Outings & Excursions

Hiking

The Adirondack Park boasts an abundance of amazing hiking excursions for both the novice and advanced outdoors person. Orenda is located in a wonderful section of the park where you will find both difficult mountain terrain to rolling, lush valleys with lakes and ponds.

These are a few of our popular trips that we recommend and are all within a very short drive from Orenda.

Crane Mountain

Crane Mountain pond is a difficult yet great hike for the avid outdoors person. This 4-mile round trip hike is a great way to break into Adirondack treking. Crane Mountain has a one of the best views in the lower Adirondack Park looking towards the High Peak Region. A short ride from Orenda driving around the mountain on an old country road.   Once you begin hiking your rapid ascent quickly gets you above the surrounding mountains to vistas that provide amazing views. Once at the first section of the Hike, you will be rewarded with a postcard view of an amazing mountain pond being shadowed by the mountain peak. And on to the summit.

Peaked Mountain

Peaked is a modest sized mountain.   A 30 min drive from Orenda, along the Hudson River, to Thirteenth Lake where you will begin your hike walking along the beautiful shoreline. Just before the creek, the trail turns away from the lake and follows up the stream valley though lush forests, along a string of beautiful beaver meadows. In about 1.5 miles the trail reaches the shore of Peaked Mountain Pond. Here you will be able to see Peaked Mountain in all its glory. With a short walk around the pond  begins a steep final ascent. Once on the summit the views are sensational.

Snowy Mountain

Snowy Mountain is recommended for the person who is looking for a challenge and wants to get deep in the mountains. Snowy mountain is the highest peak in the lower region and offers some of the most breathtaking views of the park. At the Summit, there is now the newly repaired fire tower, thanks to the hard labor of many. A 45 min drive from Orenda to the trailhead begins your ascent walking through a rolling forest valley for 2 miles. You will reach an old riverbed and begin the final ascent to the summit. Here you will be challenged with loose rocks and steep flat rock slabs. After scrambling up the rocks for about a 1.2 miles you will reach the summit. By climbing the fire tower, for an additional 50 ft, it will make sense why you chose this hike.

OK Slip Falls

OK Slip Falls is one of the highest, 250-foot tall and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Adirondack Park. This excursion is ideal for those looking for a moderate day of hiking and exploring an amazing natural feature of this area. The falls are located in the newly created Hudson Gorge Wilderness Area and has been available to explore as of April 2013. The six mile round trip begins near the top of Casey Mountain, where the trail meanders gradually through thick forested areas and old logging roads, on to the bottom of the valley, where OK Slip Brook flows toward the Hudson River. From the two outlook points, you be awarded with this stunning waterfall. Only a short distance form the falls you can reach the Hudson River, where during the warmer months makes for great swimming. Keep your eyes open in this region, as it is rich in garnet and other minerals that were a major part of this area’s mining industry in the early 1900s.

Lizard Pond Trip

Lizard Pond via Garnet Lake. Lizard Pond is one of our more popular excursions only a five minute drive from Orenda. Combining paddling and hiking, Lizard Pond is a good trip for the beginner or perfect for the avid outdoors person looking for a fun outing. The trip begins with a 20-45 min. paddle (depending on experience) across Garnet Lake, revealing to you several unique and inspiring Adirondack features. The region is surrounded by rolling mountains, creating a remote feeling, providing you with an amazing panoramic during the paddle across Garnet Lake to the Lizard Pond trail head. At the trail head, you begin a 1.5 mi. hike that follows between two ridge lines meandering along through beautiful hardwood forests, eventually leading into wetlands that have become an incredible beaver habitat remote Lizard Pond. A picnic table and lean-to awaits you to have an enjoyable lunch/snack and provides a relaxing setting. On warmer days, both the lake and pond, are enjoyable areas for swimming. Fishing in both bodies of water are popular, with our guests, as they get little use and the fish populations are healthy.

