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New York,
The Adirondacks
The Adirondacks: -
The Adirondacks region is full of natural attractions – dense forests, craggy mountains, streams, rivers and spring-fed lakes – and historic sites. The region saw many critical skirmishes during the American Revolution and French and Indian Wars. Visitors may choose to tour these battlegrounds, walk in the footsteps of Hawkeye from The Last of the Mohicans or meditate in the solitude of a remote Adirondack lake as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Albert Einstein did. The area has long been home to artisans, and local products, known as Adirondackana, include the famous Adirondack chair, birchbark picture frames, authentic North Country maple syrup and hand-woven pack baskets.
Adirondack Park: The Park is the USA’s largest wilderness reserve outside Alaska and one of the most successful conservation efforts in history. Created in 1882 to preserve the Great North Woods of New York State, the 2.5 million hectare (six million acre) natural sanctuary is protected under the State Constitution. Roughly the size of Vermont and bigger than the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone national parks combined, the park stretches over nearly a third of New York State. This rugged land, which looks today very much like it did more than 10,000 years ago, is less than a day’s drive from northeastern USA and eastern Canada.
It is the abundance of water – nearly 2500 lakes and ponds and more than 48,000km (30,000 miles) of rivers and streams – that makes the Adirondacks so distinct among the world’s great wilderness areas. As recently as the late 1800s, these waters were virtually the only mode of transport in the Adirondacks. Today they are a source of recreation, attracting canoeists, kayakers and whitewater rafters. There are miles of sandy beaches and thousands of secluded swimming holes, broad lakes for windsurfing and boating, and nearly every species of freshwater fish to challenge fishing enthusiasts.
Adirondack Mountains: The Adirondacks region is home to some of the tallest and most dramatic mountains in the eastern USA. With names like Giant, Skylight and Upper Wolfjaw, the 46 highest Adirondack mountains, known as ‘the High Peaks’, are situated in the northeastern part of the park. Here, on the summit of the majestic Mount Marcy, is the highest point in New York State. Traversing the mountains and surrounding wilderness are more than 3200km (2000 miles) of marked trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, and extreme pitches off the beaten path to challenge rock climbers.
The Adirondacks are a winter playground, with more than nine different ski areas and thousands of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Opportunities for winter camping attract the robust of spirit and there are bob-sleigh rides for those wishing to experience the ‘champagne of thrills’. Snowmobilers consistently put the Adirondacks high on their list for its extensive network of trails and great pit stops. There are also dog-sleigh rides and hundreds of frozen lakes on which to skate or go ice fishing, and Olympic venues to visit in Lake Placid.
At the base of the mountains lies Lake Champlain, considered the most historic body of water in North America. The excellent Lake Champlain Maritime Museum includes a rigged and armed 54-foot replica of Benedict Arnold’s gunboat Philadelphia II. The museum’s interactive hands-on exhibits in an 1818 stone schoolhouse explore the lake’s history, while the Nautical Archaeology Center uncovers the lake’s legacy of shipwrecks, including the recently discovered schooner Troy, which sank in a gale in 1825.
Special Events: All year round, the towns and villages of the Adirondacks are bustling with activity. Throughout the region there are art and craft exhibitions, music festivals, and theatrical performances. There are also good old country fairs, holiday celebrations and sports events of all kinds, including international athletic competitions. Full details can be obtained from the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council (see Contact addresses section). The following is a selection of events held in the region during 2003: Feb Winter Carnival, Saranac Lake; Pack Forest Dog Sled Races, Warrensburg; Empire State Winter Games, Lake Placid. Jun Spring Fishing Contest, Long Lake. Jun-Jul
Lake Placid Horse Show. Jul
ESPN Outdoor Games, Lake Placid; Woodsmen’s Field Days, Tupper Lake. Jul 3
Independence Day Celebrations, Tupper Lake. Aug Riverfest, Lowville; Lake Placid Institute International Jazz Seminar. Sep Canoe Classic, Old Forge to Sarnac Lake; Battle of Plattsburgh Celebration; Hot Air Balloon Festival, Queensbury; ‘The World’s Largest Garage Sale’, Warrensburg.
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