"we started our day in the Orebed Brook Campsite (which was amazing, with easy access to water and flat ground). Once we packed up we headed towards the gothics and saddleback junction, and headed up the west side of gothics and up the cable route. In fall i would heavily recommend you wear microspikes in some sections, but with confidence you'll do alright. once descended from gothics we started our trek towards haystack, descending from saddleback was a tight squeeze with our backpacking packs (we had gear for 4 days, around 20lbs). but the hardest challenge was up basin, many parts of the trail were eroded, and covered in ice. it was a little tricky to maneuver with our packs, luckily we had some help in icy sections. Than the trek up haystack was gruelling since we were already fatigued. but once we got up haystack we knew our time was short, the sun was setting and we had to descend the mountain via the south side which was rather slabby. finally after a rough day we retired to the panther gorge campsite in the pitch darkness. after a good 10hrs of hiking, and 6000 ish feet of elevation gain." — sebastienauger • Oct 11, 2025

"Lower great range via range trail. Summited Gothics at 12:15pm (approx 1 hr from Armstrong). sat and waited for hiking partner for two hours. Ran back to JBL (literally). Back to JBL at 5:45pm" — catearonson • Sep 24, 2025

"Start: AMR lot 05:30 “Finish”: AMR register 18:00 Route: Clockwise from Sawteeth via scenic trail. Mileage: ~17 Moving: 10hrs Total: A little over 12 including pitstops and the walk to the parking lot. Summary: Successful big day for our first outing this season. Weather: Overcast, breezy 60’s then periodic light rain, sun, distant rumbles of thunder mid day followed by increasing sun which should remain the rest of the holiday weekend. No bugs till the front passed in the afternoon taking with it most of the breeze, but not unbearable. General trail conditions, typical, only one area of confusion climbing Sawteeth requiring a brief search and bushwhack on at the 2nd area of cleared blow down at the steep pitch. Watch your map and keep left of the rock slabs. Diary: After a too long hiatus, Dan (#14,911), set the books to get Scott and I back on our journey. The target: Lower Great Range. This would bring me to 32/46, put Scott into the 40’s, and give Dan regular season credit for the lower range and myself for Wolf Jaws. Earlier in the week Dan reserved a spot at AMR for Thursday the 3rd, just before the 4th of July holiday. Scott and I left Glenville at 3:30 en ..." — davelaurenty • Jul 3, 2025

"Most elevation I’ve ever done in a day. Did the whole great range, Lower Wolfjaw through Sawteeth. Took about 10 hours, some scrambling. Great weather, very dry and awesome views." — Nao • Jun 13, 2025

"Woke up at the Johns Brook Lodge and hiked up Ore Bed Brook. Took the cable route up and swung over to Pyramid. Full 10 hours of hiking including hike out to the Garden Trailhead." — elimihuta • Sep 3, 2024

"Hiked a section of the Great Range starting from Basin and finishing on Lower Wolfjaw. Came from camp at Slant Rock. Starting with Basin: Hike starts by going over a bit of a ridge from Haystack, then starting the ascent of Basin. This hike is very pleasant with lookout points with views of Marcy and Haystack. Starting at Slant Rock gets you starting the hike pretty high up already, so you are on the summit of Basin in just about no time at all. Would be even quicker if you camp at Sno-Bird. Summit is very nice with views of many of the high peaks to the South, West, and Northwest. The trail towards Saddleback is very tame until the final ascent portion. This part is the most technical portion of this whole route, as you must scramble your way to the summit. Expect to be climbing over large features to ascend this portion of the trail. The summit here is a very nice view of Basin. Another tame descent down Saddleback and another somewhat technical ascent up Gothics. This ascent features cables to help you climb along the large bare and steep alpine area. Be weary and don't put too much trust into these cables as some are broken and others seem ready to give at any moment, but..." — ThermarestCompressiblePillow • Jul 9, 2024

"Hiked out of AMR, not many cars in parking lot. Lake road started to get icy, stopped by rainbow falls, was immaculate (and saw a rainbow, like the name described). quickly realized on the way up to Sawteeth that snowshoes were needed, which we did not have. a day full of post-holing by breathtaking views." — gregoryskiba • Apr 15, 2023

"Attempted a Great Range Traverse on September 23, 2022 But a freak snow storm, freezing temps, 40mph wind, and a soaking wet mountain range said "no". Modified the plan to exit Gothics towards Pyramid, pick up Sawteeth, and head down the Weld Trail. Afterwards we had to walk out 4.5 miles along Lake Road through AMR and another 2.5 back to the Inn along Route 73 after dark. Memorable." — ndru-virus • Sep 23, 2022

"Packed heavy and did an overnight on the way up. First of our high peaks. First time I've ever seen cables guyed to a mountain. I'm glad we summitted on a dry day, I would have been concerned for the members of our group that didn't have solid grip on their shoes. Altras for the win! Incredible views! We ran out of time and energy before attempting Saddleback." — joshuagriffin • Jul 9, 2022

"The Orebed trail isn't an easy trail. Of course there was mud. The cable climb is an interesting experience. Especially when you see the cable is tied in a knot. The views on Gothics are great." — Ridgehiker • Jul 7, 2022