It is hunting season in the Adirondacks through the first Sunday in December.  Please wear blaze orange or other bright colored hat, shirt or jacket while hiking.  You may encounter hunters on the NPTrail or trailheads as they are allowed to hunt on state land in the Adirondacks.  Click the above link for more information.

Expect night-time temperatures to drop into the 20's or below this time of year.  Temps may reach 50 or 60 during the day but drop very quickly once the sun drops out of sight.  The NPTrail is a valley trail.  The sun gets blocked quickly by the mountains to the west in most areas of the trail.  Be prepared with layers of clothes and appropriate sleeping bags for this time of year.

We have a separate section of the website devoted to Winter activities on the NPTrail.  Click here for tips, trip reports, and thoughts about snowshoeing and skiing the Northville-Placid Trail.

Helpful Publications:

To help with your planning you should obtain the following publications from your local EMS store, The Mountaineer outfitters in Keene Valley, or online from ADK, the Adirondack Mountain Club.

Adirondack Trails - Northville-Placid Trail - Fourth Edition - Forest Preserve Series - Editors: Jeffrey and Donna Case.

This is the trail guide published by the Adirondack Mountain Club with trail descriptions and other valuable information about hiking the Northville Placid Trail.  The guide also contains a topo map of the trail to aid in planning and for use while hiking.  Topics include logistics and planning, gear, sample itineraries, hiking with children, hiking with disabilities, parking of vehicles, mail drops and tips and pointers.  We use "Sections" below in our discussions as they are noted and referred to in this NPT Guide.

National Geographics - Map #742 - Lake Placid/High Peaks Trail Map and Map #744 - Northville/Raquette Lake Trail Map

These maps, a collaboration between the Adirondack Mountain Club and National Geographic, are also very valuable in planning your hike and during your hike.  They are laminated so they are protected from the weather.  They also show the location of lean-tos and tent-sites.  You need map #744 (two sided) for the southern sections of the NPT from Northville, NY to Route 28/30 in Blue Mountain Lake and map #742 (one-side) from Route 28/30 in Blue Mountain Lake to Lake Placid.  (The other side of map #742 is the High Peaks region near Lake Placid, NY).





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Trail Markers:

The Northville-Placid Trail is marked with three different markers (seen at left).  One has the NPT name on it, one states DEC Trail Marker and the third states DEC Foot Trail.  The only consistency is that they are all blue (meaning a south/north trail).





Caution:  There has been some inconsistencies with regard to putting up markers on the Northville-Placid Trail.  You will often find that new markers have been installed in a vertical alignment with old markers and the old markers haven't been removed.  Two vertical markers mean "caution", a change is about to happen.  So on occasion the NPTrail hiker will come to two vertical markers, and if they have hiked other long-distance trails, they expect the trail to turn.  Of course it generally does not, leading to confusion among some hikers.  And, when there is a turn, generally you won't find two vertical markers indicating such a turn, again leading to confusion among some hikers.  Turns should be noted by means of two vertical markers with the top one offset in the direction of the turn.  We are working with the NPTrail Trail Stewards this fall when they do their patrols to check on the trail marking in their section and make corrections when they find errors.  Thank you for your patience while we correct this issue.


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GPS Information:

Click here for a topo map with GPS coordinates which will give you an overall view of the trail although it isn't a substitute for the above maps and the ADK NPT Guide and map which comes with it.  Please note that the coordinates at the north end of the NPTrail on this map are for the old trail from the end of Averyville Rd. to the bridge over the Chubb River.  The trail was rerouted several years ago to go from the trailhead parking area next to the Chubb River bridge and Averyville Rd. to the bridge over the Chubb River (also known as the "flume" bridge) just north of Wanika Falls.  It also predates the reroute off of Cedar River Rd.  The coordinates from the below files are more accurate and reflect the rerouted section at the north end as well as the rerouted section off Cedar River Rd.

Thank you Don Holmes from Rochester, NY for the below information from an April, 2010 thru-hike of the NPTrail:

Click here for a "gpx" formatted file for the entire NPTrail

Click here for a "gdb" formatted file for the entire NPTrail


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Cumulative Mileage Information:

Click here for a list of reference points along the entire NPTrail with the cumulative mileage shown - South to North for the entire Trail.  This will help with hike planning and determining actual mileage between reference points.  The mileage figures in the ADK NPTrail Guide show cumulative miles in each section but not for the entire trail.

Coming soon - cumulative mileage for the NPTrail North to South.


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Hiking Gear Suggestions:

 

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Critters - Bear and Moose:

Yes, you will encounter bears and moose or at least evidence of their existence on the NPTrail. 

We saw a medium size bear run across the NPTrail just south of Lake Durant campground in July, 2010. 

I encountered a moose at Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to in 2005.  And a couple of people have reported seeing moose this year including two bull moose in the South Lake/West Lake area and one (see picture to the right taken by Jim Hackett the end of June, 2011) near the beaver dam between Averyville Rd. trailhead and Wanika Falls.

