Active vacations for women: Autumn in the Adirondacks

Highlights:

Canoeing and kayaking on Blue Mountain and Eagle Lakes
Climbing Blue Mt and/or hiking on a flatter but no less beautiful area trail
Enjoying four course meals and the relaxing ambience of the Hedges
Trekking up Algonquin or Mt Jo in the High Peaks area
Visiting the Adirondack Museum, one of the finest regional museums in the US
Listening to the haunting call of the loon

Adirondack State Park in northern New York is unique: a combination of public and private lands, it is an area of rugged mountains and numerous lakes, rivers, and ponds, interspersed with small hamlets. Both the natural history and the human history are fascinating. In autumn, after the summer crowds have departed, the invigorating weather and brilliant foliage make the Park an ideal location for a vacation that is both active and leisurely.

This trip is for: any active woman who wants to enjoy the Adirondacks at what is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent times of year. No hiking or paddling experience is necessary.

Accommodations:

three nights at the Hedges where we'll have both cabins and two bedroom suites, and there will be one or two women per room.
two nights at South Meadow Farm Lodge with two women in each room
one night at Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs

Maximum group size: 10

Trip price: $1775 (deduct $50 for registration prior to 5/21/08). $300 deposit.

Trip price includes:

experienced guides
six nights lodging in double occupancy rooms
all meals from lunch on Sunday thru breakfast the following Saturday
round-trip transportation from Albany airport
all activities on the itinerary

Trip starts: arrive at the Albany (ALB) airport by 10 am on September 21

Trip ends: at the Albany airport at 1 pm on September 27

More information: a summary of all this information, packing list, and general information will be posted later (must have Adobe Acrobat Reader)

For pictures from previous trips, click here.

To learn more about the area, visit the web site of the Adirondack Museum

Register for this trip or Contact us for more information

Itinerary

September 21: Our trip starts at 1 pm at The Hedges, one of the loveliest resorts on Blue Mountain Lake. If you’re flying in, we’ll pick you up at the Albany Airport at 10:00 am. That afternoon, depending on the weather, we'll either have paddling instruction and go for a short paddle or go for a hike to Cascade Pond. There will also be time to check out the game room, explore the resort, or just relax that first afternoon before we gather for introductions and then go over to the Dining Lodge. We’ll be staying three nights at The Hedges, enjoying their four course dinners and full breakfasts.

September 22: Adirondack Park is known for its paddling and that’s how we’ll spend the next day. You'll have a choice whether to canoe or kayak. Even if you’ve never paddled before, you’ll learn everything you need to know to have a great day on the water. We'll paddle down through Eagle Lake and Lake Utowana and explore the old Marion River Carry, a paddle that is both a current canoe route and part of an historic waterway.

September 23: Now that we’ve become acquainted with the area, the next morning is the perfect time to visit the Adirondack Museum, widely regarded as one of the best regional museums in the U.S., and a great place to learn all about the history and culture of this area. In the afternoon we’ll hike one of the myriad trails in the area. One possibility is climbing nearby Blue Mountain; the trail is steep and the rewards are a 360 degree view of the Park. Other possibilities are flatter trails into nearby ponds and lakes. Whichever you choose, hiking in the fall foliage is always magnificent.

September 24: After checking out of our lodging, we'll go for an historic boat ride around Blue Mountain Lake. Our captain intimately knows the fascinating history of this area and we'll learn about both the famous and powerful people who have made the lake their summer home, and the people who live here fulltime. After a picnic lunch at Buttermilk Falls, we’ll head to South Meadow Farm Lodge, tucked away in a secluded meadow with breathtaking mountain views from every window. On the way we’ll stop in Lake Placid for dinner and take some time to wander through the town that hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics.

September 25: No visit to the Adirondacks would be complete without spending time hiking in the High Peaks area and the Lodge is an excellent location from which to hike. There are a variety of options and we'll let the weather and our energy level help us make the choice. Some may choose to climb Algonquin, the second highest peak in the area; while others might hike Mt Jo, a mountain of significantly lower elevation but no less a magnificent view from the top.

September 26: On Friday there are several choices: more hiking in the High Peaks Region, a visit to Whiteface Mountain, more time in Lake Placid, or a chance to learn about a very different part of Adirondack history with a visit Fort Ticonderoga. The Fort is located on Lake Champlain and an important site, first in the struggle between the French and the English, and then between the English and the American forces during the Revolution. We’ll continue on to the charming and historic town of Saratoga Springs.

September 27: There is much to see and do in Saratoga Springs, and you'll have the morning free to do what most interests you. One option is to partake of a mineral bath or other spa treatment at the Saratoga Spa State Park and there are also shopping and hiking possibilities. However you choose to spend the morning, we'll have you back at the Albany airport by 1 pm.

Register for this trip or Contact us for more information