High Peaks Wilderness Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids High Peaks Wilderness Area |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
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 High Peaks Wilderness Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Adirondack Park New York USA |
| Nearest city | Keene Valley, NY |
| Area | 192,685 acres (779.8 km2) |
| Governing body | New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |
The High Peaks Wilderness Area is a huge natural area in New York State. It's the biggest protected forest in the Adirondack Park. This special place spreads across three counties and six towns. It's a wilderness where nature is kept wild and beautiful.
Contents
Exploring the High Peaks Wilderness
This wilderness area is a very large and important part of the Adirondack Park. It covers a huge space, almost 193,000 acres! You can find it in different towns like Harrietstown, North Elba, and Long Lake. It's a place where nature is protected.
Where is the High Peaks Wilderness?
The High Peaks Wilderness has clear boundaries. To the north, it's bordered by roads like NY 3 and NY 73. Private lands also help form its edges. On the west, it meets Long Lake and the Raquette River.
Inside this wilderness, there's a special spot called Johns Brook Lodge. It's a cabin and campsite run by the Adirondack Mountain Club. You can reach it by hiking about 3.5 miles from the "Garden" parking area.
This area is home to 112 lakes and ponds. It also has over 238 miles of hiking trails. There are 84 lean-tos, which are simple shelters for campers. The wilderness contains 42 of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks. This includes Mount Marcy, which is the tallest mountain in New York State!
The land here changes a lot. You can find low, wet swampy areas. But mostly, it's high mountain country. The forests also vary. Some parts have young trees, while others have very old, tall trees.
Forests and Trees
In some places, like the Cascade Range, big forest fires happened a long time ago. These fires were so strong they burned away the soil. Now, these spots are mostly bare rock. It will take many years for new soil and forests to grow there.
Most of the area is covered by mixed forests. These have both hardwood trees (like oak) and softwood trees (like pine). At higher elevations, near mountain tops, you'll find thick, short balsam fir trees. There are also some spruce and birch trees.
The very tops of Mount Marcy and Algonquin are above the tree line. This means no trees can grow there because it's too high and cold. The plants on these mountain tops are very special. Scientists and hikers love to study them. These unique plants are important and need to be protected.
Waterways and Waterfalls
Many streams flow down the mountain slopes. They create beautiful waterfalls and deep pools. These streams are great for fishing for brook trout. Some famous streams include the Opalescent River and Johns Brook.
Lake Tear of the Clouds is a small lake high up on Mount Marcy. Many people consider it the very beginning of the Hudson River. It's a cool fact that such a big river starts in this wilderness!
Fun Things to Do in the Wilderness
The High Peaks Wilderness is the most popular spot in the Adirondack Park. Lots of people visit it every year.
In the summer, you can go hiking on many trails. You can also go backpacking and camp overnight. Rock climbing is another exciting activity. Some areas are also good for canoeing.
When winter comes, the area changes. You can go ice climbing on frozen waterfalls. Skiing, snowshoeing, and mountaineering are also popular.
Hikers and mountain climbers are the most common visitors. In winter, more and more people are enjoying ski touring and snowshoeing. Winter camping and mountaineering are also very popular activities.
Hiking Adventures
There are hundreds of miles of trails in the High Peaks. Some trails are well-kept, while others are less maintained. You can even climb up natural landslides on some mountains.
Many trails connect to other areas, like the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. This allows for longer trips into the backcountry. The Northville-Placid Trail, which is 138 miles long, crosses through this wilderness.
The "Great Range" trail is thought to be the most beautiful and challenging trail in New York. It goes over eight mountain peaks that are more than 4,000 feet tall. The western parts of the wilderness are less crowded than the Mount Marcy area.
Other popular hiking spots include Wanika Falls, Indian Falls, and Avalanche Pass.
Climbing Challenges
The wilderness has many cliffs perfect for rock climbing. Popular spots include Cascade Lakes and Wallface Mountain. In winter, Avalanche Pass and the Trap Dike are popular for ice climbing.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Many trails are great for cross-country skiing. Some rock slides offer exciting opportunities for alpine and telemark skiing. You can also go snowboarding in the backcountry. Be careful though, avalanches can happen here in winter. Always take safety steps!
Canoeing and Paddling
The Adirondack Canoe Route is a long water trail. It runs for 90 miles from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. About 23 miles of this route runs along the western edge of the High Peaks Wilderness.
Most of the wilderness has steep land, making it hard to reach many lakes. But the Cascade Lakes and Henderson Lake are popular places for canoeing. You can even carry your canoe to the Preston Ponds and Duck Hole.
Rules for Visiting
Because so many people visit this area, special rules are in place. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation manages the wilderness. They have some of the strictest rules for any of their protected lands.
The area is split into two zones: eastern and western. In the eastern zone, which is visited more often, backpackers must follow rules. For example, groups can only be a certain size. You also need to fill out a trip ticket and carry it with you.
Dogs must always be on a leash. Since 2005, all campers staying overnight must carry a bear canister for their food. This helps keep bears and people safe. Also, campfires are not allowed in the Eastern High Peaks region.
Getting to the Wilderness
You can reach the High Peaks Wilderness by road from all sides. If you like paddling, you can also get to the western part of the wilderness by canoe or kayak. You can start from Long Lake and the Cold River.
Images for kids
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The High Peak Information Center at the end of Adirondack Loj Road in North Elba, Essex County, New York
