Adirondack High Peaks, Mount Marcy and Haystacks

[dirtbag]

My son and I decided it was time to hit the Adirondack High Peak Wilderness area and hike Mount Marcy ( 5,343 ft.,NY highest peak ) and the Haystacks ( 4,960 ft. , NY third highest peak). This was planned as first a 2 day trip and then due to distance to drive to trailhead, 6.5 hours and parking rules and regulations and crowds, it changed to a 3 day trip. We drove up to Lake Placid on Sunday evening and stayed overnight in a cheap hotel just to crash and wake up early with a short 30 minute drive to the Garden Trailhead.  Lucky for us, we arrived at 7 am on Monday morning and pretty much got the last spot available to park. And yes there was a parking fee of $10 day. Long story short we spent the full day hiking a total of 16 miles to Mount Marcy and then we took on the Haystacks also and continued back down to Bushnell Falls and camp for the night. The trails was brutal. Spent the entire day rock hopping small boulders and rocks, wet roots, mud everywhere due to heavy rains on sunday night and walking and climbing in stream beds and waterfalls. Thankfully the weather was beautiful.. low to mid 70s and blazing Sun. Most of trail we were under shade of trees until we got above tree-line into the Alpine zone.  The Haystacks were more fun to hike and maybe even better views then Marcy.. and we had them all to ourselves,  which was awesome.  Check out the video and see for yourself.  We were able to make camp using our hammocks and in the morning had breakfast at the foot of a beautiful peaceful waterfall.  My pack weight was 15.5 lbs before adding 2 liters of water. Thats includeding my Bare Boxer Contender bear can with food. I also carried my bug bivy in case we could not find suitable spots to hang our hammocks,  which almost was a problem due to strict camping rules and regulations in the High Peaks Wilderness area.  All in all it was a great trip,  its just a shame that there are so many rules and regulations,  which I do understand because of the amount of irresponsible people out there… kind of ruins the “true” Wilderness feeling. I have always know I wanted to hike Marcy because of its status as NY highest peak, and I live in NY.. just never rushed to do it because I knew its a hi traffic area and strict rules and regulations.. but we decided to get it done and im glad I waited for the right time to be able to do it with my son. For what its worth..  the Haystacks blew my mind more then Marcy.

[jscott]

Great video, Dirtbag. You’ve raised a great son.

that was some good downclimbing from Little Haystack and then up again. Frankly I doubted that you guys would make it from Mount Marcy all the way over to the Haystacks. But you went even further! Kudos. All good stuff. thanks for this.

[dirtbag]

@Jscott thankyou and thankyou!  I like to think I have guided all 3 of my children in the right direction,  whichever direction that may be, lol. My main focus has always been getting them outdoors as much as possible whenever possible and maintaining their physical health and appearance.  Control what you can Control (as far as your personal health and appearance) and always try your best to be a good person and do the right things.

Yeah it was some hiking. I have logged many miles over the years and for me 15 – 20+ mile days are average, depending the weather, terrain and where I am hiking.  These were some tough rugged long miles and I definitely felt my age probably for the first time ever as I was lagging behind him the entire trip.  To be 19 years old and gliding over the mountains like a gazelle… ahhhh.  I had my doubts too that I was going to make the Haystacks,  but once we hit that point where we agreed  to make the decision,  I knew I had plenty left in me to bang it out. And then as tired and banged up that I was,  after we stopped and had dinner I was slightly recharged enough to know I could continue on even further and add on a few more miles.  I take pride in myself every day,  I wake up 4 hours before work so I have have enough time to commute to work (1.5 hours) , get my 1 hour fasted cardio in 4- 5 days a week and then make time either during work or after work and on weekends to hit the gym and do my weight training for at least 1 hour 6 days a week.  I also eat mostly healthy, 90% of the time, and track my calories and macros too.  I don’t do this as training for an upcoming hike,  I do this as my lifestyle over the last 12 years or so without missing a beat.  So yeah,  there was some doubt in the moment and some questioning my physical fitness as I was stumbling about,  but as I pushed on,  took necessary brakes and  refueled myself,  I knew I had it in me.

[Author]

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