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Philadelphia and New York are only 4 hours from the Adirondacks. It's a trip I make frequently. Doesn't matter if they're in a different state than Philadelphia. The White Mountains are in New Hampshire. Boston is in Massachusetts.
At least from a picture standpoint, they look pretty comparable. And Boston is closer to Adirondack Park than is Philadelphia. Still, I think it's undeniable that the Whites are more impressive mountains that can be found within 2 hours of Boston, than mountains that can be found within 2 hrs. of Philadelphia or NYC (to be fair, NYC has mountains closer than the other two though). Google pictures of Mount Major, or Mount Lafayette. I don't have a dog in the fight, but you can't deny, those views are something.
Fortunately, if you live in Phily, NYC, or Boston you have a variety of mountains to choose from. They might not be right in your backyard, but they're all beautiful and within an easy drive. The Catskills, Adirondacks, Green Mts., White Mts, Berkshires ... I live in Providence and visit them all often.
This is what I've generally considered to be the Adirondacks. Now, I'm not saying you're wrong, perhaps you drive faster or it does start lower than this map indicates, but it would seem to take 4 hrs. without traffic to get to Albany from Philadelphia, and this map indicates that Philadelphia is around an hour south of what would be considered the official Adirondacks.
You are correct about Boston's distance to the Adirondacks. But, I still think that when taking everything into account, Boston's proximity to White Mountains, which are of high quality (which one is better is ultimately to some degree subjective) has to count for something in this.
The Adirondacks may have better wilderness than the Whites, but in terms of substantial mountains, the Whites have taller peaks. Some find the Adirondacks a bit more rugged and wild than the Whites, but blow the Whites away is a stretch.
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Philadelphia and New York are only 4 hours from the Adirondacks. It's a trip I make frequently. Doesn't matter if they're in a different state than Philadelphia. The White Mountains are in New Hampshire. Boston is in Massachusetts.
Most of the Adirondacks Park doesn't have high peaks. The higher peaks are concentrated in the northeast portion of the park; primarily near Keene Valley
The High Peaks are not a 4 hour drive from Philly; more like 5 and a half, close to 6; 5hr15 minutes without traffic which is unlikely considering the route passes through the NYC metro area.
The Adirondacks may have better wilderness than the Whites, but in terms of substantial mountains, the Whites have taller peaks. Some find the Adirondacks a bit more rugged and wild than the Whites, but blow the Whites away is a stretch.
Most of the Adirondacks Park doesn't have high peaks. The higher peaks are concentrated in the northeast portion of the park; primarily near Keene Valley
The High Peaks are not a 4 hour drive from Philly; more like 5 and a half, close to 6; 5hr15 minutes without traffic which is unlikely considering the route passes through the NYC metro area.
but most Boston area residents looking to go to the mountains go to the Whites so they're a lot closer than the Adirondacks.
Well one of the things that I would venture, is that for many people, mountains are mountains. The Poconos, while not as high or rugged perhaps as other mountain ranges further up or down, are impressive nonetheless. I would imagine many Philadelphia (and NYC) residents make trips to them, with little regard for the fact that somehow, views like these are "inferior": https://www.google.com/search?q=bush...isch&q=poconos
That being said, I think it is fair to say they are a nudge below the other mountain ranges around, even though they are in themselves quite nice.
Well one of the things that I would venture, is that for many people, mountains are mountains. The Poconos, while not as high or rugged perhaps as other mountain ranges further up or down, are impressive nonetheless. I would imagine many Philadelphia (and NYC) residents make trips to them, with little regard for the fact that somehow, views like these are "inferior": https://www.google.com/search?q=bush...isch&q=poconos
That being said, I think it is fair to say they are a nudge below the other mountain ranges around, even though they are in themselves quite nice.
Those from the NYC area that watched TV on WOR, WPIX, etc. and that are at least in their late 30's may remember some of these commercials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS7BORHs16A
Among the cities listed, Pittsburgh, and it's actually not close either.
Not only is there dramatic geologic prominence in the city's terrain, but apparently people have either forgotten all about the Laurel Highlands, or never even knew about them in the first place. Just an hour east of Pittsburgh on the Pennsylvania Turnpike are two ski resorts with double black diamond slopes (plus two more with black diamond slopes), a river with Class III-IV whitewater rapids, a 70-mile-long hiking trail, and a ****load of state parks at which to camp. Fallingwater was built in the Laurel Highlands for a reason, and so was the four-star Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, for that matter. Furthermore, the Laurel Highlands are high enough in elevation that the highest ridges average well over 100" of snow per winter, and temperatures have never reached 100°F. Best of all, you don't even have to leave the geographic boundary of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area to get to any of these places. In fact, you don't even have to drive to get to the Laurel Highlands; you can bike there from downtown Pittsburgh on the Great Allegheny Passage.
The winner of this competition is the city that's actually located within a mountainous geologic province, instead of astride it. If you live in any of the other cities on the list, then you're driving at least twice as far to get to the highest mountains and all the recreation therein, and you're "sharing the road" if you bike to any of them.
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