Dunkley Falls

Dunkley Falls is the main feature within the Mill Creek Recreation Area. The waterfall is located on Mill Creek which eventually flows into the Hudson River a short distance downstream. Dunkley is approximately 15 feet high with several boulders above, on, and at the base of the falls which adds to the beauty. The trail is an easy walk on an old, well-worn road that leads downhill to the creek where you will hear the falls before seeing it. The vicinity also has campsites that make great picnic locations and places for kids to play.  Further downstream, the adventurous can find great swimming and cliff jumping at “The Black Hole”, a famous local hang out perfect for hot days.

Pharaoh Mountain

The 6.7-mile trek up Pharaoh Mountain starts at a flooded beaver pond on Crane Pond Road. Follow a detour trail around the flood area and then continue along the road (past the Blue Hill Trail head) to the trail head for Pharaoh Mountain at Crane Pond. About 1.2 miles in stay right on the Pharaoh Mountain Trail as a route to Gidden Marsh shoots off to the left. Here, the route traces the north end of the marsh, then continues deeper into a mixed forest of hemlock and conifers. Around mile 2, the trail begins to get rockier as the grade steepens. The trail gains over 1,000 feet in the next 1.5 miles, challenging with rock slabs and exposed roots, Continuing on, gaps in the trees offer views of Schroon Lake and the Dix Range to the west. At mile 3.4, the trail reaches the grassy plateau summit of Pharaoh Mountain. Herd paths wander out to several rock outcropping overlooks. Head to the south summit, the most sheltered summit and the best bet for lunch on a windy day. From here, look south to Pharaoh Lake and east to Vermont’s Green Mountains and Lake Champlain. Not far off, the west summit offers outstanding views of Adirondack peaks beyond Schroon Lake.

Canoe & Kayaking

We offer the use of our onsite Canoes, Kayaks and Paddle Boards including PFD’S, paddles and dry bags throughout your stay.   All our boats are kept at Garnet Lake on our trailer.  However you are more than welcome to bring your own.

Garnet Lake

Less than two miles from Orenda, Garnet Lake is an unspoiled, tranquil mountain lake. Surrounded by mountains, Garnet Lake provides the ideal location for kayaking, canoeing, fishing and swimming and is also considered the best bass fishing in the area. There is an abundance of wildlife to be seen; from spotted Bald Eagles and Red Tail Hawks to Beavers and Loons. In the fall, the foliage surrounding the lake is breathtaking. After a long day of hiking and enjoying the back-country you can head up to the lake for a rejuvenating swim. On a clear night you can enjoy a unpolluted view of our galaxy.

White Water Rafting

Considered some of the best whitewater on the East Coast, the Hudson River Gorge offers an unique Adirondack rafting experience  with more than 16 miles of stunning natural beauty.

Square Eddy Expeditions

Hudson River Gorge (Class 111 -1v)  April-Columbus Day
Trips run every : Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun.

Spring
During the spring thaw, the Hudson River becomes a swirling torrent of Class III, IV, and V rapids. Prepare for some for the most intense rapids you will experience along the Hudson River Gorge! Don a wetsuit, practice your paddling rhythm and join our experience and licensed guides for a thrilling ride down the mighty Hudson. Adventure Rafting offers “Big Water” trips and wetsuit rentals so you can experience the incredible thrill of the Hudson River’s powerful whitewater.

Summer
Summer is peak season for Hudson River rafting. Spring’s rushing rapids have calmed, offering a thrilling ride and warmer temperatures. Families should plan for Class II & III rapids. Enjoy the stunning beauty of the Adirondacks in full bloom, and delight in the camaraderie of spending an afternoon on the river.

Fall
Fall rafting conditions are similar to those found in the summer months – with the exception of the landscape. Raft along a colorful forest decked out in full fall foliage regalia. Class III and IV rapids are the most common.

Mountain Biking/Scenic Riding.

Grab a bike and get lost. We have miles of back country roads that will provide enough adventure and scenery for all. For the more adventurist, we have several miles of trails on our 40 acre retreat and were always adding more.

All our bikes are properly maintained for your safety. We require that helmets are to be worn at all times while in motion on our bicycles. We provide helmets, gloves and hydration systems, feel to bring your own equipment.