The Adirondack Mountains of New York. Stunning peaks and gorgeous lakes make for divine scenes. A wilderness mecca for those in the Northeast United States. Known for being significantly larger than some of the most well known National Parks, there is an overwhelming amount of outdoor activities to engage in. While winter can be a deterrent in regards to outdoor activities, The Adirondacks cater to skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and photographers alike during the frigid months each year.

Growing up in New York, it’s often assumed that camping trips to the Adirondacks are obligatory. I drove through as a teenager once en route to Vermont and thats the extent of my prior experience in the Adirondacks. My portfolio has been lacking both winter themed images as well as mountain images. The Adirondacks in February made sense as a way to fill those obvious gaps in my portfolio while also providing a fitting end to my time living in New York State.

As I mentioned, my portfolio has been sorely lacking an iconic winter image but it’s not for a lack of trying. Different locations are suited to be photographed during specific seasons. New England is great during Autumn, the Pacific Northwest in Summer, the Alps during the Winter. I have travelled to various points in New York as well as Montréal during the winter in the past, but those trips took place years ago. Since those days, I’ve ventured to Wisconsin, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado during the winter months. While opportunities to snag something stunning were abundant, nothing stuck.

The Adirondacks are unique in the way that they are great year round. Most people I knew from New York claim it to be a Summer or early Autumn destination. However, I find it to be capable of being a year round vacation spot for adventurers. Summer will provide amazing sunsets and warmer weather for hiking the many mountains in the region. Autumn brings about truly spectacular colors as the leaves change colors with the cooler temperatures. Winter welcomes vast amounts of snowfall that blanket the mountains and lakes.

Each season brings about something special. As far as photography is concerned, all three are great times to visit, but each season calls for a different approach. Specifically, Winter can be a challenge with the amount of additional gear required to safely and efficiently photograph the mountains and lakes.

I should note that I was not in peak physical condition prior to this trip nor had I ever truly attempted hikes with snow on the ground. However, I found most of the trails I attempted to be relatively manageable with the exception of Giant Mountain. Winter photography can be more physically demanding. Aside from colder temperatures which can be a deterrent, hiking through snow can be exhausting. Summer hikes tend to be easier simply because there is less gear necessary for a day hike. While most of the trails were manageable, should I return again in the winter to the Adirondacks, I would be motivated to get into better shape for the amount of hiking I would like to do.

So what sets the Adirondacks apart from other mountain ranges in the U.S. or even the world? What’s different about these mountains that you can’t find anywhere else? Simply put, the shear size of the park is enough to make jaws drop. The park sits at just over 6 million acres and takes up the majority of the state’s land area north of Albany. While the mountains may not be as impressive as the Rocky Mountains, Smoky Mountains or Sierra Nevada’s the amount of access to various outdoor activities is unparalleled.

Are the Adirondacks worth a visit? Of course. But, I would hesitate to say it’s worth skipping a trip to North Cascades, or Glacier National Park in favor of Upstate New York. The High Peaks are truly stunning, though, and worthy of a week-long trip for any outdoor adventurer. Again, photographically, there are better places to visit in the country. However, the Northeast may not house another mountainous area that rivals it. All in all, I would (and probably will) repeat this trip again in the future.

It’s in my nature to maintain an inner dialogue of reflection about my adventures. It’s important to pause and think about experiences such as the trips I complete. Aside from monetary figures and image counts, I like to think each trip lays down another mark of my progression as a photographer and traveller. It would be so easy to write this trip off as a disaster. A lack of quality images and half of the trip getting cancelled due to severe weather isn’t the most positive outcome I envisioned. I strive to use these hurdles as teaching moments for myself, or for others if another adventure happens to stumble upon this blog.

Appalachia 2020 and Adirondacks 2021 proved to me that spending 10 days somewhere and trying to snap 50 quality photographs is unsustainable. As the quantity of photos decreases, the quality has seemingly increased. Looking at my top 5 photos from New England next to my top 5 from Appalachia, it’s easy to see that a year of experience has led to better images. Only time will tell, but I have a feeling this adventure can serve as a turning point in my photographic career.

Winter Photography in the Adirondacks

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