There are some tough scramble spots and even an area on the other side of Gothics with a permanent cable to help hikers, so exercise caution, especially in/after the rain. © 2021 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. BackpackingNut © 2019. Over half of the park is populated by hardwood forests. Happy traveling! If you are into spooky stuff, even some ghost towns can be found in the region! Tomorrow, with a decade’s worth of hiking conditioning and know-how, I’ll scramble up it at sunrise for a circle of peaks. This trail poses some interesting challenges with steep areas, rock scrambles, and ladders, but the views can’t be beat. Take the Van Hoevenberg Trail north off the summit and follow it all the way back to the trailhead at mile 22.6. Crane Mountain, Crane Mountain Pond 1.4 miles (2.8 miles round trip); 2.7 miles (5.4 miles round trip); 4.1-mile loop Johnsburg, Warren County Southern Adirondacks Hiking, Snowshoeing, Cross-country Skiing You can start from Upper Works trail head, hit Allen. Whiteface Mountain’s ski runs are nearby. Reach the Four Corners at mile 11.8 and turn south, summiting Mt. All Rights Reserved. And don’t forget about the 3,000 lakes and ponds and 1,200 miles of rivers along the way either! We are the authoritative source for information regarding individual, aerobic, life-long sports and fitness in the area. The Adirondack Park is a protected park in the U.S. state of New York. Just off of Big Moose Road and right around the corner from the Moss Lake Loop, the 5.5 mile trail around Cascade Lake is full of old forest, lake views (best from the old camp), a 40-ft waterfall, and even some history. Also in Adirondack Hiking. Get the ADK trail map (National Geographic map #742). Several options are available for camping. Speaking of elevation, the Adirondacks has some considerable peaks, ranging from 1,200 feet to 5,344 feet at the mountains’ (and the state’s) highest point, Mount Marcy. Marcy (5,344 feet) at mile 15.1. Return to the Four Corners (mile 14.3) and head north, breaking treeline and climbing rock slabs to the summit of Mt. Avoid crowds: 13 hikes in Adirondacks with spectacular views and fewer people Many Adirondack trails are too popular for their own good . There are countless trails and mountains to discover throughout the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park. Backcountry Camping in Kananaskis Country, Best Backpacking Hammock for Side Sleepers. Access member exclusive content + more benefits → Pharaoh Lake Wilderness 24 mile loop Moderate-difficult Marshall and Indian Pass are for you! as adk (adirondack mountain club) continues to monitor the spread of novel coronavirus (covid-19), adk has developed the following risk management protocols for in-person programs which include our day hike and trailless backpacking series. Numerous other trail segments throughout the Adirondack Park are also included. On this backpacking loop in the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness of Northern New York, you will get to see the picturesque Avalanche Lake that’s nestled between two mountains, climb Mount Marcy the highest peak in New York at 5,344’, and enjoy many spectacular … This huge chunk of protected wilderness takes up more area than any of the national parks in the lower 48 states. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can also head off to Pharaoh Mountain. Hikes vary from short and easy to steep and strenuous. With varying degrees of difficulty and length, you’re sure to find a hike that tickles your fancy out of the 2,000+ miles of trails it offers. Hiking difficulty is relative to each hiker, of course, but High Falls Cat Mountain trail could mostly be considered moderate with some areas proving more difficult. The Adirondack Park Loop is almost entirely within the boundaries of the Adirondack Park. February 2, 2021 Ryan Wichelns Located in upstate New York in the northeast corner, the Adirondack Mountains and Park take up a whopping 6 million+ acres. It’s known for its fall foliage–viewing and forested mountains, with hiking trails crossing the Adirondack High Peaks near Lake Placid. Being the highest point in the park as well as the entire state of New York, this trail is sure to be a challenge. Marcy, the state’s tallest peak with its slabby rocky pyramid poking above krummholz, as well as Mts. The views from Sleeping Beauty, and Black Mountain in particular, are stunning. The gorgeous lake is the third largest in the Adirondack park, and one of the best maintained in the state. Let's look at some of the best! Access member exclusive content + more benefits →, The three-sided log shelter is pretty unremarkable on first glance, blending into the surrounding thicket of spruce in the Adirondack High Peaks. Stone Valley Recreation Area: 12 miles (full loop), 294 feet net elevation gain. One is located at Janack’s Landing and the other on the Oswegatchie River near the falls. The Indian Pass Brook is especially gorgeous in the fall. Adirondack 10 Peak Tour is a 28.9 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Lake Placid, New York that features a lake and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. From the Wanakena trailhead, follow the Wanakena Primitive Corridor 3.7 miles to camp along the Oswegatchie River at High Rock. While they may not be the towering behemoths of the Rockies out west, states such as Vermont, Maine, and New York offer plenty of mountain hikes. For more information, see our "About Us" page. Become a member to unlock this story and receive other great benefits. Phew!In short, a loop that takes in what many people picture as the quintessential Colorado experience of backpacking: Wide open spaces, limitless vistas and big mountains. With 12 High Peaks and 10,000’ of elevation gain, this is one of the most demanding routes in the Adirondacks. The length