The High Peaks wilderness in the Adirondacks is some of the most pristine forest on the east coast of the United States.
It is just one section, albeit the largest section, of the Adirondacks with thousands of visitors weekly all in search of the same thing. Big views and the ultimate bucket list goal of summiting all 46 of the High Peaks.
What are the high peaks?
The High Peaks, located in Essex and Franklin Counties, are the 46 highest peaks in the Adirondacks. Each peak is over 4,000 feet.
You don’t have to go for the peak bagging, though that is the biggest draw and on the bucket list of many. There are other trails, such as the Indian Pass Trail, the first trail explored in this region. A beautiful and quiet alternative.
For a full listing of the high peaks check out this website.
What you need before you go
If you are planning a multiday trip to the High Peaks region there are a few things you should consider and prepare for before you go.
Safety in the High Peaks Wilderness
Cell service is spotty, so make sure to bring a map of the Adirondacks along with you. The trails are marked but sometimes it can be a challenge to see them as they are spaced pretty far apart and, on some trails, they are on one side of the tree but not the other, so depending on the direction your going could be more or less challenging.
A bear canister is required for overnights in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness between April 1st and November 30th. You can purchase your own or rental one from the Adirondack Loj.
If you plan to purchase a bear proof container yourself, it is recommended, for this particular area, to avoid clear plastic canisters. The bears in this particular area have figured out how to break into these canisters. They are fine for other areas in the Adirondacks as well as the Catskills.
Backcountry Camping
Campsites and lean-tos along the trail are first come first serve. So, some of the busy areas, like Marcy Dam, fill up fast. Though I was surprised to see how many individual campsites there were just past Marcy Dam. There are also outhouses around this area as well.
Traveling with Pets
Traveling with your dog? Make sure to bring their rabies tags and a copy of their vaccination history. It is required. A couple of areas in this region that does not allow dogs, such as Dial, Nippletop, Colvin, Blake, and Sawteeth. There are also trails that do not allow dogs at the approach.
There are suggestions on which trails may be a bit too long for your furry friends and those that may be too rocky and rugged. I will say, we took our 25-pound dog up Algonquin and he did amazingly well. But for more information to help you determine which trails might be too much for your dog make sure to check out Adirondack.net, they break it down really well.
Directions and Parking Information
The Adirondack Loj is located in North Elba, Essex County just outside of Lake Placid. This lodge is a good starting point for entry into the High Peaks Wilderness as it has a hiker parking lot and the trails branch out from there.
Address: 1002 Adirondack Loj Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946
Hiker parking lot at the Heart Lake Program Center fees: $7 for members and $15 for nonmembers per day. After 1pm the rates drop to $3 and $6, respectively. Weekly rates as well as season passes are also available.
There are multiple pull offs along Route 73 connecting to various trails that lead to the different high peaks. If you are going to start from here and plan to do a multiday hike you will need your own bear canister.
Also, bear in mind that these pull off areas fill up quickly and if they are full it is recommended that you find another parking area, instead of lining up down the road.
Backcountry information
No matter which trail you choose, you are likely to find a lean-to. They are first come first serve, like I said, and you will need to potentially share with others. In general, though the area around the lean-tos also tend to have space for a tent.
You should not rely strictly on the ability to stay in a lean-to. Especially during the peak summer season. Always bring a tent or a hammock.
There are also no fires permitted in this area, so be sure to have a cannister stove if you plan to cook your meals or have a morning coffee. I have the Olicamp Ion Micro Titanium Stove and have been extremely happy with it.
There are plenty of rivers and streams but be sure to filter your water with a good filtration system. You will need at least 2L of water a day. More during the hotter seasons.
Always, carry extra clothing and a first aid kit. You never know what is going to happen out there and with spotty cell service it can be challenging to call for help.
Hunting is allowed in certain areas of the park, depending on the time of the year, so keep in mind that you may encounter people with firearms or bows. You may even want to consider wearing a bit of orange, as well as your pets.
Ticks are always a concern as are mosquitos, so always bring bug spray or consider pre-treating your clothing with permethrin. I have had Lymes disease and trust me, it sucks.
Sunscreen is also a good idea. Once you get above treeline that sun can be fierce and you are extremely exposed at that point.
Finally, always check the weather before you go. The weather on top of a 4-5,000-footer can change in an instant and being that it is so exposed you can easily get stuck in a storm on top. Make sure you check multiple times before you go.
How many peaks can you bag in a day?
Depending on the trail you take and how many miles you can put in on a given day, you could get as many as 3 peaks in one day. The trail to Algonquin Peak, New York’s second highest peak, also offers the option of summiting both Wright Peak and Iroquois Peak.
Mount Marcy also has that option, but that would be a long day, so maybe plan that one as a two day stretch if you want to bag 3 peaks on that loop. This includes Mount Skylight and Gray Peak.
Recommended hiking trails
Just to get you started, this is by no means meant to be the only hikes you should consider, I would recommend these two for peak bagging and then one other if you just want to get out into the woods for a good hike away from others.
Algonquin Peak Loop through Avalanche Pass
This one is a favorite of mine. It’s a tough day, but totally worth it. I recommend you head towards Avalanche Lake, through Avalanche Pass versus the other way around along Algonquin Trail. It’s an incredibly scenic hike with some technical hiking sections.
You will also have the option, as I mentioned above, to bag 3 peaks that day. So, leave early and make sure to check the weather before you go. For more information check out my post on How to Successfully Summit Algonquin Peak.
Mount Marcy Loop
Probably the most popular, particularly if you just want to summit New York’s highest peak. You do have the option of adding 2 other peaks to that, keeping in mind that it will be a very full and strenuous day. At Marcy Dam, there are lots of options to camp, the deeper you get into the woods, the fewer the options but there are still a few options.
If you are looking to get away from the crowds, this is not the trail for you. This is, by far, the most crowded trail in the region.
So, if you plan to do this trail in a day, make sure to bring headlamps with you as you will liking be either starting or finishing the trail in the dark.
Indian Pass Trail
If you are not into peak bagging and are a bit of a history buff or are just looking for solitude, this is the trail for you. The hardest part of this trail is the actual pass, otherwise it’s a nice, fairly easy out and back hike.
It’s still a long trail, so if you want to hike the entire out and back, there are several lean-to sites along the way. It is the kind of trail where you won’t see a soul the entire day.
For more information on this hike check out my post on hiking the Indian Pass Trail.
Concluding Thoughts
This High Peaks wilderness is truly a special place, with options for everyone. But being prepared beforehand can help make or break a hike. With so many peaks to choose from this area can provide fantastic hiking for years to come.
