Adirondack Mountains
High Peaks Wilderness Area
Wright, Algonquin & Iroquois

3-Day Backpacking
​​Difficulty: ◉◉◉◎◎
Distance: 15 miles

Call to Book (914) 362-8413

The mountains in the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Area are so spectacular that many people aspire to hike all 46 of them! This 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip will take us up and over 3 of the 46 high peaks.

The area is rugged and remote with varied terrain and ecosystems that change as the trail  ascends into the fragile and unique alpine zone above tree-line. The 15 mile loop of the MacIntyre Range is sometimes attempted as a very long day hike, however splitting it into 3 days will allow us to enjoy this beautiful area at a more leisurely pace.  It is still a challenging hike with over 4,000 ft total elevation gain and several steep rock scrambles. 

Optional 1 Day Add-On:
Meet your guide the night before in Lake Placid to get into hiking vacation mode. Accommodations would be at an Air BnB or hiker lodge. Explore the olympic facilities, stroll through town to browse the many shops and outfitters, or hang out on mirror lake. You'll also have extra time to dial in your backpack and organize your gear and food. Includes family style Dinner & Breakfast.

Day 1
2:30pm Meet at ADK High Peaks Information Center. Introductions, gear organization, and other preparations.
3:00pm Depart ADK parking lot and hike about 2.5 miles up to our campsite at the base of Wright Peak. After making camp, we'll enjoy our first meal on the trail, and go to sleep around hiker midnight (as soon as the sun goes down).

Day 2
3:30am Alpine Start! If the skies are clear, we'll wake before the sun, pack up camp and head to the summit of Wright Peak (4,587 ft.) to catch the sunrise. We'll have views of the High Peaks all day as we climb up and over Algonquin Peak, the second highest peak in NY at 5,115 ft. The third peak will be optional as it is a .7 mile out-and-back spur trail to Iroquois Peak 4,843 ft. It is a steep descent to Lake Colden and Avalanche Pass, an incredibly scenic area with some more boulders and ladders to scramble around before we settle into our campsite near Marcy Brook. This will be our longest day, hiking a total of 8.5 - 10 miles. 

Day 3
8:00am with only a few miles to cover, we'll have a relatively easy hike back to the Adirondack Loj at Heart Lake to complete this awesome 2 night adventure. I anticipate that we'll return to the parking lot before noon with time left in the day to sort out gear and enjoy a celebratory lunch.

Meeting Location: High Peaks Information Center
1002 Adirondack Loj Rd
Lake Placid, NY 12946
GPS: 44°10'58.4"N 73°57'49.6"W
44.182891, -73.963788

What's Included:
Professional & Licensed Guide familiar with the park
Meals while on trail
High Quality, Lightweight Gear Rental:
Backpack
Tent & Stakes
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Stove, Fuel, & Cook Pots
Bowl, Mug, & Spork
Garbage Bag (Best Pack Liner)
Dry Bags
Food Bags
Bear Resistant Canister (Required in High Peaks)
Headlamp & Batteries
Toilet Paper & Trowel
Micro Towel
First Aid Kit & Whistle
Water Bottles

*No hiking or backpacking experience is necessary, as you'll be supported by a guide, however this trip is enjoyed most by people who maintain good physical fitness and are prepared for the demands of hiking in a remote wilderness area.

*The alpine zone does not have trees to provide protection from the weather, so extra precautions must be taken when traveling above tree-line. If the weather or visibility is poor, your guide may suggest an alternative hike within the park. Weather can change very quickly in the mountains, especially at higher elevations.