Flowed Lands

I couldn't have had a nicer day to hike in mid May, it was sunny, warm with a wonderful blue sky and puffy clouds.  The trail begins at the upper works and branches off for Indian Pass and the Flowed Lands, at first you go through an area that has been heavily logged and is quite ugly.  The State now owns this land so it'll be nice to see what becomes of it in 20 years.  You know when the State land begins after about a mile because you into the forest suddenly.

Early spring in the Adirondacks and wildflowers like Trilliums are alongside the trail at the lower elevations.  The trail begins at around 1800' and is a steady progression to only 2750' at the lake 4 1/2 miles down the trail.  I thought I would see more wildflowers but when snow began to appear on the trail I gave that hope up.  I realized it was still winter on this trail perhaps as short as two weeks ago.

There were streams to cross and bridges and a very comfortable forest to walk though.  At about 4 miles there is a bog/pond that is interesting and then you come upon the Flowed Lands.

Flowed Lands is the Southern end of the pass that on the northern end is known as Avalanche Pass.  Then there is Avalanche Lake, Lake Colden and here.

I do believe I'm going to hike through the whole area this fall on some spectacular day.

 Straight ahead is Mount Colden with slides going down to Avalanche Pass.  To the left is Algonquin and Wright out of view of these photos.

My original plan was to hike back by crossing the old dam area and taking the Opalescent trail to Hanging Spear Falls and back to the trail head.  I hiked over to the dam but the water was too cold, having probably been ice just a week ago.  But with the incentive of a much longer return hike (by 3 miles) going that way I walked back the way I came to make it a 9 mile round trip.

Standing on the dam and look back to Flowed Lands and down the Opalescent.

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