Adirondacks 2002



	L A K E P L A C I D
	B i g g e r T h a n S o m e S t a t e s . . .
	After seven hours of toll roads and busy highways we were greeted by a much anticipated sign: "Entering Adirondack State Park". The Park is located in upstate New York. Encompassing about 6 million acres of land, the Adirondack Park is larger than Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park combined. The Park is approximately the same size as the State of New Hampshire. Although a state park, land is privately held within the park. Towns, villages and hamlets exist alongside 30,000 miles of rivers, streams and brooks as well as 2000 mountains within the park. The village of Lake Placid, home of the winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, was our first stop within the park.

	We checked-in to a small cabin near the eastern edge of Lake Placid and dropped off our suitcases. There was still another hour and a half of daylight left so we decided to stretch our legs by hiking up Cobble Hill. Definately more of a hill than a mountain, at 2443 feet in elevation it only took us about 25 minutes to reach the top. A better view can probably not be found for the effort involved. We were greeted back to the Adirondacks with a beautiful sky and sunset as we looked over the Lake Placid Valley. The High Peaks loomed to the south.
			The ski jumps in Lake Placid with Algonquin and Colden beyond. (click to enlarge)

	F o r t y - S i x S u m m i t s . . .
	Saturday morning we woke up early and headed to the trailhead for Cascade Mountain. We hoped to beat other hikers to the trailhead parking area along the edge of route 73. There are 46 mountains in the Adirondacks with peaks considered to be over 4,000 feet in elevation. Only 23 of the 46 highest have maintained trails to the top. An organization called the "Adirondack 46ers" or just "the 46ers" consists of hikers who have hiked to the summits of all forty-six peaks. Cascade Mountain is probably the most accessible 4000 footer which means the trailhead can be crowded on weekends and holidays.

	Apparently everyone else was sleeping in late because we didn't encounter more than three or four cars at the trailhead. The 3 hour hike to 4327 feet was very rewarding. There were great views in all directions from the open rocky summit of Cascade. We enjoyed the scenary and ate some food. It was a perfect day for hiking, 70 degrees and blue skies. We decided to do Porter Mountain while we were so close, it was just a 2.6 mile excursion from the side of Cascade Mountain. We had our lunch on the summit of Porter, also a 4000 footer (4127'). Looking back at Cascade Mountain we could see at least 20 hikers on the rocky summit. We were glad to have gotten an early start.
			Aaron and Katie on top of Cascade Mountain with the Great Range in the distance. (click to enlarge)

			Panoramic view from ledge on Cascade. (click to enlarge)

	B i r d i e s a n d M o u n t a i n s . . .
	We slept well Saturday night after our full day hiking, which was just a warm up for our three days of hiking to come. After making a tee time at the Lake Placid Resort we headed to the golf course. Katie walked along enjoying the scenary of "the Mountain Course" at the Resort while Aaron chased around a little white ball.

	The course itself was not spectacular, it was short with few hazards, but the 18 holes did live up their name... great views of the mountains to the south. Aaron played a decent round of golf, missing many makeable putts, and shooting an 83. Katie even teed the ball up several times and hit some shots. After our round of golf we headed to the main strip in Lake Placid to tour the shops and eat dinner. We ate well knowing that we would be needing the energy for our hike the next several days. Back at the cabin we spread our gear and food out over the bed. While watching the weather channel we packed our backpacks and loaded up the car. The forecast was for three days of 65 to 70 degree highs, 30 to 35 degree lows and a chance of thunderstorms on Tuesday. We both packed our rain pants in addition to our rain coats.
			Katie hits a 3-wood off the tee. (click to enlarge)

			Aaron hits a short iron to a par 3. (click to enlarge)
	Email us: aaronandkatie@aakt.com © 2002 by A. Holmes