"View from Noonmark" by Photographer Carl Heilman

Adirondack Hiking .com is the premier online guide to hiking and climbing the 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks showcasing hundreds of exciting attractions throughout the Olympic region and upstate New York. Keene and Keene Valley are known as the "Home to the High Peaks". The greatest number of high peaks in the Adirondacks (in a single location) rise majestically in the Keene/Keene Valley Region making this area a meca for hikers, climbers and other visitors who wish to experience the remarkable beauty

of the Adirondack mountains. There are literally hundreds of trail heads located in the tiny hamlet of Keene including the trail to the summit of Mt. Marcy, the highest mountain in New York State.

The Adirondacks offer some of the best hiking, camping and recreation opportunities in the northeastern United States. The hills are big; it is known as the High Peaks region, Mt. Marcy reaches 5,344 ft, Algonquin is 5,114 ft, and there are more than 40 peaks over 4000 ft tall so the hiking can be challenging but the views that you get while ascending, and while standing on the summits are well worth the effort.

Adirondack Hikers Photo courtesy of Jim Grant

Mount Marcy:
This is the highest mountain in the Adirondacks with 5344 feet. Marcy is located in the middle of the High Peaks Region. This mountain must be seen from a very close location to be able to admire its beauty. Three of the major accesses to the Adirondack region make possible a day hike to it. The shortest approach start at Heart Lake and follows in and out the Van Hoevenberg Trail. This is a 23,75 km hike that takes an average of 7˝ hours. The easiest way to shorten this distance is to camp at Marcy Dam. This will cut 7,3 km to the distance. Marcy Dam is a rustic camping area. It takes an hour of walk to get there from Heart Lake.

Giant Mountain:
This is one of the most popular hiking peaks of the Adirondacks. The two main trails are at 1 km (Roaring Brook Trail) and at 3 km (Ridge Trail) South from St-Hubert. The Ridge Trail is the most spectacular one with from the middle of its height a long bare rock section with many viewpoints toward the West over the Dix Range, The Great Range, Mt. Marcy, Algonquin Peak and up to Cascade Mt.. This trail difficulty is similar to the one of Algonquin Peak from Heart Lake. They have similar length and high. The beginning of the Ridge Trail is very steep whereas the one of Algonquin Peak is very progressive. The second most popular approach is the Roaring Brook Trail that passes a side trail leading to a waterfall (Roaring Brook Falls) then follows a ridge with some viewpoints to the summit. It is possible to make a long loop using those two trails

Cascade Mountain:
One of the most popular hiking summits of the Adirondacks with Algonquin Peak and Giant Mt.. It's the easiest hike among the 4,000 feet summit. Cascade Mt. has a 360 degree view from its large rocky top. There is a magnificent view to the North of the entire Lake Placid Valley. The entire hike is in a wooden trail except for the last half km, which is on bare rock. This summit stands apart from the other High Peaks, so there is no view over those highest summits that are Mt. Marcy, Mt. Colden or Algonquin Peak.

The Northville - Placid Trail
The Northville Placid Trail is a 133 mile walking / hiking path that goes through the heart of the Adirondack wilderness in New York State. The trail crosses the Adirondack wilderness by means of a low lying path. It has several trails intercepting it that head up the peaks, but the majority of the Northville Placid Trail cuts between the valleys and along streams. click here for descriptions of the entire trail.

Gothics
Gothics, the 10th highest peak in the Adirondack Park, has an impressive 360° view. This proposed hike is less popular than the one starting from The Garden, but it has a lot of things to see as: many viewpoints of the Gothics Arch, an impressive ascent to the Pyramid summit on your way down and a passage near two of the highest waterfalls in the Adirondack. The whole hike is a loop of 21 km. The only drawback is the long and doll Lake Road you will walk on your way in and out.

Colden
Colden is located between Marcy and Algonquin. It offers a 360° summit view and a long open ridge. This hiking trip is an other way to visit the great area of Avalanche Pass. The whole hike is a loop of 21 km.

Phelps
A small summit from the list of those over 4,000 feet but its half open summit has one of the best views in the Adirondacks. Over 10 km of the trail is on flat or low grade ground. The whole hike is 14 km long.

Noonmark
An open summit that is just under the 4,000 feet level, very similar to Cascade. It has a better viewpoint toward many of the highest peaks than Cascade. If you're looking for a longer trail, it's possible to make a loop and even add Round Mountain on your way. The shortest hike has a total of 6.6 km.

We invite you to take a virtual tour of some of our most popular travel destinations including the historic mountain communities of Keene, Keene Valley, Lake Placid, Jay, Wilmington, North Hudson, and Tahawus.

