Adirondack Park
Houghton
in Adirondack Park is located within the 9,375 square mile
Adirondack Park, the largest park in the contiguous U.S, and home to
3,000 lakes, 43 peaks above 4,000 feet, and miles of
canoeing rivers and streams. The fisher, spruce grouse, pine
marten, and common loon abound within the spruce and hardwood
forests of the region and beaver, bald eagles, peregrine falcons,
osprey, and moose have returned to the region which has long
inspired the conservation and environmental movement. Houghton’s
Star Lake campus lies in the quiet northwest portion of the park,
with easy access to canoe and hiking trails.
The granitic, glaciated geology of the area lends itself to swift-flowing streams with areas of whitewater as well as rock outcrops for climbing and hiking. The headwaters for five major river basins and 30,000 miles of rivers, streams, and brooks are located within the Adirondack Park. Miles of hiking trails lead up mountain peaks, including the mile-high Mount Marcy, as well as a seventeen wilderness areas totaling more than 1 million acres where humans are only occasional visitors.
Star Lake
The
40-acre Star Lake campus sits on the southeast shore of Star Lake,
noted for its crystal-clear water and 20 inch trout. The
campus includes a beach and docks, 16 buildings, and woods.
The hamlet of Star Lake lies within walking distance of the campus
and includes a Community Bank, a supermarket, a golf course, two
restaurants, two churches, a post office, an
historical center, an ice rink, a public school, and a small
hospital.
