Can anyone give me the story on driving in from Wilmington via hwy-86 on race day?
I’ve gone through the athlete info document and it seems like 86 is open but there is no official parking lot on that side of LP. Are there other places to park on that side of LP once all the roads are closed after 5:30 am?
I’ve read some posts where people said they have come in from that side as late as 8 am and had no problem, but my question is, where did they park once they got to LP?
Ideally I’d like to come in early myself and park the car in LP so that my family can access the car during the race, and have my family come in later. The alternate route from that area is an extra 50km of driving (via Saranac Lake). If that’s what we have to do, I’m fine with that, but I’d like to know for sure.
From Wilminton you can actually go up like you are heading to the Whiteface toll road, past Santas Village/North Poll etc. When you get to the gatehouse where you begin the memorial Highway to the top of Whiteface you bare to you right and head in the direction of Franklin Falls. When there you follow the rd. around the lake toward Bloomingdale. From B-dale you follow the rd to Saranac lake…there will be signs. Then from Saranac into LP is easy. This is actually not as far out of your way as it sounds especially coming form Wilmington. However I do not not think this will be necessary. You can head into LP the way you normally would come…dont think 86 is closed yet…when you are on Northwood Rd. instead of making a left at the intersection with mirror lake drive, which would bring you to the swim start, make a right and literally in like a few houndred feet or so there is a “private” dirt rd called Whitney rd. you can park for about 100 yrds. into that rd. legally…this is if you beat everyone else to it…Also people for the past several years have parked along the side of mirror lake drive between Whitney and Roussemont rd. which is a little further down mirror lake drive as you are heading toward main street. You can also park in the Lake Placid Marina lot. as another option.
Did it last year and will be doing it again in two weeks (well, from Jay this time, but the route is the same). Last year we just drove in on 86, my wife dropped me off at the corner by the gas station where the run course turns down the hill. I went to transition and she drove to one of the IM lots and took the shuttle back to town. After the swim she took the shuttle back to the car for a nap and then came back to town.