The Adirondack Mountains, Forever Wild…
The Adirondack Mountains have been a staple of outdoor life in New York for decades. In the early part of the century, dozens of wealthy families enjoyed lakefront houses in the Adirondacks. Its quaint towns and unique places made it a mountain destination all year round.
But, the mountains have come a long way since the heydays of the swanky lodges. The Adirondacks is now a premiere retreat for skiers, hikers, kayakers, campers, 4wheelers, mountain bikers, and climbers. Hoards of enthusiasts hit the road every day to revel in the mountains. Somewhere between 7 to 12.5 million people visit the park every year. Areas such as Whiteface Mountain, Gore Mountain, Mount Pisgah, and McCauley Mountain are winter wonderlands for skiers and snowboarders. Mount Marcy, the second tallest mountain in the northeast is a haven for campers and hikers across the tri-state area. Not to worry there are 45 other mountains to scale of varying degrees of difficulty. There are more than three thousand lakes for the curious kayaker or canoer to explore along with thousands of rivers, including whitewater rivers offering challenging white water rafting. The largest lake in America or Raquette Lake is located in the park and has over 100 miles of shoreline surrounded by tall pine trees. Camping in premiere locations is highly sought after so plan in advance and arrive early to get a prime spot for your campsite. Don’t forget the marshmallows. Its 2000 miles of hiking trails are a stunning network of mountains, lakes, and rivers. Breathtaking views and Cabins are plentiful in this place where memories are born and you can climb to your heart’s content. Poke-o Moonshine, Spider’s Web, and Avalanche Pass are excellent climbing locations with plenty of space to climb and enjoy the views. There is even plenty of ice climbing to be had in the “Dacks” during the winter months. Please bring your helmet.
The park is a beautiful oasis of recreation designated as “Forever Wild” by the NYS legislature in 1885. The Adirondacks Mountains sit on over six million acres of land with over two hundred thousand acres being old-growth forests. For years, the park has endured as a model for preservation and as the economic engine of the local economy. But not all is well with the Adirondacks. The more people visit the region the more intense the pressure becomes on wildlife and on the ecosystem. As with most federal parks, state parks saw record visitor numbers in 2020 and 2021. Notwithstanding that Canadians could not cross the border during that time due to Covid restrictions. Annually, nearly 30% of visitors to the Adirondacks are from Canada. But the numbers were climbing long before the pandemic. That was evident by the lack of parking spaces available at locations all over the park. In fact, vehicles parked on the side of the road have become commonplace and a point of contention for local residents. Many are bracing for the 2022 summer rush from the tri-state area and from Canada, now that the border is open. But that rush comes with an additional burden on local government resources as police, sanitation, and emergency services are stretched to the limit. Recently, less experienced visitors are taking to the mountains without the proper training or equipment. Leaving emergency services to deploy teams that are already spread thin.
What can you do to help? You can take steps to lessen your impact on the park and on local resources by being prepared. Plan your visit to coincide with off-peak crowds. Make your visit on a weekday instead of a weekend. Do not park your vehicle on the side of the road or illegally. Carry your trash out and avoid disturbing wildlife when you see them on your trip. You can also help emergency services by staying within the limits of your experience. Do not venture into areas unprepared or that are well beyond your skill set. You probably thought I was going to recommend that you not visit the park at all. That’s not realistic considering that the Adirondacks is the last bastion of the wild in New York State and a major attraction in terms of outdoor recreation. But you can do your part to ensure that the park remains forever wild and that it continues to be a place to make memories for you and our children. Happy Trails.
