Before guiding in New York’s Adirondacks State Park in 2022, my previous knowledge mainly related to how much I liked their porch chairs. Having grown up on the opposite side of the country in California, the Adirondacks seemed too far and not easy to get to. However, when asked to guide AGC’s Adventures in the Adirondacks trip, I could not turn down the opportunity to travel out of my comfort zone.
I was assigned to help guide this trip with fellow local guide Carrie White. As Carrie is a full-time, year-round resident of the Adirondacks, I leaned on her to show me the ropes of this place that I knew nothing about.
We flew into Albany, New York, and our vans were filled with suitcases and smiles in no time! Our first destination was Moose Lake, just outside of Old Forge. If we had visited just a month earlier, we likely would have been met with swarms of other people on vacation, all politely elbowing each other out of the way in search of serenity. But with school back in session and summer in our rearview mirror, it was the perfect balance of wide open spaces and peaceful wilderness. The days were warm, and at night, the air cooled.
After enjoying our first dinner together in Old Forge, dubbed the Basecamp of the Adirondacks, we headed back to our abode for the night with time to enjoy a beautiful evening campfire. As we sat around and shared stories and laughter, the smoke-filled my clothes, which brought childhood memories flooding into my mind. The long travel day was catching up with everyone, and just as Carrie and I put out the fire, she said, “Let’s jump in the lake!” And like a kid at summer camp, she didn’t need to tell me twice! It was dark, but the stars lit up the sky, making the water more enjoyable. I was giddy with adrenaline, not remembering the last time I swam in the dark. After jumping in the lake, I slept like a baby, excited about the week ahead.
We spent the next day kayaking in the slow-moving Moose River and watching the leaves change colors before our eyes. The pristine waters absorbed the sounds around us. After time in the water, we finished the day with a short, steep hike up Bald Mountain. This was my first taste of the Adirondack’s mountainous terrain. The large rolling boulders with web-like tree roots made for a slow, steady ascent to the fire tower that overlooks the Fulton Chain. The exhilaration of experiencing a new trail was a great way to end our first full day.
The following day, we made our way up Blue Mountain, again appreciating how we had the trail to ourselves without the summer crowds. We relied on our hiking poles to help us to the top. The Adirondacks, while not high-altitude mountains compared to those out west, are no joke. The topography provided a fun challenge; each of our hikes was slow and steady, demanding respect for the terrain with every step.
I learned that the Adirondacks have a hiking club called the “Forty Sixer”. All 46 notable peaks hold the criteria of being at least over 4000 feet in elevation. People can spend years crossing peaks off their hiking list—no easy feat! But one doesn’t need to hike all 46 to feel connected to this special place.
One of the biggest highlights of the Adventures in the Adirondacks trip was our stay at the historic Great Camp Sagamore. This quintessential Adirondack experience was like walking back in time. The camp's sights, sounds, and smells were to be adored in every direction. Whether it’s the picturesque boat house where we were able to reserve canoes and kayaks, the croquet set out on the lawn, the open-air bowling alley where the groundskeeper might also be the human pin setter or the sound of the 6 p.m. dinner bell where everyone gathered to eat communal style healthy and delicious meals. It was so fun to experience this great treasure while learning the history of these beautiful grounds.
After our time at the Great Camp Sagamore and our Raquette Lake kayak tour, I continued to be humbled by our daily hikes. Our accomplishments were as inspiring as one of my all-time favorite movies, Miracle on Ice. Coincidentally, during our free afternoon in Lake Placid, Carrie asked, “Do you want to visit the arena where the Miracle on Ice game took place?” I was like a giggling little girl. I replied, “Does a bear…. Nevermind! Yes!” Walking out to the seats was surreal; I had to get a photo to send to my family group chat. Not even 30 seconds went by, and my phone started blowing up with “No way!”, “Lucky!”, “Are you kidding?!”
After my experience in the Adirondacks, I was ecstatic to learn I’d be guiding the trip again in 2023. So much so that I quickly planned to have my mom fly out and join me after the AGC trip finished. I was excited to share the treasures of the Adirondacks with her as we made our way to some of the park’s highlights. Needless to say, the Adirondacks have stolen my heart and made me feel like a kid at summer camp.
If you, too, would like to experience the allure of the Adirondacks, I highly recommend traveling with AGC. We will ensure you experience the park’s best sights and activities. Learn more about our Adventures in the Adirondacks here.
