Adirondack Loj Parking

I'm planning a trip to the Adirondacks MLK weekend. How crowded should I expect parking at the Adirondack Loj to be?

Holiday weekend? You had better be in the parking lot before 7AM.

Wow. Wasn't quite expecting that in January. Do you have a recommendation of another trailhead, and/or part of the high peaks region that will be less crowded but still accessible for parking?

I'm doubtful that the Loj will fill up even on a holiday weekend in the winter so I'd just plan on getting a spot there.

If it is full you can still park at South Meadows Rd and either 1) approach Marcy Dam via the truck trail which adds 1.3 miles each way, 2) if on foot walk the Loj Rd, adds .9 miles each way, or 3) if on skis take the Easyside or Rim Rock ski trails from just past the bridge as you walk towards the Loj, adds the same .9 miles but you're at least off the road.

MaxSuffering wrote: I'm doubtful that the Loj will fill up even on a holiday weekend in the winter so I'd just plan on getting a spot there.

If it is full you can still park at South Meadows Rd and either 1) approach Marcy Dam via the truck trail which adds 1.3 miles each way, 2) if on foot walk the Loj Rd, adds .9 miles each way, or 3) if on skis take the Easyside or Rim Rock ski trails from just past the bridge as you walk towards the Loj, adds the same .9 miles but you're at least off the road.

Last winter we got to the Loj at 7:15 during the mlk day weekend. They closed the parking lot two cars in front of us, at least an additional dozen plus cars lined up behind us just in the five minutes it took them to figure out they were full. And with the relatively mild temps so far there are a lot of people piling in for their winter 46. Yes, it’s that bad.

Jim Corbett wrote:

Last winter we got to the Loj at 7:15 during the mlk day weekend. They closed the parking lot two cars in front of us, at least an additional dozen plus cars lined up behind us just in the five minutes it took them to figure out they were full. And with the relatively mild temps so far there are a lot of people piling in for their winter 46. Yes, it’s that bad.

There you go... I stand corrected. Get there early if you want a spot. Every year I get more and more glad I did the whole 46er thing as a teenager.

Well, glad I asked. Thanks for the input. Might I have better chances at the Upper Works trailhead?

Upper works is a smaller lot, but somewhat less popular. The advantage is that I believe you can still park along the road when the lot fills up.

Do you have a specific objective you're looking at? I assume that since this is a climbing site not a hiking site you're not just looking for a walk in the woods?

Something with above treeline exposure ideally. Trying to get a couple of guys some experience above treeline and with crampons. The issue is I don't think we can get there until probably 930, so wanting to make sure we pick a parking area that's not going to be full.

Got it. Given our lack of snowpack opportunities to use crampons won't be hard to come by. If you're looking to get above treeline Algonquin is Peak is probably your best bet for the effort. Approaching from the Loj side, even if you have to put in the extra walking from South Meadows, is shorter, easier and you can tack on Wright Peak (also above treeline) as well.

Anything else above treeline is going be a long day for a 09:30 start.

Another good option to think about is Giant Mt. via the Ridge (aka Zander Scott) Trail. Not really above treeline it does have many open areas and ledges to practice with crampons. Parking difficulties along Rt. 73 will be the crux here. Even though last I checked you could still park roadside south of Chapel Pond you're going to be fighting holiday crowds in addition to MLK Weekend being Mountainfest.

Cascade and Porter are also a good objective given a 0930 start. Plenty of bare rock on Cascade. Trailhead parking is just west of Upper Cascade Lake on 73.

Really appreciate the info. We'll be spending the weekend in the woods, so we don't really have to arrive anywhere by nightfall. Probably should've mentioned that to begin with.

Hi Bryant,

Algonquin, Wright & Iroquois Mountains in the MacIntyre Range  is a great suggestion for time above tree line.  

Less committing hikes that include some open rock are Cascade, or Noonmark and Round Mountain.

Here are links to some pictures:
MacIntyre Range
Cascade with snow
Cascade wind blown
Noonmark

Have (safe) Fun,
-Bob

Edit: took too long typing my post, Lisa beat me to the suggestion for Cascade ; )

Cascade will be a zoo, too. You'll probably be able to find parking--with a walk--but it will be a conga line up and down and not really that much above treeline. If you're not hung up on 46 Jay might be a good alternative, with a long exposed ridge and great views of the High Peaks.

If your looking for a high peak with fewer crowds I would go up Rocky peak Ridge (and possibly Giant if you have time) Via the Eastern (New Russia Side) Trail head off 9.  Rocky peak may still stand out as one of my more favorite moderate hikes in the park.  You get a great view quickly after starting.  

Any thoughts on Gothics via St. Hubert parking and AW Weld trail?

Bryant Mountjoy wrote: Any thoughts on Gothics via St. Hubert parking and AW Weld trail?

3ish miles of flat-ish walk on the lake road before the hiking starts. From the lake to the Pyramid/Sawteeth col is a moderately steep sustained climb. The climb up/over Pyramid will get you the most challenging conditions of the day with steep slabs, ice, snow. Pyramid itself (if you don't care about bagging a 46) is a worthy objective. Both crampons and snowshoes would be considered required equipment this time of year. The trails in this area can get horrendously icy (multiple feet of water ice over the trail) slowing your pace to less than 1 MPH (been there, done that on a Sawteeth, Gothics, Armstrong, UWJ traverse in mid December a few years ago).

Note, if these trails haven't seen traffic and aren't broken out, this can be a routefinding challenge, especially if you haven't done the route before. Similarly, fresh snow can make for challenging trail breaking with snowshoes (mandatory in the high peaks when over 8" of snow on the ground).

For parking - AMR has even less spaces than the Loj and is just as popular. You can try parking across the street in the roaring brook lot, but again, limited spots (and DEC is upping parking enforcement). Regardless, you should plan on being at your trailhead no later than 7AM.

Also note MLK weekend is always mountainfest which will add to lodging/parking constraints:
https://www.mountaineer.com/mountainfest/

Can confirm, its a cluster