Days 1-2
Upon arrival into the Empire State Capital of Albany, we'll receive a warm greeting from our leaders and meet our fellow trip mates before embarking on the exciting beginning of our introductory Adirondack Explorer Adventure. From the airport in Albany, it's a short drive to our scenic campground tucked away in the beautiful Hudson River Valley. Since our group is coming from all over the country, we'll take the afternoon to learn more about each other and get to know our surroundings better while our leaders help us set up our tents and prepare dinner for the first time. That evening, we'll gather around a crackling campfire, share stories and gaze up at the impressively-starry sky before crawling into our warm sleeping bags for the night. The next morning, we'll enjoy a hearty breakfast before making the short journey to the pristine Green Mountain National Forest of southwestern Vermont. This is the perfect location for us to stretch our legs with some fun, introductory day hikes – on which we'll hope to catch our first of many glimpses of the beaver, moose, white tailed deer and (if we're lucky) black bear who make their homes in this protected landscape known as the “granite backbone” of Vermont. Days 3-5
Our appetites sufficiently whetted for the wilds of great Northeast, we'll venture next to the iconographic Lake George. Known as the “Queen of American Lakes,” Lake George marks the southern gateway to the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. Here, we'll make an exciting hike to the top of 2,280-foot-high Black Mountain which closely borders the lake and offers stunning views of the surrounding Adirondack range. Camping along the lake's pristine shores, we'll enjoy many refreshing swims and grow closer together as a team throughout these first few days of our adventure. Day 6
The Hudson River Gorge is considered one of the top 10 whitewater rafting runs in the US. Under the careful instruction of local guides, we'll enjoy an exciting day paddling the fun and friendly Class II and III rapids as they run past the impressive, 500-foot granite cliffs that line each side of the river. During our day on the water, we'll have ample opportunities to enjoy a quick swim on the calm stretches between rapids. This empowering introduction to whitewater rafting will certainly help inspire a lifelong love for this exciting sport. Days 7-8
In what is sure to be a literal high point of our adventure, we'll embark on a fun, introductory backpacking trip to the top of Cascade Mountain. This “Adirondack High Peak” is the ideal place for us to experience overnight backcountry camping for the first time. Since 1973, backpacking has been a staple activity for Wilderness Ventures trip groups; there is no greater feeling of freedom or connectedness to the landscape than is achieved by carrying all of our necessary possessions and gear with us through the wilderness. After our short hike into the backcountry, we'll set up camp and cook a delicious dinner. The next morning will find us embarking for the summit, cresting the 4,098-foot peak mid morning for rewarding views of nearby Lake Placid and the surrounding peaks. (Cascade Mountain is a particularly inspiring climb because our views from the dome-shaped summit are free from trees or other foliage.) Days 9-10
Journeying to the shores of Lake Placid, we'll make a cultural visit to the home of the 1932 and 1980 winter Olympic Games, then embark on an overnight canoe trip that will see us paddling along the Lake's tranquil shores to make camp on a secluded, beachside campsite where we'll have the opportunity to enjoy a late afternoon swim before cooking a delicious backcountry meal and toasting marshmallows that evening around a crackling campfire. After a hearty breakfast we'll pack up camp and our canoes and return to civilization. Days 11-12
The final days of our Adirondack Explorer Adventure find us traveling to Lake Champlain and the renowned Green Mountains. Bordering Canada at the northern end of the Hudson River Watershed, Lake Champlain has served as an important commerce and transportation connector between the Saint Laurence and Hudson River systems since early colonial America. Today, the shores of this beautiful lake are lined with some of the finest bikeways in the Northeast. We'll enjoy a day of pedaling along the countryside and the shoreline before embarking into the surrounding Green Mountains for some incredible day hikes to the area's little-know swimming holes. As our culminating activity, we'll kayak the calm waters of the Battenkill River, sharing stories and savoring memories as we float under the historic, covered bridges that traverse the river's scenic banks. Days 13-14
Returning to Albany for the last full day of our adventure, we'll explore the historic neighborhoods of Lark Street before celebrating our adventure around our traditional end-of-adventure banquet. The next morning, we'll return to the airport for tearful goodbyes and safe departures.