It seems like moose are doing quite well and you will see their footprints often along the NPTrail.  Bear are also present but so far don't equate humans with food.  They are also hunted in areas near the NPTrail and so far fear humans and run in the other direction.  It still is no reason not to hang your food out of reach of bears.  "A fed bear is a dead bear!"  Harsh?  Yes, but it is reality.  If a bear is successful getting into a hiker's food they start to equate humans with food such as what has happened in the High Peaks.  We don't want that to happen along the NPTrail where bear proof containers are not required.  Let's keep it that way.  Please properly hang your food.

General Trail Information:

Trail Conditions Vary Greatly.  Regardless of the type of hike you take, understand that trail conditions vary and seem to change hourly sometimes.  Be prepared for mud, trail relocation (permanent and temporary), bridges out, beaver activity, miserable weather, biting insects, missing trail markers, and overgrown trails.  It takes a lot of effort to keep trails in good condition.  With state fiscal issues, a down economy and limited funding and volunteer help, keeping the Northville-Placid Trail in good condition is a tough job.  The Adirondack Mountain Club, its various Chapters, Members and Volunteers, as well as the NY State DEC can't control the weather or biting insects but they are doing their best to provide a safe and enjoyable trail for your use.  More can be done and one of the purposes of this website is to make people aware of trail issues and to provide opportunities for people to get involved and help.

The Northville Placid Trail is approximately 133 miles long from the Southern Terminus
on NY 30 (West of the bridge over the Sacandaga River where it flows into the Sacandaga
Reservoir at Northville, NY) to the Northern Terminus (at the corner of Averyville Rd. and
Old Military Rd. in Lake Placid, NY).  Actually, the original trail ran from the rail road station
in Northville, NY to the rail road station in Lake Placid, NY.

However, A thru-hike (or end-to-end hike) of The Northville Placid Trail is considered to be approximately 120 miles long and doesn't include the approximate 10.3 mile road walk from the Southern Terminus to the Upper Benson trailhead, where most  end-to-end hikes either end or begin, nor the approximate 1.2 mile  road walk from the Northern Terminus to the Averyville Rd. trailhead at the Chubb River bridge.  An official end-to-end, however, does include the approximate 3 mile road walk in Piseco, NY, a short  road walk on Cedar River Road near Wakely Dam and the 0.7 mile road walk on Tarbell Rd. in Long Lake. 

Also, the trail can and is hiked northbound and southbound.  Most hikers hike north.  The distance logs and trail descriptions in the ADK NPT guidebook are written from the south to the north and thus it is easier to follow these directions than it is to attempt to reverse them.  I have hiked in both directions and didn't find much of a difference except for having to reverse the mileage figures and descriptions when hiking south.    

Please check our Latest Trail Conditions page for the latest information about the trail.  Please help us keep this page up to date by completing your own trail condition report on our Report Trail Conditions page.  And, check out the NPT You Can Help page for ideas and ways you can help maintain the Northville-Placid Trail for current and future generations.


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Cedar River Road Reroute NPTrail Guidebook Supplement:

A 6+ mile road walk on Cedar River Road is now eliminated by means of a trail relocation in 2009 into the woods.  Information about this reroute is available online as a Supplement to the Northville-Placid Trail guidebook as this reroute took place after the publishing of the 4th edition of the guidebook.



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Special Note to Dog Lovers:

A special note to dog lovers.  Hiking with dogs is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).  According to the DEC in the Adirondacks you should:

• Keep your pet under control.
• Restrain it on a leash when others approach.
• Collect and bury droppings away from water, trails, and camp sites.
• Keep your pet away from drinking water sources.

Furthermore, in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness Zone, it is mandatory to keep your pet leashed at all times.  Not so on the Northville Placid Trail.  However, keep in mind that some people are afraid of dogs.  Respect their feelings and rights to a safe and enjoyable hike.  Also, keep in mind that your dog is part of your hiking party and you must take its abilities into account when planning your trip. Rugged, rocky trails can be tough on paws and long, steep hikes are tiring. Just like you, your dog has to work its way up from easier to more strenuous hikes.


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Northville Placid Trail Elevations:

Click here for a copy of a detailed mileage and elevation description for the NPT in Microsoft Excel File Format.  This does not include the 2009 reroute of the NPT off the Cedar River Rd.  Information originally compiled by the DEC, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.


Thanks, Rick Story, for the below profile chart compiled from the above data. 



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Northville Placid Trail - Trail Running - Speed Records:

Speed isn't my objective but to hike ("run") the trail as a challenge is just some people's perfect cup of tea.

