If you’re looking for the perfect spot in nature to really get away from it all, you should hike out to Avalanche Lake in New York in the heart of the Adirondacks. There are a lot of remote lakes in New York and in this part of the state in particular, so this may not be the most remote lake there is, but it’s pretty close. No matter which way you approach it, you’ll have to hike most of the day to reach it. When you do, you’ll be rewarded; this lake is so beautiful and peaceful. Read on to learn more.

Avalanche Lake, NY is in the High Peaks Wilderness. The High Peaks Wilderness is the largest forest preserve in New York and it covers an area of 301 square miles. To give you an idea of how remote Avalanche Lake is, it's pretty much right in the middle of the wilderness area.
Michael Alt/All Trails
This lake is beautiful in every season. Here it is in the fall.
Marsha Flesinger/All Trails
You can hike to it in the winter and see it covered with snow.
Balon Greyjoy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Or, you can visit in the springtime as the lake begins to thaw and as the snow melts.
Mwanner, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The best time to go, though, is summertime. Look how beautiful, quiet, still, and serene it is. This is one of the most peaceful places in Adirondack Park.
Ritu Patel/Google Local

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No matter which way you choose to approach this lake, you're going to have to hike to get there. The shortest way to get there on foot is to start at the Adirondack Mountain Club's Adirondak Loj and hike south for six miles. Follow signs to Marcy Dam, then take the Avalanche Pass Trail the rest of the way. This trail is rated difficult.
Zach Zimmerman/All Trails
Alternatively, you can start from the south. Park at the Dudley Brook Trail Trailhead. Follow the Dudley Brook Trail to the East River Trail North. Then take that to the Calamity Brook Trail near Flowed Lake. Take that to the Mount Marcy Trail and then get on the Avalanche Pass Trail the rest of the way. This hike covers over 21 miles, so be prepared for it! All of these trails are rated moderate or difficult, so it will be slow going the entire journey.
When you get to Avalanche Lake, it's all worth it. This lake is at 2885' of elevation. It is about a half a mile long and it is 250 feet wide; it covers about nine acres total.
Kim Perkins/Google Local
An avalanche happened at this lake on August 20, 1869 that caused rock slides that raised the level of the lake. Another one happened in 1942 that raised it even more.
To get around the lake, you'll need to walk on wooden catwalks. These were first installed in the 1920s and are bolted into the face of the cliff.
Johanna Wise/All Trails
You'll have to stay close to the cliff walls where no catwalk exists. This will be a hike that you'll surely never forget.
Dana Michelle Allen/Google Local
Avalanche Lake is a very worthwhile hike for experienced and energetic hikers. This lake is so remote and peaceful. You'll love it.
Cassidy Gertis/All Trails

Although the hike is long and arduous, you’ll love your trip to Avalanche Lake. This is one of the quietest and most peaceful lakes in the Adirondacks and it’s well worth a visit.

If you love Adirondack Lakes, maybe you’ll want to visit another after this one. Raquette Lake is a lot easier to get to! Learn more here: Why The Largest Natural Lake In The Adirondacks Belongs On Your New York Bucket List.

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More to Explore

Avalanche Lake In New York

Christy Articola | March 06, 2023

Wow! This lake looks very remote and also amazing! What other remote lakes should I check out in New York?

Even though many people think of densely populated New York City when they think of New York, there are actually many remote areas in our great state, and there are many beautiful lakes in some of those very remote areas. Here are a few to consider visiting:

  • Pine Lake
  • Lake Lila
  • Cowhorn Pond
  • West Canada Lake
  • Black Lake

 

Those all sound great! Tell me a bit more about this Adirondacks High Peaks Wilderness. What are some things that I can do in this part of New York State?

The Adirondacks High Peaks Wilderness is gigantic! It covers 275,460 acres, making it the largest wilderness area in New York State and the second largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi. There's so much to see and do there! Here are some ideas:

  • Wildlife viewing! You can see moose, black bears, beavers, coyotes, river otters, bald eagles, osprey, wild turkeys, and so much more!
  • Camping! There are so many places to camp in this area.
  • Hiking! There are hundreds of miles of trails in the High Peaks Wilderness
  • Snowshoeing! This sport is great in this part of the state in the winter.
  • Fishing! Don't forget to get your fishing license before you start!
  • Stargazing! It's very dark at night in the Adirondacks, enabling you to see more stars than you might elsewhere in the state.

 

What towns are near Avalanche Lake if I need to get supplies before my hike?

Ahh, well, part of the reason we love this lake is that it's so remote! You'll need to stock up on supplies long before you get close to the trailhead. With that said, though, here are some towns that are nearby:

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Avalanche Lake, Keene, NY 12943, USA