Mother Nature chooses the North Country to display her Fall Finery
When autumn first whispers the close of summer, New York’s North Country proudly broadcasts a new conversation. Herkimer, the “Experience County” is New York’s tallest county, with its feet in the Mohawk Valley and its head in the Adirondack Mountains. Families love the not-too-hot summers, and everyone loves the colorful explosion of autumn.
Mohawk Valley, Herkimer County
Southern Herkimer County is bisected by the NY State Thruway, which means quick, easy access for travelers. There, historic Herkimer communities such as Mohawk, Frankfort and Little Falls sit on the banks of the Erie Canal. The colors there are a preview of the spectacular foliage show that steadily intensifies on the northward tour up NYS Route 28.
Herkimer County is 82 miles from north to south, with a full season of foliage on display in a 1-day Trip
The communities of Middleville, Newport and Poland recline against the foothills of the Adirondacks, which blaze fall colors when the foliage in the southern county is just starting to change. The country highway follows the West Canada Creek, renowned for fishing, and leads to Herkimer Diamond Mines. Families fill the campground there, and collect the ancient “diamond” crystals. Farther north visitors enter the Adirondacks, six million acres of accessible, mountainous wilderness spotted with intriguing communities.
Old Forge in the Adirondacks
Old Forge is a four-season resort, with modern roads meandering through the colorful forests. There are hiking trails to mountain vistas such as Bald Mountain, with its historic fire watch tower, and paddling routes along hundreds of lakes and ponds.
Moose River, Old Forge
Three branches of the Moose River embrace the town and its neighboring hamlets of Eagle Bay, Big Moose and Stillwater. All experiences here are family adventures, the stuff of lifelong memories.
McCauley Mountain Ski and Recreation Area in Old Forge began as a ski center in the 1920s, and now features a scenic chairlift which is famous for fall foliage panoramas overlooking the Fulton Chain of Lakes all the way to Lake Placid in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks. McCauley Mountain also is home to a burgeoning 26-mile mountain bike complex, with cross country trails, single and double track touring trails, and downhill flow trails. With families always in mind, McCauley crews have created an extensive skills park for young up-and-coming mountain bikers.
McCauley Mountain Scenic Chairlift
Of course, Old Forge is home to family lodging facilities from cabins and cottage colonies to hotels and motels, as well as a wide variety of great restaurants. Quaint shops line Main Street in Old Forge, featuring unique Adirondack gifts and furnishings.
A fall trip through Herkimer County fills the senses, and nature’s colorful display fills our visual palettes and renews the human spirit. It’s sometimes hard to take it all in, but what fun to see how it magically fits.
Herkimer County, the Experience County.
Check out all the possibilities at ExperienceHerkimerCounty.com
