Visiting the Adirondacks
April 2, 2006 11:49 PM Subscribe
The significant other and I will be spending a couple of days in the Adirondacks in late May and are looking for suggestions as to places to visit.
I thought it would be an easy area to look up information for online, but most of what we've found seems orientated towards getting us places that will take our money, of which we have relatively little.
We're both camping and history-orientated people. We'd be interested in day hikes, good camping areas, scenic drives and such. We'd mostly like to avoid tourist traps, but suggestions as to good places to grab lunch or dinner would be welcome. Thanks!
I thought it would be an easy area to look up information for online, but most of what we've found seems orientated towards getting us places that will take our money, of which we have relatively little.
We're both camping and history-orientated people. We'd be interested in day hikes, good camping areas, scenic drives and such. We'd mostly like to avoid tourist traps, but suggestions as to good places to grab lunch or dinner would be welcome. Thanks!
Best answer: I've day hiked in the Adirondacks numerous times. You don't say exactly where in the Adirondacks you want to go (it's a big place), but I/m guessing it's the High Peaks area near Lake Placid.
While I haven't stayed there, the Adirondack Loj is a popular destination point for hikers in the region looking for a place to stay. Other folks park in the area and take off for camping. The Loj is probably a good source of info. There is also a park ranger and restroom place nearby for folks to consult before they take off into the high peaks to hike, camp or whatever.
posted by bim at 2:42 AM on April 3, 2006
While I haven't stayed there, the Adirondack Loj is a popular destination point for hikers in the region looking for a place to stay. Other folks park in the area and take off for camping. The Loj is probably a good source of info. There is also a park ranger and restroom place nearby for folks to consult before they take off into the high peaks to hike, camp or whatever.
posted by bim at 2:42 AM on April 3, 2006
Best answer: Oops. I wasn't done. :)
The Adirondack Mountain Club publishes a series of trail guides which you can get all over the High Peaks area. Here's a sample. Be sure and get one. It's got maps in the back.
As for hikes, there are many. The day hike with the biggest "bang per buck" is Mt. Jo. The trail starts not far from the Loj. It's only about an hour hike up and you get breathtaking views of the High Peaks (and a nice view of Heart Lake right below). Take a lunch and a camera. There are many other more involved hikes in the area. The highest mountain in New York State is Mt. Marcy which is also popular. You may or may not want to hike that one depending on how busy things look.
The drive along Route 73 into Lake Placid is very beautiful. Be sure and stop at The Mountaineer on Route 73. It definitely not a mall store. They are very knowledgeable about not only gear but also conditions in the area. They know their stuff. And you should definitely go into Lake Placid. It's where the held the Olympics once. There are numerous stores and restaurants -- some cheap (pizza) and some not so cheap. The Noonmark Diner is also popular with hikers. It's on Rt. 73 on the way into the High Peaks area off Route 87 (the Northway).
The Adirondack 46's are the high peak overachievers. Here is one of many websites. It may give you some good info about trail choices.
The DEC (or EnCon) has a useful website too. Be sure to read the part about bears and food. Canisters are required.
Also be aware of the black fly issue. They can be vicious. You might want to check with the ADK Loj about how things are looking around the time when you go. I think you will be there in black Fly season.
Some other websites to get you started:
local tourism site
I Love NY state tourism site. I know they have a summer camping publication among other things.
DEC state run campgrounds info. There's a reservation system.
Blue Mountain Lake museum. Fabulous museum of Adirondack history. It's NOT in the High Peaks region, though. Check a map to see how far a drive it is from where you choose to go. It's well worth the trip.
photos on Flickr
And remember, depending on how long you stay, there's always Montreal a bit further up U.S. 87.
...good luck and have fun! The Adirondacks are a national treasure, IMHO.
posted by bim at 3:35 AM on April 3, 2006 [2 favorites]
The Adirondack Mountain Club publishes a series of trail guides which you can get all over the High Peaks area. Here's a sample. Be sure and get one. It's got maps in the back.
As for hikes, there are many. The day hike with the biggest "bang per buck" is Mt. Jo. The trail starts not far from the Loj. It's only about an hour hike up and you get breathtaking views of the High Peaks (and a nice view of Heart Lake right below). Take a lunch and a camera. There are many other more involved hikes in the area. The highest mountain in New York State is Mt. Marcy which is also popular. You may or may not want to hike that one depending on how busy things look.
