Description: Ah, lakes, mountains, blue sky, and gorgeous views of nature… This drive, and view, remains one of my favorite things to do in Lake Placid. We rank it much better than the gondola ride (which only takes you to Little Whiteface). It is for nature lovers but can accommodate those that aren't avid hikers as you can drive to the top, the only Adirondack High Peak (fifth highest, 4,867 feet) accessible by car.
When arriving, you turn onto the Veteran's Memorial Highway and pay a fee (I think it was $3/person). Then you begin a 5-mile ascent to the "castle." There are many pullouts along the way if you want a peek at the view. At the summit, park and let your eyes take in the splendor.
You arrive at a two-story stone castle where you can find a cafeteria, gift shop, and restrooms. The views are nice here. For those who can't go farther, it's still worth the trip, but for most, your destination is the true summit. You have a choice - follow a path through a tunnel to an elevator to the top or take a short one-fifth-mile staircase hike up. Mind you, it isn't named "Stairway" for nothing: be prepared for a climb. My mother came with us on this trip, so we opted for the elevator up and the trail down. That was suitable for many. Those not able to handle a moderate climb/descent should opt for the elevator both ways. Those athletic types would enjoy the hike.
At the top, there are no trees (naturally barren), so the views are awesome. On a clear day, one can see Canada, Vermont, Lake Champlain, Lake Placid, and the vast Adirondacks. If you timed it when the trees turned, the view would be even more outstanding, but expect a crowd.
Feel free to explore. Walk out onto the rocks and look down; you can see people who chose the gondola ride looking up at you from Little Whiteface. They are far, far below - you'll need binoculars to see them well. Binoculars can also help you see boats on Lake Champlain.
There are signs posted telling folks about the history and flora that abound. On the day we visited, there was also a park ranger (or volunteer?) answering many questions.
People ask me to compare it to the mountains of the West. You can't. The Rockies, Tetons, etc., offer higher mountains with a totally "different" look to them than the Adirondacks. The Adirondacks are green, vibrant, and lovely. The height difference is masked by perspective, so one can't really "see" the large/small difference, but the terrain certainly varies. If you can, see both. They both are a pleasure to us nature lovers.
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