Canadian Thanksgiving Trip

[DSettahr]

I've done backpacking trips during on Columbus Day weekend for the past 11 years straight. In my experience, Columbus Day weekend is often one of the most crowded weekends in the backcountry of the year. If the weather is nice, it is often even the single most crowded weekend the backcountry, ahead even of Labor Day and Memorial Day weekend crowds.

For many backpackers, Columbus Day weekend is the "last hurrah" of the season, as most don't have the gear or experience to continue backpacking into late Autumn as the weather gets colder. Additionally, Columbus Day Weekend is not a traditional "meet up with friends and family for a backyard barbecue" sort of weekend, like Memorial Day or Labor Day often is.

Car camping campgrounds might not be as crowded, but I think saabrian's advice to make reservations ASAP is well warranted. You may also find that by waiting until Saturday to hike into the backcountry, that most of the choice campsites will already be occupied by the time you arrive.

I would recommend looking into sites at the Wilderness Campground at the Adirondak Loj. I'm pretty sure the campground is open then, and it gives you easy access to many of the High Peaks. Word of advice, though- there is a slim (but greater than zero) chance that you may encounter ice at higher elevations during that time frame. Go prepared for cold temperatures, even during the day, if you plan to climb any mountains.

[Hard Scrabble]

Columbus Day in the U.S. is not a holiday where you may find the campsites and trails particularly crowded.
Kids are back in school and most folks have ended their camping season after Labor Day.
As a matter of fact, a lot of campgrounds are closed by early October.
Water lines freeze, etc.
Do your home work to find which campgrounds are open.
jim

[saabrian]

Trails will probably be more crowded than normal because it's also an American holiday weekend (Columbus Day). SO it wouldn't hurt to get your camping reservations in early.

[a5miller]

Hey all,

I am hoping to come down to the Adirondack's with a 4-6 person group for a little hiking and camping during the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend Oct 7-10. Ideally I am hoping you all can help me find a good route to do the following:

Day 1: Arrive early evening at a drive in campsite
Day 2: Hike out, or drive to a trailhead and hike to a 'backcountry' site
Day 3: Either loop back or retrace back to the start point and sleep back at the drive in campsite
Day 4: Relax and then drive back to Canada

The plan is on Day 3 to cook a turkey etc. over the fire, hence the return to car site, where everything can be waiting locked away in the cooler.

Any suggestions on sites and trails would be appreciated, as well as any tips on getting the most out of an Adirondack experience.

Thanks!