Mountains, Adventures, Recreation, Attractions and More! The Adirondacks
Written: Aug 31 '04 (Updated Oct 25 '04)
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Pros: Something for everyone, Great variety, Wonderful Scenery, Olympic Facilities, wilderness areas
Cons: ...none...there aren't more places like this!
The Bottom Line: Go spend a weekend in the park and I’d be willing to be that before Sunday afternoon, you’ll already be planning your next visit
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| jps246's Full Review: Adirondacks |
It’s hard to think of exactly how to put the Adirondacks into just a few short paragraphs. They are so many different things and the park covers such a large area that it’s almost like any generalizations just don’t do the mountains any justice. Just about anyone can find something that they’re looking for in the mountains and a vacation can go from honky-tonk touristy fun in Lake George to wilderness trekking in the remote wilderness areas of the park.
I grew up spending weekends to weeks in the mountains. I traveled with my Grandparents and stayed in Lake George and hiked with my father into some of the most remote areas of the park. I even had a chance to walk the Northville-Lake Placid Trail, which is the park’s longest trail at about 130 miles.
The park’s characteristics change so much from area to area and encompass such a large area (6 million acres), that there are so many chances for different kinds of experiences. You can go from paddling along flat water deep in a forgotten valley to whitewater rafting down the Hudson River Gorge or you can be shopping in the boutiques of Lake Placid and just as easily be climbing your way up a technical rock climb. The Adirondacks are the perfect place for people who want to get a lot out of their vacation simply because there is so much to do and it’s not just focused on one kind of activity, just about everything is there.
Where are the Adirondacks?
The ‘dacks as they are known by some are located in northern New York – roughly covering an area from about 60 miles north of Albany up to almost the Canadian border and from just beyond the shores of Lake Champlain over to the Tug Hill Plateau on the west. All told within the line of the Adirondack Park, there is roughly 6 million acres of mountains, streams, rivers, lakes and forests.
The Adirondack Park?
The Adirondack Park, along with the Catskill Park was created in the late 1800’s to protect the water quality of the state and more specifically the water resources of New York City and to provide outdoor recreational activities for the public. All the public lands in the park are protected by the “Forever Wild” clause in the State constitution:
"The lands of the state, now owned or hereafter acquired, constituting the forest preserve as now fixed by law, shall be forever kept as wild forest lands. They shall not be leased, sold or exchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private, nor shall the timber thereon be sold, removed or destroyed . . ."
New York should get some applause here, it is the only state that offers direct constitutional protection to the public’s lands within the Catskill and Adirondack Parks. These lands cannot be developed, cannot be sold and must be left in a “forever wild” state in perpetuity for future generations. These lands collectively are known as “Forest Preserve.”
What is also unique about the Adirondack Park (and the Catskills) is that only about half of it is publicly owned, the other half is privately owned, thus the Adirondacks is one of the few parks that is both a mix of private and public lands. All of the forest preserve lands are open to the public for hiking, camping, fishing and hunting. Private land access is variable and it depends on the landowner and the easements over that land.
You can camp anywhere in the Forest Preserve so long as you are at least 150 feet from any open water, 150 feet from any trail, 150 feet from any road and below 4500 feet. Elevations above 4500 feet are more fragile high mountain habitats and thus camping is prohibited above this elevation.
Beyond trails, boat launches and a few other improvements, you’ll find that there are a number of improved, state run campgrounds throughout the park. These campgrounds generally provide basic services (bathrooms, water and campsites), but lack electrical or sewer hook-ups. Generally they provide good access to the rest of the park and are an inexpensive option for folks.
Non-Hiking/Outdoor Options
For those who aren’t looking for an outdoor adventure, there is plenty to do in the Adirondacks, for both adults and families. The park is host to several attractions and one major amusement park. The amusement park, The Great Escape is located in Lake George along with several other family friendly attractions including a water park and a downtown area that features just about anything a tourist could be looking for. For a more romantic feel, you can take a cruise across Lake George
You can explore the only large cave in the Adirondacks at Natural Stone Bridge and Caves, or wonder at the beauty of Ausable Chasm. Don’t want to get out of the car? You can drive up Prospect Mountain near Lake George or Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid and take in incredible views. Maybe you’re looking for museums? The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake is an enchanting (and educational) day-long stop for everyone with both hands-on exhibits and more traditional museum affairs.