of this loop makes for a challenging two day trip or a moderate three day trip.This hike starts at the very popular and crowded Bear Lake trailhead. Besides, you’ll get a better view of the stars and the Milky Way on clear nights without the cover of a lean-to roof. It’s advised to either wear waterproof shoes or go later in the season. This also makes it more likely for you to nab one of the lean-tos along the trail. Locals call them “46ers,” and you’ll tag five on this 17.3-mile loop. Gray and Skylight, with glowing views stretching into Vermont. Lake George Wild Forest 21 mile loop Moderate-difficult An excellent loop with beautiful ponds, cascades, and great camping. Backpacker Map Contributor Lisa Densmore says you’ll want to spend at least four days on the leisurely, 19.2-mile High Falls Loop, a route packed with stay-awhile features. The three-sided log shelter is pretty unremarkable on first glance, blending into the surrounding thicket of spruce in the Adirondack High Peaks. West, paddling routes weave through St. Regis Canoe Area and rapids swirl along Ausable Chasm canyon to the east. In our opinion, the Great Range Loop Trail an excellent option if you’re looking for advanced hiking loops for your backpacking trip through the Adirondacks. And, of course, you’ll eventually be climbing Mount Marshall (4,360 ft) and checking off another summit on the 46 high peaks in the park, if you’re into that. If you’re a more seasoned hiker and aren’t afraid of a little elevation change, Mt. High falls is on a mere .5 mile spur and Cat Mountain is about 1.5 miles off the trail. Adirondack Sports & Fitness is an outdoor recreation and fitness magazine covering the Adirondack Park and greater Capital-Saratoga region of New York State. Next two days you can climb Cliff, Redfield, Gray, Marshall, Skylight, and create a loop to come back to Upper Works. Crane Mountain and Crane Mountain Pond make a great trip that shows the rugged and varied terrain of the southern Adirondacks. Jo. There are five shelters. As you can imagine, the lean-tos tend to be popular sites and are first come, first serve, so always be sure to bring ALL of your gear with you, just in case you’re not able to snag one of these spots. Starting in Albany, New York, the route travels north through Saratoga Springs before crossing the “Blue Line," the term that many locals and frequent visitors use for crossing the boundary into the park. Since the hike itself doesn’t take long, try some fishing while you’re here as well. Overall 4.5/5 These mountains contain over 100 peaks, over 40 of which are over 4,000 feet high! Adirondack Park also contains an assortment of wetland areas, including swamps, bogs, and marshes. You can either head back down past Rainbow Falls or continue on for an even more extensive hike to Mount Marcy, summiting Sawteeth, Saddleback, Basin, and Haystack Mountains along the way. The next morning, take the trail back toward Lake Arnold, turning right at mile 10.3 to follow Feldspar Brook east. At the intersection east of the dam, take the trail south toward Avalanche Pass. Located in upstate New York, the Adirondacks and their backpacking loops take up a whopping 6 million+ acres. Head southwest past a killer swimming hole to … Whether you’re going on your very first backpacking trip or your 50th, this list has a trail for you! Hiking in the Adirondacks is a favorite activity of residents and visitors alike. I haven’t been back here in close to 10 years, since my very first backpacking trip as a teenager; despite the unassuming first impression, that cherished memory makes the lean-to feel like coming home. If you’re not familiar, many people like to challenge themselves to hike to all 46 peaks in the park above 4,000 feet (the High Peaks). Naturally, as you get higher up in the mountains, the tree species change from hardwood forests into basalm fir and red spruce in the mid-regions and again to black spruce once you reach around 3,500 feet elevation. Overcrowding has lead to congestion and trail erosion . ADK Adirondack Mountain Club lists hiking information about hiking in the adirondacks, trail conditions and weather, trailhead parking, joining the Adirondack Forty-Sixers. Forty-six peaks in the Adirondacks rise higher than 4,000 feet. There is a campground at the beginning of the trail at Marcy Dam. The Adirondacks is an adventure lover’s dream come true, with six million acres and hundreds of miles of trails to explore. Watch a video featuring a hike of the 4.5 mile Nicks Lake Loop located in the Black River Wild Forest of Adirondack Park. Speaking of the falls, it and the short hike to Cat Mountain are both actually located on short jaunts off of the main loop. Return to the Four Corners and, if desired, tack on Gray Peak (4,840 feet) by backtracking just past Lake Tear of the Clouds and following a herd path to the summit at mile 13.5. From a parking area on the south side of NY 73, seven miles south of Keene Valley, access the … Forty-six peaks in the Adirondacks rise higher than 4,000 feet. Located near Lake Placid, this Mount Marcy trail is 17.6 miles long, offers 5,068 feet of elevation gain, and gives you the chance to cross off 3 of the 46 High Peaks in one day. 10.3 to follow Feldspar Brook east north off the summit of Mt or, you...: 12 miles ( full loop ), returning to camp for the night at mile.. Mountains in Pennsylvania are usually free of snow a little sooner than my backyard mountains in the.... Huge boulders along the way peaks, over 40 of which are over feet... To climb, though most are said to be not too bad, Adirondack Park also! Particular, are stunning trail poses some interesting challenges with steep areas, including swamps, bogs and. 2021 Pocket outdoor Media Inc. all Rights Reserved routes in the Pharaoh Lake are into stuff... 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