3 guys, 3 days, need a little help

[joewanderlust]

Howdy-
2 friends and I are meeting up on memorial day weekend(I know, adding more crowd to a crowded area) for soem backpacking. He's coming the 6 hours from maine and we are coming the 11 hours from Michigan. We are all experienced backpackers/campers/hikers/fools in the woods. So, after much looking around , we found a "campground" to stay in on thursday night when we show up, and one to stay in on sunday night when we come of the trail. We are fairly hardy guys, young and bullish, but it has been a year since any of us stretched our legs to much, as school is a wee bit consuming. So, we were looking at doing the lower range; gothics, armstrong, and the wolf jaws. But, that subject to change form any good input from you all.

Basicly, I am wondering what you would suggest. Should we do a different trail, different peaks, maybe get out of the high peaks to someplace less crowded? What trail head, what trail, what peaks, come on, give me a suggestion, idea, or just tell me I'm a fool for driving 22 hours round trip for 3 days in the woods. Thanks for the input.
-Peace-
joe

[JClimbs]

Hmmm...you're coming from Michigan, so y'know all about blackflies, I assume.
We're supposed to have purely awful weather for the rest of this week, which is good, maybe: with any luck it will get all this blankity blank rain out of its system for awhile!
It will be buggy where ere y'go. That said, your planned trip is an excellent, albeit stiff bit of hiking. And I'm guessing the Wolfjaw leanto will fill up fast (assuming it's still there; the local planner types went a bit wild and removed several HP leantos awhile back).
If you like fishing, there are several options in the southern Adks you might want to consider (Siamese Ponds Wilderness, Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, etc) that will allow that as well as hiking. The mountains are smaller but many have just as pretty views.
There are also other activities: whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, etc., though you'll probably want a guide for most of these.
Knowing the current bug situation, I would try to camp near a lake with a good stiff breeze, or maybe even an island if I had access to a boat. If you're moving you'll be fine, but this time of year you can't stop and rest much!

[joewanderlust]

Oh yeah, we know all about black flies. michigan is realy just one big swamp that some idiot decided to attempt to drain for agriculture...we know about black flies. Beyond that, you think our plan is a bit of a stiff hike? Im trying to be cheap and not buy the guide book(also since i dont know if ill be able to find a good one localy) so Im going off whatever i can find off the web, which isnt much, so am I missing somethign about this hike I dont know?

Beyond that, we realy dont want to get into rafting or canoeing. best reason for that is we only have 3 days, and I would rather spend them walking in trees than on water.

Im not to concerned about leanto's. We are a hardy bunch with good tents, so thats no biggie, but if iwe ran across an empty one, we may stop in for a peek

joe

[Little Rickie]

Go to www.ADK.org and buy a book. You still got time for it to be shipped. It will cost less than a gallon of gas or a days worth of food. In my opinion a wise investment and only a small % cost of what your spending on the trip.

Little Rickie

[drucifer]

Joe, I did that loop 2 years ago and had a blast. I am thirty something, was a smoker at the time and kind of fat and sweaty. Camped at the Ore Bed LT and did the loop. Nice Spot. I was tired as hell at the end of it all, but bagged Big slide on the way out and back to the car. As far as getting a spot in a leanto, I can't help. I'm looking for advice there too... Its a good trip though. Enjoy!!

[shoty2982]

joe, check out adirondackjourney.com for some good info... that loop is very doable for a 3 day hike. park at the garden, hike in to the JBL are, rest up and relax. day 2 you can do the whole loop just make sure you bring enough water. then loop back to the same campsite and relax some more. then on the way out on the 3rd day hit up big slide and hike out back to the garden. it is very doable. try to pick up at least a high peaks map as one wrong turn could really mess up your plan.

P@uL

[joewanderlust]

Thanks guys, Im looking foreward to getting in the woods. Ill get into town late thursday, we're staying at some "park and sleep"...meadow brook I think. Im thinking Ill be able to pick up a map some place in lake placid right? One of the gear shops there I assume.

Drucifer- I can understand the fat part, Ive never been a small man, but drinking beer and typing papers hasnt helped. It will be good to strech the legs and remeber what life feels like.

peace out

joe