Hiking Farm To Forest in the Adirondacks, New York

The Trip

Immerse yourself in the colors of fall in the Champlain Valley of New York. This unique hiking trip loops its way through the forest to visit and dine at some of the area’s farms. This is an intermediate level hiking adventure covering 63 miles over 5 days. The terrain is mostly over rolling hills and low mountains with wonderful views. We will also hike along country roads, forest trails, and over farm-land. The average elevation gain is over 800 feet, with two days only gaining about 500-750 feet. We will soak up the scenery, history, local culture, and atmosphere of the area staying at a mix of accommodations -- two on Lake Champlain including the historic Essex Inn, a charming farm bed & breakfast, and three farm stays with more “rustic glamping” accommodations.

The New York State Legislation passed a law in 1885 for the preservation of forests which designated all state lands within certain counties in the Adirondacks and Catskills as Forest Preserve to be forever kept as wild forest lands. At over six million acres, the Adirondack Park in northern New York State established the largest park in the Lower 48 States. It remains one of the Northeast’s last great wildernesses. The Adirondack Park is larger than the combined acreage of Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon, and Great Smokies National Parks. The Adirondack Park contains a unique mixture of state-owned wild lands, including vast expanses of Wilderness, as well as private lands and towns and villages.

Indigenous people have been growing food, hunting, and fishing in the Adirondack region for over 10,000 years. Many different groups of people lived in and used the region as hunting and gathering grounds. Today, dairy is the primary agricultural industry in the region, with over 20,000 dairy cows producing 42 million gallons of milk a year. However, that sector is shrinking, and there is significant growth in vegetable, beef, and grain farms in the area.

There are approximately 1,300 farms in the Adirondack Park accounting for 6% of the total market share for agricultural products in NY state. Essex County is the primary agricultural area in the [1] Adirondack Park with 57,600 acres of farmland employing over 800 people and contributing about $13.5 million in revenue. A significant portion of farm sales are through direct marketing with many farms selling through Community Supported Agriculture shares (CSA’s), at markets, farm stores, a offering delivery, pick-up, and online ordering. On our trip we will learn about the efforts to keep local food available and to preserve the scenic vistas that farm land provides by making farming profitable and sustainable. 

This trip is a collaboration of Sierra Club with Adirondacks Hamlets to Huts (ADKH2H), and Champlain Area Trails (CATS). ADKH2H is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates, manages and promotes an internationally-acclaimed hamlet-to-hut system that fosters vibrant communities by advancing economic development, conservation and wellness. By joining Hamlets to Huts, we contribute to responsible and sustainable tourism as we enjoy the region’s natural treasures and support small town economies and employment for local residents.

Our 7-day/6-night hike begins in historic Westport at our comfortable double occupancy shared accommodations at the Lakeside Motel directly on Lake Champlain on the Adirondack Coast. Tuesday check in is 3 pm and we’ll gather 5 pm for our introductory meet and greet, followed by our welcome dinner and talk by the Executive Director of Champlain Area Trails (CATS). We will hopefully have another guest speaker as well later in the week who will join us hiking with the group for the day. 

Wednesday morning begins our hiking adventure. We will cover 63 miles over the next 5 days carrying only a daypack, while our luggage is transported for us to our daily destination. On Sunday we will complete the loop by returning to Westport. Our stay that night is the DaCy Meadow Farm Bed & Breakfast. After a hearty breakfast Monday morning it will be time to say our goodbyes.

Below outlines our proposed itinerary. Please keep in mind this may be subject to change based upon the weather and other factors contributing to the group’s safety.

Day 1: Meet at the Lakeside Motel in Westport, NY. Check-in beginning at 3pm, At 5:00 PM we’ll gather for our group meet & greet followed by our Welcome dinner. All meals are included from this dinner through breakfast Monday morning.

Day 2: We’ll hike 8.4 miles from Westport up and down Coon Mountain to Barred Owl Brook Farm. Elevation gain is approximately 936 feet. The views of Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains in Vermont from Coon Mountain are fantastic. This will be our first comfy and cozy “rustic glamping” experience. Each glamping tent is complete with comfortable cots, a table, and some lighting. Bathrooms are outhouse style. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag.

Day 3: Today we hike 15.2 miles and gain elevation of 775 feet from Barred Owl Brook Farm up along Split Rock Mountain, on country roads and through fields down into the quaint community of Essex, a national historic district recognized as one of the most charming towns in the Northeast. Today’s hike will afford us awesome views of Lake Champlain and all points east as we traverse the Split Rock Mountain ridge. We’ll also learn about the ecological importance of the Split Rock Wildway during our hike. Once we leave Split Rock Wild Forest, we’ll make our way north to Essex via one of Champlain Area Trails’ newest projects, the Essex Quarry. A fine dinner and comfortable shared accommodation at the exquisite Essex Inn, known as a crown jewel of the Adirondack coast, will be the much-deserved reward for our day’s travel.

