Difference between revisions of "Adirondacks"

Revision as of 22:31, 12 February 2013

A small mountain lake east of the High Peaks

The Adirondack Park is both the largest and the first government-protected park in the contiguous United States. It covers a vast expanse—bigger than New Hampshire—of rugged, thickly wooded, mountainous terrain in northeast New York State. The Adirondacks are a popular destination for all lovers of outdoor activities, from hiking and skiing to ice and rock climbing.

Regions

• Keene Valley -- Great rock and ice climbing.
• Champlain Valley -- The spectacular Lake Champlain marks the frontier between New York State and Vermont.

Cities

• Town of Chester - Chestertown plus several surrounding hamlets and lakeside communities on the other side of the Northway from Lake George
• Elizabethtown
• Gloversville - Small former manufacturing city just outside the park's southern boundary.
• Jay
• Lake Placid - Former host to the Winter Olympics, it's now a charming, but pricey tourist town.
• Malone
• Old Forge - A very small town that is the gateway to the Adirondacks from the Mohawk Valley and a starting point for the Northern Forest Canoe Trail
• Saranac Lake - All American City
• Ticonderoga - Home of Fort Ticonderoga, a Revolutionary War Site.
• Tupper Lake - Home of the Natural History Museum Of The Adirondacks.
• Wilmington

Other destinations

Montcalm Point on Lake George

• Lake George -- Vacation spot in upstate New York situated on a lake.
• Historic Essex (New York) -- Charming Federal town situated at the border of the Adirondack Park and Lake Champlain. Visitors enjoy well preserved architecture from the early 1800s, galleries, marinas, ferry to Vermont, seasonal dining and accommodations and convenient access to the Champlain Area Trails network.
• Adirondack Scenic Railroad--Tourist train that runs through the heart of the Adirondacks. Visitors can enjoy trips ranging from 45 minutes to day long excursions such as the Loomis Gang Train Robberies, Wine & Beer Trains, Canoe & Rail trips and the popular Polar Express.

Understand

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Talk

Get in

The High Peaks from Giant Mountain

By car

The main route along the eastern edge of the Adirondacks is Interstate 87, commonly known as "the Northway." The Northway has beautiful views of the mountains, but limited services north of Lake George.

The main roads around the High Peaks region are Route 73 to the north and east which runs through Lake Placid, routes 3 and 30 through Tupper Lake to the west, and route 28N and Boreas road to the South. Gas stations are available about every 20 miles in these areas.

By bus

There is limited service by bus from Rochester, Syracuse and Albany to points north including Keene Valley, Lake Placid, Tupper Lake and Plattsburgh. This service is provided by "Trailways" bus service.

By train

Amtrak's [1] aptly named Adirondack train runs between Montreal, Quebec and Penn Station in New York City with a stop in Ticonderoga plus other stops that connect with local shuttles to nearby destinations. The train leaves Montreal at 9:30AM daily, and New York at 8:30AM. The trip takes approximately 10 hours but expect delays at the border.

Fees/Permits

Except for improved public campgrounds, there is no fee to camp or travel on state land.

Get around

See

Do

There's so much to do in the Adirondacks... hiking, biking, camping, fishing, vacationing. Adirondack.net[2] has a mountain guide for hiking. There is also the ADK club[3], which has lots of ideas on things to do.

Other things to do in the Adirondack Region include:

• Driving scenic byways
• Winter Carnivals
• Adirondack Art
• Shopping
• Birding
• Golfing
• Hunting
• Winter Sports

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Get a tent, sleep almost anywhere.

• The Inn in Westport, 1234 Stevenson Rd, ☎ 5183351966, [4]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Adirondack Inn in Upstate New York overlooking Lake Champlain

Stay safe

There is very little crime in the Adirondacks. The most common problem is travelers going into the wilderness without proper experience or equipment. There is prevalent wildlife throughout the Adirondacks, and interactions between humans and wild animals is common.

In some areas, bear resistant canisters are required. Check the areas where you are staying to see if this is the case.

Get out