Adirondacks, The Mountains, Lakes, Streams and Trails that are to be "Forever Wild"
Written: Oct 22 '07
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Pros: Diverse and will be kept "forever wild" as protected by the NY constitution.
Cons: So huge, I'll never get to see even a quarter of it.
The Bottom Line: The immense region of the Adirondacks offers excitement or quite relaxation. More people need to visit this New York State wonder.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Adirondacks |
When people think of New York, even New York State many visualise tall building, bright lights and a plethora of humanity. The truth is New York State has huge tracts of open land and according to the New York state Adirondack agency Adirondack park
is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States, greater in size than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Park combined. The boundary of the Park encompasses approximately 6 million acres, nearly half of which belongs to all the people of New York State and is constitutionally protected to remain a "forever wild" forest preserve. The remaining half of the Park is private land which includes settlements, farms, timber lands, businesses, homes, and camps. The parks total area is as large as the state of Connecticut!
Lake George
I have been lucky enough to visit a couple-a-few of the parks 3,000 lakes and ponds over the years. My business takes me to Lake George often. This happens to be the playground of the park with amusement areas, fine hotels, boat cruises, and plenty of places for fast food or fine dining. I happen to know of many people who go there year after year. It's not my kind of place for a vacation though. I like quieter camping but not wilderness camping that the park also affords.
Camping
A favorite place we have stayed is Moffitt Beach Campground in Speculator. We love the lakeside sites. I would get up in the morning just before sunrise. I'd paddle into the morning breeze. I then lean back, close my eyes and let the light winds take me wherever. I love the feel of the warm sun and the slight rocking of the canoe. After an hour or so I feel a bump onto the shoreline somewhere. It's the most relaxing setting I have ever experienced.
Ausable Chasm
For excitement I have been to Ausable Chasm a couple of times. It's the oldest natural attraction in New york State. This is an area where the river gauged 150 ft path down into and through high cliffs. We have taken the walks above it that are on well maintained trails with awesome views. For even more fun though we always did the river raft ride through it. It's mostly a gentle ride but has enough drop to give a bit of a thrill. It a ton of fun!!
Fort Ticonderoga
I happen to like visiting historic places and Fort Ticonderoga is one of the best restored and maintained military fortresses in the US. The grounds are beautiful and the setting stunning. The historic background of the fort is explained by knowledgeable guides in period costumes that describe it's importance in the French & Indian War and again in the American Revolution against Great Britain. The fort is an outstanding place to visit in this quiet peaceful region of Adirondack Park. This was a highlight for me.
So Much More To Be Discovered
This park is huge!! I haven't been privy to experience even a small part of it compared to what it offers. I do want to visit lake Placid, the site of two US sponsored World Winter Olympics. Many friends tell me the area is awesome in beauty and the sports it offers.
It has dozens of mountains over 4,000 feet, yes, perhaps puny compared to the Rockies, but quite substantial giving incredible views and skiing opportunities.
A cousin of mine goes up into the Adirondacks every year with his buddies to do primitive camping. He tells me they walk in and don't see anyone else on the lake for days at a time.
There are also some 30,000 miles of river and streams for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. I can't even imagine how far that is. Yes I can. It's ten times across the USA!!
I do know that I also read that the shore line of all the Adirondack lakes is more than that of Vermont and New Hampshire put together!!
My son went up to camp with his cousins in a Christian Campground a couple of times as a youth. I know that experience helped bolster his love for camping that he continues to do every year with his family.
Adirondacks mix of public and private lands allows both primitive wilderness hiking and more four star resorts than any other NY destination.
Those who visit it may toss their visuals of Manhattan's tall buildings, bright lights and zillions of people aside and think of tall mountains, lovely sunsets and be happy to bump into a couple of fellow hikers on some of its 2,000 miles of trails.
New York State and many links to NY attractions and eateries.
Recommended:
Yes
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