Hikes in the Southern Adirondacks?????

[PhishinSince83]

im looking for a non-mountain hike in the southern daks, preferably 7-9 miles, pretty and secluded....

any recomendations are much appreciated

[kwc]

Northville-Placid Trail ... section from Piseco to Spruce Lake. or try the NPT from Benson north to whereever you'd like to stop! Several nice places along the way.

[PhishinSince83]

hey thanks, where can i get directions to these locations you speak of?

[Wildernessphoto]

hey thanks, where can i get directions to these locations you speak of?

Hi PhishinSince83,
Which direction are you coming from? If it's from the Thruway you can get off at Amsterdam and go north on 30 until you see the turn to go to Northville on the right, Just past there is a turn on the left called the Benson Road, take that until you see a sign for the Northville/Placid trail on Washburn Rd. on your Right. Take a left at upper Benson...
Here's a map:

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18...83&layer=DRG25
Hope that helps!
-Gary-

[kwc]

you can also do a loop hike from the Good Luck Lake trailhead (found on Rt 10, a bit north of Pine Lake) ... head towards Dry and Dexter Lakes, around to Spectacle Lake, and out by Good Luck lake (and take a wander up Good Luck Cliffs on your way out ... the view is worth the short jaunt up the herd path). Good Luck lake can have quite a number of visitors, but the others, hardly a soul.

[redhawk]

Murphy, Bennett and Middle Lake trail to Pumpkin Hollow is a nice hike too. Or vice versa.

Go around the back side of Middle Lake for a nice easy stroll through some beautiful forest.

You can do it as an in and out from either direction too, hike in to Murphy and then back out.

[Head]

you can also do a loop hike from the Good Luck Lake trailhead (found on Rt 10, a bit north of Pine Lake) ... head towards Dry and Dexter Lakes, around to Spectacle Lake, and out by Good Luck lake (and take a wander up Good Luck Cliffs on your way out ... the view is worth the short jaunt up the herd path). Good Luck lake can have quite a number of visitors, but the others, hardly a soul.

I'd second that! It's a nice hike by lakes and the cliffs are pretty amazing as well.

[JClimbs]

Low-Elgain Options

It's 6.2 miles to Siamese Ponds from Route 8 each way; you can wander just to the leanto and back for a total trip of 8 miles. You can do a through hike on that trail along the east branch of the Sac from Route 8 to Old Farm Clearing: you'll need two cars of course, and the total trip is about 13 miles, with very little elevation gain at all.
A loop hike around Putnam Pond with optional side trips to Grizzle Ocean is one of the more scenic low-elgain hikes around.
Other options: hike along the railroad bed from North River to the Northwoods Club Road, that is only about 5 or 6 miles on very easy (though somewhat tedious) terrain. North of that road you can continue all the way to Blue Ridge Road, though I've never gone all the way there. Of course, these are 2 car treks.
If a fairly easy bushwhack isn't out of the question, I did a dandy a week ago: Go to Griffin Falls and wander down the e.branch of the Sac 2 1/2 miles to the confluence with the middle branch. Follow the middle branch up to Auger Falls, about 1 1/2 miles, then take the old road back to Griffin falls, another 1 1/2 miles. The bushwhack is mostly walking on fishermens trails along the river with occasional forays up the bank where riverside isn't possible.
East of Lake George are several loops that pass some beautiful ponds tucked away in the rills between Buck, Sleeping Beauty, and other east-side mtns.
I recommend getting a couple Adirondack Region Maps, produced by Plinth, Quoin, & Cornice Associates in Keene Valley. The Lake George Region and the Central Mountains Region ones will probably fit the bill for most of your searches. These maps cost about $5 each and although they need some updating, are still the best trip-planning maps around, as they cover a larger area than standard topos or the ADK hikers maps.
I also highly recommend Barb McMartin's Discover Series of hiking guides. These books provide good coverage of many lesser-known treks possible, and are especially helpful in the less-famous parts of the park. They are well worth the investment.
One thing to keep in mind: it is deer season up here right now; the easier trails will be populated. Wear orange and whistle while you walk.
Oh, another note: water is way up right now. Walking along a river might be out of the question.

[redhawk]

Home Alone

Anyone in the area of the Southern Dacks this weekend stop by and get a cup of coffee in Wells.

I'm home alone for the next three weeks, just me and the animals.

Hawk

[dog]

Pine Orchard and around

I'm with RedHawk - his #6 above (and definitely his #9! ) . I was there last September, following his advice .
It's on NG #744, South Side, Trails #22 - 25 ( easterest trails on the list ). They did not show a parking at Creek Rd, but it is,with register.
My destination was Pine Orchard, to see Big Trees - and they are !
But all the trail is a easy,peaceful,clean way , despite it's not far from R30.

I was amazed to see the lean-to on Murphy Lake. You know, how everything is usually worn out around lean-to's. There was a rug, clean and puffy, made from covering of needles ( not by humans ) . And it's in the end of the season !
As I felt, that part of ADK is deep different from HPR. Nothing bad about HP - I just return from there
So, it cost to try . I think, it is greatest area for winter too.