the other hand, you are ascending via the Wolf Jaws Trail (McM 117, ADK 4) from Johns Brook, you will find your last water in the stream that the trail follows just prior to entering the Wolf Jaws col.
3	The top of the Ore Bed Brook Trail opens into the col between Saddleback and Gothics.  To the left is the exciting ascent of Gothics, and to the right the trail leads up Saddleback.  Our route on this day was over Gothics, Armstrong, and Upper Wolf Jaws.	Photo courtesy of  Elaine Serafini 4	The most exciting part of climbing Gothics is the ascent of the western summit from the Gothics-Saddleback col.  Here the trail is almost entirely over bare rock with islands of soil here and there, typically held in place by a dozen or so very tenacious conifers.  Several plastic-coated steel cables are installed on the trail.  Watching them in action as several parties climbed this segment of Gothics, it seemed that the cables were just a means to overcome fear, a security blanket, but in a wind they would become a real necessity for climbing.  More than half of the hikers used them.  Afraid of heights myself, I found them useful at first.  Once I became accustomed to the new experience of being on fairly steep, open rock, my fear disappeared (mostly), at which time the cable seemed only to be slowing me down.  It was exhilarating to leave it behind.   Linda of ADK's Albany Chapter goes for the gusto in this shot.
5	Still on the way up Gothics.  Short sections with trees on either side of the exposed rock "trail" are common, but most segments are more exposed.  This thicket offers an opportunity to get out of the wind.	6	View of Saddleback with Basin just behind. Haystack is in the blue haze.  Taken on Gothics, not far up from the Gothics - Saddleback col.
Photo courtesy of Elaine Serafini 7	Further up Gothics, a view of "layers" of mountains:  Saddleback, Basin, and Haystack Mts of the Upper Range.	8	The view SE.  Dix is the highest peak, dead center in the hazy background.  The slides on Dix's eastern salient are just visible.  In front of Dix is Nippletop.  Its tremendous slide is clearly visible on Nipple Top's west slope.  The slide disappears behind Mt. Colvin which is barely visible.  Just in front of Colvin lies Sawteeth (right side of photo, heavily shaded).  A ridge is visible running from Sawteeth to Pyramid, the knob right in the foreground with the exposed rock face.  Behind Pyramid to the left but far in the distance is the rounded summit of Dial Mtn.
9	Photo  starts at Upper Ausable Lake at the left.   It looks deep into the Marcy Stillwater, past an unnamed pond to Boreas Pond and, to its left, Boreas Mtn.  Moose Mtn appears as a sharply defined "bump" in the center of the photo.  Allen Mtn is barely visible to the right of Moose and further back.  It's mostly hidden behind the legs of Haystack which form the skyline at the extreme right of the photo.  In front of Haystack in the lower right corner of the photo, Basin rises from the Ausable Valley	10	Those contemplating a hike over the Upper Range peaks of Saddleback, Basin, and Haystack have this to look forward to!  This is a strenuous hike, but worth it.  On this day, we were headed in the other direction, east.    The near peak just left of center in the photo is the west (lower) peak of Gothics.  Its far side is mostly exposed rock and has cables installed on it to aid hikers.  Just beyond it and to the right you see the rounded twin peaks of Saddleback.  Then, in the middle rear, is Basin Mtn, showing its exposed rock face.   The pointy peak between Basin and Saddleback is a part of Basin.  Haystack is to the left of Basin to the rear.  Directly above the summit of Basin you can see the summit of Mt. Marcy.
11	Adirondack Journey team on Gothics.	12	Surveyor's benchmark at the summit.
13	It's a short walk from the SW summit (a false summit) to the true or NE summit of Gothics.  The view to the SE is terrific, providing a look at a number of High Peaks.  At the very left of this photo a knob is clearly visible... Dix Mtn.  High in the background is Dix Mtn with slides on its NW salient showing.  In front of Dix is the Dial-Nipple Top ridgeline.  The summit of Nipple Top is marked by a long slide disappearing to the NW behind Mt Colvin.  In front of Colvin in the right foreground is Sawteeth.	14	Panorama S from Gothic's summit.  Nipple Top (with slide) and the Colvin Range.  Pyramid pokes up in the foreground with Sawteeth just behind it and in front of Colvin.
