(snowshoes provided
gratis in winter months);
watch Stickley the
porcupine’s slow motion
feeding; catch one of
several naturalist films;
and don’t miss the ‘back
of the house’ tour where
you’ll see the nuts and
bolts of the operation,
such as freezers full
of dead mice to feed
the center’s snakes,
owls, skunks and other
animals. Give yourself
three to four hours here
minimum.The Drive » Scenic Rte 30
south takes you past several
lakes and ponds on this 33-mile
leg. You’ll pass through the town
of Long Lake, originally settled
as a mill town in the 1830s
and today a vacation center
that swells with visitors in the
summer (float planes ferry in
hikers and hunters); there’s a
little public beach on Rte 30 just
over the bridge and across from
the Adirondack Hotel.8 Blue Mountain
Lake
A wonderful pairing
with the Wild Center,
the Adirondack Museum
(%518-352-7311; http://www.
adkmuseum.org; 9097 Rte 30;
adult/child $18/6; h10am-5pm
May 24-Oct 14; c) tells the
other, human-centered
story of the mountains.
This large, ambitious
and fascinating complex
with two dozen separate
buildings occupies a
30-acre compound
overlooking Blue
Mountain Lake. The
history of mining, logging
and boat building are
explored, as is the role of
19th- century tourism in
the region’s development.
Lots of hands-on exhibits
and activities for kids
including a bouldering
wall and snowshoeing
even in summertime.The Drive » It’s another
half hour south on Rte 28 past
several beautiful lakes to Great
Camp Sagamore.9 Great Camp
Sagamore
On the shores of Raquette
Lake, Great Camp
Sagamore (%315-354-5311;
http://www.greatcampsagamore.org;
Sagamore Rd, Raquette Lake;
tours adult/child $16/8; hJun
22 – Oct 13) is one of the
most well-known ‘great
camps’, in part because
the Vanderbilt family
vacationed here for a half
century. You can tour
the property and in the
summertime (and other
limited times during
the rest of the year)
even spend a weekend
(per person two nights
$300) in this rustically
elaborate retreat
originally built in 1895.SNOWBOUND IN THE DEEP WOODS
The North Creek area of the Adirondacks feels more remote than spots further
north and east. For dozens of miles of backwoods hiking and cross-country trails
head to Garnet Hill Lodge (%518-251-2444; http://www.garnet-hill.com; s/d from $115/150)
overlooking Thirteenth Lake. It has the homespun vibe and log cabin aesthetics of
an earlier era and new owners committed to the business. Nearby Gore Mountain
(%518-251-2411; http://www.goremountain.com; 793 Peaceful Valley Rd) has some of the best
downhill skiing in the area.
The easiest way to access North Creek is from Lake George or, for a more scenic
route, from Bolton Landing – on Rte NY8 you cross over the Hudson River (yep, the
very same that runs down to New York City) and follow it further along on Rte 28.
You might spot an eagle or two on the way.NEW.YORK.TRIPS5
(^) ADIRONDACK PEAKS & V
ALLEYS