Concise Lean-to & Campsite listing for High Peaks

[wee_ag]

Hello all,

I'm planning an overnighter in the high peaks in a couple of weeks for myself and a group of summer staff for the camp I work at and am trying to find a current listing of lean-to's and campsites on the trails. The maps I have don't list all the ones available and I've been hunting online with no luck.

Is there anything out there like this?

Thanks!

Brian

[percious]

hi, welcome to the board.

I am not certain of any listing of ALL leantos in the adirondacks, but if you have better specifics, people here should be able to point you in the right direction. Keep in mind that there is a limit to what your group size is in the Adirondacks too.

Are you looking for hills? A quiet pond? How far of a hike? Do you mind the black flies?

-percious

[wee_ag]

percious

Thanks for the reply. Well, there's two different trails I'm considering - and would love other suggestions. The dates are June 5-6 (and I'll be packing lots of deet), we'll be coming in from Speculator, leaving about 1:00pm-1:30pm. Plan 1 is to drive to the ADK Loj and hike Colden. The ADK maps show several lean-to's so that looks ok. Plan 2 is Giant/Rock Peak Ridge. I don't see lean-to's on the map or spoken about in the description of the hike. Either one, we would need to hit a lean-to before nightfall.

I guess specifically these two hikes would be good to know about, but in general - for future hikes - It would be great if there was a listing of campsites/lean-to's on the trails. It's a bit of a guessing game at this point.

Thanks for the help!
Brian

[lumberzac]

The only lean-to in the Giant Mountain Wilderness is the one on the back side of Giant, here http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18...83&layer=DRG25
There are campsites near Giant Washbowl, but I’m not sure how many or how big they are. One thing to note is that the DEC killed off the fish in Giant Washbowl to get rid of the non-native species that were taking over. As a result it is not a good idea to drink the water from the pond (even filtered or treated) because of the chemicals they used to kill the fish.

[Dick]

Hello all,

I'm planning an overnighter in the high peaks in a couple of weeks for myself and a group of summer staff for the camp I work at and am trying to find a current listing of lean-to's and campsites on the trails. The maps I have don't list all the ones available and I've been hunting online with no luck.

Is there anything out there like this?

Thanks!

Brian

Brian, there is a listing (only a listing) of lean-tos and their general location that was recently published by ADK in their newsletter for purposes of lean-to adoption. The current (?) ADK HP guide map indicates lean-tos and campsites, though again, it's not (can't be) 100% complete.

Dick

[wee_ag]

Dick,

Thanks for the reply. I guess I'm a little confused as to why it is so difficult to put together a listing of lean-to's and campsites. Don't all lean-to's and campsites need to be approved by the ADK, and therefore be listed somewhere? I'm not real familiar with the workings of the park system in this regard so may be way off in my understanding of this. I'm not trying to be judgmental or anything, just wanting to understand how it works.

Brian

[lumberzac]

The National Geographic, Trails Illustrated maps also show the location of lean-tos, but not campsites.

http://www.ngmapstore.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=317&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=54&iSubCat=144&iProductID=317

If you click on the link called "More Views" you can look at the map.

[redhawk]

If you are in going to be in Speculator, I live 14 miles down the road in Wells. I have a good listing of all the lean tos on the Northville Placid trail and quite a few others in the dacks as well.

I also have Topo software which shows almost all of the lean tos (including some that no longer exist). If that would help. PM me and I'll get you my phone number and when you are up here (unless you live in Speculator) we can get together.

Are you looking for Waypoints to use in a gps? other thing to remember in your planning is that you cannoit depend on the lean tos being available. They are first come first served, and in the High peaks area they get a lot of traffic.

If you are goint to be in Speculator, you are close to one of the best hikes in the Adirondacks, The Gorge in the West Branch of the Sacandaga. It's a good one day in and out or through (Whitehouse to Route 10) hike or a nice overnight hike with a killer camping spot by the forth waterfall (of five). I have detailed directions for that hike/bushwhack. It is also challanging.

[Dick]

Brian, I really don't know how it works. As I mentioned, there is a listing of lean-tos (or at least the adopted ones) in the recent newsletter. Not sure if a list is on-line. I can't see any reason why there couldn't be one, though some do burn down, get removed, etc., so the list wouldn't be completely accurate. Same for campsites. The ADK maps indicate general camping areas, but not specific numbers of sites at each area. There are a couple I know of that exist but that are not on the map. I'm sure it's not a secret - perhaps just no manpower to do the compilation work? As you know, the ADK is a HUGE park.

[wee_ag]

Dick,

Thanks for clarification. Looks like the best way is to plan the peak and check on here for the known lean-tos and campsites.

Thanks for the input everyone!

[percious]

The only lean-to in the Giant Mountain Wilderness is the one on the back side of Giant, here http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18...83&layer=DRG25
There are campsites near Giant Washbowl, but I’m not sure how many or how big they are. One thing to note is that the DEC killed off the fish in Giant Washbowl to get rid of the non-native species that were taking over. As a result it is not a good idea to drink the water from the pond (even filtered or treated) because of the chemicals they used to kill the fish.

This leanto is a great suggestion. I would however add that You may only want to go for Giant as a dayhike with this hike. Taking a full pack over Giant, and then RPR will be quite an endeavor. Also, you would need two cars for this.

The hike into this leanto is a lovely 5-miler, at an easy grade. Definately stop at owl's head (I think its called that) on the way. It gives a great perspective of Giant and RPR. The Leanto has a fire-pit. Fires keep the bugs away! Make it a super smokey one. (dead pine branches).

Last August I did this as a dayhike, and added the slide there on the north side of Giant. It was a long day, but looking down on a rainbow over an alpine pond on RPR was totally worth it.

-percious