Unsupported Records:  We have two runners who did the NPT "unsupported", starting with Erik Schlimmer in October, 2008, in 3 days and 8 hours for a total of 80 hours.  From an article about Schlimmer's run, "Schlimmer said he didn't necessarily set out to break the record, but after finishing so quickly he decided to find out what the record was to see if he approached it. Schlimmer said he was motivated by Vermont photographer and hiker Tim Seaver, who ran the trail in 37 hours and 31 minutes in 2005.  Although Seaver's time was faster than Schlimmer's, they fall into different categories because Schlimmer didn't receive any help during the trip from other people and Seaver did."

Also "unsupported", Jay, NY, resident and current staff at The Mountaineer outfitters in Keene Valley, Drew Haas, ran the trail in 2009 in 2 days and 12.5 hours for a total of 60.5 hours from "train station to train station" where others have either run from trailhead to trailhead or Upper Benson to Averyville Rd in Lake Placid.  Here is another article about Drew's run.

Supported Records:  It would appear that the first to attempt to set a record running the Northville Placid Trail was Richard Denker at age 18 in 1973.  Richard was a Boy Scout from Galway and had support from his Boy Scott Troop and ran the trail, "supported", in 40 hours and 20 minutes.  Here is a copy of his record filed with the Schenectady Chapter of ADK as discovered and posted by Tim Seaver on his website.  Here is additional information about Richard's run as posted by Tim Seaver on  the "viewsfromthetop" forum. 

Next up was Tim Seaver, a Vermont photographer who ran the trail in 2005, succeeding on his second attempt, in 37 hours and 31 minutes also "supported".  Tim has also run a number of other wilderness courses.  Here is an article about trail running and Tim, including his NPT run, and a rival, Ted "Cave Dog" Keizer, who climbed all 46 Adirondack Mt. high peaks in 3 days, 18 hours and 14 minutes.  Here also is a comparison of pace between Richard Denker and Tim Seaver and an interview on NCPR radio.

Then there was Sheryl

Sheryl Wheeler Sets New Record:  The latest (June 15 and 16, 2011) to set a men's and lady's record for a supported run is Sheryl Wheeler, a 48 year old accomplished trail runner from Rhinebeck, NY.  She ran from the Averyville Rd. Trailhead to the Upper Benson Trailhead in 35 hours and 13 minutes setting a new record and beating Tim Seaver's record by more than 2 hours.  She also included the road walks at both ends from the DEC sign marking the official northern terminus of the NPTrail at the corner of Averyville Rd. and Old Military Rd. in Lake Placid to the DEC sign marking the official southern terminus of the NPTrail at the western end of the Northville bridge over the Sacandaga River setting that record in 39 hours 16 minutes.

Article by Carla Kolbe, Sacandaga Express, Sunday, June 26, 2011:  Sheryl Wheeler, 48 from Rhinebeck, arrived in Northville last Thursday evening a bit muddy, tattered and scratched up from her 133-mile hike along the Northville-Lake Placid Trail.  Wheeler broker the record....read more.

Article by Barbara Cook, Daily Enterprise and Leader-Herald, Saturday, June 18, 2011:  Stinging nettles, bugs and bears couldn't stop her.  Darkness, lack of sleep and getting lost couln't stop her.  Even a damaged heart couln't stop Sheryl wheeler as she emerged from the Adirondack woods as a record-holder.  Wheeler on Thursday broke the speed record for...read more.

Wakely Dam Ultra:

Speaking of trail running, there is a trail running event yearly on the Northville Placid Trail from Piseco to Wakely Dam called the Wakely Dam Ultra.  "The Wakely Dam Ultra is a 52.5K (32.6 miles) ultra marathon through the Adirondack Park wilderness of New York State. It takes place along a remote section of the Northville Placid Trail between Piseco Lake and the Wakely Dam. The race is totally self supported, all runners will provide their own aid. It is a technical trail race with 7,381 feet of total elevation change. There are no cross roads, when you enter at Piseco Lake there are only two ways out; emerge at the Wakely Dam or return from whence you came. Adding your name to the list of nearly 300 runners who have conquered Wakely will take a fair amount of fitness, planning, toughness, and maybe even a little bit of luck." 

The Wakely Dam Ultra is now managed by a Doug and Kim Gardner as of 2011.  Here is a link to the former website with history and achieves of previous events. 

The 2011 Wakely Dam Ultra was run on Saturday, July 23rd.  The winning time, by Chad Denning, was 5:06:10.  That works out to an average of 6+ miles per hour - quite the pace.  Sixty two runners started the course and all but two finished.



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Thru-hiking:

To complete a thru-hike one must first determine the amount of time available to complete the hike, one's personal conditioning, the estimated number of miles one can comfortably hike per day, the season of the year, the weather and logistics such as food drops and where to stay each night. 

Hiking Mileage - If one is hiking 120 miles and can average 10 miles per day it would take 12 days to complete the hike, providing you have 12 days plus travel days for your hike.  On the other hand, if you have a week's vacation with two weekends for traveling resulting in an actual 5 to 8 day hike, you need to average 15 to 24 miles per day for a thru-hike.  The NPT has its challenges and attempting to average 15, 20 or 25 miles per day takes considerable conditioning and mental toughness.

