Goodnow is a very prominent peak when seen from Route 28N. This ragged-looking mountain is home to one of the remaining fire towers in the Adirondacks.

From the restored fire tower (originally built in 1922), excellent views of the High Peaks can be had. A map, used by former firetower observers to locate forest fires, will give you a better understanding of your surroundings while in the tower. And it’s a cool piece of history!

The trail to Goodnow is on private land owned by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). ESF staff and students continue to maintain the tower and trail. Please be respectful of their work and the environment. 

Key takeaways

• Distance: 4 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 1,075 feet
• Mountain elevation: 2,664 feet

Hiking Goodnow Mountain

As you move along, the trail climbs steady to moderate for about 1 mile. A small brook is passed at 0.5 miles from the trailhead. At 0.9 miles, the trail swings very sharply to the left, where it descends momentarily before resuming the climb. At 1.4 miles a concrete platform is reached. These are the remnants of a State Police radio repeating station.

Soon after, you’ll reach an old horse barn that dates to the early 1900s. The trail becomes rockier and steeper, and you’ll notice the trees changing from hardwood to spruce and balsam. Just before the summit, at 1.8 miles, there is a small open rock that provides a view. The summit and fire tower is reached at 2 miles. 

The fire tower is 60-feet tall, making it one of the tallest in the Adirondacks. There are some views on ground level but the best are seen from the tower. You can even look straight down onto the roof of the old fire tower observer’s cabin, which sits just below the fire tower.

Goodnow in winter

This trail is not recommended for cross-country skiing, but does make for an enjoyable snowshoe. At the fire tower, be extra careful in the winter, as the tower stairs can be very slippery and dangerous. Expect high winds and a serious wind chill from the tower. This trail is heavily used and typically gets broken out relatively fast after a snow storm. 

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Does Goodnow sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find the best hike for you!

How to get there

Take exit 29 from Interstate 87 and head west on Blue Ridge Road, toward Newcomb. After about 18.5 miles, turn right on Route 28N and follow that for about 9 miles as it goes through Newcomb. The large parking area is on the left, about 1.5 miles after the Adirondack Interpretive Center.

This DEC State Campground is set amid rolling hills of hardwood along a quiet scenic road. Located on the shore of Dark Bay, on Paradox Lake.

Camping

There are hot showers, flush toilets, trailer dump station, recycling center, boat launch site, picnic area with pavilion rental, and firewood sales.

Boating

Motorboats allowed. The boat launch is a single lane, launch ramp over natural sand and gravel substrate. Canoes and rowboats are available for rent at the registration booth.

Hiking

There is a whole network of trails south of the lake that campers can access within a few minutes of departing. Hike to Crane, Oxshoe, Crab, Putnam, and Horseshoe ponds. Deeper into the wilderness, explore Pharaoh Lake and Pharaoh Mountain, which has a delightful view from the summit.

Take a boat to the opposite shore of the lake for a short trail which leads to Peaked Hill and Peaked Hill Pond.

Cycling

Many quiet paved roads give access to the grounds on Dark Bay. Low traffic, low speed limit, and excellent for children.

A day use pass offers boat rental availability, restrooms, picnic tables, BBQ grills, and showers. 

Distance: 2 miles of interlocking paths. Paved road, mostly flat, narrow shoulders but very low traffic. Follow the loops around the shore of the lake, along different campsites, and through the woods.

This destination is a herd path at best and lies off any developed and mapped trail system; the use and understanding of GPS and/or map and compass is highly recommended. When traveling off-trail you will experience hazards not realized on a trail, expect more difficult and varying conditions and always lean toward safety as a priority. 

How to get there

From the intersection of Route 9 and Route 74 in Schroon Lake follow Route 9 north toward North Hudson. Continue to the Dirgylot Trailhead on the left.  

Trail Description

Once you have located the trailhead the hike will bring you into forest and soon above a sand pit, then shortly beyond, head under I87 through a hiker’s tunnel. On the opposite side, walk through the grassy field and into the forest again. You will then gradually start to gain elevation. The trail will make a hard left at a T-intersection with a faint herd path leading right; this is the one you want. 

