Where in the ADK? Whiteface Summit
It takes a hardy soul to check out this Adirondack peak experience.
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” comes from the summit of Whiteface Mountain, one of the ADK’s most famous high peaks (although not the highest). This picture is of the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center´s (ASRC) Whiteface Mountain Field Station. Known familiarly as the “Whiteface Observatory,” SUNY Albany established this valuable research center on Whiteface’s summit over sixty years ago in 1961.
To quote ASRC, “perched high atop an iconic summit of the Adirondack Mountains, nestled among the krummholz and alpine tundra, and carved from the granite of the mountain itself, is a historically unique and state-of-the-art scientific research station…to promote and encourage programs in basic and applied sciences related to the atmosphere.”
These scientists in the sky are on a mission to enhance our fundamental understanding of the chemical and physical nature of the atmosphere and to apply that knowledge to study the interaction of chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes impacting our environment. It kind of makes me wonder, “what the heck am I doing with my day?”
Aside from providing a place for incredibly important work, the summit also gives visitors incredible vistas of the Adirondack park. Access to the summit is open to the public and available year-round, although hiking or snowshoeing are the only ways in during the winter. It’s a full day’s hike in any season, but winter requires extra prep.
Here’s some great real-life footage of reaching Whiteface’s Summit in the winter.
As the pictures and video attest, the winter views from the summit are simply spectacular if conditions are right. And that’s always a big “if.” So if you’re tempted to attempt Whiteface in winter, be sure you know what you’re getting into. Or on top of. Or around. Or whatever.
Hiking Whiteface in winter can be brutally cold, blustery, and harsh. It’s not recommended for inexperienced hikers. Frankly, in any season, it’s essential that hikers prepare thoroughly and follow all recommended guidance. We are not experts, so we strongly suggest you consult with a knowledgeable guide before you venture forth.
In the winter, at a minimum, hikers need to:
Obey the strict rules for dressing properly to stay dry and warm.
Wear layers and pack extras.
Bring suitable footwear and traction aids - in the High Peaks, snowshoes are required by law (BY LAW) if eight inches of snow are on the ground.
Pack a map, compass and a GPS device (most mobile phones today are also GPS enabled, so there’s no excuse). But don’t put all your faith in electronics; keep it real and pack a paper map and compass.
Tell someone about your plans. Share as much detail as you can. This is definitely a time for oversharing.
Bring more than you expect to use. This is one time when it’s okay to overpack the essentials like food, water, quick-drying clothes, especially socks.
DO NOT HIKE ALONE. With all due respect to our ADK doggie friends and even that badass, McKinley the Hiking Cat, please bring a human with you.
In addition to hiking, snowshoeing is also an option during wintertime. The same rules apply.
Mandatory reading: the full list of musts for winter hiking.
If you can’t follow these directions, why not wait for the more temperate days of summer or early fall when travelers can reach the summit via a well-maintained access road that brings them to an area just below the summit? From there, it’s a short walk through a manmade passage within the mountain that brings you to an elevator and ascends to the visitor’s area near the summit.
Want more info.? Check out these Whiteface resources
Good luck on the trails of the ADK in any season. And here’s hoping you run into McKinley!
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