Aaron Newell, a 17-year-old Queensbury High School senior, hiked the trail in four days in 2010.  On one of my thru-hikes I met a Father and Son duo who did the entire 120 miles in 4 1/2 days, averaging nearly 27 miles per day.  I met another couple who were NY State Park Rangers in another region of New York State who did the 120 miles in 6 days, an average of 20 miles per day.  Another incredible hiker, trail name - "MA (Maryanne) form PA", hiked the 120 miles in 10 days at age 72.  She had also completed two back to back thru-hikes of the AT when she was in her 60's.   A picture I took of her is on page 88 of the ADK guidebook. 

I know I can comfortably hike 6 to 8 miles a day average with an occasional 11 to 12 mile day thrown in, leaving me time for exploring and enjoyable evenings around a campfire with fellow hikers.  How you want to proceed is up to you of course, but make sure you plan your hike with safety and enjoyment in mind and not make it a race, unless that really is your intent, as with Drew Haas, Tim Seaver and Sheryl Wheeler - all active trail runner athletes. 

There is a lot to see on the Northville-Placid Trail and discoveries along the way such as the "Whitehouse Privy" or "French Louie's Fireplace" or "Noah John Rondeau's Hermitage".  If you don't have time to do the entire trail comfortably in one end-to-end hike, hike a section and come back another time to hike more.  There is a saying in the hiking world - "Hike Your Own Hike" - don't try to keep up with someone else.  Hike at your own pace and you will be rewarded with a positive memorable experience.  This is especially true if you have inexperienced hikers or children hiking with you.  Slow down and give them the opportunity to have just such a positive hike that will inspire them to hike again and that they will still remember well into the future.


   


Food Considerations - Food drops are an important consideration as well.  Assuming carrying food for four to five days at a time as your maximum goal, it would entail having two food drops in order to make the entire 120 mile journey in 12 days.  You would start out with a four to five day supply and then pick up another four to five day supply that you have stashed or made arrangements for and then one more four or five day supply after that.  If you are covering the 120 miles in 8 to 9 days than only one food drop might be needed.  I recommend carrying an extra one to two days food supply in the event that weather, trail conditions or injury cuts down on your miles per day and results in your originally planned 8 or 9 or 12 day hike actually taking 1 or 2 days longer.  That has happened to us and we were glad to have some extra food and snacks to get us through 2 extra days.  As the saying goes, "stuff happens".  Better to be safe then sorry.

Food drop ideas include filling a bear-proof canister with food and hiding it in the woods near one of the main four road crossings with the trail.  If you don't own a bear-proof container check with your local EMS store or Hoss's in Long Lake, NY, who rent and sell them.  I've also used a clean kitty litter plastic container with my food stored in a sealed plastic bag inside and the top secured with duct tape and placed in a black garbage bag and hidden in the woods at a road crossing. 

Some people send food packages to themselves to local post offices at Piseco, Blue Mountain Lake or Long Lake.  The trail goes right past the Piseco post office but is 3.5  miles distance from the post office in Blue Mountain Lake.  The Long Lake post office however is about a 2 mile hike from the NPT.  Timing your arrival with post office hours may also be a problem.  The Irondequoit Inn in Piseco (just west of the Piseco post office and the corner of County Rd. 24 and Haskell's Rd.) offers free primitive campsites (and access to hot showers) for NPTrail thru-hikers.  They also have a very nice B & B and hardy breakfast for a very reasonable price if you are interested in an upgrade.  They also will hold a food drop for you.  I stayed there on one of my hikes, yes - in the B & B.  I really, really needed a little R and R and access to a clothes washer/dryer.  Nice folks, great place to stay, awesome breakfast.   There is great little motel in Long Lake right across from the Long Lake Post Office - the Corner Motel.  They are pet friendly if you are hiking with a dog.  Reasonable rates.  Nice accommodations.  Do a mail drop to the Post Office or direct to the motel and spend a night in Long Lake.  See our NPT Community Resources page for descriptions and links to restaurants and stores in Long Lake. 


Another option for food is buying it in town during your hike so you don't have to do food drops.  In Piseco, you have a small deli type store, Casey's Corner, on Route 8 just east of the trail where it crosses Route 8.  It is a nice place to pick up some snacks and a sandwich or two.  In Blue Mountain Lake you have a seasonal small gas station convenient store at the corner of Routes 28/30 and 28N.  In Long Lake you have a Stewarts gas station convenient store at the corner of Routes 28N and 30 and Hoss's Country Corner on the other corner, which has some camping equipment and groceries.   Blue Mountain Lake is approximately 3 miles from the trail crossing on Routes 28/30 and Long Lake is approximately 1.5 to 2 miles from the trail crossing on Route 28N.  Leave some extra time if you plan on picking up food or a post office food drop in either Blue Mountain Lake or Long Lake.

