A Classic Adirondack Lodge Vacation, New York

The Trip

Sample all that a vacation in the Adirondacks has to offer. From the comforts of our historic lodge, we will explore the largest state park in the Lower 48 and the unparalleled opportunities it offers for outdoor recreation. Spend a week paddling crystal clear lakes and streams, hiking, swimming, checking out mountain bike trails, enjoying challenging whitewater rafting on the headwaters of the Hudson River, and visiting the grandest of the Adirondack “Great Camps,” Camp Santononi.

Adirondack Park includes more than 10,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, and over 100 mountain summits with a wide variety of habitats, including wetlands and old-growth forests. Many areas within the park are devoid of settlements and distant from usable roads. There are over 2,000 miles of hiking trails, which comprise the largest trail system in the nation. With lakes, ponds, and rivers connecting to canoe trails, it offers some of the longest and best paddling trails in the nation.

The Adirondack Park was created in 1892 by the State of New York amid concerns for the water and timber resources of the region. At six million acres, it is larger than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks combined. The park contains the largest protected wilderness area east of the Mississippi and is the largest National Historic Landmark.

Nearly half of the park belongs to the people of the State of New York and is constitutionally protected as a "forever wild" forest preserve. The remaining half is private land with nearly 130,000 year-round residents living in the small towns and rural areas inside the park.

The following activities will be offered by the outing. With the excepton of the whitewater rafting trip on the Hudson, the exact schedule of all other activities will be determined by the weather.

Day 1: On the afternoon of our first day, we’ll settle in, unpack, and unwind from our travels. We’ll enjoy a welcoming dinner, get acquainted, and have an orientation.

Day 2: We have a choice of a moderate hike (5 miles) to the East Branch of the Sacandaga or a steady, pleasant 8.2-mile climb up Peaked Mountain to Peaked Mountain Pond, which sits below the mountain’s rocky cone. We will enjoy our lunch at a scenic spot then return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 3: We will take a 17-mile rafting trip on the headwaters of the Hudson River. Our schedle is designed to use a water release from Indian Lake that gives us a solid Class III journey. We’ll travel through an area so remote that an abandoned rail bridge is the only sign of habitation. Our guides will provide commentary on the history, geology, and wildlife of the area. Lunch on the banks and some pauses for a swim will round out the day.

Day 4: Today we will paddle the Cedar River Flow. You have your choice of a canoe or kayak trip. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, the Cedar River rises at the outlet of Cedar Lakes and flows mortheast. There are plenty of birds on and around the Flow, providing great opportunities for bird and wildlife watching. We will stop for lunch on a sandy beach.

Day 5: We will take the shuttle to Camp Santanoni, once a private estate of approximately 13,000 acres, and now the property of the state. A residential complex of about 45 buildings completed in 1893, it is now a National Historic Landmark. From the gatehouse, we will bike 4.9 miles down a peaceful, wide dirt and carriage road through the woods to the main complex. Once we arrive, we can picnic, swim, and complete our tour of the historic buildings. We will return to the lodge for our last night’s dinner together. 

Day 6: We can hike down to Garnet Hill Beach, where we can swim or take out a canoe or kayak. Another offering is a Balm of Gilead hike of 2.2 miles that takes us to a magnificent cliff overlooking Thirteenth Lake and the mountains beyond. We will enjoy a buffet lunch at Garnet Hill Lodge before we say our goodbyes and depart.

Getting There

The lodge is located about 250 miles north of New York City, a five-hour drive. The nearest airport is in Albany, NY, about 100 miles from the lodge. Shuttle service can be arranged to and from Granet Hill Inn at an additional charge.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Garnet Hill is a classic Adirondack lodge overlooking the clear waters of Thirteenth Lake near North River, NY. Located in the Central Adirondacks, the lodge (or Log House as it is known) is reminiscent of an Adirondack Great Camp. The original structure, built in 1936, offers a casual, friendly atmosphere. The current owners purchased the inn and 550 acres in 2015 and have invested in renovating and remodeling to combine the rustic charm of the historic lodge with comfortable, modern amenities. A huge stone fireplace with inviting seating areas entices guests to relax and unwind. There are hiking trails and opportunities to swim, paddle, bike...or just settle into an Adirondack chair on the front lawn and enjoy the views. Five nights' lodging in double occupancy rooms is included in the trip price. There is a surcharge for single rooms.

We will enjoy freshly prepared, hearty country cuisine from the inn’s restaurant. The trip cost includes five breakfasts, five lunches, and five dinners. A hot and cold breakfast buffet is served daily. We will make our own lunches to take with us. Dinner buffets will offer three entrée choices, including a vegetarian option. We can gather on the front lawn to watch the sunsets and enjoy a bonfire and marshmallow roast after dinner.

Trip Difficulty

The trip is intended to be an introduction to the Adirondacks for beginning and less experienced hikers, bikers, and paddlers. Our guides will offer a choice of moderate or more challenging activities each day. Moderate hikes will be 2-5 miles and take 1-3 hours. Challenging hikes will be over 8 miles and take 7 hours. You can take gentle trails on mountain bikes or try some of the more challenging ones. You can choose to canoe or kayak on our excursion to the Cedar River Flow. This is a gentle stream, and the paddling will not be difficult.

Equipment and Clothing

You will need to pack a variety of clothing for our different activities. A complete list will be sent to confirmed participants by the leader in advance of the trip. All equipment will be provided, including mountain bikes, canoes and kayaks. You are welcome to bring your own mountain bike.

References

• www.garnet-hill.com

• The Adirondack Mountain Club offers resources at www.adk.org

Conservation

We will learn about the conservation concerns and issues in the Adirondack Park region and the organizations working to protect the Park.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.