High Peaks Wilderness Area

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High Peaks Wilderness Area
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Location Adirondack Park New York US
Nearest city Keene Valley, NY
Coordinates 44°11′25″N74°01′37″W / 44.19028°N 74.02690°W / 44.19028; -74.02690
Area275,460 acres (1,114.7km2)
Governing body New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The High Peaks Wilderness Area is the largest wilderness area of the Forest Preserve in the U.S. state of New York. It is located in three counties and six towns in the Adirondack Park: Harrietstown in Franklin County, North Elba, Keene, North Hudson and Newcomb in Essex County and Long Lake in Hamilton County.

Contents

Geography

It is roughly bounded on the north by NY 3, the old Haybridge Road, which runs from Cold Brook to Averyville, the Adirondak Loj property at Heart Lake, the Mount Van Hoevenberg area and NY 73 near the Cascade Lakes. Private land to the west of Route 73 forms the eastern boundary. The southern boundary is formed by privately owned lands, including the Ausable Club, Finch, Pruyn and Company, National Lead Company and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry's Huntington Wildlife Forest. This wilderness is bounded on the west by Long Lake and the Raquette River. [1]

There is one significant inholding: the Johns Brook Lodge, a backcountry cabin and surrounding campsites operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) [2] along the eponymous trail and brook from the popular "Garden" parking area and access point near Keene Valley. [3]

The area includes 112 bodies of water on 1,392 acres (5.6 km2), 238.4 miles (383.5 km) of foot trails, 52.3 miles (84.1 km) of horse trails, and 84 lean-tos. The area contains 42 of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks, including the tallest, Mount Marcy.

The topography ranges from small areas of low-lying swampland (e.g., along the Raquette and Saranac Rivers) to the highest point in New York State at the top of Mount Marcy. Although there is a considerable variety of topography, it is predominantly high mountain country. Like the topography, the forest cover also varies from pole-size hardwoods to mature, large diameter hardwood and softwood stands to the spruce-fir of the subalpine region.

Forest

Forest fires near the turn of the century were intense enough in some locations, such as the Cascade Range, to destroy both vegetation and topsoil, leaving bare rock which will require many more years for enough soil to develop to support a forest cover. However, the greater part of this area is predominantly forested with mixed hardwoods and softwoods. The higher elevations at and near most mountain tops have thick stands of stunted balsam with some spruce, white birch and yellow birch. The tops of Mount Marcy and Algonquin are above the timberline and a number of other mountain tops are at or close to timberline. The subalpine and alpine vegetation on the tops of these mountains has been of interest to many people, including students of botany, ecology and zoology, as well as recreationists willing to hike to the mountain tops for superb views of the High Peaks region and close observation of unique plant associations. [ citation needed ]

Mount Marcy, the highest point in New York State and most popular hike in the High Peaks Wilderness Area. Adirondacks Mount Marcy From Mount Haystack.JPG
Mount Marcy, the highest point in New York State and most popular hike in the High Peaks Wilderness Area.

Water

Many streams cascade from the mountain slopes, providing numerous scenic waterfalls, deep pools and brook trout fishing opportunities. Such streams as the Opalescent River, Johns Brook, Klondike Brook, Marcy Brook, Cold River and Moose Creek are frequently photographed. Lake Tear of the Clouds, often considered the source of the Hudson River, lies at about 4,300 feet (1,311 m) elevation on a flank of Mount Marcy.

Recreation

This wilderness area is the most popular destination in the park. In the summer, the area offers numerous opportunities day hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing. The area also offers some opportunities for canoeing. In the winter, the area provides for ice climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, and mountaineering.

