The Ausable River is actually two rivers — the East Branch and the West Branch — both rising in the High Peaks and merging near Au Sable Forks before emptying into Lake Champlain. The West Branch drains the Lake Placid corridor and drops through Wilmington Notch; the East Branch cuts through the heart of the Keene Valley climbing and hiking zone, paralleling NY-73 past Chapel Pond and the Garden trailhead. Both branches are cold, fast, and boulder-strewn — classic Adirondack freestone streams with wild brook trout in the headwaters and stocked browns and rainbows in the lower accessible stretches. The river is as much a landmark as a fishery: if you're hiking Giant, Gothics, or any peak launching from the Keene Valley, you've crossed it.
Closest parking lots within range, ranked by walking distance. Accessibility flags come from Google verified-data; surface and capacity from OpenStreetMap. Confirm hours and seasonal closures before you go.
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Sunrise on the dock, a cairn at the summit, a bend on the trail. Your camera roll, our archive.
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What to do, where to stay, and what's reopening across the Park as the snow melts and the calendar fills.
A complete planning guide: difficulty by peak, common combo days, seasonal realities, and a sortable, filterable table of every summit.
Overnight, day, and trip camps in the Park — the camp belt, choosing the right fit, costs and financial aid, ACA accreditation, and the questions every parent should ask before they commit.
