Type I Fun
There are a few types of outdoorsy fun.
Originally written for the Rensselaer Outing Club Cairn.
There are a few types of outdoorsy fun. Type I Fun is fun while it’s happening. Type II is only fun afterwards (maybe even a while afterwards). And Type III is never fun. Not even after. Not ever.
But today we’re going to focus on Type I. Because Type II and III are important in their own rights and sometimes you need them if you want to push your own boundaries or the boundaries of a sport. But sometimes you just need to chill with your friends by a campfire, laugh, and eat smores and that’s important too.
Here are some of my favorite tried and true “Type I” trips…
Indian Head for Sunrise
So... the sun actually rises from behind Indian Head but hear me out here. The sun casts an unreal orange glow on the mountains in front of you as it peeks out from the peaks behind you.
The Gilbrook campsites aren’t far (as little as .68 miles from Indian Head). Make it a fun little camping adventure or just hike up in the morning. The hike is easy and follows flat Lake Road for a while.
Distance from RPI: 1 hour 40 minutes to St. Huberts Parking Area without traffic
Trip Length: ~10 miles
Considerations: In past years, Gilbrook campsites have had an issue with bears that learned it’s easy to steal food from messy campers. I’ve stayed here a few times and personally never had an issue, but be extra careful to follow LNT, use a bear can, and cook away from camp.
Gilbrook sites will fill very early on holiday weekends. Sometimes the St. Huberts lot itself will completely fill on nice weekends in peak season (summer-fall). If you arrive early in the morning or in the evening to camp (when day hikers should be leaving), you should be fine.
Bouldering at Nine Corner Lake
The classic Adirondack bouldering spot. Fairly close to campus and has a wide variety of grades (V0 to V9 and everything in between) so there’s something for everyone!
True to name, there is also a lake which makes a cool swimming hole in the summer.
Distance from RPI: 1 hour 15 minutes
Trip Length: ~2 miles to the lake and back
Considerations: I’ve only gone in the fall/spring and it was quiet but I’ve heard it can be busy for swimming/camping/hiking in the summer.
Black Mountain Loop
Black is my favorite Lake George mountain. Hike down to Black Mountain Point for an amazing sunset on the lake and then camp at the leanto nearby.
Distance from RPI: 1 hour 30 minutes
Trip Length: ~8 miles
Considerations: N/A
Pharaoh Lake Winter Overnight
I don’t think I stopped laughing for two days straight. Elena made a gear sled for this trip (see “Sisterhood of the Travelling Gear Sled”, February 2019 Cairn).
This is a pretty ideal intro to winter camping trip that still feels like an adventure. You can ski or snowshoe a few miles into the lake (mostly flat) and grab a leanto or set up a tent. Building a fire in winter is such a task that it’s actually a great way to team build and get people moving and warm. When the sun sets, you can go out for a sunset ski/snowshoe on the frozen lake. Getting out of the trees means you have an amazing view of the stars and keeping people moving keeps them warm!
Distance from RPI: 1 hour 23 minutes
Trip Length: ~3 miles (one way) to the lake from the southern approach
Considerations: This place is super fun and full of solitude in the winter. However, I’ve heard it’s too crowded in the summer and on holiday weekends so I’d go somewhere else then.
Sunrise on Algonquin
Algonquin is a bare 360 degree summit and it gave me the best sunrise of my life! If you love a good ridgeline, hike on to Iroquis and Wright too. I’ll never forget the massive shadow of Algonquin on the valley. These are my favorite 46ers.
There’s a designated campsite on the way up from the Loj if you want to split up the hike.
Distance from RPI: 2 hours 13 minutes
Trip Length: ~10 miles from the Loj
Considerations: They’re 46ers so they can get crowded during peak season. However, if you hike them for sunrise you shouldn’t have too much trouble because you should only start to run into the crowds on your way out as everyone else is heading in. Hike them in the winter and you’ll have no crowd problems at all but navigational skills are required (people have gotten turned around on Algonquin in white outs and required helicopter rescue). The Loj has a parking fee.
