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Adirondack Ascent

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Adirondack Ascent

Offering inclusive guided hiking opportunities in the Adirondack Mountains. Specializing in getting "non-hikers" into the great outdoors. All are welcome.

Offering inclusive hiking guide opportunities in the Adirondack Mountains. New York State Licensed Guide #9092. Specializing in beginner, to slower experienced hikers. All are welcome no matter identity, size, age, or disability. We all belong outside.

06/18/2026

AMR parking season is in full swing, which means if you’re hoping to hike from the Adirondack Mountain Reserve, planning ahead matters.

This area includes some popular hikes like Indian Head, Colvin, Blake, Dial, Nippletop, and the lower Great Range. You’ll need a no-cost reservation through the AMR parking portal before heading out.

A few reminders:

Reservations can fill quickly, especially on weekends. Have a backup hike in mind, check your route before you go, and don’t assume you can just show up and figure it out from the parking lot. You can reserve two weeks ahead.

The mountains are much more enjoyable when the first part of your hike isn’t panic-refreshing a parking page or saying, “Wait, we needed a reservation?”

Planning is part of the adventure. A little prep goes a long way.

See comments for the AMR Hiker portal.

06/16/2026

Thinking about getting into hiking this summer but not sure where to start?

You do not have to jump straight into the High Peaks. Low peaks, fire towers, waterfalls, and beginner-friendly trails are all great ways to build confidence.

Hiring a guide helps take the guesswork out of planning, preparation, pacing, navigation, and safety.

Beginner-friendly. Judgment-free. Snack breaks encouraged.

06/11/2026

High Peaks can feel REALLY intimidating when you first start looking into them.

The mileage.
The elevation.
The stories people tell.
The giant backpacks.
The people casually saying things like, “Oh, we just added another peak.” 😂

It’s easy to look at all of that and think, “There is no way I can do that.”

But here’s the thing.

Most people standing on those summits once felt exactly the same way.

You do not have to start with the hardest mountain. You do not have to prove anything. You just have to prepare, make smart decisions, respect the mountains, and be willing to try.

And one of the most underrated skills in hiking?
Turning around.

There is absolutely no shame in it. Weather changes. Energy changes. Conditions change. Sometimes the mountain says “not today,” and listening to that is part of becoming a stronger hiker.

The summit will still be there.

Confidence in the mountains is not built by never struggling. It’s built by continuing to show up, learning, adapting, and realizing you are capable of more than you thought.

One safe, prepared step at a time.

06/09/2026

From low peaks to high peaks, there is something incredibly personal about finding your place in the mountains.

Not every adventure has to be epic. Not every hike has to “count” toward something bigger. Sometimes the smaller mountains end up meaning the most.

A short trail after a hard week.
A fire tower with someone you love.
A quiet summit where your nervous system finally calms down for the first time in days.

And sometimes, somewhere along the way, curiosity grows. You start looking into mountain challenges. The 46ers. Fire towers. The Saranac 6. Lake Placid 9er. Little goals that slowly pull you deeper into the woods and deeper into yourself.

That’s the beautiful thing about hiking. There is room for every version of it.

You do not have to be the fastest. You do not have to chase the hardest mountains. You do not have to prove anything to anyone.

You just have to keep showing up.

The mountains have a funny way of meeting people exactly where they are.

06/04/2026

One of the most beautiful things about the Adirondacks is that there is truly something here for everyone.

You do not have to climb a High Peak to experience the magic of these mountains.

Maybe your adventure looks like:
• hiking your first mountain
• walking around Heart Lake
• paddling quiet water at sunrise
• sitting at a lean-to eating snacks
• driving up Whiteface
• wandering a flat forest trail listening to birds
• chasing your 46
• or simply finding a moment to breathe outside for once

It ALL counts.

The Adirondacks are not only about elevation gain and summit lists. They are about connection. To nature. To other people. To yourself.

Some days you may want a big rugged challenge that leaves your legs questioning your life decisions. Other days the best thing you can do is slow down and enjoy the woods without needing to “accomplish” anything.

Both are valuable.

At Adirondack Ascent, one of the biggest things I hope people learn is that the outdoors are for ALL levels. Beginner, experienced, nervous, confident, fast, slow, High Peaks obsessed, or just Adirondack curious.

There is no “right” way to enjoy this place.

Just get outside. The mountains tend to meet people exactly where they are.

06/02/2026

Summer hiking season is approaching and I know a lot of people are gearing up to work toward their 46.

Time to get it!

The Adirondacks have a funny way of changing people. You start because you want a summit photo and somewhere along the way you realize the mountains are teaching you a whole lot more than how to hike uphill without questioning your life choices every 20 minutes. 😆

Here are some tips for newer hikers:
You do not need to be the fastest.
You do not need to crush giant mileage days immediately.
You do not need to hike like the people you see online.

