Elaine rounds an outcropping as she ascends Yard.  

  • Start on Klondike Pass Trail from Johns Brook Lodge

  • Connect to Yard Trail to summit

  • At Yard's summit either return the way you came...

  • ...or make the hike a loop by continuing from Yard to Big Slide

  • Then down Big Slide Trail and back to JBL

 Published 9/03 

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Why Yard Mtn Is Not A Member of the High Peaks for 46'er Purposes.
You may ask why Yard Mtn is not a member of those peaks that must be climbed to attain Forty-Sixer status, since it is at 4008 feet elevation and since it meets other criteria, listed below, also imposed for the original selection of peaks.    Yard didn't make the cut back then because of error in measurement due to inaccuracies in the tools available at the time.  MacNaughton, also, was underestimated and meets requirements.  It is right at 4000 feet elevation.  

However, accurate measurement works both ways.  Four peaks; Blake, Cliff, Nye, and Couchsachraga; do not meet the 4000 foot requirement. 

So what are the criteria, besides an elevation of 4000 feet?

According to the Adirondack Mountain Club's Guide to Adirondack Trails, High Peaks Region, 12th Edition, Vol. 1, page 290:   "The criteria for these original 46 peaks were that each peak be at least 0.75 mi. distant from the nearest higher summit, or that it rise at least 300 vertical feet on all sides." 

That said, even those hikers aiming only for 46'er status really ought not miss Yard. 

So you start this one at Johns Brook Lodge.  Walk around back of the lodge to the start of the RED Klondike Pass Trail.  Follow it about 1.2 miles to the start of the trail for Yard and Big Slide.   Hike over good soft trail, through dark, but open, pine forest.  The path climbs slowly through somber colors and occasional sunlit patches of rock or bush.  It winds among massive stone outcroppings a few of which you will negotiate without undue problems.  These are more akin to amusing puzzles than hindrances.

The path is seldom steep, but it is very different in mood and texture than the more often used trail that climbs Big Slide and then continues over to Yard where it becomes this trail.  This is one of our favorite routes to anywhere, a departure from most Adirondack trails, but if you read all the pages at Adirondack Journey you'll find that I say that a lot.  ...but I really, really mean it about Yard!

Difficulty:
Usually we can find something to whine about when we get to this part of the page, but we found this trail a pleasure for the feet and the spirit.  Due to the high tree story and spongy soil typical of coniferous forests, this walk gives the hiker the opportunity to see hundreds of yards all around and the trail is easy on the feet.   One caution may be that there are rock formations that you must squeeze through.  There might be an an agility factor here, but we think that anyone who wants to can find a work-around for these several situations.  

All in all, we rate this hike to Yard's summit and back as moderate at most, and a real good time.    

Yard Mtn USGS Trail Map:

Select landscape view on  printer set-up before printing 

Map 1:  Yard Mtn from JBL yard_map.jpg (365438 bytes) This trail map covers Johns Brook Lodge (bottom of map, just right of center) and the route generally NW to the summit of Yard.  The traditional route to Big Slide is shown as a black dotted line.  The trail connecting Big Slide's and Yard's summits is also indicated by a black dotted line.


Johns Brook Lodge to Yard Mtn via the Klondike Pass Trail

Yard 031.jpg (262137 bytes)
1

 Behind Johns Brook Lodge where the tall grass starts, you will find the start of the RED Klondike Pass Trail (ADK #12, McM #130), which you will follow about 1.2 miles to this sign. Yard 032.jpg (262137 bytes)
2		 At the sign we branch right onto the RED Yard summit trail (ADK #14, McM #115). At lower elevations the trail winds pleasantly through a sunlit forest.
Yard 034.jpg (262137 bytes)
3		 As the trail climbs rock formations become increasingly prevalent.  Those along the trail to Yard tend to be more interesting than many elsewhere. Yard 036.jpg (83296 bytes) 
4 		This may or may not be the "lemon-squeezer" referred to in a number of other guide books, but we think it is.  The log stands upright against the mountain and serves as a an (almost) indispensable climbing aid.
Yard 037.jpg (294904 bytes)
5 		As typical a view of this hike as you will see except for the absence of the massive stone formations that dot the climb. Yard 038.jpg (327671 bytes)
6		 Yard's foundation shows through.
Yard 039.jpg (327671 bytes)
7		 The three of us that hiked this route, in the rain on the return, concluded that it is preferable to the standard route up Big Slide. 

Better you should come up this way to Yard, hike the mile or so over to Big Slide, then descend on the Big Slide Trail to the Phelps Trail.

 Yard 040.jpg (360438 bytes)
8		 The trail is obviously quite steep for a few yards at this spot, but only as long as it takes to get over the rocks.  Every 10 minutes or so you will run into a small rock formation that requires a bit of extra effort.  Otherwise, this trail is gentle in most places and moderate in others.  The trail is often nicely cushioned with pine needles and such.

 

Yard 041.jpg (360438 bytes)
9		 The route up to Yard was mostly sunny.  Not so the return which was wet. Yard 042.jpg (360438 bytes)
10
 		Typical trail through this fern-filled, mossy climb.
Yard 044.jpg (360438 bytes)
11		 About 3/4 of the way there. Yard 046.jpg (294904 bytes)
12 		Boulders
Yard 047.jpg (262137 bytes)
13		 Using root as handholds, Elaine climbs up through the gap between two boulders. Yard 048.jpg (360438 bytes)
14		 This is the approximate summit of Yard and the point at which the rain commenced.  Out came the rain gear, which we never hike without.  The deluge prevented any summit shots, but there are fine views available from Yard of the Klondike and Johns Brook Valleys.

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