Peak Leaf Peeping
West River Trail in Adirondack Mountain Reserve
I love fall! It’s my favorite season with cool temperatures and gorgeous fall colors. My previous autumn post in early September got me excited about the season, so be sure to check that for a wide variety of activity suggestions. But with the start of October this weekend, leaf peeping is approaching it’s peak! Here are my top tips and must-do activities for enjoying the autumn leaves.
Looking across Lake Placid from the Brewster Peninsula Trails
The canoe carry around Lower Locks, between Second Pond and Oseetah Lake
Foliage Maps: For trip planning, there are a lot of maps and predictions to see where the leaves are turning, but the tried and true is the I Love New York Fall Foliage Report.
Hiking: You can’t go wrong with any hike this time of year. Whether it’s a walk through the woods on a short path, or a hike to the top of a peak — if the leaves are turning, you’re going to see it. One of my favorite fall hikes that I’ve done several times is along the Lower Ausable River in the AMR (Adirondack Mountain Reserve). This is a long woods hike with options to visit Rainbow Falls, climb Indian Head, and traverse quaint wooden bridges and stairs. One version is 8.5 miles round-trip and just about 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Or for a more iconic view of the Ausable with some added vertical challenge, this route is 9.5 miles roundtrip and 1,620 feet of elevation gain and takes the Gill Brook trail part way, and finally this route takes you a bit further around Indian Head. The main trick to keep in mind is that you need to plan ahead and book a parking reservation for this area. They won’t let you in without an advance reservation (even if there are open spots and even if you’re being dropped off… whomp, whomp). To check availability and book, go to the AMR website, create a login, then login to check their calendar. It’s a bit of a pain in the ass, but it’s free and helps manage the traffic on these popular trails. Also note, this AMR area is private land and they do not allow dogs. So leave Fido at home.
Paddling: It’s not too cold to paddle! In fact, this is a great way to avoid the crowds and soak in the views at a leisurely pace. Some of our most memorable October paddles have been on Osgood Pond around White Pine Camp, pretty much anywhere in the St. Regis Canoe Area (Rollins Loop is always gorgeous), Stoney Creek Ponds and Racquette River. Bundle up, where good water shoes/boots, and get out there. Contact St. Regis Canoe Outfitters or Adirondacks Lakes & Trails for more suggestions as well as rentals.
Biking: Whether it’s downhill, road or gravel biking, peddling is especially exhilarating this time of year. Even if you’re a novice level like me, rent a bike, grab the Green Goat cycling map and take off. Cycling the Rail Trail between Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Lake Clear is easy and fun. Check out Bike Lake Placid for nearby bike rentals. Using an electric bike makes the hilly terrain a breeze! If you’re into mountain / cross country biking or want to try it out in a safe environment, the biking center at Mount Van Hoevenberg is a great place to go. They charge $10 for a trail pass and rent bikes at the center. You can also get a lesson with your rental for a $65 package. Newly opened, the Barkeater Trails Alliance has a network of beginner biking trails through the woods between Keene and Jay. You can rent bikes from the High Peaks Cyclery or Placid Planet Bicycles.
Treetops Trail: There’s lots to see at The Wild Center, in Tupper Lake, but the treetops Wild Walk is a great way to really immerse yourself in fall foliage. This is a very family friendly activity, and it’s ADA accessible for all. The Wild Center is open 7 days a week in summer, and weekends only after October 10. Tickets are $22/adults and $13/youth. It’s about 40 minutes from Lake Placid.
Fall Whitewater Rafting: You might usually think about whitewater rafting in the summer, but Adventure Sports in Indian Lake offer fall trips down the river through Columbus Day weekend! Deep in the Adirondack Park, the Hudson River begins from Lake Tear of the Clouds high in the Mountains and flows to NYC. The Hudson River Gorge near Indian Lake is where the power of the river flowing off the mountains has carved out 500-foot granite cliffs. Class III and IV rapids are the most common in the fall, thanks in part to scheduled dam releases. Indian Lake is about 90 minutes south of Lake Placid.
