First Trip...Any Suggestions

[PAHiker]

Hello all, nice to read all of these great posts! I am so excited to make my first trip to the Adirondack Mountains. Im currently attempting to figure out which of the best hikes can be done in one day and return to the car. From what I hear, several of the best peaks must be done on overnight hikes.

Id really like to hit the gothics the most. Ive read nothing but great things about the views and scenery from the top. We will be staying in Lake Placid so if anybody would be kind enough to share which hikes are the most exhilarating, I would be very grateful. But remember, we have to park somewhere and be back to the car by dark. Any suggestions? Thanks so much and I look forward getting there on june 24th!

[Wldrns]

Hello all, nice to read all of these great posts! I am so excited to make my first trip to the Adirondack Mountains. Im currently attempting to figure out which of the best hikes can be done in one day and return to the car. From what I hear, several of the best peaks must be done on overnight hikes.

Id really like to hit the gothics the most. Ive read nothing but great things about the views and scenery from the top. We will be staying in Lake Placid so if anybody would be kind enough to share which hikes are the most exhilarating, I would be very grateful. But remember, we have to park somewhere and be back to the car by dark. Any suggestions? Thanks so much and I look forward getting there on june 24th!

Find the book "Discover the Adirondack High Peaks" by Barbara McMartin. You may not have time to order it, but it should be available at outfitter shops and bookstores. Everyone wants to go to the high peaks for the climbs and views. Don't forget there are many many other wilderness areas with far less traffic in the Adirondack Park. Barbara has a whole series of books, one on each region.

Also check out the ADK book reference page.

[lumberzac]

Another good reference to look at is the Adirondack Journey website:

http://www.adirondackjourney.com/

If you have your heart set on Gothics, a nice loop would be to start at the Ausable Club, hike the road to Lower Ausable Lake, take the Weld Trail up and over Pyramid and Gothics and return to the road via the Beaver Meadows Falls Trail. The total loop is about 13 - 14 miles with approximately 3700 feet of total climbing.



PS - I've moved this thread to the "Hiking and Skiing in the Adirondacks" section.

[Dory]

Awesome! Glad you'll get to experience the ADK mtns! Marcy was my first mtn in the adirondacks and I did it car to car, it's like 14 miles as well. It really depends on how much mileage you feel you can do. My pace is generally 1 mile/hour uphill, and 2-3 miles/hour on the flat or down hill. Hiking here is definitely not like hiking on most trails. It's rugged and muddy and FUN!!
Up and back Algonquin might not be a bad trip if you want to limit your mileage. I'm thinking up and back from the ADK Loj is about 7 miles. I couldn't tell you about the views tho, as I've been there twice and both times in sideways rain and high winds! I hear it is spectacular. Then if you're feeling good, you could pick up Wright, Iroquois, and Boundary.
If you're looking for a nice hike w/ not much climbing and beautiful scenery, you could head in from ADK Loj past Marcy Dam to Avalanche Pass.
Have fun!
Dory

[Fitz]

Bear in mind that there are hiking miles and "Adirondack" miles. Most people used to hiking elsewhere get their butt kicked their first time in the Daks if they bite off too much.

Cascade/Porter might be a good test/warmup, along with some great views. Giant is also a good dayhike. I prefer the trail from Chapel Pond for its open ledges.

Another spectacular (but very long) dayhike that takes you into the heart of the High Peaks takes you from ADK Loj through Avalanch Pass to Lake Colden, over Mt. Colden to Lake Arnold and then back to the Loj.

Make sure you're ready for the blackflies! I'll be up there at the same time - maybe we'll run into each other.

Enjoy and prepare to fall in love with the Daks...............

Fitz

[lumberzac]

Another good shorter hike would be a hike up Noonmark. Access to this mountain is either from the parking area near the Ausable Club or the Dix Mountain trailhead on route 73 near Round Pond.

[PAHiker]

I certainly appreciate the feedback. Im going with my aunt who has been there several times and assures me that its amazing. Im an outdoorsy/zen like kinda guy and to sit on those peaks and take in the splendor of it all has me ready to go. Of course, my hiking experience is limited to central PA which has some nice hikes and much smaller mountains, but its still great. Ill proably leave a few pounds and a few gallons of sweat behind when we come home. Thanks so much, and if any other nice days hikes cross your mind, Id certainly appreciate it! Thanks again!

[LouTheMeXiKaN]

For my money, Gothics is a car-to-car hike not to be missed. Starting from the garden trailhead, the hike takes you past Johns brook lodge, then up and over two smaller peaks (upperwolfjaw and Armstrong) on the way to Gothics. The views are spectacular, and the descent of Gothics exposed rock face is exhilerating to say the least. Allowing for 2 hourse of total resting time, the hike can be done in 10-11 hours, possibly more if your prefer a more leisurely pace. Try this one, you wont regret it. I can't think of a better way to introduce yourself to the beauty and majesty of the High Peaks. Be prepared for a rugged, grueling hike, but remember that, in the adirondacks, the challenge is what makes the experience so rewarding. Ill be up there in about a week, and thats about a week too long to wait.

[Dory]

Gothics is amazing....and BTW PAHiker...I work in Harrisburg! The drive is SOOO worth it.

[mikeharo]

PA hikers unite! I recommend Wright. I recommend Wright because you can also go on to Algonquin at an extra 0.9 mile one way. If you get to Wright and want to get another peak, Algonquin is 0.9 mile away. Wright is nice because the hike is not too long and there are many interesting things to check out on the way. The waterfall at 3500', the rock wall along the ridge, the plan crash, and an open summit.