Night Sky Photography in the New York Adirondacks
And How It Turned Me Into a Hiker and Travel Blogger
In 2023, while working as a traveling medical lab scientist at a small hospital in Ticonderoga, New York (wild name, right?), I began exploring the nearby Adirondack Mountains in search of locations for my night sky photography.
Even though I spent most of my life in Upstate New York, I had barely explored the Adirondacks before this. I simply wasn’t as outdoorsy back then as I am now. I credit photography—especially astrophotography—for getting me outside more, but it was the Adirondacks that truly introduced me to the outdoors in its purest form: real wilderness.
Discovering the Adirondack Mountains
When most people think of New York State, they immediately think of New York City. If NYC is an urban jungle, then the Adirondacks are the real thing.
The Adirondack Park, established in 1892, is one of the largest protected areas in the United States, spanning 6.1 million acres—larger than many National Parks. The region is home to:
46 High Peaks
Over 2,800 lakes
Vast stretches of dark skies, making it an incredible destination for astrophotography
For a night sky photographer, that last point alone makes the Adirondacks a hidden gem.
One of My First Adirondack Hikes: Blue Mountain Lake in Winter
One of my very first trips into the Adirondacks brought me to Blue Mountain Lake, located in the town of Indian Lake, during February. I still remember just how cold it was.
The Adirondacks are filled with charming small towns, but Lake Placid is probably the most well known, having hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. On this trip, though, my goal was Castle Rock—a short hike overlooking the frozen lake.
From Castle Rock, I planned to film a moon trail timelapse while also recording a vlog for my YouTube channel at the time. That hike has a special place in my memory, because it was one of my very first hikes ever, not just in the Adirondacks.
I had no idea then that hiking would soon become one of my favorite outdoor activities.
Me setting up my tripod from Castle Rock to photograph a moon trail timelapse over a frozen Blue Mountain Lake
Moon trail over Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York
Moon trail timelapse video taken over Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York
A moonlight timelapse with the Milky Way that I took at Mt Van Hoevenberg in the Adirondacks which was the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Games
Hiking, Photography, and Falling in Love With the Outdoors
The more I explored the Adirondack Park, the more locations I discovered that were perfect for night sky photography and landscape photography. Many of the best spots required hiking—and over time, hiking became something I genuinely loved.
There’s a special kind of satisfaction in reaching an astrophotography location after a long hike, especially when it’s somewhere that hasn’t been photographed much. It makes the effort feel earned.
That said, hiking didn’t come naturally to me at first. I had to learn:
How to properly layer clothing (especially for Adirondack winters)
How to plan hikes in remote wilderness
How expensive proper winter hiking gear can be
Hiking alone in true wilderness can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to it. But when fall arrived in the Adirondacks, any doubts disappeared. The Northeast is famous for fall foliage, and the Adirondacks are absolutely no exception.
Me (far left) on a rocky overlook witnessing peak foliage at Heart Lake in the Adirondacks. What a sight!
Moon over Lake George in the Adirondacks from The Pinnacle trail overlook
Avalanche Lake: My Most Memorable Adirondack Adventure
My most unforgettable Adirondack hike was to Avalanche Lake, accessed from the Adirondack Loj in Lake Placid, which is operated by the Adirondack Mountain Club.
Avalanche Lake sits between Mount Colden and Avalanche Mountain, formed long ago by glacial activity. My goal was to photograph the moon reflecting perfectly off the lake, which required precise planning using PhotoPills, a photography planning app.
But photography planning was only part of the challenge.
This would be a 13.35-mile round-trip hike with 1,355 feet of elevation gain, located deep in the High Peaks Wilderness Area, which meant:
Carrying a bear canister due to the active bear population
Packing carefully to keep my load as light as possible
Bringing an ultralight tent for my first true overnight backpacking trip
Nothing, however, prepared me for what would happen next.
High bear activity sign before I began my backpacking hike to Avalanche Lake…
Mud Season, Flash Floods, and a Hard Decision
I chose to hike to Avalanche Lake in late spring—a risky move in the Adirondacks. Spring is often referred to as “mud season”, when melting snow creates muddy trails, lingering ice, and the potential for flash flooding.
At Marcy Dam, about halfway through the hike, I ran into a park ranger who warned me that frost was likely overnight. After a long pause, I told him I was still heading to Avalanche Lake.
As I continued, the scenery was incredible—but conditions became increasingly dangerous. Snowmelt caused flash flooding along parts of the trail, forcing careful navigation.
Eventually, I reached Avalanche Camp, set up my tent, and stored my bear canister about 100 yards away. After that, I hiked the final stretch to Avalanche Lake, which included a steep elevation gain and a flooded section of trail I had to cross carefully.
When I finally arrived at the lake, it was worth every step.
The bear canister I used on my backpacking trip to Avalanche Lake, recommended by the Adirondack Mountain Club. Adirondack bears are famously clever—just not clever enough for this one.
When I arrived at Avalanche Lake it was a surreal experience…
A Moonrise I’ll Never Forget
As night fell, the moon rose above Avalanche Lake in a way I’ll never forget.
The reflection on the water was surreal, but what struck me most was how the moonlight transformed the entire landscape. A lone tree trunk in the lake cast a shadow across the muddy shoreline—it felt unreal, like stepping into another world.
No photograph can truly capture that experience. Being there in person was something entirely different.
But the night wasn’t over yet.
While I liked how this photo turned out nothing compares to experiencing it in person…
The Longest Night of My Life
As frost began forming, I realized I had made a serious mistake: I hadn’t brought traction spikes for my hiking boots.
The flooded trail sections I crossed during the day would be far more dangerous at night, even with a headlamp. One slip into icy water could lead to hypothermia.
I made a difficult decision.
Instead of hiking back to camp, I stayed at Avalanche Lake—sleeping upright on a tree stump. I wish I were joking.
As I sat there through the night, I worried about bears, exhaustion, and the cold—but the silence was incredible. The moonlight over the lake was so otherworldly that it almost didn’t feel real.
How the Adirondacks Changed Me Forever
By morning, I safely hiked back to camp, slept properly, and then returned to the Adirondack Loj.
That hike changed me.
It gave me a deep respect for how dangerous and rewarding hiking can be, especially in remote wilderness. Photographing the moonrise over Avalanche Lake was absolutely worth it—but more importantly, that experience turned me into a lifelong hiker.
That transformation continues to shape my night sky photography adventures to this day.
A little time lapse of the moon rising over Avalanche Lake. Getting the moon to sync with the music took me forever!