Adirondack High Peaks

The High Peaks is the name for the 46 highest mountain peaks in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, USA, and the region around them. This group of mountains was originally believed to comprise all of the Adirondack peaks higher than 4,000 feet (1219 m). However, later surveying showed that four of the peaks in the group are actually under 4,000 feet (1219 m), and one peak that possibly should have been included was overlooked. However, due to tradition, no mountains were removed from or added to the group as a result of the revised elevation estimates.

All except four are located in southern Essex County, south of Lake Placid and Keene Valley. The others are in a nearby region of Franklin County. All the summits are on land owned by New York State as part of its Forest Preserve. Thirty three are in a vast tract of nearly 300,000 acres (1,200 km²) known as the High Peaks Wilderness Complex, subdivided into eastern (twenty six peaks) and western (seven peaks) zones. Others are in the adjacent Giant and Dix wilderness areas. Whiteface, which doubles as a ski area and has a toll road to its summit, and Esther are set slightly to the north, near Wilmington.

The Adirondack Forty-Sixers is a club open to all who have climbed, or intend to climb, all the peaks. Neither Mount Marcy nor Algonquin Peak, the two highest, require technical skills, but Algonquin Peak is regarded as the more challenging climb. Twenty peaks have no official trail to the top, although rough informal routes, commonly referred to as "herd paths," have developed over the years and no true bushwhacking is required on any of the peaks, although some are still quite primitive.

Atop the highest peaks, above the tree line, there is a total of 87 acres (352,000 m²) of extraordinarily fragile alpine ecosystem; the amount of this ecosystem is constantly changing due to variation in the climate from year to year.

The region contains many alpine lakes and meadows, wetlands, streams, and forests. Unfortunately, the high number of visitors is degrading the natural beauty of some of the more heavily travelled areas of the region, and it has been necessary in recent years to more strictly regulate access and use. 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 fifteen; and Bear Resistant Food Canisters are required from April through November.

The High Peaks

Some surveys list MacNaughton Mountain at 4000 feet (1219 m), and some thus argue that it should be included in the high peaks. However, other surveys list the mountain at 3983 feet (1214 m), and members of the 46er club are reluctant to change the list because of tradition.

See also

*Adirondack Mountains
*Adirondack Park
*Catskill High Peaks
*Northeast 111

External links

* [http://www.adk46r.org Adirondack 46ers]
* [http://www.dskendall.com/hiking_ne111.html Interactive map of the Adirondack 46 Peaks]
* [http://www3.sympatico.ca/jgrimard/en/adka.htm Adirondack High Peaks]
* [http://www.hutchville.com/adirondacks.shtml Adirondack Mountains]
* [http://www.adirondacks.com/46peaks.html Adirondack 46 Peaks]
* [http://alavigne.net/newHomePage/Outdoors/FeatureReports/Adirondacks/HighPeaksBestOf/index.jsp?navpage=1 High Peaks photos]