Day 8 - 2020 Northville Placid Trail Thru Hike - Long Lake to Cold River #4 Lean-to
The Northville-Placid Trail is a 139-mile long distance hiking trail that runs through the heart of the Adirondacks - from the village of Northville in the south to the village of Lake Placid in the north. The trail is unique in the Adirondacks that it does not traverse any significant mountain peaks, but instead stays to the valleys and lowlands throughout the Adirondacks. That results in the trail passing many lakes, streams, ponds (and there being plenty of mud along the way).
Along the Cold River
We thru hiked the NPT between August 9, 2020 and August 18, 2020. We had one zero near Long Lake. We had two cars so we set the hike up with a handful of car shuttles. That gave us a chance to resupply and grab some town food.
On Day 8 of our Northville-Placid Trail Thru Hike, we began at the Tarbell Road Trailhead just above Long Lake and hiked 12.5 miles to Cold River #4 Lean-to.
As part of the hike, Jeff kept a journal of each day and so, with so we will be using his journal to provide a description of each day’s hike. You can also find the entire NPT thru hike on our YouTube channel here.
Following the successful toe test the day before, I figured that for better or worse I could make it to Lake Placid, even if it meant some serious pain along the way. Utilizing all of the new first aid materials I taped and gelled up the feet the best i could in the morning. We slept in a bit and didn’t rush as we figured based on yesterday’s pace, it wouldn’t take too long to do the 12+ miles to the Cold River lean-tos. Packed up the hotel room (so sad to leave), picked up some breakfast and headed south to Long Lake. Toe felt okay wrapped and in the shoe.
Parked at the trailhead on Tarbell Road and headed north on the NPT. Felt a bit rough with the full weight of the backpack at first, but eventually found a groove (or maybe more correctly a mental zone) where I was able to walk quickly without too much pain.
The trail quickly reached the first set of lean-tos on Long Lake. Given it was only a mile or so we didn’t stop, but was nice to see I was on pace. We actually missed the second set of lean-tos - never saw the turnoff. Then stopped for a snack at the Kelly’s Landing lean-tos. Missed another set and finally stopped and had another snack at the trail to the last set of lean-tos (Plumleys) at around mile 8.
The trail turns away from Long Lake and heads towards the Cold River and Shattuck Clearing. We followed an old tote road most of the way (where we didn’t have to detour around beaver ponds). Right after Shattuck Clearing you cross the Moose Creek on a suspension bridge that’s in much better shape than the ones further south. Moe still was nervous. Eventually after what felt like forever we reached Shattuck Clearing. From there it’s another 0.7 to 1 mile (seriously first sign said 0.7, second said 1.0) to Cedar River Lean-tos 3 and 4. Just before the lean-tos you cross another suspension bridge, this one with an open steel deck instead of wood planks, to get across the Cold River. Makes for an interesting walk across.
The Cold River #4 Lean-to is just on other side of bridge. A southbounder (Dan) was at lean-to but was tenting so we took the lean-to. We unpacked, swam a bit in the cold river, had dinner and then started a fire. Dan joined us at the fire for a while and then it was time for bed.
Resources for the Northville-Placid Trail in the Adirondack Park
The best guide to the NPT is the Adirondack Mountain Club's Northville-Placid Trail Guidebook
The best map is the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map for the Northville-Placid Trail
You can save a few bucks and get both the Guidebook and Map as a bundle
Both proved indispensable for this hike. The NPT isn't currently in an app like Guthook and the AllTrails data is very, very limited. For the NPT definitely go with the old fashioned map and pick up the guidebook so you know what to expect. We carried both with us, but if I did it again, I'd just have the map. The map is waterproof/tearproof so it'll survive the hike.
Interested in hiking the NPT, but want guide services? Hike On Guides can do that - we have special long distance hiking services tailored for the Northville-Placid Trail.
Gear we used on the Northville Placid Trail
