New York State Route 73

New York State Route 73 is a 40.00-mile (64.37 km) east–west state highway located entirely within Essex County in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. It serves as a vital scenic and recreational corridor, connecting the Lake Champlain valley with the High Peaks Wilderness Area. The route traverses a rugged landscape, passing through the hamlets of Underwood and Keene Valley while providing primary access to numerous trailheads for the Adirondack High Peaks, including Mount Marcy.

Route description

Beginning at an intersection with NY 9N in the town of Elizabethtown, NY 73 heads eastward, quickly entering a deep forested valley. It parallels the Bouquet River for much of its western segment, passing the hamlet of Underwood and the entrance to the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. The roadway is characterized by sharp curves and steep grades as it ascends into the High Peaks region. East of the Cascade Lakes, the route reaches its highest elevation near the Chapel Pond area before descending through the scenic Keene Valley. It finally terminates at a junction with NY 9 in the town of Keene, just south of the AuSable River. Throughout its length, the highway offers dramatic views of peaks like Giant Mountain and Noonmark Mountain.

History

The origins of NY 73 lie in early 20th-century automobile trails and town roads that provided access to the interior Adirondack Park. It was assigned as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York, initially running from NY 9N in Elizabethtown east to NY 86 in Lake Placid. The route was realigned and shortened in the mid-1970s when a new highway, designated NY 73A, was constructed to bypass the steep and winding section through Cascade Pass; the original alignment became a county road. The eastern terminus was subsequently cut back to its current location at NY 9 in Keene. The road has been the site of significant transportation history, including stages of the Empire State Winter Games and it remains a critical artery for Adirondack Mountain Club hikers and visitors to Johns Brook Lodge.

Major intersections

The entire route is in Essex County. {| class="wikitable" !Location !mi !km !Destinations !Notes |- |Elizabethtown |0.00 |0.00 | – Keeseville, Lake Placid |Western terminus |- |Keene |40.00 |64.37 | – Elizabethtown, Lake Placid |Eastern terminus |- | colspan="5" | |} Category:New York (state) highways Category:Transportation in Essex County, New York