The path is narrow and at times will become difficult to follow without looking ahead for the next move. The trail follows over rolling hills but never becomes too steep. You will need to cross a decent sized brook to stay on the path; this crossing can be hard to see. As you follow the path and keep the brook to your right you will come to faint secondary path down to the brook at an attractive small waterfall. The trail continues and takes on the look and feel of an old carriage road. With the Peaked Hills on your left you climb slightly more and eventually the trail just goes no further and ends I what seems like no place. 

The importance of this trail is not the final destination but the access it provides hikers to the Hoffman Mountain Wilderness, the Peaked Hills, Wyman Mountain, and that wonderful little waterfall that rarely gets a visitor. 

Elevation Gain

~900’

Distance Round Trip

~5.0 miles

Approximate Time Round Trip

Family with Young Kids: Not Recommended

Experienced Hiker: 2.5 to 3 hours

Out of Shape Hiker: Not Recommended

The Bear Pond loop is a popular hike for those staying at Putnam Pond State Campground, and makes for a great walk through the woods, with intermittent views of a few different bodies of water with the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 5.7 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 800 feet
• Hike includes trail junctions and a road walk

Hiking the Bear Pond Loop

From the day-use area, locate the trail on the right of the parking lot. Follow this through the woods to the campsite road and to the left. Continue on the road for around a half mile to the trailhead on the left. There is no parking at this trailhead. 

The trail continues easily through an attractive forest and passes by Heart Pond on your left through the trees. Stay right at this intersection and start a moderate to easy climb to the height-of-land before descending to the shore of Bear Pond. The trail sweeps around the south end of the pond and onto the western shore with outstanding views. 

The trail eventually climbs again up and over the shoulder of Bear Pond Mountain on your right before descending quickly to the shore of Rock Pond. At this intersection take a left and head back toward Heart Pond. En route you will pass by North Pond which is essentially part of Putnam Pond, separated by a narrow strip of water. There is a decent climb away from North Pond before you reach Heart Pond again and the trail you came in on. Retrace your steps back along the campground roads and to the day-use parking area.

Bear Pond Loop in the winter

Depending on where plowing ends, this hike may be a lot longer. Be prepared to walk additional miles on the road. Experienced skiers can do this as a cross-country skiing trip. Otherwise, bring your snowshoes and be prepared for all winter conditions.

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Does the Bear Pond Loop sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find the best hike for you!

How to get there

Follow Route 74 from Schroon Lake toward Ticonderoga. Continue to Putts Pond Road on the left. Follow Putts Pond Road to the end at the Putnam Pond State Campground. There is a day-use fee, and parking is in the day-use area near the beach

The hike to Lester Flow leads to the old site of Lester Dam

Key takeaways

• Distance: 5.2 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 425 feet
• Hike includes trail junctions

Hiking to Lester Flow

You will need to follow the same access road as for Cheney Pond, but just prior to reaching Cheney Pond there is a gated snowmobile trail on the right. This trail is not heavily used in the non-snow months of the year so it is very soft underfoot. While slightly overgrown in areas, it is a very attractive, green, and colorful walk in the wild. A slight climb over a low shoulder will bring you to a final descent to a small beaver marsh on the right and finally to Lester Flow and the site of the old dam. The vistas here are great, but if you want to get across the Boreas River, you will need to ford it.

Lester Flow in the winter

From the trailhead you will start a ski that is mostly downhill toward Cheney Pond. You will come to the trail for Lester Flow on the right about 0.1 miles before the pond. There is a state gate located here as well. Continue past the gate on an easy trail, but don’t be surprised if you need to break trail as it gets very infrequent use. This is also considered a snowmobile trail, but it doesn’t get the heavy use many other ones do. You will have a slight climb to a height-of-land before you descend slowly to the shore of the Boreas River at Lester Flow or the old site of the Lester Dam; rocks are all that remain of the old logging dam. Be prepared for all winter conditions.

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Looking for another hike? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find another adventurous hike for you!

