STORY AND PHOTO BY CINDY RUGGIERI

HIGH PEAKS BYWAY

MAP OUT A COURSE FOR ADVENTURE WITH AN AUTUMN BACKDROP IN THE ADIRONDACKS.

LENGTH

30 miles

WORDS TO THE WISE

Black flies and other insect pests can be numerous, especially in early summer.

SIDE TRIPS

Lake Placid hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics. This winter, take a bobsled ride at the Olympic Sports Complex. lakeplacid.com

After dipping into a broad valley, the drive heads into the town of Keene. A side detour from there diverts to the west to the High Peaks Wilderness, where travelers can park and then head out on foot to sample some of the scenery afforded by the 238 miles of hiking trails that lace the area.

NEARBY ATTRACTION

Six Nations Indian Museum, with displays of native crafts, Onchiota, 14 miles north of Saranac Lake

NO MATTER WHAT OUTDOOR ACTIVITY you’re into—mountain biking, canoeing, camping, fishing or snow skiing—“forever wild” Adirondack Park has it all.

Each season in the Adirondacks has its own recreational appeal, but for me, autumn hiking is awe-inspiring! The park’s forest preserve offers more than 6 million acres of breathtaking scenery.

My favorite drive is in the High Peaks region. Jump off Interstate 87 to Route 73 and drive about 40 miles northwest to pretty Saranac Lake. Give yourself plenty of time for stops along the way.

Route 73 winds and curves through a hiker’s paradise, with plenty of trailheads along the roadside. Of the 46 mountain peaks in the Adirondacks, all but four are located in this area. Serious hikers who set a goal to hike all of them can be recognized as members of the Adirondack 46ers club.

I always make my first stop at Chapel Pond for a peaceful walk along the shore. The slabs opposite the road are popular spots for rock climbers, with some 700 feet of smooth climbing surface. From here, follow the road north to Keene and make a quick pit stop at the Cedar Run Bakery & Market for baked goods and sandwiches.

On one of our visits my husband and I turned onto Owl’s Head Lane, a few miles west of Keene, to take the half-mile hike to the Owl’s Head peak. It may have been a short hike, but it was a lot of work going up, climbing over tree roots and rocks.

The payoff was worth the effort—the vistas were spectacular. With only a slight breeze to break up the peace and quiet, we stood in wonder at the mountains around us, bursting with bold autumn colors.

With that memory to treasure, we hiked back down to the road and continued on 73. The road winds along Upper and Lower Cascade Lakes. Pull into the parking area between the lakes for sightseeing, fishing, hiking and paddling on the water.

Whether you end your trip in beautiful Lake Placid or follow Route 86 on to Saranac Lake, this drive is always worth the trip.

Owl’s Head peak is a nice spot for repose.