Sunday September 4 - Day 6

Drive 16 miles, 0.5 hours to Ausable River Loop trailhead


The Five Star Trail hiking book rates Ausable River 5 stars for scenery, and 3 stars for difficulty. 11 miles roundtrip. We can walk outbound on the west bank of the Ausable River, and return on the trail on the east bank.

Five Star Trails recommends climbing up near Indian Head Peak to something called Fish Hawk Cliffs for the view. Might as well climb Indian Head also.

Note the comment from All Trails about hiking reservations required to hike here, must be made 2 weeks in advance on Adirondack Mountain Reserve website.

All Trails description of Ausable River

Discover this 8.30 mile, out and back trail near Keene Valley, New York. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 59 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and other nature trips, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round, but the best times to visit are April through October

East Branch of Ausable River - east bank

This map shows the hike on the opposite bank, and climbing up to Indian Head, but then it doesn't return on east bank like we would want to. Optional hike to Cathedral Rocks is a possibility on way out if we hike the loop in clockwise direction.

East Branch of Ausable River - west bank


Driving home is just the reverse of the drive out to the trailhead.