Different Hiking Challenges in the Adirondacks & Catskill Mountains of New York
Most people, when they think of New York, think of bright lights, constant sirens, and a million and one people. Only a handful of people know where to find the peace and tranquilly that the rest of the state offers. The Adirondack and Catskill Mountains are two mountain ranges in New York that offer this amazing peace and quiet. Within these mountains lays MANY different hiking challenges. There are many different hiking challenges in the Adirondacks and the Catskill Mountains. In this post, you will read about MANY of the various hiking challenges in these regions.
In addition, in this article, you will learn, different hiking challenge patches you can receive/win, hiking challenges in NY, hiking challenge ideas, hiking challenges for beginners, and much more.
This post is all about different hiking challenges.
Hiking Challenges:
Moriah Challenge
To begin our list, I wanted to start with the easier challenges first, then talk about the more difficult ones. This being said, the first challenge on our list is extremely doable for any age and skill level. All the trails for this challenge are under 5.5 miles, with LITTLE elevation gain (no more than 600 feet). This is the Moriah Challenge. It consists of 4 different mountains, that are for ALL levels of hikers.
The first trail, Belfry Mountain is under a mile long round trip and Big Hollow/Coot Hill trail and Cheney Mountain are under 2 miles long round trip. Then last on this list, Crowfoot Pond, is just over 5 miles. All of these trails are located near or around, Port Henry, New York, past Schroon Lake. Again, all these trails are EXTREMELY manageable, and good for the whole family, here is a link with further detail about the challenge and how to gain your patch!
Fulton Chain Trifecta
The next challenge on our list is, the The Fulton Chain Trifecta. All of these trails are located in, Old Forge, New York. Again, all of these trails are hikable for any age and athletic ability. This challenge consists of 3 different mountains, all being under 5 miles. The 3 mountains apart of this challenge are, Bald Mountain Fire Tower, Black Bear Mountain, and Rocky Mountain. Here is a further description of the challenge and its trails.
Chester Challenge
The third challenge on the our list is, The Chester Challenge, in Chester, New York. Chester, New York, is pasted Lake George and Bolton Landing, off of exit 25 from interstate 87. It was designed by the Chester family, to support hiking with the family for people of all skill levels. For this challenge, there are 8 different regions or trail heads from the list, all having either one or multiple trails to hike in that area/trailhead. There are 11 trails total, and all you have to do, is complete 6 of them. Here is a link with further description of the mountains and how to get your patch.
The Waterfall Challenge
The next challenge on our list is, the Waterfall Challenge. If you are looking for more fun hikes to do with the family, I suggest doing this challenge, as it is very family friendly, and you get to see waterfalls. You can pick from 19 of the different trails listed here. Your goal is to gain 12 points, from the various trails listed, and then record the date you completed the trails, write a brief comment about your hike, then summit to the Hamilton County Tourism Office. Each trail rewards you with 1, 2, 3, or 4 points, the more points, the harder/longer the hike is.
{Related Post : The 4321 Challenge}
The 4321 Challenge
The next challenge is, the 4321 challenge. For this challenge, you start with 4 easy trails, 3 moderate trails, 2 difficult trails, and then 1 “capper” trail. These trails are dispersed around the Indian Lake and Blue Mountain Lake region, of New York. Here is a link to all the easy trails within this challenge, here is a link to all the moderate trails, a link to all the difficult trails, and a link to all the “cappers” of this challenge.
The Cranberry Lake 50
The Cranberry Lake 50, challenge is located in western New York, half an hour west of Tupper Lake. It is apart of the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest and Five Ponds Wilderness. For this challenge, you will hike the entire 50 miles (radius) of the lake. Most people complete this challenge in 3-5 days, but some overachievers, have completed it in just 12 hours! There is no time limited, so most people do backpack this hike/challenge. It’s a great beginner-intermediate backpacking hike. Here is a website with all the trails included and how to receive your patch, once you complete this challenge.
