Our dog Maddie is quite the hiking dog. So far she’s completed the Saranac 6er and Lake Placid 9er with us, and we’re part way through the ADK-9er and Fire Tower Challenge. It can be lots of fun hiking with your dog, just remember to properly prep with the right gear and enough water for a great day in the mountains. And consider your dog’s age, health, stamina and abilities when choosing your hike. Here’s our packing and prep list for taking Maddie on the trail with us.

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, 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.

Just like chicken noodle soup, a walk through the woods to a pond is good for the soul. It’s different from hiking to a mountain top. Not only are these hikes less strenuous, but having a lakeside destination is often much more serene and peaceful. Generally less human traffic. Low key. Usually forested walks. Great in summer if you’re looking to take a dip in the water. Good in the spring mud season when we need to avoid higher elevations — but be prepared with bug spray in black fly season. Ideally, try these trails in autumn to catch reflections of fall color in a crystal clear pond.

Whether you’re interested in trying a new activity or don’t want to haul all your sports equipment on vacay, there are plenty of great outfitters and rental shops to meet your needs. We recently did an overnight camping trip and rented gear, which worked out great. Here are our favorite outfitters and the sports gear they rent.

We get plenty of Airbnb guests up for a long weekend in Lake Placid. Sometimes two nights and often three nights. So here’s a suggested itinerary designed for first time visitors with 72 hours in town. This is good for May through October.

This fall we’re excited to host two groups of friends coming to visit Lake Placid. One couple will be here for a week in early September and another couple comes in late September. None of them have ever been to upstate New York or the Adirondacks, so I’ve started a menu of activity options for visitors to consider.

Three of our favorite hikes with less than 2,000 feet of elevation gain (but more than 1,500 feet of gain). These mountain hikes may not be as difficult as the 46 High Peaks, but they are plenty challenging for many hikers and offer great views. The designation of easy, moderate or hard is completely in the eye of the individual hiker. HYOH! Hike your own hike.

There are many reasons why you might be looking for a hike with less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Maybe you’re hiking with kids, dogs, or your parents. Maybe you’re a 46er looking for a nice sunset hike with some friends. Or, maybe you’re a novice and not quite ready to tackle the High Peaks. We all have to start somewhere. HYOH (hike your own hike). Here’s a list of nice hikes under 1,000 feet elevation gain.

The Lake Placid 9er challenge is an easy way to explore nearby hiking trails, all of which are dog-friendly. If you’re just starting this challenge or only have time for one or two hikes, here are a few of my favs.