Hikers and mountaineers probably outnumber all other groups. Ski touring and snowshoeing throughout the area, particularly the northeast sector, have been on the increase in recent years. Winter mountaineering and winter camping continue to be highly popular. [4]

Hiking

The High Peak Information Center at the end of Adirondack Loj Road in North Elba, Essex County, New York 2016-09-04 06 58 33 The High Peak Information Center at the end of Adirondack Loj Road in North Elba, Essex County, New York.jpg
The High Peak Information Center at the end of Adirondack Loj Road in North Elba, Essex County, New York

In addition to hundreds of miles of maintained trails, the area features a number of unmaintained trails, particularly to the summits of high peaks. Hikers may also scramble up the many landslides in the area. Several maintained trails connect with the Adirondack Mountain Reserve and Dix Mountain Wilderness Area, offering opportunities for extended backcountry outings. The 138-mile (222 km) Northville-Placid Trail crosses the High Peaks Wilderness Area from its southeastern corner at Long Lake to Lake Placid.

The range trail, which traverses a series of mountain summits known as the Great Range from Mount Marcy to Keene Valley, is considered by many to be the most scenic and rugged trail in the state. This trail traverses eight of the mountain peaks in this area that exceed 4,000 feet (1,219 m) in elevation. The western portions of the area receive substantially less public use than the Mount Marcy region.

Wanika Falls, Indian Falls, Indian Pass, the Duck Hole, [5] [6] Avalanche Pass, and Panther Gorge, [7] are also popular hiking destinations.

Climbing

The area contains many cliffs that are popular for rock climbing, including Cascade Lakes, Wallface Mountain, and Avalanche Pass. In the winter, Avalanche Pass and the trap dike on Mount Colden are popular destinations.

Skiing

Many trails are suitable for cross-country skiing and numerous rock slides offer backcountry opportunities for alpine and telemark skiing as well as snowboarding. Avalanches occur in this region, requiring winter visitors to take appropriate precautions.

Canoeing

The Adirondack Canoe Route, which runs ninety miles from Old Forge to Saranac Lake, parallels the western boundary of the Wilderness Area for 23 miles (37 km) along the eastern shores of Long Lake and the Raquette River; this section of the Canoe Route forms a part of the HPWA. [8] Although the generally steep terrain limits access to most water features within the HPWA, the Cascade Lakes, Henderson Lake, and the Cold River are popular destinations at the edge of the wilderness. It is possible to access the Preston Ponds and Duck Hole by a long carry from Henderson Lake.

Special regulations

Heavy use at the end of the 20th century led New York's Department of Environmental Conservation, which manages the area, to adopt the tightest rules and regulations for any of its properties in the Forest Preserve. Administratively, the area is subdivided into an eastern and western zone. In the more frequented former, backpackers are limited in group size.[ citation needed ] Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. As of 2005, the DEC has regulated that all overnight campers must carry a bear canister for their food. [9] Also a permit is required for camping on the shorelines of the Essex Chain of Lakes. [10] Furthermore, no fires are allowed in the Eastern High Peaks region.

Public access

Road access is possible from all sides of the wilderness area. It is possible to reach the western portion by canoe or kayak from Long Lake and the Cold River.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Marcy</span> Mountain in New York, United States

Mount Marcy is the highest point in the U.S. state of New York, with an elevation of 5,343.1 feet (1,628.6 m). It is located in the town of Keene in Essex County. The mountain is in the heart of the High Peaks Wilderness Area in Adirondack Park. Like the surrounding Adirondack Mountains, Marcy was heavily affected by large glaciers during recent ice ages, which deposited boulders on the mountain slopes and carved valleys and depressions on the mountain. One such depression is today filled by Lake Tear of the Clouds, which is often cited as the highest source of the Hudson River. The majority of the mountain is covered by hardwood and spruce-fir forests, although the highest few hundred feet are above the tree line. The peak is dominated by rocky outcrops, lichens, and alpine plants. The mountain supports a diverse number of woodland mammals and birds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpental</span> Valley and part of a ski area in Washington, United States

Alpental, named after the German word for alpine valley, is both a valley in eastern King County, Washington, United States, and part of a ski area in the valley. The valley is about 50 miles (80 km) east of Seattle, Washington and is north of Snoqualmie Pass, in the Washington Cascades. It is a popular outdoor recreation destination in summer and winter. The ski area is one of four areas that make up The Summit at Snoqualmie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Algonquin Peak</span> Mountain in New York state, United States

