Adventuring outdoors after all the leaves have fallen can seem like a rather dull prospect, considering we’ve just lived through the lush growth of summer and vibrancy of peak leaf peeping. The sticky silhouettes of naked trees, grey and brown, don’t have the same je ne sais quoi. But that doesn’t make the end of fall any less special. In fact, after all the leaves have dropped, a whole new world opens up!
There is no equinox to mark the start and our calendars in the Adirondack Hub might not officially celebrate fall after the leaves drop, but that’s not going to stop us from getting outdoors. Check out these hikes that will help you see through the trees this fall!
The HIGH-lights
We can start with the obvious. Fire towers offer outstanding views that would otherwise be blocked with leaves. Mount Adams, Vanderwhacker Mountain, Snowy Mountain, Wakely Mountain, Pillsbury Mountain, Buck Mountain, Goodnow Mountain, and Owls Head Mountain all lift you above the trees to see sweeping panoramas of the wild lands unfolding below. These hikes are all amazing in any season, including the months after the leaves have fallen. Even if heights aren’t your thing, you can enjoy the view from the landings closer to the ground and peer through the leaf-less trees more easily than in, say, July.
Unbe-leaf-able drama in any season
Without those pesky, distracting leaves, we can focus on the real dramatic elements of the landscape. Places like Blue Ledges will make your jaw hit the trail. The famous cliffs tower about the mighty Hudson River, and you don’t need leaves to enjoy the view.
Some views are evergreen
We all know trees fall into two categories, right? We have deciduous trees which shed their leaves annually and grow new ones in spring. Coniferous trees are the cone-bearers with needle-like leaves: pines, spruces, hemlocks. Most conifers keep their needles year-round, so their viridescence is available to your eyes January-December. If the fallen deciduous leaves make you sad, try a hike that leads to a pond surrounded by evergreens! Gull Pond in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness is a short hike that has a view that punches way above its weight. A striking cliff is directly opposite the trail’s end, and there are impressive coniferous trees adding color to the landscape. Wolf Pond, with its inspiring view of the High Peaks, provides a great contrast with the evergreen shore and the bare mountains beyond. A pond isn’t even necessary for a coniferous hike: the Roosevelt Truck Trail, which is mostly lined with towering spruces, is a great place to see some green this stick season.
Orange you glad you knew it was hunting season
Don’t forget that hunting season is active here in the Adirondacks during these cooler months. Best practice is to wear blaze orange or pink. That goes for any hiking dogs, as well. Hunters tend to venture deeper in the woods, away from all the footsteps and noise of trails. By staying on the trail and staying visible with brightly colored clothes, you are creating a safer experience for yourself and any hunters. If you’re still cautious about hiking during hunting season, stick to privately owned land, like the Adirondack Interpretive Center or the North Hudson Town Trails, where hunting is not allowed.
What’s next?
A good day doesn’t need to end as soon as the hike is over. Paradox Brewery is just a few minutes drive off Exit 29 of the Adirondack Northway, making it a convenient stop after any hike in the Adirondack Hub. Ever-present staples, like a crisp and clean pilsner or a juicy double India pale ale, are sure to please the craft brew enthusiast in your crew. You could also continue your adventure by trying something off the seasonal rotation, like the Leaf Peeper Supreme, for example, which is as complex and rich as the Adirondack landscape. Homemade pretzels, chicken wings, and a variety of pizzas will surely quell any appetite you may have aroused during your hike. Perhaps the best part (well, the best part aside from the quaffable brews) about Paradox Brewery is the view. From your table, you might be able to look out and see the rising summits of mountains calling you for your next hike.
