The first day of fall 2017 dawned brisk and clear in Lake Placid. The chill didn’t last long; the temperature was above 70 degrees by noon today. The last days of summer in the Adirondack Mountains were delightfully sunny and warm thanks to the influence of a persistent high pressure system, and the warmth is forecasted to continue for the next six days.

If you are interested in leaf peeping, you’ll want to know the leaves are about 60% changed here at Adirondack Lifestyle HQ, at ~2,200 feet elevation, outside the Village of Lake Placid. You can check out New York State’s official tourism department fall foliage report, which claims the High Peaks are 85% changed at higher elevations. I am not one to care or quibble about it, suffice it to say now is the time to plan your fall foliage trip to the Adirondacks.

The first weekend of fall 2017 in the Adirondack Mountains should be a good one for outdoor fun. With temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s, we may even enjoy a late season mountain lake swim or two. Fellow outdoor recreation enthusiasts are advised to remember however, temperatures are cool in the morning and evening—days are getting shorter as the sun sets earlier each day—and plan accordingly. Wear or carry extra layers of non-cotton clothing and carry a headlamp or flashlight on all hikes. Be sure to have fresh batteries and carry extras. As recent unfortunate hiker related events have shown, outdoor recreation in the Adirondack Mountains is serious business. As usual, use the link in the right column to Current NYSDEC Adirondack Outdoor Recreation Conditions for the most recent intel.

Happy fall, enjoy the mountains, and be safe.