Gray Peak, Mount Skylight, & Mount Marcy via Avalanche Pass

Starting at Marcy Dam, follow the Avalanche Pass Trail (also called Upper Works). At the south end of Lake Colden, take a left when you come across the Calamity Brook Trail/Mount Marcy Trail (I've seen it called both - if you followed the map above and traveled on the west side of Lake Colden (passing by the NYS DEC Lake Colden Interior Outpost) you should almost immediately cross a dam. Can also take the Avalanche Lake to Lake Colden Trail, which takes you on the east side of Lake Colden). Continue on Calamity Brook Trail/Mount Marcy Trail until you reach Gray Peak Trail. This is a relatively steep ascent. Follow that to the summit, then return to Calamity Brook Trail/Mount Marcy Trail. Continue heading east on the trail until you reach the Four Corners. At the Four Corners, follow the trail leading south to Mount Skylight Trail. This is a relatively steep ascent. Follow that trail back down to the Four Corners, where you'll take the trail heading north to reach Mount Marcy. This is a steep ascent, and caution should be taken. From the summit of Mount Marcy, take the Van Hoevenberg Trail back to Marcy Dam. Van Hoevenberg trail is long, but a relatively moderate incline for most of it. Due to the max grade, I rated this as an extremely difficult hike, however, large portions of it are very manageable. Would not recommend as your first 46er route, and, as always, come prepared.