Adirondack Park U.S. Route 9 in New York

past lake george, route 9 enters adirondack park. next 90 miles (145 km) of route 9 run through eastern section of largest protected area east of mississippi, 6,100,000 acres (24,690 km) vast tracts of forest preserve kept forever wild per state constitution. accordingly, 9 remains two-lane rural road, close adirondack northway, section of interstate 87, throughout park. development, traffic , population minimal, surrounding land heavily wooded , 2 roads cover long distances between small towns.

after lake george, there exit northway, ease access village southbound traffic. us 9 remains close northway on east side, resulting in exit 4 miles (6 km) north. serves warrensburg, ny 418 reaches eastern terminus. highway begins move further away interstate, , 3 miles (5 km) further, ny 28 concludes long bow-shaped route @ junction 9.

nearly 9 miles (14 km) north, @ chestertown, route 9 meets , joins ny 8, carries due west 4 miles (6 km) loon lake. after crossing on southwestern bay of lake, 9 turns right , once again on own, trending northeast alongside lake s western shore reach northway again in 4 miles (6 km). exit serves northbound traffic. mile later, there access other direction.

the road begins run along west shore of schroon lake, in process crossing essex county. shortly after county line, access road leads i-87 again. 7 miles (11 km) here, past hamlet of schroon lake @ water s northern tip, 9 intersects ny 74, 254 , 149 fresh off western terminus @ northway. signs @ junction use ticonderoga, 17 miles (27 km) east, control city, indication of how sparsely populated park is.

9 remains close interstate next 16 miles (26 km) town of north hudson, boreas road provides access dix mountain wilderness area southernmost in adirondack high peaks region. highway again crosses interstate connect i-87 western terminus of ny 73, well-traveled scenic route keene valley , lake placid. @ ornate junction, 9 @ 1,155 feet (340 m) above sea level, highest elevation reaches along entire length.

the right turn takes again northeast past rocky peak ridge , giant mountain wilderness area, hamlet of new russia. 10-mile (16 km) stretch brings highway elizabethtown, unincorporated county seat , first settlement 9 has passed through since warrensburg. ny 9n comes through town west; , us 9 briefly overlap.

while land remains forested road continues northeast course elizabethtown, begins descend valley of lake champlain draws near. 9 draws close northway again @ poke-o-moonshine mountain, adirondacks popular climbing spot. in chesterfield, 18 miles (29 km) without major highway junction ended when ny 22 joins 9 after exit, first pairing of 2 highways begin journey upstate in new york city.

the 2 routes enter keeseville, in mid-village cross ausable river , enter clinton county. ny 9n reappears here, reaching northern terminus. north of village, 2 routes split again , exchange roles had been playing entire northward journey. 9 takes eastward fork lake, running close state s edge; while 22 run inland here border.

after keeseville, 9 follows ausable chasm down lake shore. crosses ausable , briefly re-enters essex county long enough short ny 373 provide access burlington–port kent ferry. third , final crossing takes out of adirondack park.