Ampersand Mountain

The walk starts at the Ampersand Mountain parking area on Route 3, about 8 miles west of Saranac Lake on the way to Tupper Lake. The trail begins gently, winding through mature forest with little climbing. It crosses a boardwalk at 0.8 miles and then grows steadily steeper. At 1.7 miles it passes the remains of the old fire observer's cabin. The last climb is the hard part: a built stone staircase, then boulders the size of small houses, and a scramble over open rock to the summit. Return the same way.

It is 5.0 miles (8.0 km) round trip with 1,670 feet (508 m) of climbing; allow about 3½ hours. The grade is Moderate: an easy first half and a steep, rough second half.

The summit, at 3,353 feet, is bare rock with a view all round, over the Saranac Lakes on one side and the High Peaks on the other. The rock is slippery when wet. The steep section holds mud and water in spring, so walk through the mud rather than round it, to keep the trail from widening.

In winter the steep section needs snowshoes and spikes and is for experienced winter hikers only. The parking area is small and the road is fast: take care crossing it.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.