The History of Keene in the Adirondacks
Keene received its charter on March 19, 1808. It consists of the hamlets of Keene, Keene Valley and St. Huberts. It was formed from portions of Elizabethtown and Jay and until 1848 included all of the land now lying in North Elba, which is now home to Lake Placid, host to two winter Olympic Games. After the Civil War, a young landscape artist by the name of Perkins settled in the area for two years. His beautiful paintings inspired his colleagues to travel to the Adirondacks to see what he had seen. As this local population of artists expanded, the Keene Valley Region became a popular retreat for writers and artists. Today, Keene is home to many respected authors and artists who find inspiration in the natural beauty of the High Peaks. Keene is a popular hiking area with jump offs to several of the major high peaks.

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The 46 High Peaks

The High Peaks Region is famous for its magnificant 46 peaks including Mt. Marcy, the highest peak in New york State, with an elevation of 5344' .The 46 peaks include the following mountains (listed in order of height):
Mt. Marcy, Algonquin Peak, Mt. Haystack, Mt. Skylight, Whiteface Mtn,Dix Mtn. , Gray Peak, Iroquois Peak , Basin Mtn., Gothics, Mt. Colden, Giant Mtn., Nippletop, Santanoni Peak, Mt. Redfield, Wright Peak, Saddleback Mtn., Panther Peak, Tabletop Mtn., Rocky Peak Ridge, Macomb Mtn., Armstrong Mtn. ,Hough Peak, Seward Mtn., Mt. Marshall, Allen Mtn., Big Slide Mtn., Esther Mtn. , Upper Wolfjaw, Lower Wolfjaw , Street Mtn., Phelps Mtn., Mt. Donaldson, Seymour Mtn., Sawteeth, Cascade Mtn., South Dix, Porter Mtn., Mt. Colvin, Mt. Emmons, Dial Mtn., East Dix, Blake, Cliff Mtn., Nye Mtn., and Couchsachraga Peak.

Topographical Maps of the Adirondack Mountains High Peaks Region click here

For Emergency Regulations Adopted For High Peaks Wilderness Area
New York State DEC - click here

For Current Adirondack weather and mountain forecasts for hikers and climbers - click here

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ADIRONDACK PHOTOGRAPHER SHOWCASE
Carl Heilman II
Outdoor photographer Carl Heilman II has lived in the Adirondacks in upstate New York since he moved to the region in 1973 to live in his parents' summer home. Carl Heilman II has been photographing the Adirondack wilderness landscape since 1975, working to capture on film both the grandeur of these special places, and the emotional and spiritual connection he has felt as well.

Adirondack Vistas Calendar	Beautiful Lake George Calendar
Adirondack Calendars - The Perfect Gift By photographer- Carl Heilman Click here

The Best of the Adirondacks

Baxter Mountain
Jim Grant - contributing writer

When I think of the best time of the year to hike in the Adirondacks, I recall the words of a forest ranger I'd met at Adirondack Loj headquarters at Heart Lake, "You just can't beat being in these peaks in the fall. The bugs are gone, the air is cool, and the color of the leaves, well, they'll make you stop what you're doing and make you think you'd gone to heaven."

I was in the mood for a little bit of heaven last Friday. As it was just the first week of September, the weather was still warm. In fact, today's high called for a record 90° with the potential for afternoon thunderstorms. But a glance out of my cabin window to the top of a century-old maple revealed the first scarlet hues of fall.

View from Baxter Mountain Photo courtesy of Jim Grant

Fall foliage here is kind of like watching a puppy grow up. It happens quickly, and if you don't pause now and then to enjoy it you'll miss it.

Another tip on hiking in the area is that you don't have to climb one of the legendary 46 Peaks to get a great view. In fact, there are a dozen or so smaller mountains that offer a rewarding wilderness experience, and that are ideal for families looking for a short hike.

One of my favorites is Baxter Mountain overlooking the village of Keene Valley. The most popular trail, which is just over a mile in length for this the 2,440' peak, begins off of Route 9 and on Spruce Hill. The sign's a little faded, but keep your eyes peeled on the right hand side of the road. If you come to the Baxter Mountain Tavern on the left you've just missed the start of the trail.

The land here is privately owned, but remains open to all except hunters, fishermen and campers. Just off the highway the trail begins through a field of purple Aster, Golden Rod and daisies, sure signs that fall is on the way, and continues into a forest of pines that provide welcome shade.

