Adirondack Mountains New York

Hundreds of sparkling lakes, miles of pristine river, endless ridges of rugged mountains and vast expanses of quiet green forests with dozens of handsome, historic towns. This is New York’s Adirondack Park. This special region, as large as the state of Vermont, covers six-million acres. Almost equally divided between private and public lands, stewardship of this working landscape is a tradition that dates back more than a century.

Since the 1870s, outdoor recreation has been a major attraction in the Adirondacks, but the primary focus of hiking has been a handful of high mountains in a relatively small area of this huge wilderness. Some of these trails have been overused, worn down to bedrock and mud. With over 2,000 miles of hiking trails, the Adirondacks offer the largest and most complex hiking system of all American parks.

The environment of these woods and trails is fragile and it is important to be aware of our impact. The thoughtful use of these areas now will preserve them for generations. Below is a list of just a fraction of the trails available for your enjoyment, as well as tips for making your hiking experience successful. We hope you will find this article helpful in making your plans for hiking near Green Mansions and in the surrounding Adirondack Park.

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Recommendations for Success

• Consider making day hikes rather than extended camping trips. Backcountry overnights require far more experience and planning and can cause negative impacts on the environment.
• Try to match the difficulty of the trail to your level of ability, even to the ability of the least experienced member of your party. Select a destination that matches your interest. You will find that walks are categorized in several different ways.
• Take advantage of the expertise of a licensed Adirondack guide and outfitter. They have extensive knowledge and can set you up with the proper gear.
• Contact Adirondack Mountain Club, Lake George, NY - 518-523-3441 for detailed trail maps and guided hikes. Also contact Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Centers for additional information and guided hikes. Paul Smiths, NY - 518-327-3000 or Newcomb, NY - 518-582-2000.

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Great Walks and Day Hikes
(These are just a few in our area…)

Crane Mountain

• Blue Ledge- Easy 5 miles RT. Riverside view of the turbulent Hudson River-Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest

• Charles Lathrop Pack Forest-Easy 1 mile, handicapped accessible, “Grandmother Tree”-Warrensburg

• Warren County Nature Trail-Easy 1.4 miles-Warrensburg

• Barton Garnet Mines-admission fee. Summer guided mine tour-North River

• Great Camp Santanoni- Easy 9 miles RT-Newcomb Lake

• Natural Stone Bridge & Caves-admission fee. Caves, grottos, waterfalls & glacial potholes-Pottersville

• Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) - 3 miles of marked trails-Newcomb

• Chimney Mountain- Easy 2.8 miles RT, $1 parking fee-Siamese Pond Wilderness

• Cook Mountain-Moderately Easy 2.6 miles RT. Just one short, steep ascent to a view of the Champlain Valley, Lake George and the Adirondacks-Hague

• Crane Mountain-Moderately Difficult 3.8 miles RT. Several trails; one includes ladders over rock face-Warrensburg

• Goodnow Mountain- Moderate 3.8 miles RT-Newcomb

• Pharaoh Mountain-Moderately Difficult 5.6 miles RT. Tallest peak in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness-Pharaoh Lake Wilderness

 (RT=Round trip)

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Guidelines for Day Hikers

Plan your trip carefully. Learn about the area ahead of time. Read the trail guide description of the hike you will be taking and review appropriate topographical maps. Assess the difficulty and length of time need to complete the trip. Cheeks the weather reports before you set out. Dress and equip yourself for the expected conditions. Carry the latest guidebook and map.

Never hike alone. Companions are for safety as well and for sharing the scenery and fun. Each person should know what to do in an emergency. Forest rangers recommend at least three persons in your party in case of an accident. At least one person should remain with the injured person while the others make note of the location and go to find the nearest forest ranger or other assistance. Cell phones may not work in remote locations.

File a trip plan. Let a responsible person at home know what route you are taking, how long you will be gone and the make, model, color and license plate number of the car you’re driving. Always sign in at the trail registers. If you do not return at the designated time, the Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) should be notified first.