The drive along Route 73 into Lake Placid is very beautiful. Be sure and stop at The Mountaineer on Route 73. It definitely not a mall store. They are very knowledgeable about not only gear but also conditions in the area. They know their stuff. And you should definitely go into Lake Placid. It's where the held the Olympics once. There are numerous stores and restaurants -- some cheap (pizza) and some not so cheap. The Noonmark Diner is also popular with hikers. It's on Rt. 73 on the way into the High Peaks area off Route 87 (the Northway).
The Adirondack 46's are the high peak overachievers. Here is one of many websites. It may give you some good info about trail choices.
The DEC (or EnCon) has a useful website too. Be sure to read the part about bears and food. Canisters are required.
Also be aware of the black fly issue. They can be vicious. You might want to check with the ADK Loj about how things are looking around the time when you go. I think you will be there in black Fly season.
Some other websites to get you started:
local tourism site
I Love NY state tourism site. I know they have a summer camping publication among other things.
DEC state run campgrounds info. There's a reservation system.
Blue Mountain Lake museum. Fabulous museum of Adirondack history. It's NOT in the High Peaks region, though. Check a map to see how far a drive it is from where you choose to go. It's well worth the trip.
photos on Flickr
And remember, depending on how long you stay, there's always Montreal a bit further up U.S. 87.
...good luck and have fun! The Adirondacks are a national treasure, IMHO.
posted by bim at 3:35 AM on April 3, 2006 [2 favorites]
I'm biased because I lived there as an intern all last summer, but might I suggest popping down to little Newcomb, NY and visiting the Santanoni Preserve? It's one of the grandest of the Great Camps with an exciting and tragic story, set in one of the most beautiful little over-looked areas at the edge of the High Peaks - and I can assure you that it will definitely not be overcrowded.
It's a National Historic Landmark site, with a small gate lodge visitor's center. Then you can travel 5 miles back into the Main Camp, passing the site of the Farm Complex along the way. It's a nice day hike as the trail is very easy (more of a carriage road), but there are also two horse and wagon drivers that offer trips in. You can also bike (like I did every day). The wagons will also bring back canoes, etc. for you.
There are a number (the exact # is slipping my mind at the moment) of campsites back near the Main Camp, which are almost never full to capacity and are some of the most beautiful I've seen, most of which sit along Newcomb Lake.
If you go after July 1st, there should be at least one intern at the Main Camp (that would have been me last year) to offer short tours and answer any questions about the Preserve. The Camp is actively being restored, so you would also most likely be watching the last stages completed on the boathouse.
Information about it is a little scant and outdated online, so it's best to call Adirondack Architectural Heritage (518-834-9328) to get the information about the wagons, etc. Otherwise, it's a place you can just show up to, sign the register, and hike in. I highlyl recommend visiting as it's a place that most overlook in their ADK travels.
posted by stefnet at 7:04 AM on April 3, 2006 [1 favorite]
It's a National Historic Landmark site, with a small gate lodge visitor's center. Then you can travel 5 miles back into the Main Camp, passing the site of the Farm Complex along the way. It's a nice day hike as the trail is very easy (more of a carriage road), but there are also two horse and wagon drivers that offer trips in. You can also bike (like I did every day). The wagons will also bring back canoes, etc. for you.
There are a number (the exact # is slipping my mind at the moment) of campsites back near the Main Camp, which are almost never full to capacity and are some of the most beautiful I've seen, most of which sit along Newcomb Lake.
If you go after July 1st, there should be at least one intern at the Main Camp (that would have been me last year) to offer short tours and answer any questions about the Preserve. The Camp is actively being restored, so you would also most likely be watching the last stages completed on the boathouse.
Information about it is a little scant and outdated online, so it's best to call Adirondack Architectural Heritage (518-834-9328) to get the information about the wagons, etc. Otherwise, it's a place you can just show up to, sign the register, and hike in. I highlyl recommend visiting as it's a place that most overlook in their ADK travels.
posted by stefnet at 7:04 AM on April 3, 2006 [1 favorite]
Other ideas:
The Cliffhanger Cafe in Keene Valley is excellent, according to my parents. But it's up for sale, so take that with a grain of salt.
