Iāll be the first to admit, I got hooked on hiking after successfully completing my first Adirondack high peak, Big Slide, in Fall 2000. I wasnāt in hiking shape by any means, but it was a beautiful autumn day with little to no bugs. This fact, plus the gorgeous foliage, was the perfect recipe for a memorable introduction to the High Peaks.
Our group consisted of four best friends that attended high school together and were reunited over Fall break of our freshman year in college. Our group leader, a relatively experienced hiker, was wise enough to introduce us to Adirondack hiking via Big Slide, as opposed to starting us off on the more heavily trafficked trails of Cascade and Porter mountains which hikers new to the high peaks typically begin with. While Iām sure we wouldāve enjoyed the summit views of the latter, the journey up and back the Big Slide trail provided our group plenty of private stretches to reminisce about high school and converse about trivial topics that college freshman have on their minds. When we reached the summit and gazed upon the Great Range, it was apparent that the three newbies to Adirondack hiking were hookedā¦on the High Peaks.
Sure, there were some non-high peaks we would hike the next few years; however, we were less enthusiastic about those trips than venturing up a high peak where we were sure to experience a similar high to what we felt atop Big Slide. The wiser and experienced hiker of our group quickly realized that to increase the likelihood of getting the gang to commit to a hike, there would have be a high peak on the agenda.
At the time, I jokingly referred to the non-high peaks as molehills and anthills. I exclaimed that I wanted to attempt ābig kid hikesā, not āhikes for kindergartnersā as I would teasingly say to our group leader. Our buddy would chime in with remarks about non-high peaks being āchildās playā or āNickelodeon hikesā. While our comments were in jest, there was no denying that the three newest hikers were High Peaks addicts. To our group leaderās dismay, we would continue to make long day trips over the years completing various high peaks while he yearned for more quiet, peaceful hikes away from the crowds.
Fast forward to present day and itās been years since Iāve attempted a high peak. Granted, Iām not over the High Peaks; however, it took the love of my life to help me shift my attitude toward Adirondack hiking. My wife had very little hiking experience before we met and struggled with the first few hikes we attempted, non-high peaks. Eventually she worked her way up to completing a few high peaks; however, she preferred the less strenuous hikes of many of the non-high peaks. Likewise, she is focused on the journey and not the destination, thus, mind-blowing summit views take a back seat to stress-reducing, mind clearing, rejuvenating hikes.
Slowing down, having a greater awareness of my surroundings, and attempting less strenuous hikes offered me a much different and arguably more rewarding hiking experience. The amazing but short-lived high of summiting a high peak did not provide the same sense of calmness, peace, and serenity that these non-high peaks were able to deliver throughout an entire trip. Likewise, my wife and I encountered significantly less hikers on these trails, so much so, that there was an impressive period of time where we enjoyed the summit all to ourselves.
With these non-high peak trips, the two of us never felt rushed to get on the trail in the early morning hours, nor did we ever worry about whether or not weād find reasonable parking. Furthermore, the shorter journeys enabled us to hike at a comfortable pace and pick-up on more nuances of the forest and spot more wildlife. By the end of the hike, we had enough energy and time to grab a good meal before it turned dark. There were many instances in the past where my hiking group completed a high peak and the driver was chauffeuring a car full of sleeping passengers home.
AdirondackHikers.com is committed to highlighting some of the wonderful hiking opportunities beyond the High Peaks of the Adirondacks. There are hikes that will deliver breathtaking scenery, greater solitude, and even some summit views that rival those of the High Peaks. Regardless if youāre an aspiring 46er, there are dozens of amazing non-high peak hikes you need to experience. I would go so far as to say youād be missing out if you bagged all 46 High Peaks prior to checking out some of these top-rated Adirondack hikes. Donāt get me wrong, becoming a 46er is certainly a great achievement. Nonetheless, itās a lot less common these days to meet an Adirondack hiker that has explored multiple regions of the Adirondack Park and has a diverse array of hikes under their belt than it is to run into an aspiring 46er who will feign their enthusiasm for hiking Couchsachraga Peak. There are plenty of wonderful āmolehillsā I could recommend that would provide a significantly more memorable and enjoyable experience.
