3 Days/3 Nights

Many of you have been asking for a winter trip since we got this whole hut-to-hut initiative started. Well, here it is! Adirondack Hamlets to Huts is psyched to offer our first ever running of the Indian Lake – North Creek Ski-Snowshoe Traverse! You can choose to ski or snowshoe. The skiers and snowshoers will travel in different groups, each with its own guide. Both groups will cover much of the same terrain and end up at the same place of lodging each night. Skiers should have intermediate backcountry skiing ability and be able to navigate downhills on relatively narrow trails. There will be options for both groups to do side hikes up low mountains.

NOTE: Each day‘s route consists of a range of miles and travel options. The guides will decide on each day’s travels based upon the collective abilities and preferences of the group, as well as the weather and other variables. The trip guides will also need to vet each trekker’s ski and snowshoe gear pre-trip to ensure that everyone’s equipment is appropriate for the trails and anticipated conditions.

Included in this trip offering are:

• Three nights of lodging, double-to-multiple-person occupancy
• All meals from dinner on Friday through early dinner on Monday
• All shuttle services
• Travel facilitated by certified New York State Guides

Arrangements can be made for those wishing to spend the night in North Creek at the end of the trip. The cost of the trip does not include snowshoe or ski rentals.

TRIP ITINERARY
Friday, January 12th: Meet in North Creek at a location to be determined by 5:00 PM to drop cars. We will shuttle everyone from North Creek to the Cabins at Chimney Mountain at Kings Flow just outside of Indian Lake. We will do dinner enroute to Indian Lake. We will have a briefing session once we arrive at
our lodging at Kings Flow.

DAY 1, Saturday, January 13th: Each group will get shuttled to either the Parkerville Road Trailhead or the John Pond Trailhead to start the day. The skiers may opt to continue to ski south along Kings Flow once they arrive at Kings Flow and/or they may opt to snowshoe up Chimney Mountain. The snowshoers can choose to cut through the woods to ascend Chimney Mountain on their way to Kings Flow or hike up and down Chimney Mountain upon their arrival to Kings Flow. Or the snowshoers may choose to hike Chimney Mountain the next day. Dinner on this night will be a home cooked meal at the Cabins at Chimney Mountain.

DAY 2, Sunday, January 14th: Following a hearty breakfast prepared by your guides at our cabin, each group may choose to snowshoe up Chimney Mountain before making their way to Garnet Hill Lodge if they did not summit Chimney Mountain the day before. Each group will make their way to Garnet Hill Lodge. Once at the lodge, the skiers may opt to ski the trails at Garnet Hill Lodge before they ski their way another 2 miles to our place of lodging for that night, Apple Farm. Snowshoers will be driven to Apple Farm upon their arrival at Garnet Hill Lodge. After settling in at Apple Farm, both groups will be driven together back to Garnet Hill Lodge to enjoy dinner there.

DAY 3, Monday, January 15th: Both groups will be driven from Apple Farm to Garnet Hill Lodge for a tasty breakfast. Following breakfast, the skiers and snowshoers will make their way from Garnet Hill Lodge to North Creek. Each group at the start of this day’s travel may choose to enjoy a 2-mile round-trip snowshoe hike up Balm of Gilead Mountain just southeast of Garnet Hill Lodge. The Skiers may opt to enjoy some of the trails at the North Creek Ski Bowl before calling it a day. Once the snowshoers arrive in North Creek, trekkers in both groups can change their clothes and freshen up in a room we will rent in North Creek before all enjoy an early dinner and trip debrief before departing for home. Arrangements can be made for those wishing to spend Monday night in North Creek.

NOTE: These itineraries may be subject to change depending on weather and snow conditions, as well as the fitness and travel preferences of each group. Each group’s guide will have the final say in making decisions that will maximize the group’s safety while optimizing individual and collective enjoyment.

Click the image to enlarge.

Other Notes:

A 50% nonrefundable deposit is due at the time of booking. You may make your payment via check and mail it to Adirondack Hamlets to Huts, 47 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 or via our “DONATE” button on the Adirondack Hamlets to Huts website here (www.adkh2h.org/donate).

Although this trip provides comfortable lodging at the end of each day, this experience involves backcountry travel from one place of lodging to the next. You will be exposed to elements of winter weather and terrain and must be clothed appropriately. Mid-January in the Adirondacks is the heart of winter and conditions are typically cold, with an average high temperature of 23 degrees and a low of 6 degrees. Trekkers must be sufficiently fit to snowshoe and/or ski the range of distances slated for travel each day. The itinerary laid out here is subject to change as per the judgment of the guides in response to the whims of the weather and unforeseen circumstances.

Please call Joe at 315.657.1320 with any questions you may have. Adirondack Hamlets to Huts will provide you with a clothing and gear list upon booking and we will facilitate your rental of snowshoes and/or skis if needed/desired. Given that this is a guided trip, we require that you sign an Acknowledgement of Risk/Waiver of Liability form and fill out an AHH medical history form.

Reservation Policy:

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. The remaining balance is due 14 days before your trip starts.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations made 14 days or more before the start of the trip are eligible to receive an electronic gift card valid for 12 months from the date of issuance for the amount paid to date, minus a 10% processing fee based on the amount of the trip. Refunds are not available for reservations cancelled within 14 days of the start of the selected trip.