Posted on 08/31/2010 3:25:13 PM PDT by mozarky2
I'll arrive in the Adirondacks late September; staying a week and a half. I have a few guidebooks but there's nothing like having first-hand info. Any and all info you wonderful FReepers can provide is much appreciated! Thanks!
The Adirondack Park is huge...whereabouts are you going??
Depends where you’re going. Lake Placid/Saranac Lake? Indian Lake?
No matter where you go though, expect some great scenery. I don’t pretend to be an expert, and I’ve only vacationed there myself, but I’ve been there enough times to have a general lay of the land.
I was there years ago in early July and we had a dusting of snow one night. Be prepared.
Lake Saranac. You can rent your own island and camp there for not much $.
I’ve never been there, but from what I hear about the flies there, you need to come well armed with bug spray.
Be sure to visit a few of the Great Camps.
Anyplace there is great. Except in May and June.
The black flies aren't too bad right now, because its so hot here. But they swarm right after any rain. The bugs are the worst in late June early July. But bring bug spray anytime during the summer.
Just don’t stay at the The Dreamy Pines Motor Court. :)
Take a good camera. The foliage should be just starting to turn by late September. Are you flying there or road tripping? If you’re going by car you may want to modify your plans and spend a day or more a couple hours to the west of there, sampling the wares of the wineries in the Finger Lakes region....
I here they have good chairs there. :)
Thanks! I’ll remember that if I ever have the opportunity to go to the Adirondacks.
Bring sweaters and jackets.
I drove through the whole park - west to east once, off season, it was a bit scary - dotted with houses here and there on the roads but no one living in them (mostly being seasonals). Not much traffic either - miles and miles without seeing another soul...bring drink and snacks and fill the tank.
My last camping trip when I lived in New Jersey was in the High Peaks area near Lake Placid. This includes Mount Marcy, which is the highest point in New York. One place I stayed at was the Johns Brook Lodge, which is accessible only by hiking. It’s three miles from the trailhead to the lodge. The time I stayed there, breakfast and dinner was included in the cost, and these are meals for hiker appetites. I used the place as a base camp to go up some of the high peak trails.You might find some climbers staying there as well. No electricity, no phone, lighting was by propane lamps. This time of year bring clothing for a wide range of weather, and watch for thunderstorms. I had to scramble down Mount Marcy because of a fast mover.
Your info is correct but truncated. Black flies are abundant until about the 4th of July. They swarm, bite ferociously and drive one mad, but after they are gone, the “dacks are genteel. Mosquitoes are present but not in greater numbers than in other areas. My first encounter with the ‘dacks was 8/31 - 9/2. We arrived in the heat of summer only to find the peak of Mt. Marcy (our target ,6288 ft in elevation, highest elevation in NY) capped in snow. The ‘dacks are beautiful, but one needs to be prepared for any kind of weather. Trails are well marked. They are well worth a look. their “low” elevations are a result of their great geologic age.Mild earthquakes in the area result from rebound from “recent” glaciation. The area of Blue Mountain Lake is a great example of tectonic stress. sd
Correction on the elevationof Mt Marcy. I entered the elevation of MT Washington. Marcy is in the 4000 foot range. My bad. sd
What great info! Thank you!
Always loved the 8th Lake campsite near Inlet, to the East Ft Ticonderoga is great, Lake Placid is a beautiful town and the olympic site operates some attractions. Maybe you’ll see a bear.
If you’re on the east side, Lake Champlain is a nice area. You can take a ferry across to Vermont. Ferries are available in several places on the NY side, including Essex and Ticonderoga.
“The Adirondack Park is huge...whereabouts are you going??”
That all depends on the great advice I get from my fellow FReepers!
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