Algonquin Peak is a mountain in the MacIntyre Range of the Adirondacks in the U.S. state of New York. It is the second highest mountain in New York, with an elevation of 5,114 feet (1,559 m), and one of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks. It is located in the town of North Elba in Essex County and in the High Peaks Wilderness Area of Adirondack Park. The first recorded ascent of the mountain was made on August 8, 1837, by a party led by New York state geologist Ebenezer Emmons. It was originally named Mount McIntyre, after Archibald McIntyre, but this name was eventually applied to the entire range. Surveyor Verplanck Colvin added the name "Algonquin" in 1880. This name came from the peak reputedly being on the Algonquian side of a nearby informal boundary between the Algonquian and their Iroquois neighbors, although no such boundary existed in reality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Haystack</span> Mountain in New York, United States

Mount Haystack is a mountain in the Great Range of the Adirondack Mountains of New York. With an elevation of 4,960 feet (1,510 m), it is the third highest mountain in New York and one of the 46 High Peaks in Adirondack Park. It is located in the town of Keene in Essex County. The first recorded ascent of the mountain was made by mountain guide Orson Schofield Phelps in 1849, accompanied by Almeron Oliver and George Etsy. Phelps gave the mountain its current name based on its appearance to a haystack, and later cut the first trail to the summit in 1873. The summit is an alpine zone above the treeline, which offers a view of nearby Mount Marcy and Panther Gorge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Skylight</span> Mountain in United States of America

Mount Skylight is a mountain in the Adirondacks in the U.S. state of New York. Skylight is the fourth highest peak in New York, with an elevation of 4,924 feet (1,501 m), and one of the 46 High Peaks in Adirondack Park. It is located in the town of Keene in Essex County. The mountain was given its name by artist Frederick S. Perkins and guide Orson Schofield Phelps in 1857, due to a rock formation on the peak resembling a window. Phelps would later make the first known ascent of the peak with surveyor Verplanck Colvin and two others on August 28, 1873.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Tear of the Clouds</span> Lake in New York, USA

Lake Tear of the Clouds is a small tarn located in the town of Keene, in Essex County, New York, United States, on the southwest slope of Mount Marcy, the state's highest point, in the Adirondack Mountains. It is the highest pond in the state at 4,293 feet (1,309 m). It is often cited as the highest source of the Hudson River, via Feldspar Brook, the Opalescent River and Calamity Brook.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Colden</span> Mountain in New York, United States

Mount Colden is a mountain in the Adirondacks in the U.S. state of New York. It is the eleventh-highest peak in New York, with an elevation of 4,714 feet (1,437 m), and one of the 46 High Peaks in Adirondack Park. It is located in the town of Keene in Essex County. The peak is named after David C. Colden, an investor in the McIntyre Iron Works at Tahawus. The mountain is known for the Trap Dike on its west face, which forms a large crevice running up the mountain that can be clearly seen from Avalanche Lake. The summit of the mountain can be reached by two hiking trails, which are frequently combined to form a circuit through Avalanche Pass, or by climbing the Trap Dike. The summit is in an alpine tundra zone above the treeline, and offers views of surrounding mountains and lakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sky Lakes Wilderness</span> Wilderness area in the southern Cascade Range of Oregon

The Sky Lakes Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the Rogue River–Siskiyou and Fremont–Winema national forests in the southern Cascade Range of Oregon in the United States. It comprises 116,300 acres (47,100 ha), of which 75,695 acres (30,633 ha) are in the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest and 40,605 acres (16,432 ha) are in the Fremont–Winema National Forest. It was established in 1984 under the Wilderness Act of 1964.

