The 46 High Peaks
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| Adirondack
Hikers Photo courtesy of Jim Grant |
The
High Peaks Region is famous for its magnificant
46 peaks including Mt. Marcy, the highest peak in New york State, with an
elevation of 5344' .The 46 peaks include the following mountains (listed in order
of height):
Mt. Marcy, Algonquin Peak, Mt. Haystack, Mt. Skylight, Whiteface Mtn,Dix Mtn.
, Gray Peak, Iroquois Peak , Basin Mtn., Gothics, Mt. Colden, Giant Mtn., Nippletop,
Santanoni Peak, Mt. Redfield, Wright Peak, Saddleback Mtn., Panther Peak, Tabletop
Mtn., Rocky Peak Ridge, Macomb Mtn., Armstrong Mtn. ,Hough Peak, Seward Mtn.,
Mt. Marshall, Allen Mtn., Big Slide Mtn., Esther Mtn. , Upper Wolfjaw, Lower Wolfjaw
, Street Mtn., Phelps Mtn., Mt. Donaldson, Seymour Mtn., Sawteeth, Cascade Mtn.,
South Dix, Porter Mtn., Mt. Colvin, Mt. Emmons, Dial Mtn., East Dix, Blake, Cliff
Mtn., Nye Mtn., and Couchsachraga Peak.
The
Best of the Adirondacks
Fall
Hiking - Baxter Mountain
September,
2007
Jim Grant - contributing editor Adirondacks.com
When I think of the best time of the year to hike in the Adirondacks, I recall the words of a forest ranger I'd met at Adirondack Loj headquarters at Heart Lake, "You just can't beat being in these peaks in the fall. The bugs are gone, the air is cool, and the color of the leaves, well, they'll make you stop what you're doing and make you think you'd gone to heaven."
I was in the mood for a little bit of heaven last Friday. As it was just the first week of September, the weather was still warm. In fact, today's high called for a record 90° with the potential for afternoon thunderstorms. But a glance out of my cabin window to the top of a century-old maple revealed the first scarlet hues of fall.
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| View
from Baxter Mountain Photo courtesy of Jim Grant |
Fall foliage here is kind of like watching a puppy grow up. It happens quickly, and if you don't pause now and then to enjoy it you'll miss it.
Another tip on hiking in the area is that you don't have to climb one of the legendary 46 Peaks to get a great view. In fact, there are a dozen or so smaller mountains that offer a rewarding wilderness experience, and that are ideal for families looking for a short hike.
One of my favorites is Baxter Mountain overlooking the village of Keene Valley. The most popular trail, which is just over a mile in length for this the 2,440' peak, begins off of Route 9 and on Spruce Hill. The sign's a little faded, but keep your eyes peeled on the right hand side of the road. If you come to the Baxter Mountain Tavern on the left you've just missed the start of the trail.
The land here is privately owned, but remains open to all except hunters, fishermen and campers. Just off the highway the trail begins through a field of purple Aster, Golden Rod and daisies, sure signs that fall is on the way, and continues into a forest of pines that provide welcome shade.
The path to the summit can be accomplished casually in under an hour and offers a generally moderate grade. Along the way you'll see a nice variety of maples, paper birch balsams and hemlocks. Occasionally, you'll also see enormous glacial erratic boulders that offer a convenient spot to sit and rest. These boulders, left in place after the last ice age some 10,000 years ago, are layered in places with a luxurious carpet of emerald mosses that remain cool and moist throughout the day.
Following a series of gentle switchbacks, the approach to the peak becomes steeper, but soon levels off to a series of overlooks with stunning views of the valleys below and peaks of the Great Range including the tallest in New York State, 5,344' Mount Marcy. Continuing on to the final summit you'll be able to look down to the village of Keene Valley nestled in the base of the surrounding mountains.
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Baxter Mountain Tavern Photo courtesy of Jim Grant |
As with much in life, timing is everything. If you begin your climb at around 10 o'clock, you'll be back at the trailhead at about noon and just in time for lunch at the Baxter Mountain Tavern, about an eighth of a mile north on Route 9N. The restaurant's been a landmark for decades, and for the past 10 years has been run by Dave Deyo.
Dave describes the menu as typical "Adirondack Continental", which includes casual fare such as the Baxter Mt. Burger, a hardy 8-ouncer, with sautéed mushrooms and onions topped with melted American cheese, lettuce and tomato at $7.95. Or try a house specialty, the sesame encrusted tuna served over fresh baby spinach and topped with a wasabi sauce for $15.95. For a beautiful view of the surrounding peaks try the Tavern's, spacious deck.
Have children? Please visit Adirondack Kids and check out their Hiking Trails. Hikes the whole family can take! To find places to set up camp, check out camping the summer Sports section.
