The Hiking Blog

The High Point Carriage Road at Minnewaska

Posted on by Steve Aaron

In the last days of August, the High Point Carriage Road, a historic 2.8-mile piece of the Minnewaska State Park’s carriage road network, officially re-opened to the public. On September 1, my friend Brian and I set out to explore the new road on bicycles.

Smiley Carriage Road
Smiley Carriage Road

We started at the Minnewaska parking area and rode on the Upper Awosting Carriage Road to Lake Awosting. From Awosting, the Smiley Carriage Road would connect us with the new High Point road. Although I’m a frequent visitor to Minnewaska, this was my first cycling trip on the full length of the Smiley Carriageway that was restored a few years ago.

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Tagged: Biking, Gunks, Hiking8 Comments

Hudson Highlands State Park Hike

Posted on by Peter Minde

On an odd Sunday in July, I wasn’t working for a change, and the weather was good. After having driven through three monsoons in five days, I was ready for a day in the woods. I kicked around various destinations, including the Schaeffer trail up Gore, and the Taconic Hereford multiple use area.

view of West Point
West Point from the Hudson Highlands

Waking up at 6:30 put the kibosh on Gore. Decades ago, I’d climbed Breakneck Ridge near Cold Spring NY, and as I finished my coffee, I decided I’d check out Hudson Highlands State Park.

I followed my nose to a small trailhead just off Route 301 outside Cold Spring. Unloader brace? Check. Heart rate monitor? Check. Hydration vest? Check. Off we go.

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Tagged: Hiking, Hudson Highlands2 Comments

Saranac Ultra 6: The Longest Day in the ADK

Posted on by Ripitz

There is a bell that tolls in a small park in downtown Saranac Lake to acknowledge a great effort. It rings six times, once for each of the town’s surrounding peaks after they all have been climbed: Little Haystack, McKenzie, Scarface, Ampersand, St. Regis and Baker. Only the hearty souls who have climbed each peak should ring the bell.

Barkeater Inn
Barkeater Inn

Legend says that anyone who pulls the rope of the bell without first summiting the six mountains will fall prey to the Kiwassa Curse. The 30+ mile challenge is known as the Saranac Lake 6er and it can be done over a lifetime. If completed in 24 hours it’s known as the Saranac Ultra 6.

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Tagged: Adirondacks, Hiking14 Comments