Northville Placid Trail...

[AHIKER]

Good morning all;
I have been looking for a nice hike since finishing the AT in 2008 and am zeroing in on the Northville - Placid trail for a hike this next spring. I have only done some limited hikes in Keene Valley area quite a few years ago so need information on the area and have ordered some books etc as follows:

1. Hiking New york 3rd; A guide to the states best Hiking Rhoda Ostertag
2. Guide to the Adirondack Trails: Northville Placid Trail Forest Preserve Series #4
3. ADK maps sold by WSports.

I was hoping for a guide like for the Long Trail in Vermont. Something that showed where the shelters are, water sources, elevation profiles etc. Did I miss any sources that you can recommend for this hike. There is a National Geo map set with a whole bunch of maps for $32??? Is it worth buying them?
Any suggestions helpful. I also read in here that back in 2004 there was a section that was closed? Any information about this or other issues would be appreciated as well. I guess a bear cannister is a necessity? I heard of a local guy (manages an EMS store in this area) who boasted that no bear would get his food (He was in the ADK area) and the bear really got the best of him!!! I'd like to alo find out the distances between shelters. Are they all still standing - those shown on the maps?? Any known as having bear problems etc!

Hope someone can help me. I wouldn't mind some company either as I am 72 years old and while I like the solitude while walking during the day I like company when camping at night.

Gordon "Renaissance Man" Ripley
Rindge, NH

 

[rhihn]

Hi Gordon,

You might want to check out these links:
http://www.nptrail.org/
http://www.adk-schenectady.org/northville-placid_trail.html
http://www.adkforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=72
You can search posts on the Adkforum link going back about 5-6 years. Some info and links are dated, but there is much that may be of help to you. The newer posts will have the most up-to-date info on trail conditions. Water is quite plentiful, and finding it along the trail is not a big issue.

Though I don't own the 3rd edition ADK publication for the NPT trail, I'm sure it will be quite helpful to you also. A map came with my second edition which shows all of the shelters on the trail, and I assume it will come with the newest edition.

There has been some trail rerouting, including one major one that eliminates the 6 miles of road walking from Wakeley to McCanes, and also eliminates having to travel through the McCane property. I haven't hiked this section yet, but I've read that the reroute is excellent.

Most people hike the trail from south to north. A shuttle service is available (see above ADKforum link) if needed.

Bear canisters are not required, but I would personally recommend one. There have been reports of people losing food to a bear (I recall one incident at Duck Hole). But the bigger issue is not bears but the other critters (squirrels, mice, etc.).

You mentioned that you're hiking "next spring". Depending upon the snow we get this winter and the actual dates for your hike, you could have a considerable amount of snow on the trail.

How many days are you planning for your hike?

 

[AHIKER]

Feedback...

Well, it is hard to tell how many days just yet. I need to figure out the number of miles between shelters although I will be carrying a tent. I usually try to do about 10 miles per day. I have done 22 but that was 4-5 years ago and lately I seem to have slowed down a bit. My last hike I did only 7.5 miles per dayn a two day hike but did have a steep climb for part of it. I guess I will plan on 11-12 days. I have a relative over in Salem NY and will try to get some shuttle help there. I plan on going from south to north. Is there a place to leave my car in the Lake Placid area? A motel maybe? I could then get a ride to the southern trail head and hike to my car. I usually do food caches in protective containers in the woods along the way then return to pick them up after the hike. I also usually bring 60-100' feet of nylon to hang my food bag with. I even bring my own hanging mouse deflector as many lean-too's do not have them.
I am looking forward to the hike. I think by SPRING I am thinking early MAY but will be aware of the snow conditions before I shove off. Thanks for your help.

Gordon

 

[Rick]

Look for my PM.

 

[rhihn]

Well, it is hard to tell how many days just yet. I need to figure out the number of miles between shelters although I will be carrying a tent. I usually try to do about 10 miles per day. I have done 22 but that was 4-5 years ago and lately I seem to have slowed down a bit. My last hike I did only 7.5 miles per dayn a two day hike but did have a steep climb for part of it. I guess I will plan on 11-12 days. I have a relative over in Salem NY and will try to get some shuttle help there. I plan on going from south to north. Is there a place to leave my car in the Lake Placid area? A motel maybe? I could then get a ride to the southern trail head and hike to my car. I usually do food caches in protective containers in the woods along the way then return to pick them up after the hike. I also usually bring 60-100' feet of nylon to hang my food bag with. I even bring my own hanging mouse deflector as many lean-too's do not have them.
I am looking forward to the hike. I think by SPRING I am thinking early MAY but will be aware of the snow conditions before I shove off. Thanks for your help.

