Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY THREE

As we wrap up our weekend excursion in upstate New York, we'll be making the most of our final day by spending it primarily in the great outdoor expanse of the Adirondacks. If you followed along with the suggestions for the first two days of the trip, you'll be waking up to a serene scene of birds chirping and bugs buzzing at your lakeside campsite this morning, where you'll be preparing yourself for a fantastic final day.

Day Three:

1. Get ready for a full day of hiking with a campsite breakfast using the food you stocked up on in Lake Placid. One of my favorite easy recipes for the campsite is this breakfast skillet with potatoes, as its easy to cook over the campfire in a single pan, feeds quite a few people and will fill you up for the day ahead. You can add different cheese, peppers and onions or hot sauce to your liking. 
2. The pinnacle of your final day relies on a long hike from your campsite to one of the hundreds of scenic vistas and viewpoints located on one of the many high points and peaks in the area. While it is hard to make a specific suggestion since the location of your campsite will vary, there are a few different ways to go about finding the perfect hike from where you are. The best way to find a good hike is to ask your pilot or guide when the float plane drops you at your campsite as they will know what is in the immediate area they are dropping you in. Alternatively, you may download a brochure from VisitAdirondacks that is full of suggestions for hiking both the legendary 46 high peaks and more "gentle" shorter options. 
3. Arrive back at your campsite to be picked up at your scheduled time by Helms Aero, and head back to your rental car in Long Lake. Get started on your long, five hour ride back and head back south towards Albany. Your final stop is just north of Albany, in Saratoga Springs. While you have officially left the Adirondacks, Saratoga is a great place to pit stop for lunch/ dinner on your way back and recap what will have been quite an eventful trip. One of Saratoga's most historic and well known establishments is the Olde Bryan Inn, where I suggest making the final stop on your journey for a well deserved hot meal, back in the comforts of civilization after your night in the wild of the Adirondacks. 

As you drive back down I-87S towards New York City, reflect on not only the valuable time spent outside in nature, but the time spent outside of New York City. Over the Summer the confines of the five boroughs can feel hot and cramped, and my favorite way to escape the city is always driving out into nature. Whether it is for a few hours or a few days, a brief respite from city life can re-energize anyone looking to escape for a few days. With the Adirondacks so close, theres no excuses when it comes to planning a great trip upstate!