Thacher
I love Thacher. It’s usually not crowded, close to campus, and it’s where I learned to lead climb! So fun.
Distance from RPI: 39 minutes
Considerations: A free climbing permit is required. You can get one at the visitor’s center. The approach is short but requires a squeeze through some rocks.
Sport climbing only and Thacher has a parking fee.
Sunset on Jay Mountain
360 degree views of the high peaks, a ridge line, and no crowds. I love this mountain. It’s not a 46er but it’s more interesting than some of the 46ers I’ve hiked.
Distance from RPI: 2 hours
Trip Length: ~11 miles (can be shorter or longer depending on how far along the ridge you walk)
Considerations: N/A
Plotter Kill Preserve Ice Climbing
There are climbs on the upper and lower falls ranging from WI2-WI4 but the best part is that it’s practically in our backyard. The features make for some fun climbs.
Distance from RPI: 35 minutes
Considerations: N/A
Sunset Swim in Long Lake
It’s a short hike in from the trailhead or you could canoe in from across the lake. There are two leantos near the shore, but plenty of places to hang a hammock and a place near the lake to have a fire as well if the leantos are full. It’s a nice place to swim and a pretty social spot so if you want to meet new friends and hang out on a lake, this is the place for you. It was nice to stay here for a night after days of solitude on the NPT. But if you are looking for solitude, the Long Lake leantos in the summer probably aren’t for you.
Distance from RPI: 2 hours
Trip Length: 1.9 miles to Catlin Bay Leanto from the trailhead.
Considerations: Busy in the summer but it has a pretty social feel.
Section Hike West Canada Lakes Portion of the Northville Placid Trail
This was probably my favorite section of trail on the NPT. There are lots of berries to pick along the trail, beautiful vistas, and leantos right on the lake. This is one of the most remote sections of the Adirondacks so be prepared for lovely solitude and to handle emergencies on your own. This section is ~32 miles.
Distance from RPI: The hike ends at seasonal dirt Moose River Plains Road which is 2 hours 17 minutes away. You can stash a car here and drive another car 1 hour 15 minutes to the start of the hike.
Trip Length: ~32 miles
Considerations: This would be a shuttle as a section hike so you’d need two cars, a friend, or a shuttle service for logistics.
Giant-RPR-Bald Traverse
Giant and Rocky Peak Ridge are two high peaks and Bald is a fun mountain with awesome views.
This is a really fun shuttle hike, but that means a few extra logistics. Still, I really love this ridge and it offers amazing foliage views in the fall!
Distance from RPI: 1 hour 40 minutes to the Bald Mountain trailhead. Drop off your car or bike here (to get back to the other car at Route 73 where you will begin the hike). Then drive 13 minutes to Giant’s Route 73 trailhead and start the hike.
Trip Length: ~10 miles
Considerations: Giant and RPR are high peaks so get an early start to ensure parking in busy seasons. This is a shuttle so you will need to plant a bike or second car at the terminus before you can start hiking. I recommend going from Giant to Bald for maximum views and a bit of an easier climb.
Hurricane Mountain
FYI: Microspikes work on Chacos. Hurricane from Route 9N is a fairly new, really well done trail. It’s another great hike that isn’t a 46er, but it does have a fire tower with amazing views!
Distance from RPI: 1 hour 52 minutes
Trip Length: ~6.6 miles
Considerations: N/A
Cross Country Skiing at Heart Lake
There’s a lot of fun backcountry trails of varying difficulty and length and even a small ski hill at Heart Lake.
Distance from RPI: 2 hours 13 minutes
There are a lot of trails so trip length may vary.
Considerations: The Loj has a parking fee.
I’ve listed a few considerations for most of these, but please go on to do your own research and planning for the trip as well as the local regulations. Follow LNT and visit and promote these areas sustainably.