Six Great Hikes for Autumn
For families with kids and seniors with knees that aren’t what they used to be, here are six great hikes in the First Wilderness for enjoying the colors of fall.
Balm of Gilead Mountain
This 1.6-mile trail offers a gentle ascent with a truly rewarding view, making it ideal for families with children and seniors who want a manageable hike. You’ll climb just 500 feet, but thanks to the five-mile road that Fred Hooper installed in the late 1800s to get to his garnet mine, you can drive to about 2000 feet, making the hike short and sweet. At the summit, you’ll enjoy a sweeping view of Thirteenth Lake and the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. Here’s more.
Hudson Pointe Nature Preserve
We have Queensbury Parks and Recreation to thank for these 83 acres on the banks of the Hudson, offering a 2.6-mile trail system. The virtually non-stop views of the river begin the moment you leave your car and walk 100 yards across a playing field and enter the woods. You'll find yourself on the bluff that contains the river, a few hundred yards from the hydroelectric dam at Sherman Island. Here’s more.
Kipp Mountain
One of nine hikes featured in the Chester Challenge, Kipp’s mile-long trail ascends 700 feet through groves of pines and its gradual elevation gain makes it manageable for seniors and young hikers alike. At the top, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Loon Lake looking off toward Crane and Gore.
Potash Mountain
Although the 1,751-foot summit of Potash Mountain in Lake Luzerne is on state land, the public had no access to it until recently. Today, we all may hike a superbly groomed trail and enjoy Potash's vista of the Upper Hudson Valley north of Corinth, thanks to a community effort revolving around Alice Harris, who ran the Harris Grocery near Fourth Lake for a half-century. Here’s more.
Dean Farm Heritage Trail
This 271-acre parcel with a 30-acre field gives you an alpine sense of being in Switzerland. Stony Creek runs through it, and a sturdy boardwalk takes you right to the creek’s edge. The 1.1-mile crushed-stone path is so smooth it's wheelchair accessible. Here’s more.
Bartonville Mountain
Overlooking Brant Lake in Horicon, Bartonville Mountain provides a panoramic view both of the lake and surrounding peaks. The moderately easy trail begins conveniently at The Hub, a local favorite for both cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts, making it a great starting and end point for adventurers. Here’s more.
