The Saranac Lake 6er Hiking Program
Join Broadwing Adventures to complete Saranac Lake's 6'R hiking program, the six peaks surrounding the village. Join us to hike these beautiful Adirondack peaks on the traditional routes or, for more adventurous hikers, up non-traditional routes not used by most climbers.
These peaks provide a range of outdoor opportunities from fairly easy to extremely challenging. Visitors to Saranac Lake will find ample reward in summiting these peaks.
These peaks provide a range of outdoor opportunities from fairly easy to extremely challenging. Visitors to Saranac Lake will find ample reward in summiting these peaks.
"Saranac Lake 6er Hiking Program Membership"
Become a 6er
The membership of the Saranac Lake 6ers consists of hikers who have climbed to the summits of the 6 peaks of the Adirondacks encircling Saranac Lake.
Click here for the official Saranac Lake 6er website
Be prepared - research your trip. Hike with a map and compass and know how to use them. Consider bringing a GPS if available. Carry a cell phone for emergencies, but don't rely on it as some location do not have signal and remember cell phone use can annoy other hikers. Bring water and extra clothes.
The Mountains
Ampersand Mountain
Description: With a bald summit and endless views to the north of lakes and ponds and views to the south of the High Peaks, Ampersand offers one of the best views of any peak in the Adirondacks.
Distance: 5.4 miles RT (8.8km)
Ascent: 1775′ (541m)
Elevation: 3352′ (1022m)
Distance: 5.4 miles RT (8.8km)
Ascent: 1775′ (541m)
Elevation: 3352′ (1022m)
Baker Mountain
Description: Baker Mountain is a great family hike that
offers open views of the Saranac River valley, the High Peaks, and the Village of Saranac Lake.
Distance: 1.8 miles RT (2.8km)
Ascent: 900′ (274m)
Elevation: 2452′ (747m)
offers open views of the Saranac River valley, the High Peaks, and the Village of Saranac Lake.
Distance: 1.8 miles RT (2.8km)
Ascent: 900′ (274m)
Elevation: 2452′ (747m)
Haystack Mountain
Description: Not to be confused with the High Peak Mt.
Haystack! Haystack Mountain is a friendlier climb, a great choice for a
morning or afternoon with experienced hikers, or a workable day trip for beginners. A final steep climb leads to an open rock face and ledge with
sweeping views of the High Peaks, Whiteface and the Saranac Lakes Chain.
The trail climbs gently. At 2.4 miles the trail to Haystack branches off to the left . Almost immediately you cross an old dam. After that the trail climbs to the summit. The eastern side of the summit ridge is open rock allowing a 180 degree view, including the High Peaks.
Distance: 6.6 miles RT (10.6km)
Ascent:
1240′ (377m)
Elevation: 2878′ (877m)
Haystack! Haystack Mountain is a friendlier climb, a great choice for a
morning or afternoon with experienced hikers, or a workable day trip for beginners. A final steep climb leads to an open rock face and ledge with
sweeping views of the High Peaks, Whiteface and the Saranac Lakes Chain.
The trail climbs gently. At 2.4 miles the trail to Haystack branches off to the left . Almost immediately you cross an old dam. After that the trail climbs to the summit. The eastern side of the summit ridge is open rock allowing a 180 degree view, including the High Peaks.
Distance: 6.6 miles RT (10.6km)
Ascent:
1240′ (377m)
Elevation: 2878′ (877m)
McKenzie Mountain
Description: McKenzie Mountain is a mountain in western Essex County in the McKenzie Mountain Widerness area which spans an area of 36,200 acres. It is visible from many locations in Saranac Lake and was formerly known as
Saddleback, due to its shape (2 peaks on the summit). The hike is very aggressive and rugged and should not be taken too lightly. Along with steep terrain comes slippery footing and wet conditions.
