Electronic Highways
New York is for hikers
With its unique geological features and substantial areas of wilderness, New York provides some of the best opportunities for quality hiking in the eastern United States. Whether one prefers day hiking or more involved backpacking, there is a lifetime of trail to explore for both the novice and the experienced hiker.
November is a particularly good time of the year for hiking in New York; the throngs of fall foliage gawkers are gone and the cooler weather means no pesky mosquitoes or black flies. For hikers, being well-prepared and fully informed is an imperative. The GORP Web site presents a wealth of practical, how-to information for planning a hike. The site features both introductory and advanced-level information on outdoor clothing and gear, including reviews. GORP’s overview of hiking-related first aid and trail safety is essential preparatory reading. The site also serves a tasty portion of information on trail foods and food preparation.
To find and select a destination in New York to hit the trail, Slackpacker makes it easy—it provides an annotated listing of the state’s hiking hot spots. With better than 6.1 million acres and more than 2,000 miles of trail, Adirondack State Park is the most popular hiking destination in New York. “The Dacks,” as they are referred to by hikers, comprise the largest area of publicly protected land in the lower 48 states; it is an area roughly the size of Vermont or of the Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacie, and Great Smoky Mountains national parks, all combined.
Another popular destination is the famed Appalachian Trail—America’s first National Scenic Trail—which cuts an 88-mile path through southeastern New York. In total, the “AT” stretches 2,160 miles from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia. Chance encounters with “through hikers” always generate interesting trail tales.
Other touted hiking areas around the state include the Catskill Mountains, the Hudson Valley and Watkins Glen. For those who prefer outdoor adventures closer to home, there is no shortage of trails in Western New York. With better than 70 miles of scenic Appalachian Mountain trail, Allegany State Park is a favorite for many local hikers. Another regional gem is Letchworth State Park. Commonly referred to as “the Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth has seven miles of trail with indelible vistas of the park’s dramatic, winding gorge and stately waterfalls.
The benefits of hiking are manifold; it is an excellent form of exercise, and it provides quietude, serenity and a general respite from the busy day-to-day lives many of us lead. Hiking also is an opportunity to observe and appreciate New York’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Of particular note, the state boasts an impressive richness of fauna and avifauna. Importantly, hikers always must respect the trail and its surrounding wilderness; Tread Lightlyprovides tips for responsible hiking.
Happy trails!
—Christopher Hollister, Arts & Sciences Libraries
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