Fall/Winter Shoulder Season
Indian Head in the AMR during “stick season.”
Stick season has arrived in Lake Placid. It’s the time between fall and winter … after the leaves have dropped and before the snow consistently covers everything. Basically, the hardwood trees look like sticks. Not everyone’s favorite season, but it’s great timing if you want to avoid the crowds and extend your hiking season. For those visiting Lake Placid in October and November, here are some pre-holiday activities to consider.
Take a hike - After fall leaf peeping season is over, the hiking trails are much less crowded. Sure, the views aren’t as over-the-top-spectacular as other seasons, but it’s ideal if you like to have the trail and summit to yourself. An excellent time to layer up and go for a hike. For gear, be sure to pack extra layers since mountain tops can be colder and windy, emergency essentials including a headlamp or flashlight, micro spikes for higher elevations and an emergency blanket. It’s getting dark earlier every day, so having a source of light (beyond your cellphone) is really important, and the rocky peaks can be icy up there so micro spikes are always a good idea this time of year. (If you don’t already own micro spikes, you can rent them at local stores like High Peaks Cyclery). On the plus side, it’s easier to get a parking spot at even the most popular trailheads, or a reservation at the AMR. And after Oct. 31, you don’t even need a reservation to park at the AMR lot.
Peddle the Rail Trail - Rent a bike at nearby Bike Lake Placid and ride to Saranac Lake (10 miles one-way) for lunch. The rental shop offers both traditional bikes and electric bikes, as well as helmets. You can stop for a fantastic sandwich at Barley Sandwich on Broadway. Yum! If you still have a bit more energy (and electric power) left, continue a little ways past Saranac Lake for a beautiful ride across Colby Lake. Alternatively, for a shorter ride, go to Ray Brook (about half-way) and eat at the Ray Brook Brewhouse.
Go ice skating - Even before the lakes freeze over, you can still have fun ice skating in Lake Placid. Head over to the Olympic Center where you can skate on one of the indoor Olympic ice rinks. Or, if you’re more into spectator sports, catch a hockey game!
Enjoy an Olympic-style ride - The Cliffside Coaster on Mt Van Hoevenberg is still open on weekends in late fall, at least until the snow comes. And the Skyride at the Olympic Jumping Complex and Cloudsplitter Gondola ride at Whiteface are open year-round.
Live comedy shows and music - Lake Placid and Saranac Lake regularly book comedians for comedy shows. Check the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and The Garagery in Saranac Lake. For live music, check out the Waterhole.
Catch the Lake Placid Film Festival - The four-day film festival runs Nov. 7 - 10 with feature-length films and shorts showing at multiple locations around town.
Visit the Paul Smith’s VIC - The college’s visitor information center, VIC, is always running interesting programs, like Music Over the Marsh and the 2024 Adirondack Loon Celebration, . Check their full calendar for other offerings and volunteer events. Soon enough, their cross-country trails will open!
Visit the Wild Center - The Wild Center has moved to their winter hours and is now open only on weekends, Friday - Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm.
Stargaze - It’s a great time to go stargazing. The Tupper Lake Observatory offers free stargazing with their telescopes on the first and third Friday of each month during the winter, or you can book a private group session for only $150. Or, head over to an open area like John Brown’s farm for a nice view of the sky.
