Need Info on the Northville Placid Trail

[Silverback]

Thinking about through hiking the Northville-Placid Trail. I know next to nothing about it. How are the parking areas at either terminus (and where are they?)? Are they relatively safe places to spot a car? Any recommendations on best places to camp, recommended itinerary etc? I should probably purchase a trail book, but my guess is you folks are more up to date than any book.

Thanks.

[Antlerpeak]

The southern terminus is commonly considered to be upper Benson north of Northville off rte 30. The Benson road is about three miles north of Northville and it is about 7 miles up that road to a dec parking area. The northern end is off the Averyville road in Lake Placid. You find that road by going straight instead of turning toward the village on 73 west of the adk loj road where the fairgrounds are. The averyville road intersection has a dec NP Trail sign. There is a fairly large dec parking lot a few miles down this road at the start of the trail. I have not heard anything about safety on either end but leaving a car unattended for long period of time is always risky.

As far as campsites go most of the lean-tos are in desireable locations. One of the problems I had when doing the trail was wanting to stay at every shelter in the West Canada - Cedar Lakes area and then again in The Long Lake through Cold River section. You will have a hard time walking by any of them.

I suggest you buy the guide as the map included encorporates the entire trail and saves you having to collect several topos. I had adopted the L-T at Cedar River ( Carry L-T) for several years it was quite an idyllic location though I have not been in there in over five years not sure what it looks like now.

You may be able to stash food, supplies with the ranger at Wakely Dam or Lake Durant State Park. The trail goes though both and this would lighten your load and make resupply a bit easier if they will allow it. Worth a try to contact them.

Someone once suggested if you are using two vehicles you could park one at the beginning ( upper Benson ) A second car say at Lake Durant. When you reach the second car take a break from the trail by moving the car at Benson further north. It resolves the resupply issue while shortening the time your vehicles are unattended. Hope these ideas help.

[Silverback]

Actually, they help a lot. Thanks. Which guide would you recommend?

[Antlerpeak]

The ADK Mt Club guide because of the map. The map is heavy paper full color and holds up well.

[Silverback]

Thank you for your help, Antlerpeak.

[Antlerpeak]

No problem that's what we are here for. Have fun it is a great trail.

[Dick]

Actually, they help a lot. Thanks. Which guide would you recommend?

Hi Mike,

Nice to hear from you again! A few of us have made some tentative plans to do the NP trail this summer (no date set yet). Perhaps we could go together? PM me if you're interested.

The guide I have is the standard ADK guide #4 (Northville-Placid Trail) by Bruce Wadsworth (3rd ed., 1994). That's old, and I don't know if it's been updated since then, but there have been changes. One that quickly comes to mind is the private land issue on Cedar River Road, though I've heard it's not a problem for thruhikers.

I have hiked almost all of it, but in sections, and some time ago. "Valerie" on this forum did it a year ago, and no doubt others on this forum have done it recently as well. Here's an old thread for some discussion of the trail:

http://www.adkforum.com/showthread.php?t=2224&highlight=Northville-Placid

I have heard that we may have a couple of "trail angels" to help out with some of the logistics.

Dick

[Silverback]

Hi Dick

I would be honored to hike with you again!

Thanks for your advice and for the link. Look for a pm from me.

Mike

[pete_hickey]

T Are they relatively safe places to spot a car? Any recommendations on best places to camp, recommended itinerary etc? I heard stories about break-ins at the Averyville road trailhead.... Third hand stories, and it was a number of years ago.

When I did it, I did it North to South. My wife and I drove seperate cars, I left one at the Southern end.. It was on someone's property, and they asked for a dollar a day parking.. I felt safe leaving my car there.. My wife then dropped me off in Lake Placid, and I just walked back to my car and drove home.

[Rick]

Silverback,
I put together a spreadsheet with mileages between points and cumulative mileages for all sections. I'd be glad to send it to you. Just PM me with an email address.
Also I'd love to get out there and do some sections again. Please let me know when you are thinking of heading up there.
Rick