The fall foliage was at near peak at the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center in Wilmington when this photo was taken on Wednesday, Oct. 2. (News photo — Chris Gaige)

LAKE PLACID — One of the most iconic stretches of the year has once again fallen upon the Olympic Region: peak foliage.

Right on, if not slightly behind, schedule, the precise dates and definitions of “peak” are always subject to the eyes of the beholder, occasionally sparking lively and spirited debate among leaf-peeping enthusiasts. The News, being a weekly publication, has the good fortune of skirting around this day-to-day nitpicking.

I will speak boldly and assert that the peak will occur in the Olympic Region at some point during this edition of the News. To celebrate the all-too-fleeting window, this week’s column is devoted to not just one destination in the area but several of some of the best spots to capture the fall colors.

The list is not meant to be any sort of ranking or to be exhaustive. Veteran leaf peepers, of course, have their own favorite spots. The locations below are meant to be accessible without too much effort on the part of the peeper, especially imperative if you have heavier camera equipment.

Ample sunshine, clear nights and no major wind storms over the past two weeks have set the stage for a 2024 peak foliage season that should feature leaf brilliance that is sure to be at the least, what we typically expect across the region — one of the most spectacular foliage regions in the state, let alone the entire nation.

Fall foliage dots the cityscape here around Mirror Lake in the village of Lake Placid. (News photo — Chris Gaige)

Many sites across the Adirondacks, however, are currently reporting a leaf brilliance this year that exceeds their, already usual spectacular, “average” palette of colors. I have this on good authority, as I subscribe to the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism’s weekly Adirondack Fall Foliage email reports. These reports are compiled using data from seasoned and trained volunteer observers across the park.

While the weekly reports are a (fantastic) new edition, the office has been a longtime supplier of this same information to the “I Love NY” statewide foliage maps for the region.

Before embarking on my location survey journey, I stopped in to ROOST and met with Sharron Miller, the visitor service manager. She happily provided me with a list of the office’s recommendations and said the office was quite busy fielding questions from visitors about this year’s foliage conditions. She said it is something they are well-versed in and happy to do. People can visit their website, roostadk.com, call the office at 518-523-2445 or stop in at the Lake Placid Visitor Center, located at 2608 Main St.

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“The Notch”

A sign at the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Heart Lake property outside Lake Placid directs hikers to potential leaf-peeping spots. (News photo — Chris Gaige)

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Situated between the communities of Lake Placid and Wilmington, the Wilmington Notch refers to the stretch along the West Branch of the AuSable River with towering cliffs on either side. The area is serviced by state Route 86 and features a handful of hiking trails into the Sentinel Range and access points to the AuSable River.

Note that parking areas for these come up suddenly and can be small and crowded on busy days.

The Notch provides stunning glimpses of rugged mountainside foliage shooting up from the banks of the AuSable River. Timing is important, especially on sunny days, as the cliffs can create widely varying shadows and bright spots depending on when in the day you travel through it.

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Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort

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If you drive far enough through the Notch from Lake Placid, you’ll come to the entrance of the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center, operated by the state Olympic Regional Development Authority.

Leaf peepers have several options for how they can experience the peak foliage here. One of the most unique is to take a ride on the Cloudsplitter Gondola. Faithful readers will likely note that the gondola was featured in last week’s column, so I won’t go into it too much other than to wholeheartedly, once again, endorse it as a way to catch the foliage.

More details about the gondola can be found at tinyurl.com/ypd85x2d and those interested should note that operating hours are limited. If you don’t have a copy of last week’s print edition of the News on hand, the column can be found at tinyurl.com/27x3bybm.

Besides the gondola, the ski center’s main lodge has a spacious viewing deck that provides views uphill. Visitors can also head up to the Bear Den Lodge to access hiking trails. While not as easily accessible, those willing to make the hike up Bear Den Mountain will be richly rewarded with a 270-degree view at the summit of the Whiteface ski trails, the Notch, and several High Peaks in the background.

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Heart Lake

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Heart Lake offers a beautiful backdrop. A short drive from Lake Placid, this property can be accessed by driving south from Lake Placid along state Route 73 for a few miles before turning right onto the Adirondack Loj Road and following it to the end — about five miles.

Visitors should note that Heart Lake is owned and maintained by the Adirondack Mountain Club, which charges a parking fee. The money supports a good cause and it is the advice of this writer that the location is worth it.

The trees around the lake are some of the most vibrant in the region, and mountain slopes shoot up directly from the lake’s shore. The location is a hiking trail hub, with some of the most popular mountains in the state accessible from the various trailheads along the property. Mount Jo provides stunning foliage views for those up for a short hike accessible from the property.

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Cobble Hill

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A short hike accessible off of Mirror Lake Drive, the trail gains 480 feet over 0.8 miles (1.6 round trip) to reach a summit of 2,343 feet. Cobble Hill provides beautiful south-facing views of the High Peaks for those interested in a brief climb. A recently completed boardwalk at the beginning allows hikers to avoid what was a previously swampy start.

The adjacent Northwood School campus is closed to the public, and hikers are encouraged to walk from their homes, hotels or designated parking spots in the village. The trailhead is also less than a mile from downtown Lake Placid — with sidewalks along the entire route (before the trail itself begins) — for those interested in getting some extra steps in.

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River Road

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River Road connects state Routes 86 and 73 and runs along the West Branch of the AuSable River. If traversing between Heart Lake and the Notch, for example, this is the most direct route, but it is also exceptionally scenic. Enough so to warrant a spot on the list.

Note that the road is narrow and twisty (even more so than state Route 86 through the Notch or the Adirondack Loj Road).

It is a popular biking and jogging route, so be courteous and share the road. Several small dirt pull-offs along the route allow for access to the AuSable River and provide views of the ski jumps toward the south end of the road.

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A note on safety

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Leaf peepers must always remain aware of their surroundings. This is especially true when accessing foliage locations directly off of roads and highways. While driving, keep your eyes on the road.

Be alert for pedestrians, and wildlife and ensure you are traveling at a safe rate of speed. When pulling over, properly signal and ensure you are fully off of the road in a place where it is safe and legal to do so. Pay attention to traffic when entering or exiting a vehicle, and while walking near or along roadways.

When you have found a potential leaf peeping location, ensure the site is safe. Be aware of your footing at all times and maintain a safe distance from sudden drop-offs. If the site is busy, be respectful of others, wait your turn and don’t take more than your fair share of time if the viewing location is limited.

With these in mind, you should be all set for a safe and successful 2024 peak leaf-peeping season.