The High Peaks Wilderness is the largest Forest Preserve in New York and the most popular desination in the entire six-million acred Adirondack Park. 42 of 46 "Adirondack High Peaks" are located within its boundaries. Streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and cliffs are also scattered throughout. The High Peaks Wilderness Traverse (conceived by Nick Arndt) connects its westernmost trailhead to its easternmost trailhead, via trail, via the most direct line. (Note this is different from the Great High Peaks Traverse, which is more of a peak bagging route.)
Entirely in the backcountry, the 34.2mi / 6.3k' route is as follows:
start at the Seward TH (Corey's Rd.)
run the "Blueberry Trail" east...
to Ward Brook Truck Trail...
to Northville-Placid Trail...
to Duck Hole...
right on Preston Ponds Trail, heading southeast to the north shore of Henderson Lake...
left (north) on Indian Pass Trail...
right on Calamity Brook Crossover Trail...
left on Calamity Brook Trail...
to Flowed Lands...
to Lake Colden...
follow Opalescent River eastwards to "Uphill Lean-To"...
follow Feldspar Brook up to Lake Tear of the Clouds and then "4 Corners"...
summit 5,344' Mount Marcy from Schofield Cobble...
descend Marcy and follow the Phelps Trail eastwards past Johns Brook Lodge...
finish at the "Garden" TH above Keene Valley...