The path to the summit can be accomplished casually in under an hour and offers a generally moderate grade. Along the way you'll see a nice variety of maples, paper birch balsams and hemlocks. Occasionally, you'll also see enormous glacial erratic boulders that offer a convenient spot to sit and rest. These boulders, left in place after the last ice age some 10,000 years ago, are layered in places with a luxurious carpet of emerald mosses that remain cool and moist throughout the day.

Following a series of gentle switchbacks, the approach to the peak becomes steeper, but soon levels off to a series of overlooks with stunning views of the valleys below and peaks of the Great Range including the tallest in New York State, 5,344' Mount Marcy. Continuing on to the final summit you'll be able to look down to the village of Keene Valley nestled in the base of the surrounding mountains.

Baxter Mountain Tavern Photo courtesy of Jim Grant

As with much in life, timing is everything. If you begin your climb at around 10 o'clock, you'll be back at the trailhead at about noon and just in time for lunch at the Baxter Mountain Tavern, about an eighth of a mile north on Route 9N. The restaurant's been a landmark for decades, and for the past 10 years has been run by Dave Deyo.

Dave describes the menu as typical "Adirondack Continental", which includes casual fare such as the Baxter Mt. Burger, a hardy 8-ouncer, with sautéed mushrooms and onions topped with melted American cheese, lettuce and tomato at $7.95. Or try a house specialty, the sesame encrusted tuna served over fresh baby spinach and topped with a wasabi sauce for $15.95. For a beautiful view of the surrounding peaks try the Tavern's, spacious deck.

Hiking through the Adirondacks
Plattsburgh, Chazy	Old Forge, Big Moose
Lake Placid, Keene	Cranberry Lake, Potsdam
Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake	Lake George, North Creek
Raquette Lake, Indian Lake, Speculator	Saratoga Springs
Glens Falls

Adirondack White Water Rafting
Each spring, the streams and rivers build up a head of water from the snows melting down from the mountains. This water pours into the rivers and streams that can cause some pretty fast running water. Today there is the challenge and adventure of Whitewater Rafting, with 12 man rafts, canoes, and even kayaks. What is Whitewater Rafting? You put on a wetsuit, climb aboard a raft, grab a paddle, and shove off. Between hanging on, paddling for dear life, getting soaking wet, and yelling your head off, somehow you survive. Individuals with little to no experience can enjoy a wilderness rafting trip by taking advantage of the services offered by outfitting companies. Whitewater Rafting trips are designed to emphasize learning, paticipation, and enjoyment and can vary from easy excursions to wild adventures. Depending on the time of year and the waterway selected, you can enjoy rafting from a mild mannered river wild, turbulent sea of heart-stopping adventure.

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Hiking in Other Regions
Catskills Hiking .com click here Hudson Valley Hiking .com click here New England Hiking .com click here

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The Olympic Village of Lake Placid
Nestled in the High Peaks

The High Peaks Region is home to the Olympic Village of Lake Placid hosting the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. Lake Placid has also been host for a variety of world class events including the ESPN Outdoor Games, World Cup bobsled and luge, the Ironman Triathalon, international figure skating, Empire State Games and the "I Love NY" Horse Shows. The Lake Placid / High Peaks Region offers visitors a rich variety of historic, artistic and cultural attractions.

“West Branch Ausable River” by photographer Frank Houck

Lake Placid's Olympic attractions include famous Whiteface Mountain, boasting the greatest vertical drop in the East and the Mackenzie Intervale Olympic Ski Jumping Complex, where you can ride to the top of the 26 story, 120 meter ski jump in a glass enclosed elevator! Other venues include the Mt. Van Hoevenberg bobsled and luge track where you can take an exhilarating ride down the only dedicated bobsled run in the US.
  

   AdirondackHiking.com gives you everything you need to know to plan your mountain adventure online when visiting Upstate New York and the Adirondacks. It's all right here at your fingertips . . . with just a click of your mouse!

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We invite you to visit our Adirondack Gallery showcasing unique Adirondack Furniture ~ Antler Chandeliers & Lamps ~ Hand Painted Canoe Paddles ~ Adirondack Packbaskets ~ Adirondack Prints ~ Authentic Birch Bark Framing ~ and beautiful hand crafted gifts. Click here! We also offer interior design services for Adirondack style camps & homes.
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(Photo courtesy of Jim Grant)
Olympic Torch with Whiteface Mountain
in background

Adirondacks: Views of an American Wilderness In 'Adirondacks', author and photographer, Carl Heilman II, has captured a real sense of the Adirondack region with his spectacular imagery, and evocative narrative. Click here to order

Adirondack Hiking .com
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E-Mail: RobGrant@northnet.org