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Northville-Placid Trail Thru-Hike

Saturday, September 12, 2026 - Sunday, September 27, 2026 -- $2300 ★★★


Although the Adirondacks are best known for their high peaks, a less visited and less crowded trail winds its way through the region's lowlands. This is the historic The Northville-Placid Trail, a 133-mile footpath completed in 1924 to connect the train stations in Northville, NY and Lake Placid, NY. For those who want to fully embrace the history of the route, arriving or departing by rail is still an option.


September is one of the best times to experience this trail. Early fall color begins to appear; temperatures typically cool down, humidity drops, and wildlife activity increases. Hikers often encounter deer, bear, raccoon, osprey, squirrel, beaver, moose, coyote and occasionally even river otter along the route.


Though the trail avoids summits and stays mostly in the lowlands, the terrain is by no means easy. Long stretches of rocks, roots, mud, and blowdowns can make progress slow and challenging. Still, most days are manageable, and we retain flexibility to adjust our daily mileage depending on weather, trail conditions, or whether our intended campsite or lean-to has already been claimed by other hikers.



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See Topo map


Weather

Weather in the Adirondacks is notably variable, especially in late September. Daytime temperatures are usually in the sixties to seventies, while nighttime temperatures commonly drop into the forties or fifties. More extreme temperatures are possible, with occasional highs in the low eighties and lows in the thirties. Rain can occur at any time, and backcountry areas are generally cooler than nearby towns, particularly in shaded or low-lying locations. Reliable rain gear and warm layers are essential.



Probable Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Dan Shafto
Any Other Guide(s) TBD

Difficulty


This is a 133 mile thru-hike. We will be hiking almost all day, every day in order to get to the next campsite and must average about 10 miles per day. While we feel this is attainable given the not-so-steep terrain and good trail condition, we only built in one 'near-o' day. A "near-o" means near zero. We will hike 3.5 miles to a road, shuttle to a nearby motel, stay the night and shuttle back to the trail the next morning having spent the day resting and eating restaurant/store food.


Still, we feel this is readily attainable for those who can stay mentally positive and will be an experience you'll always treasure. Be ready to stray from the proposed itinerary depending upon weather, trail conditions and even the presence of other hikers who may have already set up their tents at the campsite or lean-to we had planned to stay in.



Cost

$2300 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. Single room accommodations are available for purchase. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Albany Airport (ALB) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals (typically 2 dinners) and any gratuities for guides. You may also be charged for parking if you leave your car at the hotel all week if you drive.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 2 frontcountry campgrounds, 13 days of trail meals, ground transportation to/from the trail, permits, campground fees and awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally account for 30-60% of their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted to solicit tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing exceptional customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well, please support them with gratuities so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Important Notes


The Northville–Placid Trail frequently presents extended stretches of rough footing: rocks, roots, mud, and wet, uneven trail. In our experience, the terrain poses more challenge than the mileage. Rain can make the trail even more slippery and slow-moving. We plan to cache food at three different locations to help keep pack weight manageable. Participants should come prepared for rugged conditions, slower-than-expected pace, and the rewarding experience of completing one of the Northeast’s classic long-distance walks.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Map
 
 

Itinerary


Saturday, September 12, 2026

Fly or drive into Albany, NY (ALB). The best time to arrive is between 9AM-2PM, but since the airport is small, flights and arrival times are limited. If your pre-trip virtual shakedown was thorough, and you are ready to leave Albany by 4PM, you may arrive later.

Call for a free airport shuttle that will take you to our local hotel

We will assemble at: Tru by Hilton Albany Airport NY, 798 Albany Shaker Road, Latham, NY, 12211, (518) 801-0600.

Although you have already had the online equipment shakedown. We will ask questions about your gear and try to economize the weight while making sure you are outfitted properly and prepared for the elements.

Make-your-own trail mix bar. You craft your personal trail mix from a cornucopia of nuts, fruits, sweets and occasional wildcard items that we provide.

Buy common last minute and forgotten items at Eastern Mountain Sports, 1475 Western Ave, Albany, NY, (518) 482-0088 (open until 7PM)

We will place all your off-trail stuff in storage at the hotel or in a storage unit for two weeks. Please keep this to a small amount. Note: You may also be able to pack a "halfway bag" for the lodge night mid-trip.

