I would like to come to the Adirondack Park during the 1st week of October. What locations would you recommend for fall color.
I am also interested in the waterfalls in the park.
Best time to come, Bernie! You don't say whether you like major hikes and climbing, so I'll start with the easy stuff. Route 86 between Lake Placid and Wilmington is the most beautiful road in the world, IMO. Lots of places to pull over or into, including Connery Pond, Little Cherry Patch Pond, and (beyond Whiteface ) the Wilmington Wild Forest. On Route 73 pull into the Adirondak Loj Road (sic) for stunning views of the High Peaks. Down this road you reach the Loj Visitors Center to park. You pay for parking (cheaper if you're an ADK member) but you can also stock up on supplies (food, maps, gear, bug spray, etc.) and use restrooms. Here you also start on the big hikes but also to lesser ones such as to Marcy Dam (gorgeous in fall) and Heart Lake. For Waterfalls I suggest buying the book Adirondack Waterfalls; some are more accessible than others.
The area around Indian Lake/Blue Mountain Lake is also worth checking out, especially Lake Durant near where Rts 28 and 30 meet.
In Lake Placid itself you can get good pictures simply walking around Mirror Lake, especially late afternoon. And if you want pictures from heights without having to climb Whiteface, the gondola ride takes you to the top. One word of caution here!!! Whiteface has Oktoberfest each year, could be last weekend of Sept or first of October. It doesn't impact the rest of the community but if you wanted to get close to WF in that way, that's a time to avoid. OH WATERFALLS!!! It's worth paying the entrance fee to High Falls Gorge, which is on the left side going from Lake Placid to Wilmington. Yikes, can't remember whether before or after entrance to WF.
If you plan to stay in motels (rather than camping out) contact me for suggestions. Also if you want to see the most humongous waterfall in St. Lawrence County; a bit out of the way, but well worth it. Any other specific Qs. just contact me. If I don't have the answer (esp. if it's re: camping or climbing), my son does and I can ask him.
If you want, you can check my website fo a few shots I have from the ADKs.
If you are camping the NYS campground in Wilmington Notch (on Rt. 86) is still open in leaf season and one of the most spectacular waterfalls is right next to it http://jimbullard.zenfolio.com/p760197710/h12d9900b#h12d9900b. You don't want to suffer from vertigo though.The best view from a rocky nub that is a shear drop to the river.
Going West on the Northway (I-87) shortly after getting on Rt. 73 is an intersection with Rt. 9. Take that for a few miles to Split Rock Falls before proceeding on the High Peaks. It is right by the road. Be careful though. It has a bit of reputation as a dangerous place although people swim there in summer when the water is lower.
The stretch of Rt. 73 from the Northway to Lake Placid is ripe with photo opportunities any time of year but especially in autumn. Chapel Pond, Roaring Brook Falls and the Cascade Lakes are all right next to the road. This waterfall http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbullard/5790817496/in/set-72157626811484188/ comes off the side of Cascade Mt. just above the day use area between the two Cascade Lakes but before you get as far up 73 (and I do mean UP) as the Lakes, watch for a left turn onto Owl's Head Way. Just a few turns up that dirt road is a parking area and trailhead to Owl's Head Peak which looks out across Keene Valley with views of Hurricane Mt., Giant of the Valley, Little Porter, Porter, Cascade and across the highway, Pitchoff Mt. Again, great any time of year. The climb is only 0.6 mile and a few hundred feet.
You might also want to try wandering the roads around Jay (home of Adirondack Life magazine). It can be quite spectacular in the fall. Heck, it's all beautiful.
Discussion
2 repliesI am also interested in the waterfalls in the park.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks
Bernie
The area around Indian Lake/Blue Mountain Lake is also worth checking out, especially Lake Durant near where Rts 28 and 30 meet.
In Lake Placid itself you can get good pictures simply walking around Mirror Lake, especially late afternoon. And if you want pictures from heights without having to climb Whiteface, the gondola ride takes you to the top. One word of caution here!!! Whiteface has Oktoberfest each year, could be last weekend of Sept or first of October. It doesn't impact the rest of the community but if you wanted to get close to WF in that way, that's a time to avoid. OH WATERFALLS!!! It's worth paying the entrance fee to High Falls Gorge, which is on the left side going from Lake Placid to Wilmington. Yikes, can't remember whether before or after entrance to WF.
If you plan to stay in motels (rather than camping out) contact me for suggestions. Also if you want to see the most humongous waterfall in St. Lawrence County; a bit out of the way, but well worth it. Any other specific Qs. just contact me. If I don't have the answer (esp. if it's re: camping or climbing), my son does and I can ask him.
If you want, you can check my website fo a few shots I have from the ADKs.
Going West on the Northway (I-87) shortly after getting on Rt. 73 is an intersection with Rt. 9. Take that for a few miles to Split Rock Falls before proceeding on the High Peaks. It is right by the road. Be careful though. It has a bit of reputation as a dangerous place although people swim there in summer when the water is lower.
The stretch of Rt. 73 from the Northway to Lake Placid is ripe with photo opportunities any time of year but especially in autumn. Chapel Pond, Roaring Brook Falls and the Cascade Lakes are all right next to the road. This waterfall http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbullard/5790817496/in/set-72157626811484188/ comes off the side of Cascade Mt. just above the day use area between the two Cascade Lakes but before you get as far up 73 (and I do mean UP) as the Lakes, watch for a left turn onto Owl's Head Way. Just a few turns up that dirt road is a parking area and trailhead to Owl's Head Peak which looks out across Keene Valley with views of Hurricane Mt., Giant of the Valley, Little Porter, Porter, Cascade and across the highway, Pitchoff Mt. Again, great any time of year. The climb is only 0.6 mile and a few hundred feet.
You might also want to try wandering the roads around Jay (home of Adirondack Life magazine). It can be quite spectacular in the fall. Heck, it's all beautiful.