New York
Climb Cascade Mountain in the Adirondacks or hike Giant Ledge in the Catskills for a shorter overlook. Completing the Adirondack 46ers is a lifetime project,…
Climb Cascade Mountain in the Adirondacks or hike Giant Ledge in the Catskills for a shorter overlook. Completing the Adirondack 46ers is a lifetime project, not a single vacation checklist.
Why New York offers two great mountain escapes
Most visitors picture New York as a city, but hikers get two distinct mountain worlds upstate. The Adirondacks are vast, wild, and lake-dotted, with serious summits like Cascade Mountain that introduce the famous 46 High Peaks. The Catskills, closer to the city, offer gentler ridges and big overlooks such as Giant Ledge that fit into a single day. That contrast is the state's strength: chase a lifetime goal like the Adirondack 46ers, or earn a sweeping view on a Saturday morning.
What to do, step by step
- Pick your range: the Adirondacks for bigger, wilder summits, or the Catskills for a shorter drive and an easier day.
- Check trail conditions, parking limits, and weather for higher elevations before you leave - summit conditions differ sharply from the valley.
- Start very early for popular trailheads like Cascade; lots fill fast on clear weekends and holidays.
- Carry layers, rain gear, ample water, and footwear with grip - Adirondack and Catskill rock is notoriously slick when wet.
- Leave no trace: sign trail registers where provided, stay on durable surfaces, and pack out everything.
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