Tabletop

Trip In A Nutshell:
The fastest way in, up, and out is to start at Heart Lake and take the Van Hoevenberg Trail blue (ADK #61, McM #147) all the way to the herd path, climb Tabletop, and return by the same route. A much more interesting route, the route we chose, is to come in by the Van Hoevenberg Trail, but go on to Indian Falls before climbing Tabletop and enjoy that beautiful spot and perhaps have lunch there. After climbing Tabletop take the beautiful Crossover Trail YELLOW (ADK #63, McM #148) which starts just above Indian Falls over to Mt Colden, (Optional climb of Colden), and return to Marcy Dam via Avalanche Camp blue (ADK #73, McM #145). The trip with a climb of Mt Colden took 12 hours round trip from Heart Lake. This allowed for plenty of peak viewing, photography, and rest. Without Colden, figure 9 hours round trip.

Note: Photos of Marcy Dam, Indian Falls, and the Crossover Trail can be viewed in the photo section of the Mt Colden page.

Herd Path to Tabletop:
Most guidebooks cite Tabletop as a difficult hike due to the numerous intertwining herd paths. A number of these start at Indian Falls on the Van Hoevenberg Trail, but few ever make it to the summit, most fade out or go in circles. Fortunately, we are able to verify (8/2001) that this situation has been remedied by the 46'ers. From Indian Falls you need only hike a few minutes down the Van Hoevenberg Trail and you will see the start of a wide ski trail on your right (east side). Look for an obvious swath cut in the woods with a substantial rock cairn at its start. The cairn marks the start of a very clear trail to the summit of Tabletop.

Tabletop via Herd Path to the Summit (ADK n/l, McM #150)

1		From the cairn at the ski trail (see explanation above) the 46'ers trail to the summit of Tabletop follows gentle terrain such as this for a few hundred yards before starting to climb. Once the climb starts, the trail heads upwards in a very nearly straight line. Being so up-and-down, the path is rapidly eroding.
2		This view of Colden and, beyond, the MacIntyre Range, persists throughout the climb.
3		Colden and the MacIntyres from a point nearing Tabletop's summit.
4		Algonquin and Wright Peaks from Tabletop's summit.
5		Another view of Mt Colden. It's striking how different Colden looks from this direction as opposed to the view from Algonquin.
photo courtesy of Elaine Serafini 6		Sweeping panorama shot of the view ascending Tabletop. While Tabletop may not be a photographer's paradise, this angle offers a terrific look into Avalanche Pass. To the left is Mt Colden and to the right is the MacIntyre Range. Avalanche Mtn is the small mountain caught between the two giant mountains like a marble between the paws of a cat. Oops! Too much simile.
7		You can miss the summit of Tabletop VERY easily even though the trail continues over it and goes on some distance further. The reason is that all the 46'er canisters have been removed and no sign has been installed as of 8/2001 on Tabletop's summit. However, my hiking partner, Elaine, saw this bracket attached to a tree beside the trail. She figures it used to hold the canister, since the word "Tabletop" is written in pencil across the lowest visible part of the bracket. You can barely make out some scribbling there.
8		Your webmaster at the former canister.
9		The trail continues a good distance past the summit opening some so-so views of Marcy and the Great Range. Mostly these are obstructed by dead trees. This is a partial view of Haystack (rt.) and Basin (l.).