The Giant Mountain Wilderness Area, an Adirondack Park unit of New York's Forest Preserve, lies in Essex County, New York, in the towns of Elizabethtown and Keene. It is roughly bounded by NY 9N on the north, NY 73 on the west and south and US 9 on the east. It includes two bodies of water covering 5 acres, 12.5 miles (20.1 km) of trails, and a single lean-to.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basin Mountain (New York)</span> Mountain in New York, United States

Basin Mountain is a mountain in the Great Range of the Adirondacks in the U.S. state of New York. It is the ninth-highest peak in New York, with an elevation of 4,827 feet (1,471 m), and one of the 46 High Peaks in Adirondack Park. It is located in the town of Keene in Essex County. The peak was named either for the basins formed between knobs on its slopes or the large basin to its southeast formed by it and the surrounding mountains. The name Basin was most likely coined by Orson Schofield Phelps and Frederick W. Perkins in 1857 during an ascent of Mount Marcy. The earliest appearance of the name in writing was made by surveyor Verplanck Colvin in 1873.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Slide Mountain (New York)</span> Mountain in New York, United States

Big Slide Mountain is a mountain in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Park in New York. The mountain is the twenty-seventh highest peak in the High Peaks Region. The peak was named for the prominent steep cliff that rises to its summit. It is located in the High Peaks Wilderness Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phelps Mountain (New York)</span> Mountain in New York, United States

Phelps Mountain is a mountain located in Essex County, New York. The mountain is named after Orson Schofield "Old Mountain" Phelps (1817–1905), who cut the first trail up Mount Marcy and named several of the Adirondack peaks. It is the 32nd highest peak in New York. Phelps Mountain is flanked to the southeast by Table Top Mountain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen Mountain (New York)</span> Mountain in New York, United States

Allen Mountain is located in Essex County, New York. It is part of the Marcy Group of the Great Range of the Adirondack Mountains, and is flanked to the north by Mount Skylight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panther Peak</span> Mountain in United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donaldson Mountain</span> Mountain in New York, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Emmons (New York)</span> Mountain in New York, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Street Mountain (New York)</span> Mountain in the United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moose River Plains Wild Forest</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcy Dam</span> Dam in New York, USA

Marcy Dam was a wooden dam on the Marcy Brook in the Adirondack High Peaks in North Elba, New York, United States; it impounded Marcy Dam Pond. An early version of the dam was constructed by the Conservation Corps during the 1930s. It was rebuilt most recently during the early 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Adams Recreation Area</span> Recreation area in Washington, U.S.

The Mount Adams Recreation Area is a 21,000-acre (8,500 ha) recreation area in the U.S. state of Washington managed by the Yakama Nation Tribal Forestry Program. The area encompasses an ecologically complex and geologically active landscape. The region features the most rugged side of Mount Adams, including canyons and the Great Gap section of the Mount Adams circumnavigation route, a three-mile trail-less section over two great canyons and many difficult glacial creeks. At 12,276 feet (3,742 m), Mount Adams is one of the major Cascade mountains. The recreation area is on the east side of the mountain and is part of the Yakama Indian Reservation and includes the popular Bird Creek Meadows area.

References

  1. ↑ Annie Stoltie, Lisa Bramen French and Niki Kourofsky Explorer's Guide Adirondacks (Eighth Edition) (Explorer's Complete) , p. 39, at Google Books
  2. ↑ New York Magazine New York Magazine, 30 May 1977 , p. 72, at Google Books
  3. ↑ Ahearn, Molly. "Johns Brook Lodge". Adirondack Mountain Club. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "STATE OF NEW YORK: ADIRONDACK PARK STATE LAND MASTER PLAN" (PDF). Adirondack Park Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  5. ↑ "NPT - Cold River & Duck Hole". www.cnyhiking.com. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  6. ↑ "Duck Hole from Upper Works - 10/12/14" . Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  7. ↑ Wechsler, Alan. "Panther Gorge: The Remote Adirondack Moderate Mecca You've Never Heard Of". Climbing Magazine. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  8. ↑ NY DEC High Peaks Wilderness Complex Unit Management Plan
  9. ↑ "Bear Resistant Canister Regulation - NYS Dept. Of Environmental Conservation". Archived from the original on 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  10. ↑ Lynch, Mike (7 June 2016). "Adirondack camping destinations for canoe, kayak trip: 8 places to stay". newyorkupstate. Retrieved 14 March 2020.

High Peaks Wilderness Complex at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

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