Looking for an alternative to Mountain House meals?  Check out this local Adirondack business, Hawk Vittles, for home made GOURMET meals that are packed with carbohydrates and protein to fuel you up. Hawk Vittles are made with the freshest ingredients whenever possible. There are no artificial flavorings or preservatives used in their preparation. Nor do they contain a lot of sodium to enhance their flavor.  Hawk Vittles came into being by request. The owner is a retired professional chef who made and dehydrated his own meals for backpacking. After sharing his meals with friends and satisfying their requests for meals for their use, an Internet business was born.

Where to Stay - Once you have a conservative estimate of the average miles per day and number of days, you can then start planning on where to stay each night.  There are an abundant number of lean-tos available on the NPT but depending on the time of year there may be competition for use of the lean-tos.  There generally are plenty of tent-sites near lean-tos so carrying a tent is recommended if you are hiking in the peak season so you can pitch a tent when you come to a lean-to that is crowded.  It is important to camp at designated campsites or lean-to areas to lessen the impact we have on nature.  Also, there generally are privies located at each designated camping area.

By the way, protocol is to share a lean-to with up to 8 people total and not to set up a tent inside a lean-to.  Unfortunately, you may find some hikers who either don't know that or ignore that commonsense protocol all-together and who will ask you to move on or find somewhere else to spend the night.  This is especially so with the lean-tos along the trail where it parallels Long Lake with easy access by boaters.  It also can be a problem on Tirrell Pond as float planes regularly drop off fishermen and hunters who take over camping areas and lean-tos.  Also, the area around Cedar Lake, West Lake and Silver Lake can have weekend hikers, who are sometimes inexperienced, coming in from the Sled Harbor/Pillsbury Mountain parking area north of Speculator, NY, on the French Louie trail who then hike on the NPT to just south of the Cedar Lake Dam and then head back to the parking area via the Perkins Clearing access route (a very nice weekend hike by the way). 

Along Long Lake, this is generally true with regard to the Catlin Bay lean-to that is on the water; the Hidden Cove lean-to; both Kelly Point lean-tos; both Rodney Point lean-tos; and the lower Plumley Point  lean-to.  During boating season, boaters seem to think that they can reserve or claim a lean-to for their exclusive use, sometimes for a week or more, even if it is only two people.  They can be downright hostile at times.  Best to move on or plan not to stay at any of the lean-tos along Long Lake with the exception perhaps of the Catlin Bay lean-to that is along the trail (seems to be too far from the water for boaters to use) and the Plumley's lean-to that sits on the hill (not as easy to carry one's gear from the boat to the lean-to as the other Plumley's lean-to that is further North and closer to the water).  Hopefully in the future one or two new lean-tos will be built along this stretch of trail that parallels Long Lake,  but to the East of the trail away from the lake so they will be available pretty exclusively for hikers.

There are several areas of the NPT where there is a considerable distance between lean-tos, requiring some thought to where you will stay in these areas if you are unable to hike these distances or you run into nasty weather and need shelter.  The hope is that additional lean-tos could be added in between these areas in the future to make it possible to locate a lean-to approx. every 6 to 8 miles or less.  Some of these areas include:




Transportation - Another important consideration when thru-hiking or section-hiking is transportation.  You need to make plans to be able to retrieve vehicles.  The Northville-Placid Trail is a linear trail.  You start at one end and hike to the other end of the trail or a section of the trail.  This takes some planning.  If there are several people in your hiking party and two vehicles, the problem is solved easily by leaving one vehicle at a trailhead parking area where you are hiking to and the other vehicle where you are hiking from.  Then upon reaching your destination you retrieve the one vehicle and drive back to the other vehicle.  For a thru-hike you are looking at a 2+ hour drive from one end to the other.  There are some private individuals willing to shuttle NPT hikers around.  Click here to send an email inquiry to Tom Haskins and he will be able to respond with up-to-date information on rates, availability, and more information about shuttle service for the NPT Hiker.  Also, I've been told by the Irondequoit Inn Innkeepers, Pamela and Loren, that if they have the time they are willing to shuttle NPT hikers to trailheads in the area of Upper Benson, Piseco and Lake Durant (Blue Mt. Lake).  Certainly if you are planning on staying at the Irondequoit Inn give Pamela and Loren a call if you need a shuttle in the southern section of the trail.  If neither of these options work, please contact me as we might be able to help out with shuttling as well.

Some interesting ways to solve the transportation challenge is to use a bicycle that is stashed in the woods at one end of the section you are hiking so you can ride it back to your car.  Another is to trailer a motorcycle which you park at one end and use to retrieve your vehicle.  One that I used with my son, Mike, was a tow dolly.  I was living in Rochester, NY, at the time (a 4 to 4.5 hour ride to the NPT) and towed Mike's car behind my truck.  We would park his car at the end we hiked towards and then used it to drive back to my truck and the tow dolly.  This saved on having to drive two vehicles from Rochester, NY, whenever we were hiking on the NPT or in the High Peaks.