How to get there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit #29. From here follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue for 13.5 miles to the trailhead parking on the left at the DEC sign. It is not recommended to drive the access road to trailhead at the gate. 

The Roosevelt Truck Trail is a perfect place for birding, cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and accessible camping. It is surrounded by boreal habitat, so you really feel like you are the in the middle of wilderness.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 2.6 miles one-way
• Elevation gain: 260 feet from north to south, 375 feet from south to north
• Trail has two handicap accessible tent sites

Hiking the Roosevelt Truck Trail

The trail has minimal elevation gain, only going uphill slightly in a few places. You can choose to do this as a out-and-back if you only have one car. However, doing this as a point-to-point, and spotting a car at each trailhead, is the easiest way to do this. The route finding is straightforward.

In the winter

This would make for a good beginner snowshoe or cross country ski, when conditions permit and snowpack is good. Be prepared for winter conditions.

Camping

There are two accessible tent sites located along this trail. Access to the sites is from the Route 28N trailhead with a Motorized Access Permit for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) permit. This is available from the DEC. Four wheel drive pick-ups or other high clearance vehicles are recommended. The tent sites have a firm, level surface with accessible picnic tables and accessible privies.

Birding

This boreal habitat is perfect for finding unique birds! Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadees, and Canada Jays are present year-round, but in warmer months, there are warblers aplenty! This is one of the few known locations Cape May Warblers nest in the Adirondacks.

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Looking for another hike? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find another adventurous hike for you!

How to get there

There are two trailheads for the Roosevelt Truck Trail, making it possible to do a thru-trip if you have two cars available. The trail runs between Blue Ridge Road and Route 28N. A map is available here. GPS coordinates are available on the NYSDEC website and may be more helpful finding this location since there is no trailhead sign.

To access from Blue Ridge Road, travel west on Blue Ridge Road from North Hudson. Follow this road 15 miles to the location on the right. The entrance is on a curve and can be difficult to spot, but there is a a metal gate and stone wall on each side of the trail. There's room for 2 cars to park on the side of the road.

To access from Route 28N, travel east on Route 28N from Newcomb. Cross over the railroad tracks, and then in another 0.4 miles, you'll reach a road that leads north of the highway (it looks like driveway). Turn here, and park in the woods, but do not block the gate. Again, there is room for 2 cars.

The trail leads to the western shore of Bass Lake

Getting there

From Exit 29 off of Interstate 87, follow Blue Ridge Road toward North Hudson and take a left onto Route 9 and follow it north. Continue for 2.5 miles and turn right onto Caza Turn Road. Look for an obscure road into the woods just before the houses — this is the trailhead. It is unmarked and on the roadside.

Hiking

Bass Lake can also be approached from the east, so a traverse hike is possible if a second car is spotted. This trailhead is used much less than the one from the east, so conditions are much more variable and the trailhead is harder to find. There are a few decent-sized hills to traverse, giving this trip a bit more of a challenge, but overall it's fairly similar to the trail from the east. The trail leads to the western shore of Bass Lake, and from there another path to the left leads to better viewing. The trail also continues straight, where more views off of the south shore add to the beauty.

• Elevation Gain: 325 feet
• Distance Round Trip: 3.6 miles

Moxham Mountain is a unique and wonderful hike that includes many scenic overlooks and winds through beautiful forests along the way.

Getting there

From Schroon Lake, go south on I-87 to the Pottersville exit. In Pottersville, turn right toward Olmsteadville on County Route 19. In Olmsteadvillle, bear right toward Minerva. Just before reaching Minerva, go left on Fourteenth Road. Continue on Fourteenth Road as it crosses Route 28N. Bear right at an intersection approximately 0.4 mile from Route 28N. The road is paved until it starts a steep descent to the trailhead on the left at 2 miles from Route 28N.

By the numbers

• Distance: 2.5 miles to the summit
• Elevation gain: 1,300 feet
• Elevation: 2,360 feet 

Hiking

This is a ridge hike with spectacular views all along the way.

