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A long-long, difficult, rugged loop. Trailhead info at bottom of this post.

Every Lower Great Range hike offers an intensely dramatic day of steep cliffs, dense forests, and imposing peaks that define the heart of the Adirondack wilderness.

The Lower Great Range hike boasts an array of prominent and challenging summits, including Sawteeth , Pyramid Peak , Gothics , Armstrong Mountain , Upper Wolf Jaw , and Lower Wolf Jaw . Each and every one offers stunning views.

This is a hike I was particularly proud of completing, one of the longest and toughest—and most stunning—hikes I’ve done to date. It was so tough, the slice of Stewarts pizza I scarfed at the end was the best slice I ever had!

Hikers who come in from The Garden don’t get to experience Pyramid Peak — and that is a huge loss. Pyramid has a view that is surely one of the top three views in the entire Adirondack Park.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker looking to conquer new heights or a nature enthusiast seeking solitude among the peaks, the Lower Great Range hike promises an unforgettable Adirondack experience.

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Table of Contents

Lower Great Range Permit

Lower Great Range Parking

Lower Great Range Hike Notes & Gallery

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Lower Great Range hike via A.W. Weld Trail

This Lower Great Range hike includes…

Classic Adirondack long walks in and out

One of the toughest ridges in the Adirondacks

Incredible scenery, particularly from Pyramid and Gothics

Very steep trails

Over 5000 feet of elevation gain

Tricky rock scrambles and sheer slab sections

Descent down a tall, steep mountain ladder

A lot of mud, especially on Armstrong

An optional side quest to Rainbow Falls

Optional access via the amazing Indian Head if you want to include it

Allow 10-14 hours for this hike. A full breakdown is provided in the trail notes below, with 30 spectacular photos.

Lower Great Range Permit

From May 1 until Oct 31, advance reservation is required to park at the AMR lot. This is the only way to access this hike. Visit hikeamr.org for full details and to secure your parking reservation.

Lower Great Range Parking

See the bottom of this page for precise location information and a Google Map link.

Lower Great Range Hike Notes & Gallery

Hiking this route was a very challenging yet immensely rewarding experience. It was an opportunity to push my limits, connect with nature, and relish in the sense of accomplishment that comes with conquering these remarkable peaks in the heart of the Adirondacks. The view from Pyramid Peak was the highlight. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it.

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Similar Hikes

In the Adirondacks, there are big day hikes like this: the incredible Dix Range , Rocky Peak Ridge from New Russia, or Giant Mountain and Rocky Peak Ridge together.

In the Catskills, we have The Devil’s Path and the Burroughs Range Loop .

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Lower Great Range via Weld Trail Trailhead

Large parking area that May through October requires advance reservation via hikeamr.org.

Google Maps Location: 44.149847, -73.767882

The map below shows the exact topographic location of the trailhead

Cell Service

Extremely intermittent, even at elevation. My network is Verizon. YMMV.

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The parent mountain for this hike is Gothics .