Adirondack High Peaks
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The Adirondack High Peaks are a set of 46 mountain peaks in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, United States.
Name[]
The Adirondack High Peaks is the name given to 46 mountain peaks in the Adirondack Mountains that were originally believed to comprise all of the Adirondack peaks higher than 4,000 feet (1,219 m).[1] However, later surveying showed that four of the peaks in the group are actually under this elevation, and one additional peak that is close to this elevation had been overlooked. Due to tradition, no mountains were removed from or added to the group as a result of the revised elevation estimates.
Location[]
All except three are located in central and northern Essex County, primarily south of Lake Placid and Keene Valley. The others are just to the west in Franklin County. All the summits are on land owned by New York State as part of its Forest Preserve. Forty-two are in a vast tract of nearly 300,000 acres (1,200 km2) known as the High Peaks Wilderness Area, subdivided into central (26 peaks) and outer (16 peaks) zones. Nine of the peaks in the outer zone are in an area formerly known as the Dix Mountain Wilderness Area that was added to the High Peaks Wilderness in 2018.[2] Giant Mountain and Rocky Peak Ridge are in the adjacent Giant Mountain Wilderness Area. Whiteface Mountain, which has a downhill ski area and a toll road to its summit, and Esther Mountain are set slightly to the north, in Wilmington.
Ecosystems[]
Atop the highest peaks, above the tree line, there is a total of 87 acres (35 ha) of extraordinarily fragile alpine ecosystem; the amount of this ecosystem is constantly changing due to variation in the climate from year to year. Since this ecosystem above the treeline is extraordinarily fragile, it is extremely important to protect it. This is because, due to its elevation, this ecosystem may not be able to recover from any sort of harm.
The region contains many alpine lakes and meadows, wetlands, streams, and forests. The Eastern High Peaks Wilderness area is the most regulated area. Fires are not permitted; dogs must be leashed; overnight groups are limited to eight people and day groups to 15; and bear-resistant food canisters are required from April through November.
Camping is prohibited above any elevation greater than 4,000 ft on any of the Adirondack High Peaks.[3]
How to Reach the Summit of The High Peaks[]
Climbing neither Mount Marcy nor Algonquin Peak, the two highest of the High Peaks, requires technical skills, but Algonquin Peak is regarded as the more challenging climb. Twenty of the peaks have no official trail to the top, although rough informal routes, commonly referred to as "herd paths," have developed over the years. No true bushwhacking is required on any of the peaks, although some trails are still quite primitive.[4]
Alternatively, there is a road that leads to the summit of Whiteface Mountain called the Veterans' Memorial Highway. [5]
Those who have climbed all 46 High Peaks are eligible to join the Adirondack Forty-Sixers club.[6]
Mountain Ranges[]
There are many Mountain ranges within the High Peaks. The Dix Range includes five out of the forty-six High Peaks: Macomb, Grace Peak, South Dix, Hough, and Dix Mountain. The Great Range includes seven out of the forty-six High Peaks: Lower Wolfjaw, Upper Wolfjaw, Armstrong, Gothics, Saddleback, Basin, and Haystack. The Seward Range includes four out of the forty-six High Peaks: Seward, Donaldson, Emmons, and Seymour Mountain.[7] The MacIntyre Range includes four out of the forty-six High Peaks: Mount Marshall, Wright, Algonquin and Iroquois.[8] The Santanoni Range includes three out of the forty-six High Peaks: Santanoni Peak, Panther Peak, and Couchsachraga.
The High Peaks[]
Some surveys list MacNaughton Mountain at 4,000 feet (1,219 m), and some argue that it should be included in the High Peaks. However, more recent surveys list the mountain at 3,983 feet (1,214 m).[9]
See also[]
- Adirondack Park
- Catskill High Peaks
- Munro
- 4000 footers
- Northeast 111
- Quebec 1000 meter peaks
References[]
- ^ "Hiking Challenges: The Adirondack 46ers". Adirondack.net. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ "High Peaks Wilderness Area Unit Management Plan". New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
- ^ "Primitive Camping - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation". www.dec.ny.gov. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
- ^ "46 High Peaks". lakeplacid.com. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "Take a trip up the Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway". Whiteface Region. 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
- ^ "How to Join". ADk 46ers. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ "Seward Range : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost". www.summitpost.org. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
- ^ "The MacIntyre Range Hike". Outdoor Project. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
- ^ "MacNaughton Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2012-12-20.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Adirondack peaks. |
- Adirondack High Peaks
- Adirondacks
- Mountains of New York (state)
- Mountains of Essex County, New York
- Mountains of Franklin County, New York
- Tourist attractions in Essex County, New York
- Tourist attractions in Franklin County, New York
- Adirondack Park