Backpacking in the Adirondacks

We had originally planned to hike up Mount Marcy, New York’s high point, as a backpacking trip. After studying the map and guidebook, we have decided to do it as a long, almost 15 mile, day hike. Since we don’t have plans for another overnight trip, and therefore wouldn’t have a personal experience to relate, I wanted to share what we learned about backpacking in the Adirondacks.

A typical lean-to

This is almost a perfect time of year for backpacking in the Adirondacks. The nights are cool and the days are pleasantly warm, but not hot. And it is past black fly season. There are regulations, of course, for backcountry camping. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation manages Adirondack Park and, like their name implies, their job is to conserve and preserve this great wilderness area.

Campsite on Copperas Pond

Generally, the guidelines are typical of those found at most National Park and National Forest areas. Camping is permitted anywhere so long as it is 150 feet from roads, trails, lakes, ponds, streams, etc. There are some designated camping areas adjacent to lakes and ponds. A permit is required for stays of longer than 3 days in any one area or for large groups. Pets are allowed, but they must be kept under control and their waste must be buried. Different rules apply for the High Peaks Region. There is no camping permitted above 4000 feet (above tree line) and camping between 3500 and 4000 feet is at designated camping areas only. Food must be stored in bear canisters during spring, summer, and fall in the High Peaks Region. There are lean-tos, or shelters, scattered about the park. These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and they cannot be used exclusively by a single group.

Campsite on Owen Pond

In our hiking we have seen several lean-tos and several backcountry camp sites. The lean-tos are very similar to those 3-sides shelters along the Appalachian Trail. These have a peaked roof with very little overhang in the front. They are a log structure with a sleeping platform which will accommodate about 6. The ones we’ve seen have been very clean. There is a rule here that forbids the use of a tent inside the lean-to. I guess they saw me coming.

The designated camping areas we have seen vary widely. Some are very nice with large flat areas to pitch a tent on root-free, soft ground, covered with pine needles. Others have been rock and root littered on slops a goat couldn’t stand on.

This is too rocky and not level enough for me.

While hiking, we always look around for a good camping spot. It’s an affliction we have that goes back many years. As we are hiking here we are again on the lookout for a great place to pitch a backpacking tent. Of course we haven’t done a lot of hiking here, but were we’ve been, we haven’t seen hardly any campsite we would consider suitable other than the designated camping sites. This may be due to the fact that we are hiking in or near the high peaks region and the trails are on steep mountainsides. Also, this has been an unusually wet season with rain just about everyday. The few areas that are flat enough for a campsite are too wet to use.

Still, this is a beautiful area for the backpacker with many lean-tos and designated camping areas provided just for your enjoyment.