Day 4: We hike 12.2 miles today from Essex to Willsboro (elev 475), where we spend the night glamping away at Old Orchard Place overlooking a grove of apple trees. Along the way we stop at Noblewood Park, considered one of the best birding sites in the Champlain Valley on Lake Champlain and travel up along the Bouquet River into town. Dinner this evening will be at Old Orchard Place, where we enjoy some of the finest pizza and eats to be found in the Champlain Valley.

Day 5: We skirt the Bouquet River and hike up and over North Bouquet Mountain as we make our way south from Willsboro to our final night “rustic glamping” at Echo Farm. We cover 10+ miles on this day, with 970 feet elevation, as we pass through a variety of enchanting landscapes. Dinner this evening is courtesy of the team at Farmstead Catering, who will treat us to a sumptuous meal defining Farm to Table “eating local.” 

Day 6: After a fresh-cooked breakfast at Echo Farm, we’ll hike over 14 miles and 930 feet of elevation to DaCy Meadow Farm just outside of Westport. We will stop for lunch in Wadhams at the local gem, The Dogwood Bread Company, before finishing our hiking loop at DaCy Meadow Farm, itself another slice of pastoral heaven, where we will once again be treated to amazing local, farm-fresh eats. We’ll spend the evening gathered around a campfire, recounting our trip’s adventures and stories.

Day 7: We enjoy one last, farm-fresh meal with an awesome breakfast at DaCy Meadow Farm before bidding all many thanks for good times shared and safe travels home!

Although this Trip provides comfortable lodging at the end of each day, this experience involves backcountry travel from one place of lodging to the next. You will be exposed to elements of the weather and terrain and must be clothed appropriately. The weather here in October could range from rainy and cool to sunny and warm. Trekkers must be sufficiently fit to ably hike the necessary distances from one place of lodging to the next. We will provide you with a clothing and gear list closer to the trip. We will also ask you to sign an ADKH2H Risk/Waiver of liability form.

Getting There

We meet the afternoon of day 1 at 3:00 p.m. at The Lakeside Motel in Westport, New York. The nearest airports are Burlington, VT -BTV (1 hour and 35 minutes) and Plattsburgh -PBG (small regional - 1 hour). Westport also has a train station with Amtrak service. New York City (with its three airports) and Boston are each about 4 ½ hours by car.

Participants are expected to provide their own transportation to and from our departure point, though we do encourage carpooling. Once participants are confirmed, we will share contact information so you can communicate about travel plans. We will arrange the logistics of parking and shuttling cars.

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations are varied to reflect the nature and feel of the Adirondacks, from experiencing the quaintness of the Lakeside Motel to the historic elegance of the Essex Inn to the rustic charm of glamping on small-scale farms. The two hotels are shared double occupancy rooms with private bath, the DaCy Farm B&B is mixed, and the “rustic glamping tents” sleep 2-5 people each. While we will try to accommodate individual preferences, depending on the composition of the group, we may have gender-neutral shared sleeping rooms and bathrooms. Couples traveling together may or may not have separate or shared rooms depending on the night. Leaders will work to arrange a single supplement for the hotels upon request. In Sierra Club true tradition and spirit, we ask that participants be flexible and enjoy the group experience.

Please be aware, in particular, that the Historic Essex Inn, in keeping with history and its’ charm, has only queen and king size beds. As such, we will arrange to the best of our ability to have inflatable mattresses and/or cots brought in. You will need to be flexible to determine who will get the bed vs. the cot OR decide to share the bed. Alternatively, you might opt for a single supplement for that night.

There will be electricity, flush toilets (though likely outside or down the hall at the B&B), and hot water for the three nights we spend at the places with “hard-sided” lodging.. Cell and WiFi service is limited/spotty in some places. Do not expect or depend on constant reliable cell or WiFi communication during the trip. You might want to bring a spare battery pack for your cell phone for photos, etc. as there is no electricity the nights we are glamping.

During our days out on the trails, rest rooms may be pit toilets, outhouses and, of course, the woods.

Our first group meal is dinner at Westport. Our last group meal is our “final” breakfast at the DaCy Meadow Farm. All meals are included in the trip price. We will provide some group snacks, but recommend you bring some of your own favorites.

Food will be varied, nutritious and plentiful. We will do our best to accommodate dietary needs, but those with allergies or challenging restrictions may be asked to bring or prepare some of their own food to supplement group food. Please discuss any food-related issues with the leader.

Meals will focus on local ingredients and at times a farm to table experience, that is varied, sustainable and nutritious. There will be plenty of food. If you wish, you can bring additional between-meal snacks. 

Trip Difficulty

This is an intermediate level hiking trip for experienced hikers in good health, Given the nature and mileage of the daily hikes, as listed in the itinerary above, stamina is required.

Prior to your acceptance as a participant in this trip, you will be asked to discuss your capabilities and experience with us. This trip is designed so everyone experiences our adventure through shared participation in activities and tasks in an organized group environment. Sierra Club travelers are known for cooperative efforts. Expectations are that all participants will be considerate of others sharing this Sierra Club Travel experience, arriving on time for scheduled activities, etc. As leaders our number one trip priority is to see that you have a wonderful and memorable experience and return home safely.

