Colden via the Trap Dike

Aug 31, 2019

As a training run for our upcoming trip to the Dolomites, Kat and I decided to spend the long weekend in the Dacks with a mix of hiking and climbing objectives. A jaunt up the Trap Dike seemed like a fitting plan for one of the outings. A few days before departure Deb gave a ring looking for something to do and she was most definitely game on this, so the three of us piled into Kat's car Friday afternoon and drove down to Keene Farm.

A 05:00 wakeup put us at the Loj for 06:30, where we found a bustling and nearly full parking lot, even at this early hour. After a long line-up to sign in at the trail register, we were off down the Van-ho. We passed several groups, including one large group who heading to Iroquois for a 46er finish. We congratulated the aspirant and then sped off, hoping to get to our objective before any other parties. A brief break was taken at Marcy Dam, where we could cross the dry pond directly instead of taking the trail around the former lake here.

Waiting in line to sign in.

The crowds thinned as we ascended Avalanche Pass until we spied the Dike, so close, but so far away, as you have to go three quarters of the way around the lake to get there. Avalanche Lake was a little more tricky than normal as the water level was very high. Some of the boardwalks along the side were actually under water. When we left the trail at the south end, a fairly well defined herd path took us to the debris fan of the dike, though one section of this path was very tricky due to the high water level.

Traversing the hitch-up matildas around Avalanche Lake.

The Trap Dike.

Flooded boardwalks.

Flooded herd path.

We took a food break at the base of the climb before donning helmets and harnesses, and then began scrambling on upwards. At the top of the first waterfall, we noted that six other people had entered the dike below. We continued on to the second waterfall. We assesed this climb for a while, before I decided to give a fairly wet, but grippy boot jam crack a go. This route worked, though I got fairly wet from the water cascading above. Deb followed with no problems and I set a belay for Kat on this pitch. As we were setting up a group of three arrived. One person was hanging out by Kat, and I shouted down "rope" three times to get their attention to no avail. Finally I tossed the rope anyway, aiming carefully at Kat's feet, but my failure at ever learning to throw a ball properly during my childhood meant that my toss went wide and I succeeded in hitting the other person sort of squarly in the head (sorry!). The other group found another way around on the dry rock as Kat climbed in the waterfall, and then snuck past us as we were packing up to move again. Another section of very steep climbing, brought us up to the easier reaches of the dike, where we moved on upwards, choosing our own route adventures, and snacking on the copious quantities of ripe blackberries found in here.

Entering the dike.

Kat pulling up the first waterfall.

Belaying the second waterfall.

Deb finishing at the top of the second waterfall.

We took another break at the base of the slide, where suddenly a small rock pinged off of Kat's helmet. I looked up and saw more stones rolling down the slide, shouted, and we all dove to take cover. Perhaps the person I hit with the rope was enacting some revenge? Fortunately no one else was struck, and then we got moving on upwards. This is a hoot of a fun climb, but very sustained. Breathers were frequently taken, though the views over at the Mac's gave plenty of reason to stop and smell the roses for a while. At a short ledge of face climbing another group of three passed us, and then we continued all the way to the top.

Starting up the slab.

A real calf burner.

Crux near the top of the slab.

After tagging the summit, we made our way over to the summit rock and sat down for an extended lunch with a lovely view of the Great Range. Descent was via the Lake Arnold trail, and nothing much more to is worth of noting. Past Marcy Dam, the trail got very crowded as lots of weary hikers were returning from a successful day of adventuring. The parking lot was a welcome sight after a ten hour day. We had an ice cream from the new food stand at the information center prior to heading back to the farm.

Summit team.

Lunch with a view.

Colden in the afternoon sunshine.

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