ADIRONDACK REGIONAL TOURISM COUNCIL VisitAdirondacks.com Scan this QR code with your smartphone to take our aerial tour! The world keeps getting smaller. Leave a small footprint. Introducing the all-new 2013 XV Crosstrek. It’s a natural choice for any direction you’re headed. As the most fuel- effi cient all-wheel-drive crossover in America* with 33 MPG† and a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle built in a zero- landfi ll plant, it’ll take you more places, more responsibly than ever. Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru. XV Crosstrek.™ Well-equipped at $22,805†† 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek models are certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV). PZEV emissions warranty applies to only certain states. See dealer for complete information on emissions and new car limited warranties. *Based on EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek CVT models compared to AWD vehicles within Polk’s CUV segments. Actual mileage may vary. ††MSRP excludes tax, title and registration fees. Dealer sets actual price. Adirondack Great Walks & Day Hikes Changing the Focus of Hiking in the Adirondacks Practice the “Leave No Trace” Principles Adirondack Great Walks & Day Hikes Map Index Plan Ahead and Prepare Hike on Durable Surfaces Respect Wildlife The Adirondack Park is a patchwork of private and public DESTINATIONS: Many different kinds of walks/hikes are outlined on the pages to • Know your physical abilities • Durable surfaces include • Observe wildlife from a follow. Look over the information and select the destinations that match your interest lands, unlike any other park in the United States. So while the and the terrain you will be established trails, rock, distance. hiking—plan accordingly. gravel, dry grasses or snow. Do not follow or approach and ability. They are first grouped by area on 14 different maps. On each map page backcountry is immense—the nation’s largest trail system at • Know the weather forecast— • Concentrate use on existing them. the walks/hikes are grouped by type of destination and then listed from shortest plan and prepare trails. • Never feed animals purposely to longest distance. Special symbols call attention to the “Great Walks”, trails to more than 2,000 miles—so too, are the nearby comforts. accordingly. • Walk single file in the middle or accidentally–especially firetowers, potential mountain biking trails and trails accessible to people with The day hikes offered in the guide offer diverse experiences • Carry and use a map and of the trail, even when wet bears. Feeding wildlife disabilities. compass or muddy. damages their health, alters and are are rated for various levels of ability. There are short • Carry plenty of water (2 natural behaviors, and GREAT WALKS: Several outings on each of the following pages have been Dispose of Waste Properly designated as a “Great Walk” — these special destinations and trails provide a better and/or easy hikes to ponds and views suitable for families liters per person), high • Pack it in! Pack it out!—pack exposes them to predators energy foods and necessary out all trash, leftover food, and other dangers. than average experience. There may be a waterfall, a Great Camp, an extraordinary with children, long circuits, steeper hikes to mountain medications and litter. • Control pets at all times, or view, a historic site or an unusual natural formation. • Carry a flashlight or • Deposit solid human waste leave them at home. summits and destination walks to waterfalls. headlamp with extra GET MORE INFORMATION: The descriptions are brief and the maps in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches Be Considerate of Other rudimentary—the information provided here is not intended to be used as a All the day hikes in this booklet are paths less taken. Because batteries. deep at least 200 feet from Visitors • Wear proper footwear— water, camp, and trails. • Respect other visitors and working field guide. The complex nature of some of the trail networks found overuse is a problem in some areas of the Adirondack Forest hiking shoes or boots. Cover and disguise the protect the quality of their in the Adirondacks requires that you obtain a good map and guidebook before • Pack extra non-cotton Preserve we have chosen hiking experiences throughout the cathole when finished. experience. setting out on most of these hikes. In some cases trailheads may not be marked clothes, including a hat—take • Pack out toilet paper and • Be courteous. Yield to other or trailhead signage may be missing or difficult to find, a guidebook will give you off and put on layers of hygiene products. users on the trail. Adirondacks that feature a broad range of terrain and forest clothing to regulate body mileage and directions to most trailheads. Trail intersections may be encountered Leave What You Find • Take breaks and camp away that are not shown on these maps and you could become lost or confused. The types on stable, often