Two main approaches: 1. The trail climbs gently. At 2.4 miles the trail to Haystack branches off to the left – the trail to McKenzie continues on. At 3.6 miles the trail crosses the Jack Rabbit Ski trail. The main trail continues over a first summit, a second bump, and then a third summit. Finally arriving at the fifth and final summit, the trail offers excellent views from both a ledge on the left of the trail and, just beyond, a ledge to the right of the true summit. 2. This point can also be reached from the Whiteface Inn Road in Lake Placid, by ascending the Jack Rabbit Ski trail to where it intersects with the trail coming up from Rt. 86. Continuing to McKenzie, with red markers, the trail soon begins a very steep climb, ending at a side trail to the right. This trail leads to a vista.
Distance: 10.4miles RT (16.8km)
Ascent: 2240′ (680m)
Elevation: 3861′ (1177m)
Saddleback, due to its shape (2 peaks on the summit). The hike is very aggressive and rugged and should not be taken too lightly. Along with steep terrain comes slippery footing and wet conditions.
Two main approaches: 1. The trail climbs gently. At 2.4 miles the trail to Haystack branches off to the left – the trail to McKenzie continues on. At 3.6 miles the trail crosses the Jack Rabbit Ski trail. The main trail continues over a first summit, a second bump, and then a third summit. Finally arriving at the fifth and final summit, the trail offers excellent views from both a ledge on the left of the trail and, just beyond, a ledge to the right of the true summit. 2. This point can also be reached from the Whiteface Inn Road in Lake Placid, by ascending the Jack Rabbit Ski trail to where it intersects with the trail coming up from Rt. 86. Continuing to McKenzie, with red markers, the trail soon begins a very steep climb, ending at a side trail to the right. This trail leads to a vista.
Distance: 10.4miles RT (16.8km)
Ascent: 2240′ (680m)
Elevation: 3861′ (1177m)
St. Regis Mountain
Description: St. Regis leads through a mixed hardwood forest. At a little over 2 miles a stream crossing is reached. The remaining
1.2 miles is a steady climb with
a steep final ascent and a south-facing summit with an abandoned fire tower. The tower was built in 1910 and was in use until 1990. Supporters hope to someday restore the tower as has been done on some of the other fire tower mountains.
Directly below is a stunning expanse of lakes and ponds within the St. Regis Canoe Area.
Distance: 6.5 miles RT (10.9 km)
Ascent: 1266′ (386 m)
Elevation: 2874′ (879 m)
a steep final ascent and a south-facing summit with an abandoned fire tower. The tower was built in 1910 and was in use until 1990. Supporters hope to someday restore the tower as has been done on some of the other fire tower mountains.
Directly below is a stunning expanse of lakes and ponds within the St. Regis Canoe Area.
Distance: 6.5 miles RT (10.9 km)
Ascent: 1266′ (386 m)
Elevation: 2874′ (879 m)
Scarface Mountain
Description: A popular hike in the area, Scarface Mountain
offers a rolling trail that takes hikers through coniferous woodlands. The trail is generally flat the first two miles through a beautiful red pine forest. A small stream is encountered and the forest becomes more deciduous. There the trail begins the steady climb up the mountain, offering a nice view to the SW, W, and NW. The other views on the trail require some bushwhacking, and the summit itself does not offer a view. But it is a beautiful trail with moderate difficulty.
Distance: 6.8 miles RT (10.9km)
Ascent: 1480′ (451m)
Elevation: 3088′ (941m)
offers a rolling trail that takes hikers through coniferous woodlands. The trail is generally flat the first two miles through a beautiful red pine forest. A small stream is encountered and the forest becomes more deciduous. There the trail begins the steady climb up the mountain, offering a nice view to the SW, W, and NW. The other views on the trail require some bushwhacking, and the summit itself does not offer a view. But it is a beautiful trail with moderate difficulty.
Distance: 6.8 miles RT (10.9km)
Ascent: 1480′ (451m)
Elevation: 3088′ (941m)