For Mike’s birthday, we decided to do something a little different and take the gondola from the base area at Whiteface Mountain up to the summit of Little Whiteface Mountain.
The timing seemed perfect. Fall color was at or near peak, and we were hoping for some incredible views from the top.
There was just one problem.
That morning, the clouds were thick.
Normally, we can see Whiteface from around the area, but that day the mountain had disappeared into the clouds. We really had no idea what we were going to find once we started climbing.
Still, it was Mike’s birthday present, so up we went.
Heading Up
The gondola ride starts near the base lodge at Whiteface and climbs steadily toward Little Whiteface.
For Mike, it was a fun birthday adventure.
For me?
It was slightly terrifying.
I’m afraid of heights, and while the gondola itself felt perfectly safe, there is something about hanging high above the side of a mountain that gets your attention very quickly.
A few times during the ride, the gondola stopped while people were getting on or off.
That was probably the hardest part for me.
Moving was one thing.
Stopping while suspended above the mountain was another.
There may have been a few moments when I was very ready for us to start moving again.
Then We Reached the Top
Once we got up to Little Whiteface, though, all of that nervousness suddenly felt worthwhile.
The views were incredible.
The fall colors stretched across the mountains in every direction, with lakes winding through the valleys below.
And the clouds that had us wondering whether we would see anything at all turned out to make the scenery even more dramatic.
Instead of blocking the views completely, they settled into the lower elevations and wrapped around the mountains.
It was one of those scenes that photographs really do not quite capture.
Standing there at 3,652 feet, looking out over the Adirondacks at peak color, was something special.
Worth the Ride
By the time we headed back down, I was much more comfortable.
Maybe it was because I knew what to expect.
Maybe it was because I had survived the ride up.
Or maybe those views had simply convinced me that the whole thing was worth it.
The trip down was much easier, and I was able to relax and enjoy the scenery a lot more.
Sometimes travel pushes you a little outside your comfort zone.
This was definitely one of those days for me.
But it was also one of those experiences we will remember for a long time — and a pretty great way to celebrate Mike’s birthday.
Would I ride the gondola again?
After seeing those views?
Yes.
I’d just prefer if it kept moving the whole time.
