This story was written by guest blogger Lauren Breedlove.

Don’t let fall slip away just yet

Autumn in the Adirondacks is hard to beat. The unpredictable magic of the ever-changing foliage each year never gets old during our beautiful, but quick fall season. After the thrill of chasing peak colors, it’s a time to slow down and savor the next shift from fall to winter, when we lean into all things cozy. Whether taking a leisurely stroll in the woods and enjoying leaves crunching under your boots, or lingering at a fresh farm-to-table meal with great conversation, these are the best ways to bask in the last bits of fall in the Whiteface Region.

Book a farm stay

Agriculture is a big part of the Adirondacks, and the end of fall is the perfect time to book a stay on a working farm in the area. The region’s small farms are known for producing artisanal goods such as cheese and wool, contributing to the local food scene. Staying at one of these farms will give you a glimpse into the region’s strong agricultural heritage, a chance to meet some animals, and a slice of quiet beauty amongst our notorious mountain backdrop. 

Asgaard Farm’s Emerson House in Au Sable Forks is perhaps the most well-known thanks to the famous artist Rockwell Kent. The historic home sleeps four, and offers the opportunity to participate in daily farm chores, if that’s up your alley. In between exploring the miles of trails that weave through the property, sample the farm’s bounty of goat cheese, eggs, and grass-fed beef during your time at this historic farm. Taking in the scenic splendor here, it’s easy to see why the farm served as the inspiration for many of Kent’s works.

In Upper Jay, Sugar House Creamery produces cheese from their small herd of resident Swiss cows. Their carriage barn sleeps two, and farmhouse accommodates four, where you can wake to views of Ebenezer Mountain, acres of fertile farmland, and the cows, of course.

Hit the food trail

Trade the hiking trails for a food trail this fall, where local harvest goods shine along the Ausable Valley Cuisine Trail. This culinary-centric route highlights various restaurants, farms, orchards, breweries, and more throughout a large swath of the Adirondacks, including the Whiteface Region, as well as nearby Keene and Lake Placid. Purchase a pass and download your passport from Adirondack Harvest to show at each establishment along the trail, where you’ll score special discounts and perks on the featured local products, such as goat cheese from Asgaard Farm and maple syrup from Rivermede Farm Market.

Catch a sunrise at a reasonable time

Late autumn allows sunrise seekers a little extra sleep, and for that, we’re grateful. With the sun rising around 7 a.m. this time of year, witnessing this morning ritual is a little easier. So, take advantage and bundle up for mist rising off a calm lake, loon calls through the silence, braids of fog across the High Peaks, and those first spectacular rays of warm light. 

Paddlers should head to Wilmington for the serene, flat waters of Lake Everest, a wide section of the Ausable River’s West Branch, formed by a dam. Put your canoe or kayak in at the public beach (off Bowman Lane) and enjoy the Adirondacks waking up, with views of the surrounding mountain ranges and possible sightings of blue herons or ospreys.

Alternatively, pack a headlamp and hit the 1.2-mile trail (one way) up to Cobble Lookout for sweeping views over the Ausable Valley, Whiteface, Esther, and Giant Mountains, as well as many of the other High Peaks. Hot tip: bring a camping-style coffee setup and sip your morning brew on the exposed summit as Mother Nature does her thing.

Share a slow meal

With daylight dwindling as winter approaches, there’s no need to rush. This time of year makes it easier to sit down and truly savor a meal with your favorite people. Tuck into seasonal comfort fare at the Ice Jam Inn, a cozy eatery in Upper Jay, housed in a converted 1800s-era lodge, mere minutes from Whiteface Mountain. The menu features farm-to-table, Adirondack fare like cider-maple brussels, locally-sourced beef burgers, and pork schnitzel as a nod to European ski culture. Other hot-ticket items include their ‘Crosby, Stills, & Nashville’ spicy fried chicken sandwich and the Belgian Moules Frites. Don’t leave without one of their signature desserts: bread pudding and cinnamon sugar pretzel sticks.

Enjoy a leisurely walk

There are plenty of summit hikes here in the Whiteface region, but if you’re looking to take it a little slower with a nature walk, try the Flume Trail System. This network of multi-use recreational trails covers approximately 10 miles and can be accessed off Route 86 at the marker for the Wilmington Wild Forest Flume Trail System Trailhead. Or, seek out a backcountry pond with a jaunt to Owen, Copperas, and Winch Ponds, a 2.6-mile loop featuring a trio of ponds within the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area.

Late autumn is the perfect excuse to explore at a slower pace, savor local goods, and to appreciate the small details and moments that make the Adirondacks such a special place.