Set of mountain peaks in the Adirondack Mountains, New York
The Adirondack High Peaks are a set of 46 mountain peaks in the Adirondack Mountains of New York state. They have been popular hiking destinations since the late 1920s, when the list of peaks was published in Russell Carson's book Peaks and Peoples of the Adirondacks.[1] Those who have climbed all 46 High Peaks are eligible to join the Adirondack Forty-Sixers club.[2]
Origin
The list of peaks was originally compiled by the mountaineers Herbert Clark, Bob Marshall, and George Marshall, with input from Russell Carson. The Marshall brothers wished to climb every notable peak in the Adirondacks, which they accomplished with Clark between 1918 and 1925. The criteria used were that all peaks should be at least 4,000 feet (1,200 m) in elevation and either have 300 feet (91 m) of prominence or 0.75 miles (1.21 km) of distance from another peak. Several exceptions to these rules were made to include or exclude peaks based on their preferences; Gray Peak, Wright Peak, Armstrong Mountain, Upper Wolfjaw Mountain, and South Dix were included but did not meet either the prominence or distance rule, while Little Marcy, Yard Mountain, and two then-unnamed peaks were excluded. Later surveys revealed that Blake Peak, Cliff Mountain, Couchsachraga Peak, and Nye Mountain are under 4,000 feet in elevation, but no mountains have been removed or added to the list due to tradition.[3]
The region contains many alpine lakes and meadows, wetlands, streams, and forests. Atop the highest peaks, above the tree line, lies a small alpine ecosystem, a remnant of a larger lowland tundra that retreated uphill following the most recent period of glaciation. The amount of this ecosystem is constantly changing due to variation in the climate from year to year, and has been estimated by different methods to only cover between 65–85 acres (26–34 ha). The alpine ecosystem is considered extremely fragile to damage from hikers, and the Adirondack Mountain Club launched an education campaign to avoid further damage in the 1970s, since which some peaks have seen documented recovery.[7]
The Eastern High Peaks Wilderness area is the most regulated area. Fires are not permitted; dogs must be leashed; overnight groups are limited to eight people and day groups to 15; and bear-resistant food canisters are required from April through November. Camping is prohibited above any elevation greater than 4,000 feet on any of the Adirondack High Peaks.[8]
Reaching the summits
Of the two highest peaks, Algonquin Peak is regarded as a more challenging hike than Mount Marcy. Twenty of the peaks have no official trail to the top, although rough informal routes, commonly referred to as "herd paths," have developed over the years. No true bushwhacking is required on any of the peaks, although some trails are still quite primitive.[9]
Although a survey in the mid-20th century placed MacNaughton Mountain at 4,000 feet (1,219 m),[12] a more recent survey listed the mountain at 3,983 feet (1,214 m).[59]
^Sasso, John Jr. (2018). "Rise of the Adirondack High Peaks: The Story of the Inception of the Adirondack Forty-Six by Robert Marshall, George Marshall, and Russell M.L. Carson". Adirondack Journal of Environmental Studies. 22 (1): 101.
^"How to Join". ADk 46ers. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
^Sasso, John Jr. (2018). "Rise of the Adirondack High Peaks: The Story of the Inception of the Adirondack Forty-Six by Robert Marshall, George Marshall, and Russell M.L. Carson". Adirondack Journal of Environmental Studies. 22 (1): 96–100.
^"High Peaks Wilderness Area Unit Management Plan". New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
^"The MacIntyre Range Hike". Outdoor Project. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
^Carlson, Bradley Z.; Munroe, Jeffrey S.; Hegman, Bill (2011). "Distribution of Alpine Tundra in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, U.S.A." Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research. 43 (3): 331–342. doi:10.1657/1938-4246-43.3.331. S2CID 53579861.
Carson, Russell M. L. (1927). Peaks and People of the Adirondacks. Garden City: Doubleday. ISBN 9781404751200.
Marshall, Robert (1922). The High Peaks of the Adirondacks. Albany: The Adirondack Mountain Club. LCCN 22021955.
Waterman, Laura (2003). Forest and crag : a history of hiking, trail blazing, and adventure in the Northeast mountains (First ed.). Boston: Appalachian Mountain Club Books. ISBN 0910146756.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Adirondack peaks.
Adirondack 46ers
TrailsNH.com — Current trail conditions and more for the Adirondack High Peaks
Interactive map of the Adirondack 46 Peaks
Summit Stewardship Program, a conservation program on the High Peaks