Earn neat patches for completing these Adirondack hiking challenges:
https://www.timesunion.com/living/ar...ly%20headlines
"How much of the Adirondack Park's 6 million acres have you explored?
While hikers crowd the high peaks region, there are many other trails around the park that are just as rewarding. And not just the intangible reward you get from seeing a pristine waterfall in nature. We're talking about a physical reward of hiking patches — and cool ones too!
You can find hiking, biking and paddling challenges for all skill levels, including a patch designed for kids.
So read carefully to select a challenge that fits your experience and enjoy seeing some of the less-traveled corners of the Adirondacks.
Lake George 12ster Hiking Challenge
Take in the "Queen of American Lakes" from many different angles from this diverse set of mountains. The entire challenge includes about 40 miles of trails and 9,000 feet of elevation gain.
While Cat, Buck and Sleeping Beauty represent some of the most popular hikes in the southern Adirondacks, other peaks are more off the beaten path.
Note that six of the hikes are in the Tongue Mountain range that is a known habitat for Timber Rattlesnakes. Hikers should keep eyes and ears open for the protected species on those trails and consider doing them while the snakes are hibernating.
There are patches for those who reach all 12 peaks and special 24-Hour Ultra patches for those that tackle them all in one day. There are also winter versions of both challenges.
Visit the 12ster website to read the official rules and to register after summiting all 12 peaks.
https://www.lakegeorge12ster.com/
Inlet Outdoor Family Challenge
Hike, bike, or paddle 12 of 17 locations around Inlet to earn this awesome boot-shaped patch.
Nearly all of the locations also offer paddling options and many of the trails are short and suitable for beginning hikers or bikers. A .9-mile hike up Bald Mountain to Rondaxe Fire Tower, for example, has rewarding views of surrounding lakes and Fulton Chain Wild Forest.
To get the patch, fill out the brochure, available online, or submit a record of your hikes to the Inlet Information Office at 160 Route 28, Inlet, N.Y.
https://www.inletny.com/inlet/inlet-...mily-challenge
Fire Tower Challenge
This challenge takes you around the Adirondacks and beyond. Started by the Adirondack Mountain Club in 2001, participants must summit 18 of 27 Adirondack and all five of the Catskill fire tower peaks for 23 total summits. Climbing each tower isn't required, nor is it recommended for towers that are unsafe.
There is also a Winter Challenge patch for completing the entire challenge between Dec. 21 and March 21.
This is one of the more difficult challenges of the group — it requires a hike up 4,039-foot Hunter Mountain in the Catskills — but also contains some of the best sights in the park like Hurricane, which offers 360 degree views of the high peaks.
https://www.adirondack.net/hiking/ch...es/fire-tower/
Wonders of Wilmington Challenge
Wonders of Wilmington offers three separate patches for humans and one for pet companions.
The WOW Hiking Challenge includes six trails that offer some of Wilmington’s best terrain and views, ranging in length from 2-miles to 8-miles round trip and in difficulty from easy to challenging. Whiteface is a bonus seventh mountain that isn't required to earn the patch.
The second patch is for the WOW Mountain Biking Challenge. Wilmington, known as the "mountain bike capital of the Adirondacks," has six sites with trails for beginners and advanced riders.
Finally, those looking for a more family-friendly outdoors experience can work towards the WOW Family Fun Challenge patch. These six trails are mostly under half a mile in distance, but the longest clocks in at 2 miles round trip.
When you've completed a challenge, register online to be added to the finisher’s roster and receive a patch. Registration costs $10 per challenge finisher or $5 per pet companion finisher.
https://www.whitefaceregion.com/wonders-of-wilmington
Saranac Lake 6er
One of the more difficult challenges on this list, the Saranac Lake 6er includes a 10-mile hike up McKenzie, which at 3,822 feet of elevation is two feet taller than Couchsachraga, the lowest high peak required to be a 46er.
Other hikes on the list include Ampersand, Scarface, Haystack, St. Regis and Baker. All except Baker are climbs of more than 1,200 feet.
The hike up Baker must start and end at the 6er bell located in Berekly Green Park. Only those who have completed the challenge have permission to ring the bell, then register online to claim a patch.
There are summer and winter patches available.
https://www.saranaclakeny.gov/index....king-challenge
The Chester Challenge
Chester's system of trails offers a family-friendly challenge created to appeal to hikers of all skill levels. To complete the challenge and receive a commemorative pin, you need to complete 6 out of 11 trails.
Some locations offer easy and hard trails that each count as one hike toward your six. An example is the moderately steep Green Hill and more challenging Catamount Mountain that both start at the Stone Bridge and Caves attraction.
