As quickly and efficiently as we had ascended to Marshall, descending was even quicker. We zoomed back down along the track from the summit to the Herbert Brook lean-to in just over an hour.
The brilliant sunshine that we had hoped would heat the interior of the lean-to for lunch had unfortunately been obscured by cloud; a gray overcast had moved in.
Arriving back at Herbert Brook Lean-to
Lunch at Herbert Brook Leanto
After lunch at the lean-to, we began the long walk back, first by re-crossing the flats of Flowed Lands, then on the main trail back towards Upper Works. This section of trail is a somewhat boring two-hour plod that makes you wish for good snow conditions and a pair of backcountry skiis.
Hudson River Marshmallows
Brian, who had been slightly lagging behind for most of the day, suddenly turned on the afterburners towards the end of the walk back, pulling us all in line and causing us to arrive back at the trailhead shortly before 4:30pm, making for a quite respectable 8.5 hour trip.
One final note before I sign off: I don't think I can really describe Mount Marshall - which is technically a trailless peak - as a bushwhack any longer. If you follow the route that we took, it is as bushwhack-free as most fully-trailed peaks in the Adirondacks today. In fact, I don't really think you can say that Marshall is a trailless peak any longer, in anything other than in name (and the fact that there are no trail signs or markers).
Interactive trackmap with photo points - click map to expand
Hike Data - Mt Marshall via Upper Works
Start Time:
7:49a.m.
End Time:
4:23p.m.
Duration:
8h34m
Distance:
21.71 km
(13.49 mi)
Average Speed:
2.5 km/hr
(1.6 mph)
Start Elevation:
1833ft
(559m)
*
Max Elevation:
4462ft
(1360m)
*
Min Elevation:
1776ft
(541m)
*
End Elevation:
1782ft
(543m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain:
2692ft
(821m)
*
Total Elevation Loss:
2732ft
(833m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
