Under crystal-clear skies and cool conditions, we arrived at the Ampersand Mountain trailhead on route 3/30 shortly after 10:30 a.m. Despite its steepness, it is one of the most popular mountains in the region. The trail generally heads SE towards the summit. Elevation: 3,353 feet. Saranac lake is a beautful lake in the Adirondacks and is a well known resort area in New York. The trail is exposed and steep with easy rock scrambles along the way. The start of the trail to (up?) We started towards the summit around 9 AM on a gorgeous weather day, sunny, mid 70's. The Ampersand Mountain trail, at only 2.8 miles one way, is a shorter climb than St Regis (see previous blog post) and it starts out with a long, fairly level teaser of a walk. 04/21/2016 Weather: 70 degrees and sunny! It's shorter than the other trails, but it's the most steep and offers the most difficult terrain with scrambles and long, steep rock stair climbs. Let me start off by saying this mountain is on my list of redo's. Over the next mile or so, the trail remains relatively flat and wide. We stopped at the register to sign in, and then we were on our way. Gain: 1775' The climb is well worth it, though, as the mostly open summit offers a breathtaking vista of High Peaks and the Saranac lakes. Ampersand Mountain is a 3352-foot mountain in southeast of Lower Saranac Lake. at Summit: 3352' Elev. Distance: 2.7 miles one way. About six miles west of Lake Placid, Saranac has been a resort since the ninetheenth century and has benefited from Olympic venues at Lake Placid. Ampersand Mountain was wide and flat. Because the mountain sits apart from others of a similar elevation, it has a wide-sweeping view of the Saranac Lakes, the … Almost immediately after signing the register, you come to a log bridge that crosses a small brook. Elev. The most popular of the Saranac Six, Ampersand Mountain offers some of the best 365 degree views of any mountain in the Adirondacks, in my opinion. Ampersand Mountain Ampersand isn’t a particularly long trail, but it is steep. Ampersand Mountain has a moderately strenuous trail to the summit, but it’s well worth it for the 360-degree view that awaits you at the top. But you pay for it because the trail climbs almost 1800 feet to the top compared to … Ampersand (3,352 feet) Ampersand has the most spectacular view of the Saranac Lake 6. Everyone knows I'm usually so excited and happy to be hiking that no amount of misfortune can dampen my spirits. The summit can be crowded during the summer months. Hikers will be treated to amazing views and a waterfall on their way up. The trail is a popular destination for Lake Placid hikers and ski enthusiasts. Ampersand Mountain in Saranac Lake is a great hike. at Start: 1577' Elev. Saranac Lake 6er Hiking Challenge details and rules on Adirondack.net. The trail quickly thinned out, with lots of brush and trees creating a corridor of sorts. Ampersand is the tallest mountain near Saranac Lake. We had some difficulty getting everyone to the office and into Ming's 2005 Sienna minivan, but finally we did, and we drove out of town shortly before 8 a.m. Ascent: 1,775 feet I didn't take a single picture of the trail on the way up… Until now. Learn more. At just under 0.2 miles (0.3 kilometres) we crossed over a small stream on a sturdy, four-plank footbridge. The trail up the mountain begins on NY-3 8.1 southwest of the village of Saranac Lake, New York. Cascade Mountain Trail is a popular hiking trail to access Porter Mountain and Cascade Mountain peaks. Ampersand Mountain's open summit provides breathtaking 360-degree views, but you'll have to work for it. Trailhead parking is on Route 3, about 8 miles west of the Town of Saranac Lake. The Trail. 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