The mountain is known for the Trap Dike, a large crevice that runs from a point near the summit on its west face to nearby Avalanche Lake.

The summit of Mount Colden can be reached by two hiking trails, which are frequently combined to form a circuit through Avalanche Pass, or by climbing the Trap Dike.

[11] The peak was named after David C. Colden, an investor in the McIntyre Iron Works at Tahawus, by William Charles Redfield in 1836.

[12][13] The first recorded ascent of the mountain was made by Robert Clark and Alexander Ralph, two employees of the Iron Works, who climbed up the dike in July 1849.

[13] Starting from the Adirondak Loj to the north, hiking over Mount Colden and through Avalanche Pass is a 13.8 miles (22.2 km) loop.

Deaths and injuries have occurred on the dike,[17] and between 2011 and 2021, an increasing number of rescues were made due to climbing attempts by inexperienced climbers.