Carry out what you carry in. Carry a garbage bag and consider picking up trash left by others. Leaving the forest cleaner than you found it is a gesture of good trail etiquette. Burial is not an acceptable method of disposal.

Carry water. Each person should carry a minimum of two quarts of water in an unbreakable bottle. Drink plenty of fluids during strenuous activity; especially in extreme heat or cold.

Purify water. All water sources must be considered contaminated by Giardia protozoan which can cause severe sickness including diarrhea. For longer hikes, pack iodine tablets or a water purifier/filter. Or bring water to a rolling boil for at least five minutes on a portable stove to kill contaminants.

Use proper sanitation methods. Use a privy where one is provided. Bury human wastes under four inches or soil at least 150 feet from the trail or water source.

Extinguish fires completely. Pour plenty of water on the hot coals and embers, stir the ashes and cover with dirt before leaving the area. Never leave a campfire unattended. Campfires are a major cause of forest fires in the Adirondacks.

Keep dry and warm. Be ready for wind, rain and possibly snow. Pack rain gear, gloves and a hat. Wear layers of clothing that can be removed or added, as necessary. Avoid wearing cotton clothing especially in spring, fall and winter hiking. Cotton has no insulating ability when wet and takes a long time to dry. Wear wool, polypropylene or polyfleece for warmth. Make sure everyone in you party knows the signs of hypothermia.

Wear sturdy boots and appropriate clothing. Trail hiking is not like walking on roads. The trails are often rough with rocks and exposed roots and there are sections of the trail that may be wet and muddy most of the time. Good ankle-high boots can support your ankles, give you traction and keep your feet dry. Make sure everyone in your group, including children, are wearing proper boots. Clothing should be loose fitting and give you protection from wind, rain and cold.

Apply sunscreen & insect repellant. Wear a baseball hat or visor for the sun. A long-sleeved shirt and light-weight nylon pants are a good idea during buggy seasons. You may also consider a head net.

Pack a map and compass. Each person in the group should have both and know how to use them. Guidebook trail descriptions are useful for finding unmarked overlooks and for following poorly marked sections of trail. Stay oriented; know where you are. Summer trails can easily disappear under leaves and snow.

Pack a flashlight with extra batteries, a whistle and waterproof matches. Even if it is only a day trip! Sometimes a hike takes longer than expected. A flashlight provides the only means to get out of the woods after dark. If lost you can’t shout for long, but a whistle can be blown almost indefinitely. The signal for help is three consecutive blasts on the whistle. A smoky fire is one of the best ways to let search and rescue teams know where you are.

Be prepared. Pack a standard first aid kit that includes ace bandages (to support tired joints) and moleskin (for blisters). Pack a jackknife. Bring a space blanket, extra protective clothing and high energy food items when hiking a trail that exceeds 6-8 hours RT. In case a delay occurs, you will be more comfortable over-night. A waterproof tarp and 30 feet of nylon cord can be used to erect an emergency shelter. Have a pre-determined plan for any emergency. Read literature about becoming lost and signs of hypothermia.

Use a comfortable, lightweight backpack. Your hike will be more enjoyable if you carry as light a backpack as possible without sacrificing safety items. Pack weight should be judged by physical condition and body weight.

Plan ahead for changing weather. Adirondack weather is very unpredictable. It can be sunny in the morning and by mid-day you’re in the middle of a thunder or snow storm. When climbing, temperatures can vary up to 40 degrees, not including wind chill. Be thoughtful of the season that you are hiking and plan for the unexpected.

Mountain bikes are permitted in some areas. They are permitted on existing trails and roads on forest preserve lands classified Wild Forest, unless specifically prohibited by a DEC sign. This can be due to environmental damage, user conflicts or safety concerns. Bicycles are prohibited on forest lands classified as Wilderness. Make sure you check before your set out to avoid a fine.