The ADK 6 Packer
The next challenge on our list is the ADK 6 Pack. This is a hiking challenge for you, if you enjoy hiking and beer! This challenge, allows you to hike, 6 different mountains, and see 6 different or taste, 6 different brewing companies and their beers. The six trails apart of this challenge are, Cat Mountain, Pharaoh Mountain, Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain, Bears Den Mountain, Scarface Mountain, and Bald Mountain. All these trails are well dispersed throughout the Adirondack park. Here is a link with their accompanying brewing companies.
Saranac Lake 6ster
This awesome New York hiking challenge is located in the Saranac Lake region, of upstate New York. For this challenge, you will complete 6 of Saranac Lake’s mountains. The trails are, (listed from easiest to most difficult), Baker, St. Regis, Ampersand, Scarface, Haystack, and McKenzie mountains. Here, is the website that will give you all the information you need for this challenge.
The Lake Placid 9ster
For this challenge, you will complete 9 of Lake Placid’s peak, which include (listed from easiest to most difficult), Cobble Hill, Big Crow Mountain, Mount Jo (very popular, arrive early if you want to complete), Baxter Mountain, Mount Van Hoevenberg, Bear Den, Catamount, Pitchoff, and Hurricane mountain. All of these trails are good moderate trails. Here is more information about the challenge.
The Lake George 12ster
This challenge consists of 12 different hikes in the Lake George and Bolton Landing region, New York. The Lake George 12ster, includes peaks of all difficulty, ranging from 5-15 miles round trip, and ranging from 1500-3500ft in elevation. The mountains included are (ordered from easiest to most difficult), Brown, Huckleberry, Five Mile, Cat & Thomas, Buck, Black, Sleeping Beauty & Erebus, Fifth Peak, French Point, and First Peak. Here is more information about the challenge.
{Related Post : Fire Tower Challenge}
The Fire Tower Challenge
The fire tower challenge consists of 25 different hikes, all ranging in difficulty level. Some are relatively easy, while others are rated as hard trails. In addition, these trails range from the Catskill region, to the Lake George area, up to the Keene Valley region, and more. Here is a list to all the fire towers and their stats.
Catskill Mountains Hiking Challenges
There are several different hiking challenges in the Catskills, the most popular being, the 3500 Peaks challenge. Which includes 35 different peaks, all stacked at 3,500ft or higher elevations, and to complete at least 4 during the winter. Here is a website, that gives you more information about this challenge, and more Catskill mountain challenges.
Another Catskill challenge is, hiking all five fire towers in the region. All of these trails have at least a 2,500ft elevation, and consist of 25 miles all together of hiking! Here is more information about the challenge.
The Adk 46er High Peak Challenge
Alright, if you want a DIFFICULT challenge, the Adk 46er High Peak Challenge, is for you! This is by far our most difficult challenge, ranging from 5.5 miles to 15 miles for one hike, and ALL trails having at least, a 3,800ft elevation. You can complete this challenge in the summer or winter, their are different patches for each season. Along with getting into GREAT shape, all these trails are STEEP with REMARKABLE payoffs, the views are AMAZING! I HIGHLY recommend this challenge if you enjoy and regularly hike, it’s awesome! I finished this a couple years ago, and it was difficult for me and I’m in my 20s and in decent shape. Here is a website for all the trails within this challenge and their stats.
{Related Post : Adirondack 46ers}
Northville- Placid Trail Challenge
Okay are last challenge is the Northville- Placid Trail Challenge. Currently, this challenge is out of commission, and it’s unsure when the challenge will be brought back. However, I wanted to still put it up, just in case in the near future, this becomes a challenge again. This route, is like the Cranberry Lake 50, where you will complete the whole route of the trail (backpacking) or certain sections. This link will give you more information about the challenge.
And that wraps up our hiking challenges in New York state. I hope you found at least one trail and or challenge, that inspires you to get out in nature. Whenever I step into nature, I am reminded of how beautiful our world is. There’s nothing more I want to do, then continue exploring it. Thus, I hope this article inspires you to do the same, or try and find that thing that heals you as much, as nature heals myself. Thank you for reading and take care!
2 Comments
Pingback:
Pingback: