Favorite Hikes/Campsites in the Adirondack region of NY?!?

Devin,

There are many hikes in that immediate area. You could hike into one of the lean-tos at the Marcy Dam and do Algonquin. Lake Colden is also a beautiful hike. By the way, my avatar is a view from the Marcy Dam.

Choosing one of the peaks in that area means you spend zero time in the car.

Here is a topo and terrain map of the area and the proximity of those peaks to Mt Marcy. I've hiked most of the peaks and you can't go wrong with any of them.

http://adirondack-park.net/topo/index.php?search=&zoom=14&lat=44.135591049388516&long=-73.94107818603516&map=topo&sel=&showResults=false&showSearch=true&shadePrivate=true

Here is a recent trip report (April 5th) of Mt. Colden:

http://adkforum.com/showthread.php?t=18418

Be prepared for snow. Here is a link to the latest snow depth reports in the area:

http://www.weatherstreet.com/city_snow_depth/12942-Keene-NY-snow-depth.htm

Finally, if you want the latest scoop of what's going on from a hiking standpoint, call the Mountaineer in Keene Valley. They know exactly what's going on and what you can expect.

http://www.mountaineer.com/

If you want to do a peak outside of that immediate area, let me know and I can provide other recommendations.

of the Mr Marcy area with the other mountains indicated:

Folks,

When do the bugs get bad?

Stephen, Generally, between late April to late September, hey, ha.
Kidding, but not by much. There are several bad hatches that happen up there and really difficult to say exactly when. A few degrees may mean a couple, three weeks.
Blackflies: Usually 2-3 weeks each side of mid-May to 2-3 weeks each side of the end of June. They MUST have bare skin to chew through. They can happen most anytimee in some areas, soo, count on very few most of the 3 season camping time. DEET slows them down since they will crawl around looking for a sweat gland to chew on. They like IR, ie warm things.
Mosquitoes: Pick up about mid-June and remain till cooler weather in late August. However, the first batch in spring are voracious often ignoring DEET. They can bite through a single layer, sometimes two layes of clothing. Some areas have a LOT, some areas have none. They like CO2.
Deerflies: Usually these are the hotter months. I have had CLOUDS of them attack me between July 15 and August 15. Wear a hat since they like high moving objects. DEET does not work on these. They like moving things.
Tic's, biting midges, no-see-ums, etc. These can crop up anytime. Mostly during July and August. But, I have had no-see-ums in late September.
Fleas: Sand fleas on the beaches in warmer months. They can get into your bag making it miserable for a couple weeks. Same for bed bugs, but these are usually found in forested/warmer areas.
Spiders, chiggers, etc. Usually not in early spring or late fall, but it has happened to me. I will get a line of bites along a leg…3,4 or 5 bites that itch like h#ll.
Latter September can have a minor black fly hatch. Minor I say…well, if you happen to be there, they are just as miserable as spring for a day or two.

Permethrin on clothing, DEET on skin as needed, seems to build up over two or three days, but washes off easily. Some evidence that 3-4 days unshowered helps, or, do not use soap of any kind. Plain water rinses help a lot with smelling but does NOT draw bugs. Dr Bonners seems to work as poorly as any other. Picarden helps for short term use. Some others also work short term. Smoke deters them all. Smokey campfires, pipes, cigars, or, cigarettes are good for detering them around your head. Tipped cigars are common but a source of messy trash. Using all these methodes I can usually head out comfortably anywhere the ADK's. Movement will help, keep on a'truckin' as they say.

The ADK's are not only the high peaks areas. Though people not living near there seem to concentrate in that area. This only comprises about 1/6-1/8 of the state park. Lots of hills, lots of water and swamps, lots of bear and other critters lots of hiking & paddling.
http://alavigne.net/Outdoors/FeatureReports/Adirondacks/index.jsp?navpage=overview
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adirondack_Park

James,

There is no way my wife will want to go if I show her this post:-)

THANKS SO MUCH!!

YOu think I will need to be prepared for snow at Heart Lake or just on the peaks?

Also, are there fees for camping? Like say I wanted to camp close enough to the car to be able to use it, what would i have to do to get a campsite like that and what is the best one for being near Marcy and the other peaks in that general area?

Thanks again!

Ha, ha…don't show her.

Before the white man came to America, there were few people that *lived* there. I cannot say that this has changed that much. It remains sparsely settled. Poor soil (all organic duff or rocks,) lack of good transportaion routes to/from potential markets ('cept rivers and streams and the valleys that were carved out,) then the park and rules & regs since the early 1900's. It is not for the faint hearted. Except the high peaks areas, it is uncommon to see many people out camping, deeper in the woods. Most are tourists that stay within 10 miles of the roads. Trees, and a lot of mixed wetlands, hills and such make it a beautiful hiking area with lots of critters & birds to watch, though.

I use a tarp, permethrin and DEET. Smoke is a fair repelant in camp. I go up there in bug season, usually after ice-out, and have recieved only 4-5 bites in a week. But, you need every trick in the book to keep things comfortable.

I think I will wait until September to visit :-)

September/October are, arguably, the best of seasons to be up there. Fewest bugs, if any following a cold snap. Still some foilage, good leaves, honking geese. But, not too many little creatures for the young'uns to find and play with.

Sounds great, its a 10 hour drive for us so need to pock our dates wisely.

Devin,

Aside from the snow/ice factor, which could really change things, I would take the advice of calling or just stopping by the Mountaineer on your way through Keene Valley. Marcy itself is most easily accessible from the Adirondack Loj, which has campsites near the parking lot. Not sure if that is where you were planning to park, but there is a fee for this parking area. Probably not the secret spot you are envisioning, but it will work for hiking the mountain and having your car close by. The other trail up Marcy is from Keene Valley via Johns Brook. There is a parking area at this trailhead called "the garden."

If you are running out of time finding a spot, just park at the Loj, camp right there, and hike all day Friday and Saturday. There are a few different loops you could do that include other peaks. I recommend Algonquin, it's an incredible mountain. Although it has a few steep rock scrambles which may just be sheets of ice right now…