Gordon

Our thruhike was 11 days. Carrying a tent is always a good idea, as lean-tos may be full. Do to a grossly oversized group at Tirrell Pond, we tented that night. At Duck Hole, both lean-tos were occupied, though one was by campers who had set up their tent inside of one of the lean-tos (a big no-no!). After polite discussion, they agreed to move their tent. Our itinerary also put us at Fall River, where there is no shelter. Generally speaking, I believe the shelters are c. 10 miles apart, sometimes more, sometimes less. There is no reason to do 22 miles on the NPT, unless you really want to!

Remember that spring, even if no snow, is also "mud season" in many parts of the Adirondacks. Given the already muddy conditions on many parts of the NPT, that is something to consider. Do keep an eye on both the weather and the forums as the time approaches (Adkforum.com is best for this). In addition to our thruhike, I have also section-hiked the trail in April over a few years (a mistake for me, IMO), and conditions were not always great. All things considered, and depending upon the forecasts, I'd opt for an August or September hike, if possible. Little to no bugs, more of a potential for drier conditions.

We left our car at the northern trailhead. At the time, we had heard that there had been break-ins at that lot, but decided to take a chance, and had no problems. I can tell you that the person advertising the NPT shuttle is a good and responsible person who is also a hiker.

Your relative and I (Voorheesville) are practically neighbors! Let us know if we can be of help.

More links:
http://www.adirondackdailyenterpris...orthville-Placid-Trail-rerouted.html?nav=5044
http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/57671.html
http://www.wilsey.net/Northville/ht...rs/2010/09/mattydale_couple_has_finished.html
http://www.cnyhiking.com/Northville-PlacidTrail.htm
http://www.northvilleplacid.com/trail-information/about-the-northville-placid-trail/
http://northvillelakeplacidtrail.com/
http://www.nptrail.org/NPTResources.html
http://newyorkoutdoors.wordpress.co...e-web-site-about-the-northville-placid-trail/
http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-76.html
http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/tra...ng-adirondacks-new-york-sidwcmdev_065594.html

 

[AHIKER]

Learning more every day

I found Bluebearee's 2006 trail journal which was great reading. I have a Delorme's Guide to NY and was able to follow the trail on that map pretty well. With the books coming I'll be ok I'm sure. I will probably end up doing it towards the end of August. I am a photographer and usually want to be out taking photos in May. Maybe Utah this year. Last year it was the EverGlades in March, the Eastern Sierras in June and the San Juan's of Colorado in September!! This retirement is wearing me out!!! It will be hard to wait till August as I am very excited about the trip. The "relative" in NY is my daughter and she lives on route 22 in "tiplady", NY!! Real strange name for a place but tiplady road is right by her house. Do you have a contact name or anything for a shuttle from Lake Placid to Upper Benson???
Thnaks for your help and encouragement.
Gordon

 

[rhihn]

Do you have a contact name or anything for a shuttle from Lake Placid to Upper Benson???
Thnaks for your help and encouragement.
Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Tom Haskins runs a shuttle service for NPT hikers. Info is here.
Best info may be at one of the links I mentioned above: http://www.nptrail.org

 

[Tall Tom]

Best NPT website is www.nptrail.org

Hi AHiker, I'm the webmaster for the new website devoted to the Northville Placid Trail - www.nptrail.org. I think most of the information you need is there. Latest trail conditions, hike planning help and tips, publications to buy, etc. I also offer hike planning help to supplement the information on the website. There is a form on the site on the Hike Planning page for that. There also is a page for community resources where you can find information about businesses along the trail that might be helpful. Besides the shuttle service offered by Tom Haskins, the folks at the Irondequoit Inn not only offer free camp sites and hot showers for NPT hikers they also offer shuttle service for the southern end of the NPT when they have the time. There is a link on www/nptrail.org to them on the Community Resources page. You can also sign up for email updates on the website. Tom "The NPT Fanatic"