Need Help With Your Planning? - I've personally section-hiked, weekend-hiked and thru-hiked the Northville-Placid Trail.  I will take the time to help you with your hike planning, especially with a thru-hike as it entails more detailed research and planning than a section-hike or weekend-hike.  Please feel free to fill out the form below for help and someone will get back to you and help you out with your questions and concerns.

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Kim VanEvera

As a side note, the NPT lost a wonderful advocate and friend with the death of Kim VanEvera (1968 - 2006).  Kim operated Back to Basics, catering to NPT hikers with accommodations, guiding, and shuttle service.   When I thru-hiked the NPT southbound from Lake Placid to Upper Benson in 2005, my intention was to hitch-hike back to Lake Placid after completing my hike in Upper Benson.  However, after three separate hikers and groups of hikers mentioned that Kim was meeting them at the end of their hike and shuttling them back to their cars, I decided to call Kim and make arrangements for her to pick me up as well. 

Unbeknown to me at the time, Kim was fighting Lung/Brain Cancer. She was diagnosed in early February 2005, at age 37. Kim was a single mother of 2 beautiful girls named Taryn & Rachael. She completed Radiation Therapy on March 17, 2005, and underwent Experimental Chemotherapy. She received her latest Test results from the Doctor on Nov 8th 2005 which weren't good.  Kim died on April 14, 2006.  In spite of her condition and illness, Kim still agreed to provide me with a shuttle.

Section-hiking:

There are four major road crossings with the NPT:  Route 8 in Piseco, NY; Cedar River Road a couple of miles west of Indian Lake, NY; Routes 28/30 3 miles east of Blue Mountain Lake, NY; and Route 28N 1.5 to 2 miles east of Long Lake.  This provides excellent possibilities for splitting the Northville-Placid Trail into shorter section-hikes.  In fact, I met one man while on one of my NPT hikes who was doing an end-to-end over four long consecutive weekends.

So let's break down the trail into sections along with mileage figures and lean-to locations.

Upper Benson, NY to Piseco, NY:  (Section 1 of the NPT ADK Guide is the road walk from Northville, NY to Upper Benson trailhead - pages 41 to 44; Section 2 of the NPT Guide is from Upper Benson to Whitehouse - pages 45 to 52; and Section 3 of the NPT Guide is from Whitehouse to Piseco - pages 53 to 57)

Upper Benson trail head to Route 8, Piseco, NY - 22.3 miles
Upper Benson trail head to trail head parking area on Haskells Rd before Cold Stream bridge - 25.3 miles (includes the 3 mile road walk in Piseco)

There are three lean-tos on this section.  One at Silver Lake (7.5 miles from Upper Benson); one at Mud Lake (5.7 miles from Silver Lake) and one at Hamilton Lake Stream (5.4 miles from Mud Lake).  There is another 3.7 mile hike from Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to to Route 8 in Piseco and 6.7 mile hike from Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to to the trail head parking area on Haskells Rd. 

This is an easy four-day/three night hike but can be done in three days by staying at Silver Lake lean-to day one (7.5 mile hike); Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to day two (11.1 mile hike) with a 3.7 mile hike-out to Route 8 or 6.7 mile hike-out to the Haskells Rd. parking area.  There is a road maintenance facility where the NPT crosses Route 8 and it is possible to park a vehicle there.  However, the official trail head parking area is 3 miles further north on Haskells Road and the road walk is necessary to consider an official end-to-end hike.

There also are tent camping areas at Meco Lake (6.4 miles from Upper Benson trail head) and Canary Pond (9.5 miles from the Upper Benson trail head).  If you are planning a three day hike in this section you may want to head to Canary Pond tent camping area on the first day (9.5 miles) and then to Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to for day two (9.1 miles from Canary Pond).  Then a hike of 6.7 miles to the trail head parking area on Haskells Rd. in Piseco.  This evens out the hiking for the first two days.

Piseco, NY to Wakely Dam on Cedar River Road:  (Section 4 of the NPT Guide is from Piseco to West Canada Lakes - pages 58 to 68; and Section 5 of the NPT Guide is from West Canada Lakes to Wakely Dam - pages 69 to 75)

This section of trail is 32.6 miles long.  Some hikers can do this in two days time but most will need at least three to four days to complete this section hike.   For a two day hike of this section the most likely place to stay on day one is at the West Lake lean-to which is 16.4 miles from the parking area.  Day two's hike-out would be approximately 16.2 miles to Wakely Dam.  There is plenty of parking at Wakely Dam for staging a second vehicle.  Wakely Dam is a 10.+ mile drive from Route 28/30, 2.5 miles west of Indian Lake. 

