Adirondack "virgins"

My wife and I are visiting the Adirondacks for the first time next week, from 5/31-6/9; looking to car-camp and do some day hikes.

We don't really have a destination in mind, and dont mind doing some driving brtween campground and trailhead. Can anybody recommend one or two state campgrounds that are especially nice- i.e., rustic, scenic (on the water?), not too crowded- or that we should definitely avoid?

Same question about hiking routes- and we definitely shouldn't miss, or any we should avoid like the plague? For reference in the Whites our favorites tend to be around 10-12 miles, 3-4000'; steep and rugged are fine, and the less crowded the better. We prefer loops (and have mt. bikes) so if the loops don't quite close that's OK.

Oh yeah: what about the bears? How much of a nuisance are they in the drive-in camping areas?

Thanks in advance for any advice... And we look forward to returning the favor if/when any of you visit NH!

Some useful campground and hiking links:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/permits_ej_operations_pdf/2013facilityinfo.pdf

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://www.dec.ny.gov/maps/gmcamps.kmz

http://forums.adkhighpeaks.com/showthread.php?t=21304

http://forums.adkhighpeaks.com/showthread.php?t=15039
(for a day when you are looking for a short hike)

http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/wiki/HomePage

DEC Campgrounds have to be reserved through their reservation service. Many folks stay at Whispering Pines (private campground near Lake Placid 518-523-9322).

Biking links:

http://www.barkeatertrails.org/trails/

http://www.bikekinetix.com/t_ny/ny_state/adirondacks.php

Have fun, and bring bug spray!

Adirondack Tips: Much more activity for your requests on other forums here: http://adkforum.com or sister forum for peak hiking: http://www.adkhighpeaks.com/forums/ . Coming from VT, consider the Putnam Pond state campsite & trailhead. Treadway Mtn and many ponds (look for Rock, grizzle, clear) offer multiple loops just west of Tigconderoga. Lake Harris (Newcomb, also NY State campground) has nice sites, many right on a lake close to the southern access to the High Peaks (see Upper Works or Tahawus to Flowed lands). You can Mtn bike into Santanoni preserve to see a great camp.

Note that you will be in peak bug season (black flies and possible mosquitoes too). Bring a head net, bug stuff and positive attitude. Smoke does help and they go down at night. Note too that mud season will be lasting into at least end May. Hiking in some areas discouraged until the wet trails dry out a bit.

I would recommend Wilmington Notch State Campground. It is low-key, uncrowded, and near many of the bike trails shown on the barkeatertrails.org web site. Bears are not a major problem at the drive-in campgrounds. For a hike, climb Whiteface from Connery Pond. Few hikers on that trail. Summit is crowded, of course, because of the road, but then descend via the ski trails back to the campground and bike back to the car through Wilmington Notch.

And it's a nice walk to the river right behind the campground; very impressive waterfalls and rapids!

Looks like you have some good camping info. For peaks, Cascade is pretty easy & on a clear day the views are great. You can do a semi loop going up Colden & heading over to Indian Falls, probably near the top of your criteria. The view from Mt. Jo behind the ADK Loj is really good for off (sort of) days. You can do a loop over Algoquin & down to Avalanche Lake, it's a pretty tough hike though. Distance not bad but pretty steep, over 2000 feet from Algoquin to the Lake, much of it in one stretch. The High Peaks book has good intell on it. Just going up to Avalanche Lake is a worthwhile objective though. If staying near Wilmington, Whiteface is in your range too, about 12 miles & 3,000 gain or so.

Thanks, all. For the great input. We're prolly going to try Taylor Pond campground on Friday; it looks nice and quiet, even though it's a little out of the way. Maybe stay there through the weekend, and play it by ear next week, maybe trying Wilmington Notch or Lake Harris. Algonquin sounds like a nice loop, as does Giant, with a free bike ride at the beginning or end. I'm sure we'll find plenty to do and we're excited about it. I just hope it doesn't make this Granite State boy turn his back on the beloved Whites ;-) thanks again!