The only independent, nonprofit news organization solely dedicated to reporting on the Adirondack Park.
The Adirondack Explorer is a nonprofit magazine covering the Adirondack Park's environment, recreation and communities.
By Adirondack Explorer
Tribute to slain activist State dedicates new trail on Tupper Lake peak to Andrew Goodman, who was murdered during the Freedom Summer in Mississippi. By Phil Brown Hikers looking for a short climb to a view should check out the new trail up Goodman Mountain south of Tupper Lake. The state Department of Environmental Conservation, with the help of volunteers, created the…
By Adirondack Explorer
Journey to OK Slip New trail leads to a spectacular view of one of the Adirondacks’ highest waterfalls and to the Hudson River Gorge. By Phil Brown Carol Fox had visited OK Slip Falls three times—twice in fall, once in winter— but not on the state’s new hiking trail and never with some guy jotting down every word she said. I advised…
By Adirondack Explorer
Four hikers pay tribute to an Adirondack legend while climbing the peak newly renamed in her honor. By Susan Bibeau Shortly after moving to the Adirondacks in 1996, I climbed Giant Mountain. Not only was it my first High Peak, it was the first time I’d climbed anything higher than the hill in the back yard where I grew up. While…
By Adirondack Explorer
Guidebook author shares some of his secrets of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. By Bill Ingersoll WHEN THE STATE began creating a network of marked trails in the Adirondacks in the 1920s, it usually adopted preexisting routes, reflecting a constitutional interpretation that cutting trees would be a violation of the Forest Preserve’s forever-wild protections. A newspaper…
By Adirondack Explorer
After days of rain, a family beats the blahs by climbing Debar Mountain, a former fire-tower peak in the northern Adirondacks. By Lisa Densmore Ballard SOME DAYS I need to go hiking. I don’t want an epic outing, just some time in the woods to clear my head, enough of a climb to exercise my body,…
By Adirondack Explorer
Four Ponds and a peak A family spends a delightful two days paddling and hiking in the St. Regis Canoe Area—and, best of all, there were no long carries. By Lisa Densmore Ballard SOMETIMES my choice of canoe-camping adventure in the Adirondack Park is based on the lowest chance of family mutiny. My husband Jack and our…
By Adirondack Explorer
By Phil Brown Here’s one suggestion for a shorter bike trip that takes in most of the scenic highlights. Deer Pond. From the Deer Pond parking area, ride 0.2 miles to the carry trail to Deer Pond on the right. Dismount and walk a few yards to the north shore of Deer Pond. Alternatively, continue…
By Adirondack Explorer
Roaring Brook Falls is just one of many superb routes to be included in a new book on Adirondack climbing. By Phil Brown IN SOME RESPECTS, Roaring Brook Falls isn’t such a great climb. The rock can be loose, mossy, or wet. And there are places where you can’t find cracks to insert protective gear—cams…
By Adirondack Explorer
Around the mountains Cyclists enjoy stunning views and a variety of adventures on a three-day circuit of the High Peaks. By Ethan Rouen WE HAVE HAD the breath ripped out of us by the beauty of the High Peaks as seen from the tops of mountains and on twisty roads as we sped by in our…
By Adirondack Explorer
Gorge trip just ducky Paddlers in inflatable kayaks find thrills and spills in heavy whitewater on the Hudson River. By Phil Brown FROM TIME TO TIME I’ve played with the idea of putting together a list of quintessential Adirondack adventures. It would include, for example, climbing the Trap Dike on Mount Colden, skiing Mount Marcy…