Site of two
Winter Olympics, 1932 and 1980, Lake Placid has become a major drawing card
for tourists in the rugged Adirondack wilderness area of upstate New York.
While leaf lookers may not be interested in snow (and there is lots here every
winter), the variety of hardwoods growing here produces a spectacular show of
colorful autumn leaves every fall.
The
'Plattsburgh/Underwood/Lake Placid Loop' described on this page is the
northernmost of the four leaf-looker drive loops we have included for the
Adirondacks. It is also the shortest in distance and in time - if you are
starting from Plattsburgh NY or Burlington VT (you should really enjoy the
short ferry ride across Lake Champlain). If you are coming up from Albany (on
I-87), go all the way to exit 34 (Keeseville). Exit and head west on 9-N to
Wilmington and Lake Placid.
Exiting at exit
34 (south of Plattsburgh on I-87) follow Hwy 9-N toward Wilmington and Lake
Placid. When you jet to the little community of JAY, 9-N heads to the left and
Hwy-86 to the right. Take Hwy-86 to continue on to Lake Placid. There is
nothing wrong with 9-N - in fact it is a short cut back to I-87 via
Elizabethtown, - but who wants short cuts? We suggest a stop at Lake Placed if
only for refreshments. (Note: 9-N becomes Hwy-86 at Jay). Just before Lake
Placid, Hwy-86 ends at its junction with Hwy-73. Turn right to go to
'downtown' Lake Placid. Turn left to continue the loop. Hwy-73 takes you back
to I-97 at exit 30 (Underwood). For much of the time on this loop you will be
following rivers and streams which gives you an extra good vantage point to
view the autumn color on the sides of the mountains.
contributed
by RK
Most accommodations are 'booked
up' during the fall leaf viewing season. If you haven't made your hotel/motel reservations yet we
have included access to an on-line hotel reservation system for your convenience.
Hotel
reservations are available, usually at a discount,
in the following nearby communities:
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