The first lean-to northbound from the official parking area on Haskells Rd. is on Spruce Lake (9.5 miles).  There are two more lean-tos on Spruce Lake - the second one is 10.3 miles from the parking area - the third one is 10.8 miles from the parking area.  The seldom used West Canada Creek lean-to is 15.3 miles from the parking area in Piseco.  It is seldom used as most people going north stay at South Lake or West Lake lean-tos and pass by the West Canada Creek lean-to.  Those hiking southbound tend to have stayed in the West Lake or South Lake lean-tos and thus move on to the Spruce Lake lean-tos.  Another issue for the West Canada Creek lean-to is that it is right on the trail.  The trail passes 10 feet in front of the lean-to.  Most of the lean-tos on the Northville-Placid Trail are off the trail. 

So for a three day, two night section-hike of this section one would hope to stay at the second or third Spruce Lake lean-to on day one (a total of 10.3 to 10.8 miles from the parking area).  The next day's goal would probably be the Beaver Pond lean-to (11.4 to 11.9 miles from Spruce Lake).  That would leave approximately 10.4 miles for a hike-out to the Wakely Dam parking area.

If one is spending four days in this section I would recommend staying at the first Spruce Lake lean-to on day one (9.5 miles from the parking area); then staying at the South Lake or West Lake lean-tos for day two (6.2 to 6.8 miles from the first Spruce Lake lean-to); with a day three goal of Cedar River Flow lean-to (aka, Carry lean-to or Cedar River lean-to).  This lean-to would be a hike of 12 to 12.6 miles on day three with a 4.3 mile hike-out on day four.  Another option for day three would be a goal of reaching the Beaver Pond lean-to (5.9 to 6.5 miles) leaving a 10.4 mile hike-out to Wakely Dam or the First Cedar Lake lean-to (6.6 to 7.2 miles) with a 9.7 mile hike-out to Wakely Dam. 

My favorite lean-to on the NPT is the Beaver Pond lean-to.  If you are southbound the lean-to is off the NPT on a side trail that goes to the right approx. 200 yards before the bridge over the beaver dam that separates Beaver Pond from Cedar Lakes.  The Beaver Pond lean-to is actually on Cedar Lakes.  The lean-to directional signs aren't visible when northbound so if you get to the bridge, you have gone too far.  Turn around and start hiking southbound.  You will see the lean-to sign on your left.  If you are southbound, look for the signs just after crossing the bridge between Beaver Pond and Cedar Lakes.

By the way, if you are planning on staying at the Third Cedar Lakes lean-to, 3.7 miles from the former caretaker clearing at West Lake, be advised that finding it is a challenge.  I've tried twice and found numerous "herd paths" resulting in hiking in circles.  I've heard that it is a remote and well-cared for lean-to mostly used by boaters who have carried their canoes and kayaks into Cedar Lakes.  Apparently it is very visible from the water, but not so visible trying to hike to it.  It is located approx. 1/2 mile off the NPT trail.

The First Cedar Lakes lean-to is another lean-to where the trail crosses about ten feet in front of the lean-to and thus not one of my favorites.  The Carry lean-to, also known as the Cedar River Flow lean-to and Cedar River lean-to is at the south end of Cedar River Flow (the name of the body of water behind Wakely Dam).  This is on a short side trail off the NPT in a very picturesque spot.  The picture in the masthead of this website taken at night with the pink in the sky was taken directly in front of the Carry lean-to on a very cold evening.  The Carry lean-to is a very popular lean-to with hikers but also with canoeists.  It is a 4 or 5 mile canoe trip from Wakely Dam.  Wakely Dam, by the way, is full of recreation vehicles much of the time.  There is a boat launch by the dam as well.

Wakely Dam to Lake Durant State Campground and Route 28/30 road crossing 3 miles east of Blue Mountain Lake, NY:  (Section 6 of the NPT Guide is from Wakely Dam to Lake Durant - pages 76 to 81)

This section hike is now a pleasure with the elimination of 6+ miles of road walk on Cedar River Road.  I've hiked the road and I've hiked the new relocated trail.  I'll take the trail, thank you.  The total miles from Wakely Dam to Route 28/30 is approximately 12.6 miles.  This section could be hiked separately or added to the previous section from Piseco, NY to Wakely Dam if one has time.  Hopefully a new lean-to will be added in the near future to the relocated section so that one can find shelter half way between the Carry lean-to and the next northern lean-to at Stephens Pond, a distance of 13.5 miles. 

The trail leaves Wakely Dam with a .7 road walk on Cedar River Road to where the trail heads left onto the reroute.  Please download and print out the supplement to the ADK guidebook for information and a map of the rerouted section of trail.  There is a trail to the left  and a one car parking area about 100 yards or so north of the trail register at the beginning of this reroute.  The trail leads to a tent camping area on Wakely Pond.  It isn't an official camping area but appears to be used a lot.  This camping spot is approx. 5.3 miles from the Carry lean-to and thus approx. 8.2 miles from Stephens Pond lean-to.  It is about the best spot to camp in between the two lean-to's if you are including this section in the previous section or thru-hiking.

