ABOUT THE ADIRONDACKS

The Adirondack Region of Northern New York, The Adirondack Park, encompasses about 6 million acres. The Park was created in 1882 by the New York State Legislature, which enacted measures that guarantee public lands will remain constitutionally protected to remain "forever wild" forest preserve. (2.6 Million Acres). This was the start of protecting the Adirondack wilderness. The Park surrounding countryside and the entire western shore of Lake Champlain, is the size of the state of Vermont, with a structure unlike any other state or national park in the nation: it is a patchwork of public and private lands. There are expansive areas of back-country wilderness interspersed with private homes, farms, villages, businesses, timber lands and camps. Logging, mining, farming, tourism and even medicine all played a major role in the development of the Adirondack Region.

About 130,000 people live here year round in the Adirondack Parks 12 counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Oneida, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington, comprised of 105 towns and villages. The harmonious blend of private and public lands give the Adirondacks a diversity found nowhere else - a diversity of open space and recreational lands, of wildlife and flora, of mountains and meadows, and people of all walks of life.

The history of the Adirondacks has been shaped and influenced by many powerful forces. The Adirondack region remained virtually unknown to Europeans until the early 19th century. As the new United States industrialized, the discovery of iron ore fueled efforts to develop iron mines, furnaces and forges in the region. A burgeoning demand for timber pushed loggers deeper into the wilderness. Farming communities developed in many of the river valleys.

In the early 1800's, towns like St. Regis, Paul Smiths and Old Forge sprang up taking advantage of the vast timber resources and iron ore deposits. In the central Adirondacks, pioneers cleared the large tracts of land for farming creating the first settlements. By 1880 the Adirondacks had become a popular destination for the rich and famous. Vacations in the northern wilderness were recommended for health, well being and as a cure for tuberculosis. Hotels, inns and guide services sprang up to serve visitors to the area. It became fashionable for the wealthy to establish huge rustic compounds known as "great camp" estates (Gilded Age).

The Adirondack Region is best known for its Mountains, Lakes and Ponds. Host to 8,000 Sq. miles of mountains; 2,000 high peak mountains, 40 which are over 4,000 feet. The highest peak in New York State is Mount Marcy at 5,344 feet. The Adirondack Park offers over 2,000 miles of hiking trails with 240 lean-tos and 35 campsites. 2,300 lakes (200 lakes at least a square mile area), 1,500 miles of rivers, and 30,000 miles of brooks and streams filled with 66 species of fish; trout, salmon, bass, pike, perch, sunfish...

Which takes us to the endless recreational activities the Adirondacks have to offer all year round! Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, ski jouring, skiing, snowboarding, tubing during the winter months, while spring, summer and fall bring hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, swimming, mountain biking, camping, hunting, golfing, bird watching and the list goes on. Your list of things to do will only get longer as you discover this magnificent area!

Throughout the park there are over 54 species of animals; Moose, Black Bear, White Tail Deer, Lynx, Bobcat, Coyotes, Foxes, Fisher, Pine Marten...and over 220 Birds that include Eagles, Herons, Loons, Owls. There are also 35 species of amphibian and reptiles, representing seven amphibian families and five families of reptiles, occupy the Adirondack region; Salamanders, Turtles, Snakes, Frogs.

In the Adirondacks, it is possible to hike to a stream an isolated pond and fly fish in the afternoon, then spend the evening strolling down Main Street in Inlet or Old Forge, NY.

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