Once you're done, report in to the town clerk's office in Chester, the Dynamite Hill Visitor Center, or the Crossroads Store, to receive a commemorative challenge pin. You receive a special patch, if you complete the challenge in winter.
https://www.townofchesterny.org/comm...lenge-brochure
ADK Kids Challenge
The Kids Challenge features the 71 hikes and walks described in "Kids on the Trail! Hiking with Children in the Adirondacks" by Rose Rivezzi and David Trithart. The book is available from the ADK online store and in bookstores. You do not need to be an Adirondack Mountain Club member to participate.
To receive a patch, children must complete at least four hikes from each of the four regions in the guidebook for a total of 16 hikes. Print and fill out the Kids Challenge report for each challenge participant, adults included, and mail it to the address found on the website to claim a patch.
https://www.adklaurentian.org/?page=...Challenge.html
Northern Pathways Challenge
Hike three of five Clinton County trail options to get a patch that says CATS — short for Champlain Area Trails.
This is another manageable challenge with Ausable Marsh, Little Ausable River, and Point au Roche's Long Point rated as easy. The Mud Pond/Old Military Road trail is rated moderate to difficult and the Lyon Mountain trail that includes a fire tower is the hardest of the group.
Registration is $5 per person, and can be done online or by mailing a check to Champlain Area Trails, PO Box 193, Westport, NY 12993.
https://www.champlainareatrails.com/...ays-challenge/
The Cranberry Lake 50
Go 50 miles around the third largest lake in the Adirondack Park to get this patch.
The challenge is a project of Five Ponds Partners, an all-volunteer subcommittee of the Clifton-Fine Economic Development Corporation, "dedicated to maintaining and sharing the beauty and recreational resources of the northwest Adirondacks,” according to its website.
Visit the challenge website to learn more about the extensive — often muddy — system of trails. You can also request a patch when you're done.
https://cranberrylake50.org/
Moriah Challenge
New to hiking and need a manageable challenge to get started?
The Moriah Challenge is family-friendly and designed for those with limited hiking experience.
To earn a patch, participants must complete all four local Champlain Area Trails hikes, which include Belfry Mountain, Big Hollow/Coot Hill, Cheney Mountain, and Crowfoot Pond. The hikes vary in length but can be completed in a short amount of time.
Provide the Moriah Chamber of Commerce with the dates the trails were hiked and a $10 suggested donation to claim the prize.
https://www.adirondack.net/hiking/ch...iah-challenge/
The 4-3-2-1 Challenge
This customizable hiking challenge is based around Indian Lake. To get the patch, participants must download or visit the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce to get a free hiking map showcasing trails and descriptions. Using the map, the objective of the 4-3-2-1 is to hike four easy trails (labeled green), 3 moderate trails (labeled yellow), 2 difficult trails (labeled red), and 1 major hike (either Snowy Mountain or Blue Mountain).
Document your accomplishments by filling out a 4-3-2-1 hiking challenge form and also taking photos of yourself at all summit signs.
Once you're done, you must present everything to the Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce along with a $5 fee in person, or by mail, to receive your challenge patch.
https://www.indian-lake.com/indian-l...king-challenge
Adirondack Fifty Falls Challenge
This challenge, created by waterfall aficionados Russell Dunn and John Haywood, encourages hikers to seek out lesser-known hikes and experiences throughout the Adirondacks. In fact some of the region's most popular waterfalls — Roaring Brook, Beaver Meadow, Rainbow and Bushnell — are not included in the Fifty Falls.
Participants must visit the 50 waterfalls and send in the required photos to obtain the patch. There are blue, green and red patches that correspond to the difficulty of the 50 falls completed.
Purchase the creators' guide to start the challenge.
https://adk50.com/
The Great 8 Challenge
The Great 8 offers the opportunity to earn up to three patches and seven digital badges for hikes in St. Lawrence County — some of which are outside the Adirondack Park.
The Riverside Run is eight hikes along the five major rivers in the county, the Nature Nuts challenge is eight hikes through wooded areas and boardwalks, and the Waterfall Crawl are hikes to eight waterfalls in the foothills of the Adirondacks.
To get started, create a free user account on the challenge website and start logging hikes. You'll get digital badges as you progress and can send away for patches for each challenge you complete.
https://www.stlctrails.com/great-8-challenge
Experience Newcomb
Choose from a variety of hiking, biking and paddling activities to earn four unique Experience Newcomb patches.
Many of the activities are family friendly and unique — including a 1.6-mile round-trip hike to the octopus tree on Goodnow Mountain, and a wagon ride to the Great Camp Santanoni — when it's in service that is.
Complete six of the 13 activities to get an explorer patch. Take on one bike, one paddle and two hikes to earn an intermediate patch. Participate in one activity for those with mobility limitations to earn the challenger patch.
Those that complete all three activities have earned the explorer patch. Visit the challenge website for instructions on how to record your journey and claim patches.
https://www.newcombny.com/experience-newcomb-patches "
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