You just need to start.

Learn your systems.
Build your confidence.
Train your body.
Respect the mountains.
Pack the extra layer.
Turn around when needed.
Keep showing up.

There is no shame in taking your time out there. The trails, the views, the friendships, the quiet moments deep in the woods… that IS the experience.

And honestly, some of the strongest hikers I know are not the loudest ones. They are the people making calm decisions, staying humble, adapting when things get weird, and continuing to learn every single season.

The mountains do not care about ego. They will humble all of us eventually. 😂

But they will also build you in ways you never expected if you let them.

See you out there this summer!

05/28/2026

Whiteface is one of those mountains that gives you options, and honestly, I love that.

You can hike it from the bottom and earn every single rock, view, and “why do I do this to myself?” moment on the way up.

You can start from ASRC and take the Marble Mountain/Wilmington Trail route for a solid Adirondack hike with history, elevation, and those classic Whiteface views. Or Connery Pond/Whiteface Landing Trail for a longer, spicier route.

You can also drive the Veterans’ Memorial Highway, park near the top, and still experience the summit, the ridge, the stonework, the wind, and that big mountain feeling without committing to a full hike.

And that matters.

Because not every mountain day has to look the same.

Some days are for pushing your body and testing your grit.
Some days are for sharing the summit with family.
Some days are for introducing someone to the Adirondacks in a way that feels accessible.
Some days are for soaking in the views without turning it into a sufferfest.

Whiteface gives you all of that.

Whether you hike it, drive it, take the stairs, explore the summit, or simply stand there getting humbled by the wind, you are still getting to experience one of the most iconic mountains in the Adirondacks.

There is no “less than” way to appreciate these places when you show up with respect, curiosity, and gratitude.

The mountains meet us where we are.
Whiteface just happens to give us a few different doors in.

05/26/2026

Big Slide will always hold a special place in my heart.

What once felt massive, intimidating, and mentally overwhelming has become one of those mountains that now feels like coming home. But that’s the beautiful thing about growth in the Adirondacks. The mountains themselves don’t change. We do.

One of the things I love most about guiding and coaching is watching people discover they are capable of far more than they thought possible. Sometimes confidence is built on big summit moments. Sometimes it’s built one uncomfortable step at a time.

Either way, the mountains have a way of changing you if you let them.

04/15/2026

There are a few ways to take on the Lower Great Range, and none of them are easy. That’s kind of the point.

You can string it all together in one big, rugged push. Or you can break it up and savor each piece. Either way, this stretch of the Adirondacks doesn’t give anything away for free and that’s exactly why we love it.

We went for it as a loop: Sawteeth → (HELLO Pyramid… if I ever go missing, just start there) → Gothics → Armstrong.

Up the Weld Trail, which is just a steady, honest climb that gets you right into the heart of it. And then down Beaver Meadow… which, I’ll be real, is a tough way to end the day. Steep, relentless, and the kind of descent that reminds you your legs had a limit all along. And yes, in true Adirondack fashion, there is A LOT of up to go down.

But that’s the magic of this range.
Big views. Big effort. Big reward.

Moments where you’re locked in, moving over rock, fully present. Moments where you question your life choices. And then moments where you stop, look around, and realize there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.

If you’re thinking about tackling the Lower Great Range:
Take your time.
Know your route.
Respect the terrain.
And don’t forget to look up… Pyramid might just steal the whole show.

04/14/2026

Macomb Mountain via the slide is one of the most unique and humbling climbs in the Adirondacks.

Starting from Slide Brook before sunrise, the trail lulls you into a sense of calm before you step out onto something completely different. A massive open slide of loose rock rising straight up the mountain.

This is not your typical High Peak hike.

Every step on the slide requires attention. The footing shifts. You gain ground and lose a little at the same time. Route finding matters. Most experienced hikers will stick to the sides where the rock is more stable and avoid heading too far into the center.

It can feel intimidating, especially if you have never been on a slide before.

And that is exactly what makes it such a powerful experience.

Somewhere along the way, many hikers find a rhythm. You stop fighting the movement of the mountain and start working with it. Step by step, confidence builds. What felt uncertain at the bottom starts to feel manageable, even enjoyable, as you climb higher.

A few tips if Macomb is on your list:
• Start early, especially in warmer weather
• Bring more water than you think you need
• Take your time and choose your footing carefully
• Do your research and know where to exit the slide to rejoin the trail
• If you are unsure, do not hesitate to hike with others or turn around

Macomb is often combined with the rest of the Dix Range or parts of it, making for a long and rewarding day, but the slide itself is an experience that stands on its own.

It is not just a climb. It is a mental game, a physical challenge, and for many, a moment of growth on the mountain.

If you have climbed Macomb, what was your experience like on the slide?

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