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Trail Notes and Distances
61, Blue Blazes, Van
Hoevenberg Trail |
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Trail ID |
Mileage |
Description |
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61 |
0.0 |
The trail starts at the end of the parking lot located
outside the High Peaks Information Center. The Trail Register can be
found here. The trail is mostly flat from the
trailhead to Marcy Dam with only +180 feet elevation change. |
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61 |
0.4 |
Crosses the Algonquin Brook. At the far side of the
wooden bridge, the trail takes a right turn. |
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61 |
0.9 |
Junction with trail #64 (Algonquin Peak Trail). The Van
Hoevenberg Trail continues left. |
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61 |
1.9 |
Crosses Marcy Brook and turns right. Here you ascend
small pitches to a flat area just before descending to Marcy Dam.
There are several camp sites and privy's located on the
right side just before descending to Marcy Dam. |
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61 |
2.3 |
Arrive at Marcy Dam. The trail continues over the dam.
Recently the dam has developed a break in it's dam and the water level
is several feet lower. At the opposite side of
the dam, you will find a backcountry Trail Register. Follow the trail
which continues right from this junction. |
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61 |
2.4 |
Approximately 100 yards past the Trail Register, the Van
Hoevenberg Trail joins with Trail #68 (Avalanche Pass Trail). Turn left
and continue on following the Van Hoevenberg Trail. |
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61
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2.5 |
The trail now crosses the Phelps Brook. During high-water
conditions, there is a high-water bridge which turns left and follows
the left side of Phelps Brook. Continuing straight another 0.1 miles,
the trail crosses Phelps Brook using rock hoping.
Camping can be found by taking the high-water bridge
where you will find a herd path straight off the bridge. |
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61 |
2.6 |
The trail crosses the Phelps Brook. The trail now begins
climbing steady at a moderate grade. |
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61
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3.0 |
Camping can be found on the left side of the trail. There
is a single "Camp Here" disk located next to a herd path leading to the
tent sites. There is also a privy located in the camp area. |
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61 |
3.2 |
The trail intersects with #62 (Phelps Mountain Trail)
which turns left to the summit of Phelps Mountain. Continue straight on
the same moderate grade. |
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61 |
3.5 |
The trail crosses Phelps Brook over a wooden bridge.
After crossing the bridge, the trail now climbs steeply to a junction at
3.6 miles with a ski trail. Watch for a "Trail" sign to help you stay on
the Van Hoevenberg Trail. |
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61 |
4.1 |
From 3.6 miles, the trail is a series of moderate to
steep pitches easing off at 4.1 miles. The trail now continues through a
series of wet sections at a moderate grade. |
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61 |
4.4 |
The trail now intersects the upper ski trail. There is a
herd path leading left which is the trail to Tabletop Mountain. The
trail turns right toward Indian Falls. Just past Indian Falls the #63
(Indian Falls / Lake Arnold Crossover Trail) junction is found. Turn
left to continue on the Van Hoevenberg Trail. |
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61 |
5.0 |
The trail climbs at an easy grade to a level area at 5.0. |
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61 |
5.2 |
The trail descends slightly to reach the 5.2 mile marker
then begins a steep climb. |
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61 |
5.4 |
At 5.4 miles, the grade eases off as the trail approaches
an open ridge. You now have an open view of Mount Marcy. |
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61 |
6.2 |
Continuing along the ridge, the trail intersects with #2
(Hopkins Trail) from Keene Valley. Bearing right to remain on the Van
Hoevenberg Trail. |
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61 |
6.5 |
The trail continues mostly on a flat grade passing the
former Hopkins Lean-to site at 200 yards, and then continues on a
moderate grade to the former Plateau Lean-to site. |
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61 |
6.8 |
The trail continues and crosses a small stream then
passes through scrub to the junction with trail #11 (Phelps Trail). |
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61 |
7.0 |
Continuing right, the trail climbs to some exposed, bare
rocks. Crossing over these rocks, the trail dips into a wet area before
reaching the shoulder of Marcy. |
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61 |
7.4 |
To reach the summit, the trail now climbs over mostly
bare rocks with numerous cairns and Yellow blazes to help you remain on
the trail. |
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NOTE: All distances shown are in miles. |
