High Peaks Wilderness Area
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High Peaks Wilderness Area | |
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Keene Valley, NY | |
Coordinates | 44°11′25″N 74°01′37″W / 44.19028°N 74.02690°W |
Area | 275,460 acres (1,114.7km2) |
Governing body | New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |
The High Peaks Wilderness Area is the largest
Geography
It is roughly bounded on the north by
There is one significant inholding: the
The area includes 112 bodies of water on 1,392 acres (5.6 km2), 238.4 miles (383.5 km) of foot trails, 52.3 miles (84.1 km) of horse trails, and 84 lean-tos. The area contains 42 of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks, including the tallest, Mount Marcy.
The topography ranges from small areas of low-lying swampland (e.g., along the Raquette and Saranac Rivers) to the highest point in New York State at the top of Mount Marcy. Although there is a considerable variety of topography, it is predominantly high mountain country. Like the topography, the forest cover also varies from pole-size hardwoods to mature, large diameter hardwood and softwood stands to the spruce-fir of the subalpine region.
Forest
Forest fires near the turn of the century were intense enough in some locations, such as the Cascade Range, to destroy both vegetation and topsoil, leaving bare rock which will require many more years for enough soil to develop to support a forest cover. However, the greater part of this area is predominantly forested with mixed hardwoods and softwoods. The higher elevations at and near most mountain tops have thick stands of stunted balsam with some spruce, white birch and yellow birch. The tops of Mount Marcy and Algonquin are above the timberline and a number of other mountain tops are at or close to timberline. The subalpine and alpine vegetation on the tops of these mountains has been of interest to many people, including students of botany, ecology and zoology, as well as recreationists willing to hike to the mountain tops for superb views of the High Peaks region and close observation of unique plant associations. [citation needed]
Water
Many streams cascade from the mountain slopes, providing numerous scenic waterfalls, deep pools and brook trout fishing opportunities. Such streams as the Opalescent River, Johns Brook, Klondike Brook, Marcy Brook, Cold River and Moose Creek are frequently photographed. Lake Tear of the Clouds, often considered the source of the Hudson River, lies at about 4,300 feet (1,311 m) elevation on a flank of Mount Marcy.
Recreation
This wilderness area is the most popular destination in the park. In the summer, the area offers numerous opportunities day
Hikers and mountaineers probably outnumber all other groups. Ski touring and snowshoeing throughout the area, particularly the northeast sector, have been on the increase in recent years. Winter mountaineering and winter camping continue to be highly popular.[4]
Hiking
In addition to hundreds of miles of maintained trails, the area features a number of unmaintained trails, particularly to the summits of
The range trail, which traverses a series of mountain summits known as the
Wanika Falls, Indian Falls, Indian Pass, the Duck Hole,[5][6] Avalanche Pass, and Panther Gorge,[7] are also popular hiking destinations.
Climbing
The area contains many cliffs that are popular for rock climbing, including Cascade Lakes, Wallface Mountain, and Avalanche Pass. In the winter, Avalanche Pass and the trap dike on Mount Colden are popular destinations.
Skiing
Many trails are suitable for cross-country skiing and numerous rock slides offer backcountry opportunities for alpine and telemark skiing as well as snowboarding. Avalanches occur in this region, requiring winter visitors to take appropriate precautions.
Canoeing
The Adirondack Canoe Route, which runs ninety miles from Old Forge to Saranac Lake, parallels the western boundary of the Wilderness Area for 23 miles (37 km) along the eastern shores of Long Lake and the Raquette River; this section of the Canoe Route forms a part of the HPWA.[8] Although the generally steep terrain limits access to most water features within the HPWA, the Cascade Lakes, Henderson Lake, and the Cold River are popular destinations at the edge of the wilderness. It is possible to access the Preston Ponds and Duck Hole by a long carry from Henderson Lake.
Special regulations
Heavy use at the end of the 20th century led New York's
Public access
Road access is possible from all sides of the wilderness area. It is possible to reach the western portion by canoe or kayak from Long Lake and the Cold River.[citation needed]
See also
- List of Wilderness Areas in the Adirondack Park
References
- ^ Annie Stoltie, Lisa Bramen French and Niki Kourofsky Explorer's Guide Adirondacks (Eighth Edition) (Explorer's Complete), p. 39, at Google Books
- New York Magazine New York Magazine, 30 May 1977, p. 72, at Google Books
- ^ Ahearn, Molly. "Johns Brook Lodge". Adirondack Mountain Club. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- Adirondack Park Agency. Archived from the original(PDF) on 21 September 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "NPT - Cold River & Duck Hole". www.cnyhiking.com. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ "Duck Hole from Upper Works - 10/12/14". Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ Wechsler, Alan. "Panther Gorge: The Remote Adirondack Moderate Mecca You've Never Heard Of". Climbing Magazine. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ NY DEC High Peaks Wilderness Complex Unit Management Plan
- ^ "Bear Resistant Canister Regulation - NYS Dept. Of Environmental Conservation". Archived from the original on 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
- ^ Lynch, Mike (7 June 2016). "Adirondack camping destinations for canoe, kayak trip: 8 places to stay". newyorkupstate. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- Adirondack Park Agency. "Adirondack State Land Master Plan", Updated 2001.