Sunday was supposed to be a co-lead for ADK for Phelps mountain.  Unfortunately the event was cancelled, but I went with some other ADK members I got connected to through the hike planning. I believe this was my first high peak in July of 1993, so it will always be a peak I'm fond of, and it's one of the easier high peaks.  Not saying it's easy, but it's not highly difficult and technical either. 

We started the day by getting a strange view due to the Canadian wildfires happening.  The sun when we left was a glowing red/orange orb that you could look directly at.  Really freaky, other worldly sight.  We get to Loj and take care of the usual business and on the trail a bit before 8.  The hike in to Marcy Dam was typical.  Some mud, some rocks, and an overall easy hike.  The trail has had recent trail maintenance done, and I think one of the bridges in was replaced, at least it looked like newer wood and not pock marked with microspike holes.

At Marcy dam we took our picutres, talked to a couple hikers, and decided that the water looked low enough we probably didn't need to go the high water route.  So, up the VanHovenberg trail we went, and we were right, the Phelps Brook ford was easily passable.  Before we knew it, we were at the Phelps trailhead, and then began the slow climb to the top.  The first half of the trail was a mix of mud and stream.  Rock hopping was key.  Then it dried up briefly, and next thing you know, we were at the couple of scrambles about 2/3 of the way up.  Then it was slab walk most of the way to the top.  I completely forgot there was slabs on top since the last time I did this in summer was in 2020.  Good to keep that in mind for future hikes as I'm sure I'll end up leading this for ADK at some point.  We got to the top, deciphered the herd paths and found the proper trail.  The trees along the edge you walk by are much larger than I remember.  When I did it this winter, I swear they were only like a foot tall, now they're probably 5 feet! (thanks snow!)

We sat on the ledge and admired the view.  It was hazy, but you could clearly see the great range, Big Slide, Marcy, Colden, and the McIntyres.   After a bite to eat, we went back down and when we got to the trail junction we agreed that Tabletop was out, but an extra 2 miles to Indian Falls would be worth it, especially since the trail is "easier" than what we just did.  The hike up to Indian Falls was like the rest of the VanHovenberg trail past Phelps Brook.  Wet, rocky, and many patches of mud.  Before long we got to the Tabletop turnoff and a few hundred feet later we crossed the Marcy Brook and went out to the ledges at the top of the falls.  Still hazy, but the views of the McIntyres is just spectacular from there.  You can actually frame them into a beautiful picture.

The hike out was just reversing what we did.  The 1.2 from Marcy Dam to the Algonquin trail always is longer than it should be on the way out, but we did it, we got back to the car, had a quick bite to eat at the Hungry Hiker, dropped off some lost and found, and headed home.

In the end, it was a slow hike because we took our time, but it was a great hike.  11.3 miles and 3000 feet of elevation over about 9.5 hours.  Year to date, 174 miles and 8.8 miles of elevation over 123 hours.