The Lake Placid Pub & Brewery is an excellent pub--NOT a dive bar by any means--they brew their own beer. Try the 46er IPA.
I'm personally biased but much prefer John's Brook Lodge to the Adirondack Loj, although both are nice. JBL is a 3.5 mile hike in, with a lot of great day hikes all around it, and deeper into the wilderness. There's camping near it if you don't want to pay for room + board.
Historical stuff:
John Brown (the abolitionist) is actually from near Lake Placid. Russell Banks' book Cloudsplitter was about him. ("Cloudsplitter" is the English translation of "Tahawus", the Algonquin name for Mt. Marcy, the tallest mountain in NY State.)
Mt. Whiteface, the northernmost 46er peak, makes for a great day hike (apart from the tourists who have driven to the top). It's where the downhill ski races were held in the 1980 winter Olympics. Its side mountain, Esther, is named for the first person to hike it, a 15-year-old woman visiting the area with her parents in the 19th century. (You don't believe me?)
While staying here, Teddy Roosevelt learned that he had become president after McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo. That site is approximately here, which I might uncharitably characterize as the ass-end of the high peaks region. But you wanted history.
I second the Blue Mountain Lake Museum suggestion. Also The Mountaineer in Keene Valley.
My other favorite mountains to hike are: Gothics, Haystack, and either Algonquin or Colden via Avalanche Lake, which offers amazing views. There is a place near Avalanche lake where two streams have their source (they almost immediately diverge). One stream eventually flows into the Hudson River, the other into the St. Lawrence.
There is a common theme to these peaks: They all offer great views of Mt. Marcy. Marcy itself is nice but kind of bland, IMHO.
You are indeed going in the heart of blackfly season. Also, if (as it sounds) you're going over Memorial Day weekend, you'll likely have a lot of company which may or may not include a lot of Canadians. Montreal is only a 2-3 hour drive away. You may well find it helpful to brush up on your French, er, Quebecois.
posted by A dead Quaker at 9:59 PM on April 3, 2006 [1 favorite]
The Cliffhanger Cafe in Keene Valley is excellent, according to my parents. But it's up for sale, so take that with a grain of salt.
The Lake Placid Pub & Brewery is an excellent pub--NOT a dive bar by any means--they brew their own beer. Try the 46er IPA.
I'm personally biased but much prefer John's Brook Lodge to the Adirondack Loj, although both are nice. JBL is a 3.5 mile hike in, with a lot of great day hikes all around it, and deeper into the wilderness. There's camping near it if you don't want to pay for room + board.
Historical stuff:
John Brown (the abolitionist) is actually from near Lake Placid. Russell Banks' book Cloudsplitter was about him. ("Cloudsplitter" is the English translation of "Tahawus", the Algonquin name for Mt. Marcy, the tallest mountain in NY State.)
Mt. Whiteface, the northernmost 46er peak, makes for a great day hike (apart from the tourists who have driven to the top). It's where the downhill ski races were held in the 1980 winter Olympics. Its side mountain, Esther, is named for the first person to hike it, a 15-year-old woman visiting the area with her parents in the 19th century. (You don't believe me?)
While staying here, Teddy Roosevelt learned that he had become president after McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo. That site is approximately here, which I might uncharitably characterize as the ass-end of the high peaks region. But you wanted history.
I second the Blue Mountain Lake Museum suggestion. Also The Mountaineer in Keene Valley.
My other favorite mountains to hike are: Gothics, Haystack, and either Algonquin or Colden via Avalanche Lake, which offers amazing views. There is a place near Avalanche lake where two streams have their source (they almost immediately diverge). One stream eventually flows into the Hudson River, the other into the St. Lawrence.
There is a common theme to these peaks: They all offer great views of Mt. Marcy. Marcy itself is nice but kind of bland, IMHO.
You are indeed going in the heart of blackfly season. Also, if (as it sounds) you're going over Memorial Day weekend, you'll likely have a lot of company which may or may not include a lot of Canadians. Montreal is only a 2-3 hour drive away. You may well find it helpful to brush up on your French, er, Quebecois.
posted by A dead Quaker at 9:59 PM on April 3, 2006 [1 favorite]
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And here's a bonus.
posted by rob511 at 1:35 AM on April 3, 2006