Mar 2

Mar 2 Hiking the Indian Head Trail (& Rainbow Falls) in the Adirondacks

The six-million-acre Adirondack Park is home to some of the most rugged and undeveloped land on the East Coast. Here you’ll find endless hiking and camping opportunities, as well as winter activities and more.

Easily one of the most popular views in the Adirondack Mountains, maybe even Upstate New York, is the Indian Head Vista. The trailhead is located in Keene Valley, about a half-hour southeast of Lake Placid, in between the High Peaks Wilderness and Dix Mountain Wilderness, on AMR property.

>> Related: Chasing Fall Colors In Lake Placid, New York <<

I’d be shocked if you haven’t seen a picture on social media of this stunning vista in the fall time.

While the trail to Indian Head Vista is very long, it’s not overly difficult, despite the tree roots and rock scrambling. You don’t need to be a super experienced hiker to do this trail, just know your limits and be prepared.

About the AMR Property

The Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) consists of 7,000 acres of private land around the Lower and Upper Ausable Lakes, as well as the upper East Branch of the Ausable River. The AMR is located between two areas in the High Peaks Wilderness, and an easement allows the public to enjoy the area on designated roads and trails.

There’s over 27 miles of trails within the reserve that include stunning overlooks and waterfalls.

A pilot program began in 2021 that required visitors to make reservations to be able to use the parking lots along Route 73. Visitors could only make reservations 2 weeks in advance, free of charge. The AMR and DEC worked together on this to help maintain the trail usage as well as the hectic parking situation since people were parking along the road and it was becoming unsafe. The pilot reservation system ended on October 31st. After that, no reservations are required and the gates will remain open 24/7.

Other Things to Keep in Mind:

Pets are NOT allowed on the property.
Hunting is prohibited in the AMR but hunters can use designated trails to access the adjacent wilderness.
Camping is also not permitted.
Moose, Black Bears, Eastern Coyotes, and other mammals can be found in the Adirondacks.
Ausable Club is for guests only, you are not permitted to enter the buildings.
The public is not allowed to swim or boat on any lakes, streams, or rivers.

Best Time to Visit

This is by far one of the most popular hikes in the Adirondacks, so try to visit during the weekday, preferably early in the morning in order to avoid the major crowds. If you’re a photographer, you’ll want to plan to arrive at sunrise or sunset if you can, unless you’re visiting on an overcast day.

Summer: Long hikes are always fun in the summer, but watch out for the Black Flies and more crowds.

Winter: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on all trails. If you’re hiking, then you MUST wear spikes on your shoes. Be prepared for sub-zero temperatures at the summit.

Fall: Easily one of the best fall foliage views in Upstate New York.

Spring: Winter is ending, the trail is muddy, and Black Fly season is starting. Not necessarily the best time to go, but there is likely to be less of a crowd.

What to pack for the hike

You’ll definitely want a good pair of hiking boots that can handle rugged terrain (preferably waterproof ones too). A fancy hiking backpack is not necessary, but you want something comfortable that can carry at least 2 liters of water, plenty of snacks, and whatever else you might need.

Some other suggested items to pack (items will vary depending on what season you visit):

Safety gear
First aid kit/sunscreen
Extra socks
Phone charger
Chapstick
Coffee/energy drink
Clothing layers
Headlamp
Sunglasses
Bug spray
Hiking poles
Food/snacks
Hydration pack/water bottles

Quick Facts About the Indian Head Trail

These quick facts are varied because it depends on which trail you take to the vista. The only restroom is at the parking lot, so remember the Leave No Trace policies.

Trail Length: 9-12 miles (roughly 6 hours)

Difficulty: Moderate - Difficult

Elevation Gain: 1800+ feet

Cost: Free!

Pets: Not allowed

Sign showing where to turn onto Lake Road

Getting to the Trailhead

After parking in the AMR St. Hubert’s lot, you’ll walk about a half-mile up Ausable Road. Keep walking until you reach the Ausable Club, where there’s a golf course, tennis, and more. Right by the tennis court, you’ll want to turn left onto Lake Road and walk a bit before reaching the trail register. The trail register is used to monitor trail usage and is used in case of emergencies.

