Info on Marcy Landing Area

[NortheastWanderer]

Hey folks! Hope all is well.

Looking for a little bit of information about the Marcy Landing area as I'll be birding within it as part of the Mount Marcy_CE block of the NY Breeding Bird Atlas this summer.

For those who need reference, here's a block map: image.png

Mainly, I'm looking for information about the status of campsites, habitats/points of interest, and general trail conditions if it's known.

Firstly, AllTrails and AndyArthur.org show an accessible primitive campsite within the block on the public HPW lands along the Pinnacle Ridge Trail. It's not shown on the DECinfo Locator, however. Has anyone been to/used this campsite? If so, what was it like? Water access seems reasonable. Pictures would be appreciated.

A few place names of interest that are publicly accessible: Panorama Bluff. Unable to find any reference to this spot or see anything on mapping that distinguishes this spot. Another is Otis Ledges.

Anyone who's been through Marcy Swamp on the designated trail through AMR, are the trails generally good? Wondering if it takes you through any noticeably open areas.

Thanks for your help folks!

[DSettahr]

That designated campsite does exist (44.06169, -73.87796). Note that if you're coming from the Elk Lake/Marcy Trail, there's a closed campsite that is closer to the junction with that trail. Continue further northwards on the trail towards the Pinnacle and you'll spot the designated site on the northwest side of the trail. It's an OK site, neither horrendous nor amazing. There is a stream adjacent to it that is relatively reliable.

I have a single photo of the site towards the end of this photo album from a 2013 trip. I've revisited the site more recently a number of times (and have camped there again a few times)- it gets more use now and is more visibly impacted than was the case a decade ago. But I've yet to get any of the photos from those more recent trips edited and uploaded.

The biggest thing to be aware of is that it's the sole designated campsite in the area... so if you arrive to find it already occupied, your choices are to A. hope that the occupants are OK with sharing, or B. find your own spot nearby in compliance with the 150 foot rule. There is a lean-to further south on the trail back towards Elk Lake but it's not particularly close (44.04236, -73.86982).

Be aware that if you camp north of the AMR (so northwards up the trail towards Panther Gorge), bear canisters are required and campfires are prohibited. You don't need bear canisters if camped on state land to the south of the AMR, though.

I've been on that trail that passes through the AMR a number of times. There's a few spots where it passes into more open marshy meadows, but for the most part it's pretty well under tree cover. It can also be a wet trail, although it has also gotten some attention in recent years.

I don't believe that the actual geographic features Panorama Bluffs or Otis Ledges themselves actually lie on state land- I think both are just barely on private property (part of the AMR). I haven't included them in my inventory of geographic features located within the High Peaks Wilderness for this reason.