Adirondack Trail Guide
and Hiking Resource Center
Valuable
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HikingVacations.org Book your exciting hiking vacation today. Trips for all skill levels, experienced local guides! click here | |
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HikingShoes.biz Shop a full line of rugged, field-tested hiking footwear, from day hiking shoes to backpacking boots. Find Gore-Tex hikers & leather hiking boots click here | |
HikingBooks.com Find discounted books on places to hike & Backpack. Recommendations on Outdoor Equipment click here | |
WalkingBooks.com Buy new and used books on walking. Used, new, and out of print books from thousands of suppliers. click here | |
Hiking in Other Regions | |
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BOOK TELLS THE STORY OF ADIRONDACK FIRE TOWERS Adirondack Fire Towers Their History and Lore The Southern Districts click here for more info |
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Campers & Hikers: Do you have an old RV, camper, truck, car or boat  sitting
behind your garage? Think about donating it to your favorite chairty and get a
great tax write off.  Receive
full fair market value as a tax deduction!Click here to learn more and search for your favorite charity! Free nationwide pickup and no complicated paperwork. It's fast and easy. All vehicles accepted. Donate Trucks.com |
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Visit Cheap Gift Baskets.com Treat that special person to a lovely gift basket for any occasion! Get the lowest prices on the web and search a huge selection of gourmet gift baskets with cheese, wine & chocolate! Find corporate gifts, flowers, get well gift baskets, and much more! Enjoy toll free ordering & free shipping! Click here |  |
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 Photo courtesy of Jim Grant Current Adirondack weather and mountain forecasts for hikers and climbers click here |
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Adirondack Hiking Resources
Keene
Valley Lodge
Route 73, PO Box 701, Keene Valley,NY 12944
Phone: 518-576-2003
Historic 7 room (most with private baths) Bed & Breakfast located in the center
of the High Peaks village of Keene Valley. Convenient to Great Range trailheads,
rock and ice climbing, cross country skiing locally as well as restaurants and
shops.
Lapland
Lake Vacation Center
139 Lapland Lake Rd, Northville (Town of Benson),
NY 12134 518-863-4974 E-mail: vacation@laplandlake.com
Adirondack Splendor, Finnish Hospitality for 25 years! Four-season vacation center
conveniently located in the southern Adirondacks. Ten immaculate tupas (cottages)
with up to four bedrooms, living room, fully equipped kitchen, bath, woodstove,
electric heat. Pristine springfed lake with sandy beach. Swim, fish, canoe. 50km
private trails for hiking, mountain biking. Nationally recognized X-C ski center
owned and operated by Olympian Olavi Hirvonen and his family. PSIA lessons, rentals.
Snowshoe, tube, ice-skate, kicksled. Restaurant open December-March. Authentic
Finnish sauna. Domesticated reindeer! (photo by Jeff Nadler) 
PACKBASKET
ADVENTURES
P.O. Box 136 12 South Shore Rd. Ext. Wanakena, NY 13695 Ph/Fax:
(315) 848-3488
email:info@packbasketadventures.com
The
base for Packbasket Adventures is our lodge, located on the fabled Oswegatchie
River, famous for its scenic beauty, remote wildness and fine sport. The river
flows through Wanakena into Cranberry Lake, which has 40 of its 55 miles of shoreline
State protected and waiting to be explored. Our newly constructed lodge consists
of 4 bedrooms with private baths. Each room is finely appointed in the lodge style,
making for a cozy return at the end of the day's adventure.
Charlie
Johns Store Visit Charlie Johns store at The Four Corners in Speculator, NY.
In addition to a full-service supermarket we stock a variety of camping and hiking
supplies, including: sleeping bags, tents, repair parts, Coleman fuel, folding
chairs, ponchos, air mattresses and much more! For more information visit our
website at www.charliejohns.com. Online
you can purchase over 300 titles of books on the Adirondacks and wilderness as
well as camping and hiking trail guides with FREE SHIPPING! While online click
the True Value banner to shop direct from the True Value warehouse where thousands
of items, tips, projects, and advice are available right from the source!
The Mountaineer
Route 73, Box 66, Keene Valley, New York 12943 - (518) 576-2281Kindred Spirits Adirondack Outfitters- Olmstedville, NY 12857 - 1-800-799-HIKE(4453)
Adirondack Mountain Club- Lake George, NY 12845 - (518) 668-4447
Appalachian Mountain Club- 5 Tudor Court, New York, NY
Finger Lakes Trail Conference- New York - (716) 288-7191
Bear Cub Adventures
30 Bear Cub Road, Lake Placid, NY 12946 - (518) 523-4339
Offering Outdoor Guided Adventures and Skills Instruction; Hiking Trips, Wilderness Canoe Trips, Canoe & Kayak Instruction, Family Fishing Trips, and so much more.
Tahawus Limited
P.O. Box 424, Lake Placid, NY 12946 - (518) 891-4334
Tahawus Guide Services offers traditional outdoor adventures for people of all ages, regardless of ability level or physical condition. Based on the legendary guide services of the late 1800's, the guides of Tahawus are experienced outdoor professionals who will delight you with the natural history and lore of the Adirondacks. Offering Hiking, Fly Fishing, Canoe and Fishing trips, Mountaineering, Ski Tours, and so much more.All Seasons Outfitters- Saranac Lake, NY - (518) 891-6159
Birchbark Tours- Saranac Lake, NY - (518) 891-5704
Blue Mountain Outfitters - Blue Mountain Lake, NY - (518) 352-7306
Trailhead Adventure Treks - Northville, NY - (518) 863-2198
Touraid Travel Outdoor Adventures- Plattsburgh, NY - (518) 563-5605
Trail's
End Hikers/Skiers Lodge HC01 Box 103, Keene Valley, New York 12943 - (518)
576-9860 or 800-281-9860
A romantic 1902 Adirondack lodge nestled in New York's
Keene Valley amid soaring mountain peaks. This rustic, romantic, and secluded
bed & breakfast inn is ideally located for all season activities as Hiking,
canoeing, fishing, whitewater, bicycling, horseback riding, golf, tennis, swimming,
bird watching, rock climbing, and more.
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