Heart of the High Peaks

This trip includes a virtual orientation session with the guide scheduled for 5:00pm on the evening before the trip commences. The orientation will involve introductions, a briefing on the route, and discussions on packing considerations. Participants will have the opportunity to ask any final questions during this session. It is advised to ensure a good night's rest and enjoy a nourishing meal, as the journey will begin the following day.

We recommend staying at the Adirondak Loj for pre-trip lodging, as it serves as both the starting and ending point for this trip.

The journey will begin promptly at 8:00 AM at the Adirondak Loj Program Center. Our first task of the day will involve distributing gear while enjoying breakfast sandwiches and coffee. After everyone is equipped, nourished, and prepared for the trail, we will embark on our sojourn.

The highlights of day one include Avalanche Pass, where we will hike past sheer cliffs and pristine alpine lakes, and the scenic shores of Lake Colden. Our first campsite will be at an Adirondack shelter, where we will enjoy a delicious dinner and rest up for tomorrow's summit of Mount Marcy.

Day two starts with an “alpine-start” to make the most of the daylight hours. Our main goal is summiting Mount Marcy (5,343 ft). Along the way, we'll summit Schofield Cobble (4,744 ft), and stop by Lake Tear of the Clouds, the highest source of the Hudson River. After reaching the summit of Mount Marcy, we'll begin our descent into the spectacular Panther Gorge, a deep valley nestled between the high peaks. From there, we'll continue to our final campsite at the Slant Rock Lean-To, where we can relax, enjoy a well-deserved meal, and reflect on the day's journey.

On day three, we will enjoy a more moderate hike as we make our way back toward civilization. The trail will take us past Indian Falls, a scenic waterfall with a breathtaking view of the MacIntyre Range. From there, we will continue descending toward the Adirondak Loj, where we will conclude our journey with a final meal together before parting ways.

Guide: A professionally licensed hiking guide, with years of experience, that is EMT certified

Gear: Use of all technical backpacking gear including: ultralight tent, top-of-the-line sleeping bag, ultralight sleeping pad, high-quality backpack, bear canister, and trekking poles

Food: Meals for entirety of trip from the start of the first day to lunch on the last day

Risk Management: Peace of mind with added safety precautions such as a Garmin In-Reach Satellite Communicator and first aid kit

Packing List: A detailed packing list of the clothing and personal items needed

Hiking clothes, footwear, and raingear

Personal items and toiletries

Headlamp flashlight and water bottles

Transportation to and from the Adirondacks

Gratuity for your guide

Total Distance: 20 miles (32.2km)

Total Gain / Loss: +4,907 / -4,931ft

Day One: 8.2 miles - 1,536ft gain / 466ft loss

Day Two: 4.3 miles - 2,073ft gain / 1,778ft loss

Day Three: 7.5 miles - 1,417ft gain / 2,740ft loss

Our backpacking trips feature a variety of nourishing meals that provide the essential nutrients with a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Examples of foods you will eat on our trips are rice, pasta, lentils, beans, couscous, dried meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, and granola. We then add spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, fresh and dried fruits, and vegetables to make these ingredients into wonderful trail feasts.

Additionally, we provide a selection of trail mix, bars, and dried fruits for you to snack on between meals.

We are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions as well as make adjustments for food allergies. Please be aware that special dietary requests may come with an additional fee.

Our shelter system for backcountry trips are lightweight, backpacking-specific tents. You are welcome to share a tent with anyone you are traveling with or request your own tent. There will also be an opportunity to sleep in an Adirondack style lean-to shelter on this trip!

Our sleep system on backcountry trip consist of two parts: First is a lightweight, temperature-appropriate, sleeping bag. Second is a closed-cell foam sleeping pad.

Although it is not required, if you have any of your own backpacking specific gear, you are welcome to bring and use it!

The campsites on our trips are handpicked, primitive backcountry sites, carefully selected for their stunning beauty and strategic placement along our route. These sites offer a truly immersive experience, devoid of modern amenities, allowing you to connect with the landscape in its purest form. By embracing the simplicity of these sites, you can fully appreciate and engage with the unspoiled natural surroundings, fostering a deeper connection with wilderness.

On this trip, one of the nights will be spent at a Adirondack style lean-to shelter!

To register for this trip, enter the number of people you are registering, then pay for the number of people in your party. If you are buying spots for people other than yourself, include their names and emails in the checkout form. Please contact us if you have questions prior to registering!

After payment, we will reach out to you via email with more information about the trip, and send you links to complete your registration. If you need help registering or have questions, reach out to us here.

On Day 1, we meet at Adirondak Loj, located at: 1002 Adirondack Loj Rd, Lake Placid, NY, 12946.

Your guide will reach out to you, via email, a week before the trip’s start date in order to answer any questions you have about the trip or the rendezvous location.

Please reach out to us - here - with any questions prior to your trip.

The journey commences at the Adirondak Loj in Lake Placid, NY. If rooms are available, we recommend staying at the Adirondak Loj the night before the trip starts! The preferred mode of transportation is by driving or renting a car.

Alternatively, it is feasible to reach the Adirondak Loj via bus and shuttle from NYC; please reach out to us for further details on this option.

Albany and Burlington boast large airports that are approximately two and a half hours away from the Adirondak Loj. Additionally, both NYC and Boston Airports are situated roughly five hours away from the destination.

Children must be 12 years of age and accompanied by a parent or court appointed legal guardian to join shared-group experience trips. Additionally, individuals must be 18 years of age to join our trips independent of a parent or legal guardian.

Life can be unpredictable, therefore, we recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in traveling with us.

There are many ways to obtain travel insurance. Two companies we recommend are Global Rescue and IMG.

We are happy to provided any necessary documentation to help you insure your trip. Please direct all questions about travel insurance to your insurance provider.

The Adirondack climate is strongly continental, with high humidity and precipitation year-round. The Adirondacks typically experience pleasantly warm, rainy weather in the summer (June–August), with temperatures in the range of 66–73 °F (19–23 °C), cooler than the rest of New York State due to the higher elevation. Summer evenings in the Adirondacks are chilly, with temperatures ranging on average between 45–54 °F (7–12 °C). Winters (December–March) are long, cold, and snowy, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 23 °F (−8 to −5 °C). Winter nights are frigid, with temperatures between −2 and 4 °F (−19 and −16 °C). Spring (April–May) and fall (September–November) are short transitional seasons where a variety of weather can be experienced in a single day.

We use this weather model to provide us with an accurate forecast for both the summit and base conditions of Mount Marcy, the highest point on this trip and in New York State.