undiscovered trails. , we direct you to temperature. from trails and other visitors. • Remember, it will be cooler • Leave rocks, plants and other guidebooks and maps will not only help make your outing a safer one, they will also other equally significant destinations. natural objects as you find • Let nature’s sounds prevail. in Avoid loud voices and noises enhance your experience by providing interesting background information on the higher elevations. them. areas you will be visiting. At the bottom of each map page you’ll find a Resource The maps and trail descriptions in this guide are a Have a Safe, Enjoyable • Let someone know where you • Avoid introducing or Guide—a list of guidebooks and maps that provide information on routes suggested transporting non-native Hike STARTING POINT for further research. Once you have will be going and when you on that page. Guidebooks and maps can be found at bookstores and outdoor expect to return. species. and Protect the Natural outfitters. Area and regional information centers (page 4) and the NYS Department settled on the trail or trails in which you are interested, • Contact DEC Forest Rangers • Preserve the past: examine, Resources of the of Environmental Conservation (page 4) are also good sources for more information. at 518-891-0235 to report but do not touch, cultural or Adirondacks purchase the appropriate map and guide book. Have fun, historic structures and lost or injured hikers. TIME AND DISTANCE: Most of the trips suggested can be completed in a day or artifacts. hike prepared, and consider the services of a licensed guide if even a half-day. The more difficult trips will require more time to complete than you want to get the most out of your backcountry experience. easier ones even if they are the same distance. Most of the trip distances are shown as Adirondack Region Information Centers round-trip (RT) or loop trips. Some distances may be one-way and require two cars. Adirondack Regional Tourism Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau Universally Accessible Trails and Facilities in the DIFFICULTY RATINGS: In addition to the rating explanations Council that follow, please take into consideration your own Adirondacks (Clinton County) Comprehensive travel information physical preparedness and the ability of the least experienced member of your party. 7061 State Route 9, P.O. Box 310, EASY ratings include short trips or mostly level terrain or both. MODERATE ratings Improved recreational opportunities for people with mobility impair- for a seven-county region. Plattsburgh, NY 12901 ments can be found throughout the Adirondacks. Look for uni- P. O. Box 911, include longer trips, rougher terrain and some climbing. DIFFICULT ratings include versally accessible trails and facilities at places like: Ausable Marsh Lake Placid, NY 12946 518-563-1000 or 877-242-6752 prolonged steep climbing or are longer and more remote. Previous experience will be helpful. (pg. 7), Lampson Falls (pg. 8), Francis Lake (pg. 13), Moss Lake www.VisitAdirondacks.com www.goadirondack.com and South Branch Trail (pg. 14). John Dillon Park (pg. 9) goes one [email protected] [email protected] NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) step further providing a true wilderness camping experience. The For trail conditions, backcountry information and permits, fishing and Franklin County Tourism St. Lawrence County Chamber of Adirondack Park Visitors Interpretive Centers at Paul Smiths (pg. 6) hunting regulations and licenses, consult the DEC offices listed below. Commerce and Newcomb (pg.16) feature a variety of interpretive trails, board- 10 Elm Street, Suite 2, Normal office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:45pm. walks and viewing platforms as does The Wild Center in Tupper Lake Malone, NY 12953 101 Main Street, 1st Floor, www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html 518-483-9470 or 800-709-4895 Canton, NY 13617 (pg. 10), Silver Lake Bog (pg. 7) and Indian Creek Nature Center (pg. 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233 315-386-4000 or 877-228-7810 DEC Headquarters: 8). Mountaintop views can be enjoyed from the top of Whiteface www.adirondacklakes.com 518-402-8013 • www.dec.ny.gov Mountain (pg. 11) and Prospect Mountain (pg. 19) via seasonal toll [email protected] www.northcountryguide.com DEC Region 5: Clinton, Franklin, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Fulton, highways. Warren County Tourism Saratoga and Washington Counties Hamilton County Tourism Region 5 Headquarters: Route 86, Box 296, Ray Brook518-897-1200 Municipal Center, 1340 Route 9, South Shore Road, P.O. Box 57, Region 5 Sub-Offices: 701 South Main St., Northville 518-863-4545 Lake George, NY 12845 Published and distributed by the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, Lake Pleasant, NY 12108 232 Golf Course Rd., Warrensburg 518-623-1200 PO Box 911, Lake Placid, NY 12946 • www.VisitAdirondacks.com 518-548-3076 or 800-648-5239 518-761-6366 or 800-365-1050 ext.