If you are section-hiking this section only then I would recommend hiking from Wakely Dam to Stephens Pond lean-to, total miles of 9.2 or continue the full 12.6 miles to the Route 28/30 road crossing.  Another option would be start or end your hike of this section with a stay at the Lake Durant State Campground.

Route 28/30 Lake Durant to Route 28N, 2 miles east of Long Lake, NY:  (Section 7 of the NPT Guide is from Lake Durant to Long Lake - pages 82 to 89)

Parking areas are available on both sides of Route 28/30 where the Northville-Placid Trail crosses the highway and in a trail head parking area on Route 28N, 2 miles or so east of Long Lake Village.  The total mileage of this section is 14.8 miles, but it also includes hiking the highest point on the NPT.  The "height of land" on a ridge or saddle on the side of Blue Mountain is 3000 feet in elevation.  The approximate elevation at the parking areas on Route 28/30 and Route 28N is 1800 feet resulting in an elevation gain of 1200 feet.  This climb is gradual headed north but quite steep on the northern side of the height of land.  The height of land is reached at approx. 10.4 miles from Route 28/30 leaving 4.4 miles for a hike-out.  A one day hike of this section will be strenuous.

Another way to hike this section is to hike into and stay at the Tirrell Pond lean-to, a 4.7 mile hike from the parking areas on Route 28/30.  There is another lean-to, O'Neil Flow lean-to, located on the south end of Tirrell Pond that is a 3.5 mile hike from the parking area.  Day two would then require a 10.1 mile hike-out.  There are no official camping areas, tent sites or lean-tos between the Tirrell Pond lean-to and the road crossing at Route 28N.  However, there are suitable areas for impromptu camping along the way if desired.

Route 28N Long Lake to Averyville Road trail head parking in Lake Placid:  (Section 8 of the NPT Guide is from Long Lake to Shattuck Clearing - pages 90 to 97; Section 9 of the NPT Guide is from Shattuck Clearing to Duck Hole - pages 98 to 105; and Section 10 of the NPT Guide is from Duck Hole to Averyville Rd. and Lake Placid - pages 106 to 112)

This is the longest section hike at 37.7 miles.  A four day hike of this section would include recommended overnights at the first Plumley Point lean-to (8.3 miles from Route 28N trail head parking area); Ouluska Pass lean-to on the Cold River (10.5 miles from Plumleys); and Moose Pond lean-to (9.6 miles from Ouluska Pass lean-to) leaving a 9.3 mile hike-out to the trail head parking on Averyville Road in Lake Placid.  There are plenty of other lean-tos to choose from if you decide to lengthen your time spent in this section. 






   
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This 22.3 mile section offers several options for a weekend depending on your available time.  A two day hike would include staying at Mud Lake lean-to (13.2 miles from the Upper Benson trail head) with a 9.1 mile hike-out on day two.  A three day hike would include a stay at Silver Lake lean-to day one (7.5 miles from the trail head) and Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to on day two (11.1 miles from Silver Lake lean-to) leaving a 3.7 mile hike-out on day three.  A four day hike would include staying at Silver Lake lean-to day one (7.5 miles); Mud Lake lean-to day two (5.7 miles from Silver Lake); and Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to day three (5.4 miles from Mud Lake) leaving a 3.7 mile hike-out on day four.

Parking is available at the trail head in Upper Benson and in a road maintenance facility on Route 8 as the trail emerges from the woods.  I highly recommend having a Blue Mountain Burger and a beer at the Oxbow Inn located 1 mile east of where the trail crosses Route 8.  This was a favorite spot for my son, Mike, and me when we were hiking the NPT and Adirondack high peaks.  Somehow we always managed to find the way back to Rochester via Piseco.

Upper Benson to Whitehouse

Another option in the Upper Benson to Piseco section is to hike to the Whitehouse parking area that is at the terminus of West River Rd. which is an 8.6 mile drive west of Wells, NY, and Route 30, rather than continuing to Piseco.  The total miles here would be 16.4 from Upper Benson making a nice two day hike with a stay at Silver Lake lean-to day one (7.5 miles) and a hike-out of 8.9 miles.  Or, make it a three day hike with a stay at Silver Lake lean-to day one (7.5 miles); day two at Mud Lake lean-to (5.7 miles from Silver Lake) and a 3.2 mile hike-out.

Whitehouse to Piseco

Another option in the Upper Benson to Piseco section is to hike from the Whitehouse parking area north to Piseco (total of 6 miles). This is a nice two day hike that would include staying at the Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to on day one (2.3 miles from the Whitehouse parking area) with a hike-out of 3.7 miles.  From the parking area make a left at the register to visit the interesting suspension bridge over the West Branch of the Sacandaga River before turning around and heading north to the Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to (including another suspension bridge over Hamilton Lake Stream).  The Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to is on a side trail to the right just past the bridge and up a slight hill.

Wakely Dam to Durant State Park and Route 28/30