From the trailhead you start climbing immediately, but over the entire course of the hike it is never more than a moderate climb. Quickly you will come to your first view as you top out on the first smaller bump of the ridge. A modest descent will bring you to a dried up beaver pond and a brook crossing, a very scenic area, followed by a climb through a shallow valley that ends on a scenic ridge where the views are some of the best in the Adirondacks.

Once the ridge is gained the summit is not too far away — its sheer ledge can be seen in the distance. The high summits of Indian Lake can be seen from the top, as well as the High Peaks Wilderness off the opposite side. Don’t miss out on this hike; it truly is magnificent. 

Snowshoeing

Moxham Mountain is a popular mountain for snowshoeing in the winter, but it is not practical for cross-country skiing.

A seldom-visited trail, you'll experience older trail infrastructure along your way to Center Pond. Take care to avoid unmarked side trails that may lead to nearby private property.

Key takeaways

• Distance: 5.8 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 950 feet
• Hike includes trail junctions

Hiking to Center Pond

The trail starts paralleling Hewitt Pond, eventually gets close to the shore of Barnes Pond at around 1.5 miles in. At times, the trail can be hard to follow. The spur trail to Center Pond leaves the Hewitt Pond Trail around 2.9 miles south of the trailhead, and extends 0.2 miles to the shore of Center Pond, where there are good views from the shore, which has lots of dead, standing trees.. There is a sign with a yellow arrow for Center Pond. Staying straight would lead you to the Stony Pond trail. About 2 miles in you'll reach the top of a small pass between two low peaks. The trail descends 100 feet to the pond in the last 0.1 mile.

Center Pond in the winter

This hike makes for an excellent snowshoe, but do not expect it to be broken out. As such, be prepared for all winter conditions. The parking area is typically accessible in the winter because it leads to a community on Hewitt Pond.

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Does Center Pond sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find the best hike for you!

How to get there

Take Exit 29 off of Interstate 87 and follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue to Route 28N, take a left and head toward Minerva. Continue for just under 10.5 miles to the Hewitt Pond trailhead on the left.

Hiking to the fire tower on Vanderwhacker Mountain rewards with views to the north of the High Peaks, the Boreas River Valley, and the smaller peaks in all other directions.

Key takeaways

• Distance: (from the trailhead) 2.7 miles, one way
• Elevation gain: 1,700 feet
• Mountain Elevation: 3,325 feet
• Hike includes trail junctions

Hiking Vanderwhacker Mountain

From the trailhead (where there are a few tent sites nearby), you will hike on a moderate trail with slight elevation change. The trail can be wet at times, with some small creek crossings. About half way to the top, a snowmobile trail will come in on the left. At around 1.5 miles from the trailhead, you will come to the old observer's cabins. From here the trail gets quite steep with much of the elevation remaining. It will level out again to a more moderate hike as it approaches the fire tower.

Vanderwhacker Mountain in the winter

Winter means the summit is thick with tall firs and birches, covered with snow, but there are fine views from the cab of the fire tower. Take care on the steps, as they are exposed and can be slippery. Please remove spikes or snowshoes before climbing the tower in the winter as traction devices can damage the steps. Due to steepness of the final push, skiing is not recommended. In the winter, it is recommended to park at the beginning of the road, and not at the official trailhead, This will add 2 miles and 200 feet of elevation gain round trip. Being prepared is necessary for any winter hike.

Find more trails in the Adirondack Hub

Does Vanderwhacker sound amazing, but a little more than you want to tackle right now? With the Adirondack Hub being at the center of so many trails, we’re sure to find the best hike for you!

How to get there

From exit 28 in Schroon Lake, follow I-87 north for one exit to the North Hudson exit, #29. From here follow Boreas Road west toward Newcomb. Continue all the way to Newcomb and Route 28N. Take a left onto 28N and continue for just under 6 miles to the access road for Vanderwhacker Mountain on the right, just before the crossing of the Boreas River. Follow this road for 2.6 miles to the trailhead. The access road is dirt and very rough. OK for low clearance vehicles but take it very slow.