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Heart Lake LbNA #2529 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jul 19, 2002
Location:
City:North Elba
County:Essex
State:New York
Boxes:1
Found by: Magical Music Man
Last found:Aug 19, 2008
Status:FFFFFFF
Last edited:Jul 19, 2002


HEART LAKE LETTERBOX
NORTH ELBA, NY
Heart Lake is a gem in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Mountains, near Lake Placid. This lake earns its name on many levels. Seen on a topographic map, the lake tends to appear as a rather anatomically correct heart. However, from other views, especially atop some of the nearby mountains, it looks like a valentine. If you concentrate, you can make out this shape from the lakeshore. Heart Lake is also considered by many to be at the spiritual heart of the Adirondacks.

Heart Lake is on the Adirondak Loj property owned by the Adirondack Mountain Club. Non-members are welcome. The Loj has overnight accommodations available for up to 46 people in private rooms, family bunkrooms, and a coed bunkroom. There is also a campground on the property, with tent sites, canvas platform tents, and lean-tos (sorry, no RV facilities). There is a fee for day use ($9 at last check), with plenty of parking, an information center, rest rooms and coin showers, a small store, and a beach for swimming in the lake. You can look up fees and reservations arrangements at www.adk.org or call 518-523-3441.

An almost endless array of trails leave directly from this area. Shorter hikes include the unnamed trail that goes about a mile around the lake and the 2-mile loop trail over little Mt. Jo. Some intermediate hikes are available. Those wishing a strenuous day hike can scale some of New York's 46 high peaks over 4000-feet elevation, including the state high point, Mt. Marcy at 5344 feet. Extended wilderness backpacking trips can be planned as well. The High Peaks Information Center is on the grounds, and guidebooks and maps can be purchased in advance at outdoors stores or by contacting the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) at the website above.

Hiking: The letterbox is hidden on a deliberately short walk. That way you can choose other hikes that suit you while you are here. Plan to stay a while- it's worth it.

Clues: easy

Driving directions: From Interstate 87, take exit 30, Route 73 toward Keene and Lake Placid. Stay on Route 73 for 26.5 miles. Look carefully for the High Peaks Trailhead sign at Adirondak Loj Road, on the south side (left side) of Route 73. Turn down this road and go 4.8 miles. On the other hand, if you are coming from the west, take Route 86 through Lake Placid. At the third traffic light, turn right onto Route 73 towards Keene. Go 2.8 miles and turn right onto Adirondak Loj Road at the High Peaks Trailhead sign. Go 4.8 miles.

At the entrance booth, stop and explain whether you are there for day use, overnight camping at the campground, wilderness camping, or lodging at the Adirondak Loj. You will be told where to park according to your use type.

CLUES:

From your car, proceed to the Adirondak Loj with Heart Lake in front of it. Walk down to the swimming area and enjoy the view of the lake. Swimming in the cool, clear water is highly recommended. Go back up to the Loj and notice the unnamed trail going essentially north and south along the lake at this point. Take the trail south past the Loj parking lot. You'll see a cabin on your left and a picnic area on your right. Just past the picnic area you'll come to a fork in the trail. Go left past a white birch tree and discover a boulder with a plaque on it. Read the plaque, which commemorates Henry Van Hoevenberg's life and contributions in building trails, and shows a picture of the original Adirondak Loj that he built.

Stand with your heels against the boulder, your back to the plaque. Now walk three steps in the direction you are facing and look to your right. Notice a pile of rocks and/or cement blocks. If the adjacent campsite is occupied, stealth or diplomacy will be required; you have my permission to go for it. When the coast is clear, look beneath the rocks to find the letterbox. Sit or stand over by the boulder while stamping in, then carefully rehide the box. Enjoy your stay!

Note: I will be able to check on this letterbox and refresh its contents only once a year, in the summer. If anything in the box needs to be replaced, I would be glad to mail replacements to someone willing to help. In the sad event that the box goes missing, I will
make a new one and relocate it the following summer, unless a co-planter volunteers to work with me. I would appreciate any e-mail comments you care to send about the letterbox to curiouscrane@yahoo.com. Thanks.

Planted by: Curious Crane on July 19, 2002


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