Starting the Indian Head Trail

Once you’re checked in, head around the pine entrance gate that marks the beginning of the trail. The gate is locked unless you’re a member of the Ausable Club. You’ll continue along Lake Road for about 3 miles. Lake Road is an actual road, so expect to see service vehicles or Ausable Club guests who are able to drive to a restricted lot by the dam. The road is slightly wider than a one-lane road, so just step off to the side to let the cars pass.

Along the way, you’ll see a few trail intersections and scenic spots, but just keep going straight until you reach a fork where you can see the shore of Lower Ausable Lake.

>> Related: Hiking As A Solo Female: 5 Tips <<

Reaching the Indian Head Vista

Right before the fork, you’ll see a trail on the left that says “Indian Head/Fish Hawk Cliffs/Colvin” - turn onto that trail.

Continue on this trail for about 1.5 miles. Unlike Lake Road, this is an actual hiking trail now. Expect steep ladders and switchbacks along the way. Eventually, you’ll reach a trail junction at the top of the ridge, keep right.

After a short walk through the woods, you’ll walk out onto the rocky cliffs of Indian Head finally! The view from the upper cliff offers absolutely amazing views, but you can also walk down to the lower cliff for even better views of Lower Ausable Lake. The trail between these two views is narrow, so watch your step. On the sides of the lake, you’ll find the Lower Great Range and Pinnacle Ridge.

View of Lower Ausable Lake from the lower cliffs of Indian Head

Most people spend about an hour or so at the top, enjoying the view and eating snacks, before prepping to hike back down. While the hike isn’t difficult, it is long, so be sure to rest up at the top and enjoy the breathtaking view. When I went, this hike was the only thing I planned for the day so I had plenty of time, and the weather ended up being much nicer than expected so I enjoyed the warm sunshine and chatted with other hikers for over an hour.

There are a couple of ways back down, but I personally went back the same way to Lake Road.

Signs for Rainbow Falls across from the Ausable Lake Dam

Getting to Rainbow Falls

In order to reach Rainbow Falls, you’ll want to go right at the original fork and head down the hill to the dam. There’s a bunch of rocks and an open area here so this makes a good rest stop with a stunning view of the lake. Once you’ve crossed the bridge, look for the West River/Lost Lookout fork and continue straight. You should come across two more forks along the way but just keep right at both of them to reach the cliffy area of Rainbow Falls. The easiest way to see the falls is to stay at the bottom and climb over all the rocks. There is a way to get a higher view of the falls, but it’s a steep climb.

Other Trails to Hike in the AMR

Fish Hawk Cliffs
Gothic Widow
Gill Brook

Leave No Trace

Leaving no trace in the Adirondacks is MEGA important. This six-million-acre region is absolutely breathtaking and needs our help to maintain its beauty. The Leave No Trace (LNT) principles also allow future generations to enjoy the Adirondack Park.

If you’re not aware of the Leave No Trace 7 Principles, here they are:

Plan Ahead & Prepare

Many trails are rugged and steep - know what you can handle.
Higher elevations call for different weather than below - make sure you check the weather ahead of time and always prepare for the worst.
Download/print maps so you don’t get lost. Consider bringing a compass as well.

Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces

Refrain from traveling off-trail, even if you see an unofficial trail that others have made.
Know where you can camp.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Carry out what you carry in. Avoid leaving garbage and other waste along the trail or at your campsite.
Know how to dispose of human and pet waste properly if there is no restroom nearby.
Do not wash yourself, your clothes, or dishes with soap near bodies of water.

Leave What You Find

Refrain from rock stacking.
Do not pick flowers.
Do not carve trees.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Fires are not permitted above 4,000 feet in the Adirondacks and are only allowed in certain areas.
Use an established fire ring and make sure it is completely out before leaving.

Respect Wildlife

Keep your dog leashed (if allowed on the trail) and under control to avoid disrupting wildlife.
Observe wildlife from a distance. Refrain from approaching or feeding.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Refrain from blasting music and or other ways that prevent others from enjoying nature.
Step off to the side of the trail when allowing others to pass or experience the viewpoint.