Black Mountain Summit Hike

Upstate New York, and new England in general, are famous for their fall colors spectacle every year, so there is no better time to visit this part of the world than during the fall season, which runs roughly from late September to mid-November, depending on the location. One of these famed places is the Adirondacks. Of course, this place is huge and can’t be covered in one blog post, so this post will be about one particularly amazing area…”The Black Mountain”! This post will offer you an insight into a true adventurous hike that will culminate in the ultimate reward of a magnificent display of fall colors…so lets begin!

The black mountain is in the area of the amazing lake George where you will be treated with views of the fall colors nestled in them a 32-mile crystal blue lake. What makes this mountain special is that it’s the highest mountain on lake George and is located on its east side, which is a wilderness area. In order to reach the Black Mountain summit, you will hike 5.6 miles uphill, gaining around +2,400ft, and head back, although it is tough to resist the idea of spending the rest of your life up there:), in a loop from the more challenging west side which makes it a total of a 10-mile hike. So, as agreed before, armed with the three essentials of any trip in the US…lets discover this rewarding hike!

Coming from the direction of Albany, the nearest town to the trailhead is Glens Falls, NY, and since the mountain is on the east side of the lake, you will continue driving to the small town of Whitehall from where you will continue to the trailhead; but since the aim of this blog is to “plan it your way”, I’ll not offer the exact directions to the trailhead here leaving it for you to discover, yet I’m always available to offer help, if needed (click to request info).

Starting to drive north from Albany, you will be treated by an amazing display of fall colors all around you, and once you are off the interstate, you will be immersed in them while driving on the small rural roads.

 

Starting the hike from the parking lot, you will start an uphill climb through the forest surrounded by amazing colors and fallen leaves of red, yellow, orange & brown that will take your breath away and, without knowing, the kid in you will make it irresistible for you not to start playing and dancing with these leaves:) so take your time and rejoice…it’s a happy environment coupled with the excitement of the adventure.

 

After the initial euphoria settles, now it is time to refocus on the uphill hike ahead. The hike will get tougher but you & me know that what is waiting ahead is well worth it…so keep going.

After 1:30-2 hours the forest will start giving way to the rocky top of the Black Mountain and you will head above the treeline…so embrace yourself:)

Reaching the top is an achievement in itself as it is not an easy hike, but the panoramic view around you is a masterpiece of beauty and, believe me, words can’t describe the views, but seeing the vast Adirondack forest covered with all sorts of colors and nestled in it a finger-like lake with crystal blue water is something out of this world.

You made it! and you will not want to go down soon, so have your picnic, rest, take zillions of pictures, immerse your soul in this serene peaceful stunning environment, and…Dream!!

 

When & “if” you decide to go back, don’t go back the same way, there is still a lot of beauty waiting for you, so make a loop from the west side as it will also make the descend very adventurous (click to request info).

The first thing you will see on your way back is one of the few remaining fire towers in the Adirondacks, then you will start heading down. The first mile down is very steep, so be careful with your footing because you will get closer to lake George and the views will continue to blow your mind away.

 

As the trail gets flatter, you will reach a junction after a mile which leads to two different destinations; either the shore of lake George or to your way back, with no signs pointing which way!!, hence, you will have to use your navigation skills to know which trail to take (click to request info).

When you continue heading back, you will pass by the Black Mountain and Lapland ponds hidden inside the thick forest and surrounded by colors all around you.

 

After the ponds, the trail will get more & more tricky to follow for the next mile and most probably you will be alone, so utilize all your navigation skills, pay careful attention to your surroundings, know how to retrace your steps back to the top in case you got lost, keep your composure, and believe in yourself as eventually you will find signs directing you. Once you reach the sign, it will be easy to get back to your parking lot as now you will rejoin the original trail you hiked up and you will start singing & celebrating all the way to your car:)

 

N.B.: This is a blog post about only the Black Mountain summit hike & back; however, if you seek a multi-day hike, this trail can be combined with other trails in the area.