To fully enjoy this trip, you should be comfortable traveling in new areas. You should recognize you will find yourself in closer quarters and be less comfortable than you are used to at home. You should make it a priority to help others on the trip and contribute to their having a great time. If you do that and have an all-around good attitude and friendly, cooperative manner, you will have a great time.

In addition, you should be in proper condition for the challenges outlined above and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should always be aware of the risks involved and conduct yourself accordingly. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety.

Equipment and Clothing

You will need a day pack to carry your lunch and gear for the day. You will also need to bring reusable containers to carry your lunch. A waterproof, breathable jacket and waterproof, breathable rain pants are also a must.

You’ll need to be prepared for daytime temperatures in the 60s while nighttime temperatures can dip into the 40s. Quick-drying synthetic or wool clothing next to your skin and layers are best. For comfort and safety, avoid wearing cotton garments during outdoor activities. When wet, cotton becomes cold, does not wick moisture, and can contribute to hypothermia. Participants should have at least one warm extra layer for chilly evenings and mornings.

Footwear: Sturdy hiking shoes or boots, dry, comfortable shoes for camp, and flip flops for showering.

You will need to bring your sleeping bag for “rustic glamping” and a camp or quick dry towel.

The leaders will furnish a detailed clothing and equipment list to confirmed participants. If you have questions about what to bring, contact the leader.

A few sources for affordable outdoor clothing and gear (new and pre-owned):

• Patagonia Worn Wear https://wornwear.patagonia.com/
• REI Outlet https://www.rei.com/rei-garage
• Mountain Warehouse https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/us/

Health and Safety:

Your trip leaders have Wilderness First Aid certification and will carry a first aid kit. You should also carry your own comfort kit and daily medications in a waterproof container. At times during our trip, communications will be difficult, and rescue and advanced medical care will be two or more hours away. Anyone with limited mobility, cardiac or respiratory problems, asthma, diabetes or who needs to carry an EpiPen or special medications, must notify the leader and may be asked to submit clearance from your health care provider.

The area has a relatively low population of deer ticks and some poison ivy, with a few other poisonous or dangerous plants or animals. We will have access to potable water to refill our containers each day. You should not drink water directly from streams or lakes.

Weather

The main message about the Adirondacks is that weather will change -- wise outdoors people are prepared. Temperatures drop or rise, clear days turn stormy, and we can experience three or four seasons within 24 hours.  While we’ll check each day’s weather forecasts, it is important to carry an extra layer and rain gear when we are hiking. The average high in October is 66 degrees and the average low is 40 degrees.

• National Weather Service webpage (local conditions change)
• Weather averages - Adirondacks

COVID-19

We will adhere to applicable public health protocols. 

Hygeine

Personal hygiene and handwashing are essential. Carry sanitizing liquid/gel or wipes with you and wash hands with soap and water when they are available. Use appropriate measures (wash hands, use utensils) when preparing or handling food.

References

• Book: The Adirondacks: A History of America's First Wilderness, by Paul Schneider
• Website: Visit The Adirondacks: https://visitadirondacks.com/about/adirondack-park
• The Adirondack Mountain Club has good books and materials and an online store for gear, maps and guidebooks. www.adk.org tel: (800) 395-8080 or (518) 668-4447.
• Adirondack Park Interpretative Centers, Newcomb NY (518-582-2000, www.northnet.org/adirondackvic and Paul Smiths, NY (518-327-3000).
• Adirondack Experience, https://www.theadkx.org/, a private non-profit educational institution. Blue Mountain Lake NY (518-352-7311),
• Maps of Adirondack Park and adjacent areas where we will visit can be found on the New York State USGS quadrangles
• See also DeLorme Mapping Co.'s New York State Atlas and Gazetteer, which contain topographic maps of the entire state.

Area Attractions

• Ausable Chasm
• North Star Underground Railroad Museum
• Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown

Conservation

For this Sierra Club Outing, we are collaborating with Adirondacks Hamlets to Huts (ADKH2H), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that creates, manages and promotes an internationally-acclaimed hamlet-to-hut system that fosters vibrant communities by advancing economic development, conservation and wellness. By joining Hamlets to Huts, we contribute to responsible and sustainable tourism as we enjoy the region’s natural treasures and support small town economies and employment for local residents.

As always, we use the principles of responsible Leave No Trace minimal impact in the outdoors. The leaders will also encourage discussion of preservation and environmental issues of the Adirondacks. Invasive species, such as, Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels, and spiny waterfleas, pose a serious threat to lakes and rivers in the Adirondack Park; the wooly adelgid and the emerald ash borer pose a serious threat to hemlocks and ash trees, respectively; climate change lessens snow falls and ice overs on lakes, shortening winters and threatening the ecology; and hiking trails and campgrounds can be overused due to the popularity of the Adirondacks and their proximity to major metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada, including New York, Boston, Montreal, and Ottawa.

On the trip we will discuss ways to prevent invasives that damage tress (such as by not transporting wood from outside the area) and to always practice Leave No Trace principles.