Want to go shopping? The Adirondacks are home to a multitude of small towns and villages featuring an almost unlimited amount of choices from antiques, local crafts to boutique shopping. Some of the best of this unique shopping is in Lake Placid and you’ll find outlet shopping just outside of Lake George.
In Lake Placid you can take in the eastern United State’s only Winter Olympics Site, with bobsleds, ski jumps and more. You can watch ice skaters or hockey games in the Olympic Ice Arena or test your skill on the bobsled or luge runs. National and International events occur here throughout the winter months and even in the summer, some of the locations continue to stay open (it’s pretty darn amazing to watch someone ski jump in the summer into a pool of water).
The Outdoor Stuff
Here’s where the Adirondacks really shine…
With over 3 million acres of publicly accessible land, the Adirondacks are a nature lover’s paradise. You can climb trailless peaks, canoe waters undisturbed except for loons, fish in an almost infinite number of lakes, climb on some highly technical rocks, and get to the top of New York on Mount Marcy.
Almost all of the forest preserve has some sort of trail system that can get hikers and backpackers into the mountains and if there aren’t, bushwhacking is always an option. There are so many remote and rugged wilderness areas in these mountains that it would be a shame if you didn’t get off the trails once and a while.
The Northville-Placid Trail, which runs from Northville in the south (go figure) to Lake Placid in the north over a distance of about 130 miles is the premiere long distance trail in the Adirondacks. You can do the whole trip in a week to two weeks (depending on how fast you walk) or you can break it up into shorter segments and finish it in pieces. Either way, the trail winds its way through the heart of the Adirondacks and is an experience not soon forgotten.
Not all the lakes are boat accessible, but for fishermen you can find remote lakes, streams and rivers where the fish are big and the fishing is exciting. You never know either – you just might find a boat stashed somewhere along the shore of that mountain pond – I know I have.
Rock climbing is all around the mountains – especially in the High Peaks region where massive land slides have exposed bare rock and mountains’ sides end in massive cliffs.
And if you’re up for it, in the heart of the High Peaks Region is Mount Marcy, which at 5,344 feet is the highest point in New York State. This mountain, like many in the High Peaks region is above treeline and can have harsh weather throughout the year, especially in the wintertime. In addition the High Peak region is somewhat remote and treks into the area require some advanced trip planning and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
For winter weather lovers, there are plenty of downhill and cross-country skiing options. Major ski areas include Gore Mountain and Whiteface Mountain. For cross-country skiers, there are several developed cross-country ski areas (including the Olympic facilities where you can test your mettle) and backcountry opportunities are unlimited. Once of the best backcountry skis is a climb through Avalanche Pass and up Mount Marcy and back down again – it’s about 14 miles round-trip and is the classic Adirondack backcountry ski.
Whitewater rafters aren't left out either - they can go on their own down the Hudson River Gorge or go with a commericial rafting company. The gorge features some intense rapids and is an exciting and exhilarating ride. There are also plenty of other less famous rivers that while lacking commerical rafting opportunities are great for canoeists and kayakers looking to find new territory.
Getting There
The major access to the Adirondack Park is provided by Interstate 87, otherwise known as the Northway, which runs north south through the park. Most of the park’s different regions can be accessed from the various exits on the highways.
Lake George in the southern Adirondacks is about an hour and a half from Albany, NY while Lake Placid, located further north is about 3 hours from Albany.
Why you should go…
The Adirondacks are simply amazing…
The mountain views, the recreational opportunities, the simple joy of being in such a wonderful place can take your breath away.
Anyone can find something they like – from hiking and biking to canoeing and rafting to shopping and sight-seeing. You can take a long distance hike on the Northville-Placid Trail or you can stroll the streets of Lake Placid and shop for the latest fashions – it really is all here in the Adirondacks.
For more information
Here are a couple of sites that can help you plan your vacation in the Adirondacks
Adirondack Forest Preserve (everything you need to know about the public lands) - http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/publands/adk/
Adirondack Park State Campground Map - http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/do/camping/adirondacks.html
Adirondack Mountain Club (major hiking/outdoor organization in the park – trail guides and more) - http://www.adk.org/
Official Lake Placid Site - http://www.lakeplacid.com/
Official Lake George Site - http://www.lakegeorge.com/
Finally
Go spend a weekend in the park and I’d be willing to be that before Sunday afternoon, you’ll already be planning your next visit.
If you're interested in New York's other major park, consider a visit to The Catskills.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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