Interesting. Meadows Lane? Is that the road leading back to South Meadows? Seems to me like that would be quite the undertaking to move the current HPIC to a new location. I for one would rather see it stay like it is. I guess the new standard route to Marcy Dam would be the Marcy Truck trail from South Meadows. Unless you're staying at the campground then you would use the Van Ho.
I'd like to hear more on this.

Questions

The "new" (2 years old?) street sign at the intersection of the Loj Road and the dirt road that is normally referred to as "South Meadow Road" indicates that it's name is "Meadows Lane".

There are so many questions about this. I'm hoping that we can all get answers about the future of the most popular access point to the High Peaks. Maybe someone affiliated with ADK/Heart Lake, or with the NYS-DEC will fill us in on the status of the project.

If they can not afford to make these trivial fixes, how can they afford to build a whole 'nuther building? Or, maybe worse, if they can afford it and are simply pinching pennies at this juncture, shame on them!

I don't remember who I heard this from, whether I've got the information right, or, with my memory, if it even happened. Anyway, it's hearsay.

The plan (proposal) would be to built a new Visitor's Center, along the line of the ones near Newcomb and Paul Smiths some where on the Loj Road (ADK or DEC land???). This would become a new parking area for Marcy Dam. The VC would be staffed by ADK for DEC under some easement deal, lease arrangement, etc. I think DEC would build the facility. The road beyond the VC would be for Loj and campground guests' vehicles only. The current HPIC would become an education facility for ADK. My guess is that hikers would still be allowed to use the road to access the Indian Pass trail and the current trailhead to Marcy Dam and the MacIntyres. This would be the more logical way to go economically and environmentally, rather than to cut new trails.

If there is something in the works, it might be some explanation for ADK's foot-dragging on the rest room and shower repairs. But I think they should have done something by now in either case. After all it's going on years now.

Once again, take this for the grain of salt it is. Until more is forthcoming from ADK and DEC, it's hardly time to start debating something that might not even happen. So PLEEEEZE don't.

Maybe someone from ADK or DEC with more knowledge can chime in.

teejay

TJ is kind of right.

In theory, the road to South Meadows should not be there. It is a wilderness area, and cars should not be allowed. One of the DEC plans (maybe the hpwaump) called for closing the road, and building a parking area at its intersection. The South Meadows road was to become a foot trail, with numerous designated campsites along its length. I think its intent was to reduce usage at Marcy Dam. Note that the DEC runs VICs, not HPICs, and this was to be a VIC.

Now..... The south meadows road, is a county road, and the DEC did not have a good experience when attempting to do something similar with the Crane Pond road.

This was all quite some time ago. It had nothing to do with the ADK or the HPIC, which is on private land. Has it re-surfaced? Has it merged with another plan? Is it just talk from bits of memories of older plans?

I haven't heard of any new info; just wondering what's up. My question was triggered by another visit to the shameful men's room at the HPIC that seems to be worse every year. I should add that there has been a little bit of work done on the second shower this year. At the current rate of progress, the second shower may be completed in another 5 years or so, but the men's room will be a little wooden building in the woods...

I wonder if this would make sense. ADK grants DEC an easement on its property to DEC to build and maintain a Visitor Information Center and parking near the intersection of South Meadow Rd. and Loj Rd. DEC would run the Information Center part of the building with displays, hiker education, public restrooms and showers, and PR, etc. In return, ADK would lease space in the building for a small store and maybe a food concession. ADK would also own the parking concession at the VIC. Parking would be free for, say, two hours, but dayhikers and overnighters would have to pay a fee. Loj Rd. would be closed to all but ADK employees' and guests' vehicles. Hikers could access the Heart Lake traiheads via the road. No camping would be allowed on ADK or state land within some designated distance from the VIC.

As far as South Meadow Rd. goes, whether to close it to vehicles or not would be DEC's decision, but camping would still be allowed as it is now.

Money?? The state has a ton of money in its environmental protection fund that could be used to build the facility. In fact, I think that this money is set aside from the general fund for uses like this. ADK would continue to collect parking fees and profits from sales. Hikers would still have the option of semi-wilderness camping on South Meadow Rd. or could continue to camp at Heart Lake or stay at the Loj and ADK would keep this revenue. With the proper planning a new facility could be better designed to avoid the sprawl that is now at Heart Lake and would avoid the complicated permitting that would have to take place to develop state land.

Would this make sense to DEC, ADK and hikers? Don't know. Just a modest proposal.

teejay

I'm a member and have read the annual financial report published in their magazine and I don't recall any discussion on rebuilding or moving buildings. I'll dig up my old issues and check this weekend.

Gee, I would surely hope that moving the HPIC wouldn't cut down on the tour buses that frequent the Loj now.

Wouldn't want to inconvenience those buses/hikers with a longer walk........

Not necessary. It is not ADK land. It is state land.

Horse's mouth

I sent an inquiry to ADK asking for clarification on this; it would be good to have official comment on all of these questions regarding the current HPIC issues, as well as the rumored DEC building, etc.

The VICs are run by the APA, not the DEC.

I'll be at the ADK Board meeting tomorrow. I've printed the thread and am certain you'll have an official reply rather than me speaking for the Club.

On the same note regarding the HPIC facilities
Now that they have one shower running, why did they not install an exhaust fan or connect it?
With the amount of moisture in the shower room the first new shower will rot out by the time the second one is built and we will still have only one to use.
If you are going to take two years to build something do it right.