At around 3PM, shuttle to campsite: Northampton Beach Campground, 328 Houseman St, Mayfield, NY 12117. Site(s) TBD Elevation: 770'

Shuttling will take about 1 hours

Guides prepare dinner in camp. On some trips with longer shuttle times, we may opt to go out for an opening dinner at a local restaurant. (Cost of restaurant dinner not included in trip price)

Camp at Northampton Beach Campground, 328 Houseman St, Mayfield, NY 12117. Site(s) TBD Elevation: 770'


Sunday, September 13, 2026

Start hiking in Northville where North Main becomes South Main, elevation 800'

Hike 3.5 road miles to the Northville-Placid Trailhead, elevation 885'

Hike 5.2 miles to the West Stony Creek Lean-To, elevation 975'

Camp at the West Stony Creek Lean-To, elevation 975'

Mileage Today: 8.7. Total mileage: 8.7

Possible bailout: Northville


Monday, September 14, 2026

Hike 10.9 miles to the West Stony Creek Campsite #2, elevation 1500'

Camp at West Stony Creek Campsite #2, elevation 1500'

Mileage Today: 10.9. Total mileage: 19.6

Possible bailout: CR-6


Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Hike 11.1 miles to the Mud Lake Lean-To, elevation 1730'

Camp at Mud Lake Lean-To, elevation 1730'

Mileage Today: 11.1. Total mileage: 30.7

Possible bailout: 1 day away


Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Hike 7.9 miles to Buckhorn Creek, elevation 1790'

Dispersed camp at Buckhorn Creek practicing Leave No Trace Practices, elevation 1790'

Mileage Today: 7.9. Total mileage: 38.6

Possible bailout: Piseco


Thursday, September 17, 2026

Hike 1.2 miles to NY 8, elevation 1725'

There may be cached food here

Hike 9.7 miles (much of it road miles) to Jessup River Campsite, elevation 2065'

Camp at Jessup River Campsite, elevation 2065'

Mileage Today: 10.9. Total mileage: 49.5

Possible bailout: Piseco


Friday, September 18, 2026

Hike 12.4 miles to Third Cedar Lake Campsite, elevation 2450'

Camp at Third Cedar Lake Campsite, elevation 2450'

Mileage Today: 12.4. Total mileage: 61.9

Possible bailout: 1 day away


Saturday, September 19, 2026

Hike 9.9 miles to Cedar River Flow Campsite, elevation 2115'

Camp at Cedar River Flow Campsite, elevation 2115'

Mileage Today: 9.9. Total mileage: 71.8

Possible bailout: Wakely


Sunday, September 20, 2026

Hike 3.4 miles to Cedar River Rd, elevation 2110'

We will spend a few hours shuttling vehicles before heading to our mid-point lodging. Possibly a hassle, but we won't be able to check in very early anyway.

Check into local lodging where we can shower, resupply and do laundry: North Creek Lodge at Gore Mountain , 2999 NY 8, North Creek, NY, 12853, (518) 251-9937.

Go out for dinner locally (cost of dinner not included in trip cost)

Mileage Today: 3.4. Total mileage: 75.2

Possible bailout: Blue Mountain Lake


Monday, September 21, 2026

Shuttle back to Wakely Trailhead

Hike 11.2 miles to Lake Durant Frontcountry Campground, elevation 1800'

Camp at Lake Durant Frontcountry Campground, site(s) TBD, elevation 1800'

Mileage Today: 11.2. Total mileage: 86.4

Possible bailout: Lake Durant


Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Hike 12.6 miles to a dispersed campsite near Sandy Creek, elevation 2000'

Dispersed camp near Sandy Creek practicing Leave No Trace Ethic, elevation 2000'

Mileage Today: 12.6. Total mileage: 99.0

Possible bailout: 1 day away


Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Hike about 2.3 miles to NY 28N, elevation 1775'

There may be cached food to pick up here

Hike 8.6 miles along Long Lake to Long Lake Lean-To, elevation 1640'

Camp at Long Lake Lean-To, elevation 1640'

Mileage Today: 10.9. Total mileage: 109.9

Possible bailout: NY-28N.


Thursday, September 24, 2026

Hike 10.1 miles to Ouluska Lean-To, elevation 1870'

Camp at Ouluska Lean-To, elevation 1870'

Mileage Today: 10.1. Total mileage: 120.0

Possible bailout: 1 day away


Friday, September 25, 2026

Hike 10.9 miles to Wanika Falls Campsite, elevation 2310'

Camp at Wanika Falls Campsite, elevation 2310'

Mileage Today: 10.9. Total mileage: 130.9

Possible bailout: 1 day away


Saturday, September 26, 2026

Hike 8.3 miles to the Lake Placid Train Station, elevation 1740'

End of hiking. Congratulations, you have just thru-hiked the Northville-Placid Trail!

Mileage Today: 8.3. Total mileage: 139.2

Possible bailout: Lake Placid

Shuttle back to Albany

Shuttle back to local hotel: Tru by Hilton Albany Airport NY, 798 Albany Shaker Road, Latham, NY, 12211, (518) 801-0600.

Gather your off-trail items from storage

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, September 27, 2026

Take Free Airport Shuttle or we will drop you at the airport or we will pay for a shared cab/Uber


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