Discover the Adirondacks book series?

[forgedin78]

Well, this is a real bummer to find out these books may no longer be published. I can remember them being THE source for exploring the hidden spots in the Adirondacks back when I was a kid. I've enjoyed reading them over the years and lent my copies out over the years and always figured I'd be able to replace them. Hopefully the information in them is not lost and perhaps becomes an online version, if possible.

[Bagadeez04]

I was dumbfounded trying to find the "Wild River Press" website for ordering these books like I had done in the past.

I had emailed before with Bill for previous book orders and he was always very informative and responsive...I decided to ask him about it.
He said he's done making them as it's too difficult/time consuming given current realities.

I want to echo the comments above...I love these books and the insight they can give to a hike one has in mind, and also ideas to make trips more adventurous. I also understand the enormous amount of time and effort it must take to update every possible official hike in the adirondacks, plus the many other bushwacks detailed in the series...not to mention the publishing/business side of things which I wouldn't even begin to have any clue about.

I'm grateful these were ever made, and will do my best to complete my collection with lightly used options!

[VermontDacker]

Justin, it's tough to get truly remote in a wilderness as small as Hudson Gorge.

Judging from maps, the area south of the river is more interesting that the area north, because of the geological faulting and larger number of lakes.

I have hiked to OK Slip Falls viewpoint and Blue Ledges (from the north), but haven't explored the off-trail options yet.

[Justin]

Agreed. The southern half looks a lot more interesting. My only complaint is after miles of bushwhacking to what you hope is a remote pond with little evidence of human impact, only to find there is a

[Justin]

Sorry. I’m trying to reply but this website keeps kicking me off before I have the chance to finish typing. Trying again…
Agreed. The southern half looks a lot more interesting. My only complaint is after miles of bushwhacking to what you hope is a remote pond with little evidence of human impact, only to find there is an unofficial marked trail from the nearby Boy Scout camp, along with a few stashed boats & canoes. Not to mention an illegal campsite. Not exactly features you would expect from people trying to teach young kids about proper back woods etiquette as it refers to state law, but whatever. I’ve yet to visit Pine Mountain itself, and Cranberry Pond, but I found the northern Gorge Wilderness much more remote, with lots of difficult terrain, which is probably why not people go there. There are some trails from the Northwoods Club property, but Virgin Falls and the other Falls shown on the USGS are a worthy destination in themselves. Just need to beware of the poison ivy along the north side of the river.

[VermontDacker]

I'm also thinking about visiting the far northern region of Hudson Gorge Wilderness, coming in from Polaris Bridge, possibly hiking as far south as Cheney Pond, and likely exploring the nearby Vanderwhacker WF.

I agree that it's sad when you work hard to reach an area you consider remote from public access, only to discover that there was a shorter private access that is driving heavy (and inappropriate) use. There are a few areas I was thinking about visiting because they had few official trails and seemed to have little hiking/backpacking use, only to discover later that they are quite popular with hunters and fishermen, who have created many herd paths and unofficial junky camps.

There really aren't many places in the 'Dacks that are remote both in terms of "far from public access" and "lightly visited". High Peaks has plenty of regions far from a trailhead, but definitely not lightly visited. Many lightly visited areas are light because they aren't very interesting, rather than far from the nearest road.

[DSettahr]

Cheney Pond itself is nice. The vicinity was pretty heavily cut over in recent years (prior to state acquisition of the property). But they did at least leave a buffer of untouched trees around the pond.

I've occasionally had the thought that a hiking/backpacking trail along the north edge of the Hudson Gorge could make for a nice rugged day hike or backpacking trip. Could also be extended to include the summit(s) of Vanderwhacker and/or Moxham Mt. for nice mountaintop views along the way.