Sawteeth-Route 73 - Ausable Club   Lower Ausable Lake from the Sawteeth trail Says Kevin Corcoran The Great Range from Sawteeth's summit Says Kevin Corcoran Sawteeth as seen from the Ausable Club Says Kevin Corcoran Sawteeth is one of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks; those peaks that were originally believed to be 4,000 feet or higher (modern surveying confirms taht there are 42 peaks over 4,000 feet). At 4,100 feet, Sawteeth comes in at #35 of the 46. The most     popular approach to Sawteeth, by far, is via the Ausable Club off of Route 73 in the Town of Keene. The first 4.3 miles of the hike, or thereabouts, is over a well-maintained hard-packed gravel road that gently climbs from the Ausable Club to the Club's boathouse on Lower Ausable Lake. Just before reaching Lower Ausable Lake, the ''real'' hiking begins as you veer right onto the trail. Within 75 yards you cross over the dam, which affords splendid views of Lower Ausable Lake and Mount Colvin. Once you cross the dam, you have two choices; you can either take the longer but less steep trail straight ahead that takes you to the col between Pyramid and Sawteeth, or the shorter but much steeper   trail to the left that takes you over the easternmost of the two peaks of Sawteeth. I approached Sawteeth via the less steep trail. If memory serves, it's about two miles of moderate to moderately steep hiking between the dam and the col between Pyramid and Sawteeth. Once you get to the col, you turn left for the last 1/2 mile, which is the steepest section of this particular trail, gaining 500 feet of elevation in 1/2 mile. This brings you to the westernmost peak of Sawteeth, which offers up an incredible view of the Great Range, with Gothics, Saddleback, Basin and Haystack grabbing most of the hiker's attention. You also get a good look at Marcy, and a somewhat sharp-angled peek at the Wolfjaws and Armstrong. If you wish not to return the same way, you can continue east for 1/2 mile to the easternmost peak of Sawteeth. There really aren't any views from this peak of Sawteeth, but there are four excellent vantage points on the way down allowing for unobstructed views of Lower and Upper Ausable Lake, as well as five other Hi gh Peaks (Colvin, Blake, Nippletop, Giant and Rocky Peak Ridge). You can also catch a glimpse of the summit of Dix behind Nippletop and a nice view of Noonmark Mountain, complete with its fire-scarred western flank. Incidentally, the descent down to Lower Ausable Lake from the easternmost peak is extremely steep, with a few ladders in place for assistance. You really can't go quickly on the descent because of a combination of the steepness and wet roots and rock. I was happy that I chose to descend this trail instead of going up it to get to the top of Sawteeth. All in all, after you slog your way back to your vehicle over the 4+ miles of gravel road, you've logged just under 14 miles. Still, I've climbed 27 of the High Peaks, and Sawteeth was one of the easiest climbs, perhaps with only Cascade and Wright being easier. The total ascent from the parking lot is right around 3,000 feet. If you were only going to knock off a handful of Adirondack High Peaks, the terrific views of the Great Range make Sawteeth a ''must-do'' High Peak. Says Kevin Corcoran Roundtrip Distance 12.2 miles Elevation Gain 2,829 ft. Says Kevin Corcoran BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE BIGGER SIZE PICTURE HERE            Map Map Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Sawteeth-Route 73 - Ausable Club.   Trails Near Sawteeth-Route 73 - Ausable Club: Nippletop-Route 73 - Ausable Club, Essex County , 0 miles away Armstrong Mountain-Route 73 - Ausable Club, Essex County , 0 miles away Upper Wolfjaw-Route 73 - Ausable Club, Essex County , 0 miles away Lower Wolfjaw-Route 73 - Ausable Club, Essex County , 0 miles away Mt. Colvin-Route 73 - Ausable Club, Essex County , 0 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Sawteeth-Route 73 - Ausable Club: Paradise Pines Camping Resort, North Hudson , 9 miles away High Peaks Base Camp, Upper Jay , 9 miles away Lake Placid/Whiteface MT KOA, Wilmington , 12 miles away Shearer's Riverside Campsite, Severance , 12 miles away KOA Kampgrounds, Wilmington , 12 miles away   Whitewater Near Sawteeth-Route 73 - Ausable Club: Ausable River - East Branch, Essex County , 5 miles away, Class II-V+ - 6.3 miles long (Hulls Falls to Keene) The Branch, Essex County , 5 miles away, Class III-V - 6.5 miles long (Along State Route 9N Alder Brook R) Ausable River - East Branch, Essex County , 7 miles away, Class II-III - 6.3 miles long (Keene to Upper Jay) West Mill Creek, Essex County , 8 miles away, Class IV - 1 miles long (South of Exit 30 off I-87) John's Brook, Essex County , 9 miles away, Class V - 4 miles long (Caretaker's Cabin to Moutaineer Outfitters in Keene Valley)   Hotels Near Sawteeth-Route 73 - Ausable Club: Courtyard Lake Placid, Lake Placid , 15 miles away Econo Lodge Lake Placid, Lake Placid , 16 miles away Prague Inn Stes and Cottages, Lake Placid , 16 miles away Lake Placid Summit Hotel Resort Suites, Lake Placid , 16 miles away Spruce Lodge Bed & Breakfast &, Lake Placid , 16 miles away   Lakes Near Sawteeth-Route 73 - Ausable Club Johnson Pond, Essex County , 12 miles away Copperas Pond, Essex County , 13 miles away Goose Pond, Essex County , 16 miles away Oxshoe Pond, Essex County , 17 miles away Lake Placid, Essex County , 18 miles away