Trap Dike Picnic

August 23, 2024

37.6 miles / Surly Cross Check

14.0 miles / La Sportiva Akasha II

After reading about the Grand Teton Picnic, I got the idea to do something similar with the Trap Dike on Mt. Colden. I excluded a swim section for this first attempt and maybe I’ll add that in for future attempts.

I started at the Marcy Field parking area in Keene Valley and rode the 18.8 miles up Rte 73 to the ADK Loj Rd and then up to the South Meadow parking area, where I stashed my bike in the woods. From there I ran via the truck trail to Marcy Dam and then continued on to Avalanche Lake where I had to circumnavigate the Lake to get to the bottom of the Trap Dike. The next bit up the Trap Dike was more of a scramble/rock climb than a run but I did try to maintain somewhat of a quick pace up the slide at the top (4714 ft). Then it was down the trail back to Marcy Dam and South Meadow where I got back on the bike and enjoyed a quick descent back to Keene Valley.

The total distance was 51.6 miles and an elevation gain of about 3700’. My overall time was about 8 hours but that included a lot of stopping to take photos and just enjoy the scenery along the way.