• Canoeing and kayaking on Blue Mountain and Eagle Lakes
• Cycling on rolling terrain past brilliant fall foliage and stately mountains
• 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
• Visiting the Adirondack Museum, one of the finest regional museums in the US
• Listening to the haunting call of the loon

Join us for our first trip offered in conjunction with WomanTours, the premiere women's cycling company! The Adirondack State Park in northern New York is the largest publicly protected area in the lower 48 states. A combination of public and private lands, it is an area of rugged mountains and numerous lakes, rivers, and ponds, interspersed with small hamlets that is larger than Yellowstone and Yosemite combined. Come bike through the park and explore some of the 2000 miles of trails for hiking and 3000 lakes for kayaking. In autumn, after the summer crowds have departed, the invigorating weather and brilliant foliage make the Park an ideal location for an active vacation. The trees will change color before our eyes.

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. If you haven't been on a bike for awhile, spending a few days on moderate rides before the trip will stand you in excellent stead.

• 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
• three nights at Trails End Inn with two women in each room

• experienced guides
• six nights lodging in double occupancy rooms
• all meals from lunch on Sunday thru breakfast the following Saturday with the exception of one lunch
• round-trip transportation from Albany airport
• all activities on the itinerary
• detailed cue sheets and van support during the bike ride
• bike rental is available for $175

in Albany at a hotel near the airport (ALB); by 11 am on September 20 if you need a bike fitting, and 12:30pm otherwise

at the Albany airport at 2 pm on September 26 (you can plan flights out after 3:15 pm)

trip description, daily itinerary, packing list, general information

September 20: We gather for a rental bike fitting at 11:00am. If you are bringing your own bike, arrive by 12:30pm for our orientation and shuttle into the Adirondacks. We will unload the bikes and finish the trip to our starting lodge at Blue Mountain Lake by bicycle. 14 or 25 miles bicycling.

September 21: The Hedges is nestled on the shore of pristine Blue Mountain Lake. Awake to the sound of loons calling each other through the morning fog over the water. After a hearty cooked-to-order breakfast, we explore the lake by kayak.

Most of the land around the lake is privately owned but deemed forever wild. It is a prime example of the Adirondack philosophy of managing a mix of private and public lands for the common good. We kayak west through Blue Mountain Lake to the smaller Eagle Lake and then into Lake Utowana, stopping for lunch by the roaring Look Brook Falls. Except for another canoe or kayak, we see few other boats in this quiet paradise. After kayaking back, you can choose to explore our lodge grounds, walk into town, or sit and read a book in a famous Adirondack chair. You will surely be hungry for our 4-course diner together at The Hedges. 4 - 6 hours kayaking.

September 22: After breakfast, we immediately start out for our hike up Blue Mountain. The mountain looms over the eastern end of our lake. At the top, we are rewarded with a wonderful view of the lakes we kayaked through the day before. Or for a less rigorous morning, you can choose to hike around Tirrell Pond. This flat trail just skirts the north slope of Blue Mountain and has beautiful views of the cliffs of Tirrell Mountain. In the afternoon, we offer a shuttle to the wonderful Adirondack Museum. The open-air museum is renown for its fascinating exhibits that tell the stories of life in the Adirondacks. See the stagecoach that carried FDR to his swearing in as President. Walk through a railway car designed of velvet and hardwood to make you long for travel of yesteryear. Watch the effects of global warming on plant life. 4 miles hiking.

September 23: We leave our private enclave today to further explore the Adirondacks by bicycle. Our first stop will be at beautiful Buttermilk Falls, easily the most visited falls in the area. The cascade is on the Raquette River, named for The French word for snowshoe. From there, we continue to bike past Long Lake, Shaw Brook Pond and Lake Harris. We stop for lunch at Winebrook Hills picnic are and you can choose to continue to North Hudson. Then we all shuttle to our inn in Keene Valley. 12, 28 or 54 miles bicycling.

September 24: Keene Valley is known for being the heart of high peak country of the Adirondacks. We take advantage of this easy jumping off point by hiking to the summit of Big Slide Mountain. At 4199 feet, it is the 27th highest peak in the state.
Along the way, we hike over three smaller peaks called The Brothers. Those who choose not to hike all the way can turn around after catching the magnificent view of the Great Range from the first of these lower vantage points. If you are not up for a climb at all, then consider the flat hike in the same area along Johns Brook. 3 or 10 miles hiking.

September 25: We don our cycling clothes one last time to bike to Lake Placid today. We bicycle right past the ski jumps used for the Olympics that rise 120 meters into the air, leaving you wondering how anyone gets up the nerve to ski down the first time.  Lunch will be on your own in this fun town with a main street lined with outdoor shops and organic cafes. Bike or shuttle back to our inn in Keene Valley in time for our last dinner together. 26 or 48 miles bicycling.

September 26: We say farewell to the Adirondacks today, but not before one last hike to see the Falls on the North Fork of the Boquet River. This river has the distinction of being the steepest river in New York State. After a picnic lunch, we shuttle back to the Albany airport, arriving by 2:00pm to say our good-byes. 2 miles hiking.