15	Looking SW back toward Saddleback, Basin, Haystack, and Marcy from Gothics' true summit or NE summit.  The tiny peak just to the left of the guy in the hat is the SW summit or false summit of Gothics. In the foreground to the left From the summit the view are better to the SE.  Views to the S or SW are best from the SW summit.  Views from both are outstanding!
Ascent of Armstrong and Upper Wolf Jaws from Gothics via the RED Lower Range Trail (ADK #4, McM #118 )
16	Upper Range in the rearview mirror.  View of the Upper Range from a point NE of Gothics.  The last good view of the Upper Range.  The sun had moved behind a cloud to vividly accent Gothics' false summit.  What a mountain!  The most exciting climb we've ever made.	18	Armstrong and Upper Wolf Jaws from the Range Trail,  past Gothics, heading NE.  Next stop: Armstrong Mtn.  This is like entering another world after the wonderful trek up and over Gothics.  Now we are in a dense, haunting forest of tree hulks and low conifers.  Both Armstrong and Upper Wolf Jaws are under-whelming after the experience of Gothics.
19	Gothics' south face and Pyramid.  We reached the col between Gothics and Armstrong.  Looking back we saw that the path had turned East far enough that we could see Gothics' slides tumbling down toward the AMR and Lower Ausable Lake.	Left 20 Right 21	Armstrong and its ridgeline.  These two photos of Armstrong overlap as shown.    Walking is easy to the summit of Armstrong, but the scenery is dismal en route.  The view from the main overlook is shown on the next photo
22	Armstrong and the Upper Range from Upper Wolf Jaws.	23	Gothics and the Upper Range from Armstrong's summit.  Armstrong offers this one great view looking back from whence we came.
24	Lower Wolf Jaws from Upper Wolf Jaws.  In this photo, besides Lower Wolf Jaws, Giant is visible in the haze.	25	Lower Wolf Jaws.  This photo is courtesy of Kevin Rooney and was probably taken from the vicinity of Bear Den Mtn.
26	Lower Wolf Jaws and the false peak of Upper Wolf Jaws from the summit of Upper Wolf Jaws.	27	Trail from Upper Wolf Jaws summit to its false peak.  Once the false peak is reached, the steep descent into the col between the two Wolf Jaws begins.
	Descending into the Wolf Jaws col from Upper Wolf Jaws.	29	Descending into the Wolf Jaws col from Upper Wolf Jaws.
28
30	Descending into the Wolf Jaws col from Upper Wolf Jaws.	31	Descending into the Wolf Jaws col from Upper Wolf Jaws.
32	Descending into the Wolf Jaws col from Upper Wolf Jaws.	33	Descending into the Wolf Jaws col from Upper Wolf Jaws.
Ascent of Lower Wolf Jaws via the RED Lower Range Trail (ADK #5 & #32, McM #117)
34	Lower Wolf Jaws from the col.	35	Closer view of cliffs on LWJ from the col.
36	Directions out of the col toward LWJ.	37	The Range Trail to the summit of LWJ.
38	Ascent of LWJ.	39	Ascent of LWJ.
40	Ascent of LWJ.	41	A close look at a map shows that a little zig-zag is necessary on one of the Ausable Club's ATIS trail to get from the col onto the Range Trail ascending LWJ.  This sign clarifies the route to LWJ versus the route down to the Ausable Club via the AMR (Adirondack Mountain Reserve).
42	Another look at the slides on LWJ shows we've climbed most of the way to the summit on one of LWJ's ridges.	43	Linda climbs one of several ledges going up Lower Wolf Jaws
44	At the summit of LWJ, 2 signs offer directions up and down the Range Trail.  This sign directs us back the way we came.	45	This sign directs you to the long descent to Rte 73, generally following Deer Brook.
46	We joined a congenial group at the summit of LWJ, including Paul and Annette Marcus and their daughters, Jessica and Miriam.  At the moment, we don't have the group photo taken of them, but it's coming!	47	Summit views from Lower Wolf Jaws are quite nice.  Haze prevented us from good views to the Colvin Range, Dial, and Nipple Top, but this view SW of the Lower Range and the slide on Upper Wolf Jaw is quite good.
48	This view is more to the W.	49	Another bunch of hikers on Lower Wolf Jaw.

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This page was last updated on 09/11/06 08:28 PM