Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain is a perfect fire tower climb in the Adirondacks for beginners (pending conditions, of course) and experienced hikers alike. Be aware though, there are some steep sections on this hiking route. The mountain is also just up the road from the excellent Adirondack Experience Museum, which makes it appealing to families and others interested in soaking up some Adirondack knowledge. It can get very crowded on summer and fall weekends, so plan accordingly if you're looking to avoid the crowds.
Download Trail MapTrail Stats:
| Distance | 4 miles round trip (many reports say it's longer) |
| Elevation | 3,759 feet |
| Ascent | 1,560 feet |
The beginning of the hike follows an old access road that makes for easier hiking, but the trail quickly starts to climb, crossing a pleasant stream along the way. Near 1.5 miles the climbing becomes steep as the trail takes you over some rock slabs. You’ll want to use some caution on this part of the climb as the open rock can be quite slippery, especially when wet or during the descent. The trail then levels out as it opens up onto a ridge, following the ridge along to the fire tower at the summit.
Also, be sure to visit our Adirondack Fire Towers page if you're looking for more details and a full list of the towers. There's also information about the Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge if you're looking for a new hiking challenge to take on.
Trailhead:
From the intersection of Route 30 and 28 in Long Lake, follow Route 28N/Deerland Rd toward Blue Mountain Lake to the trailhead parking lot on the left. If you are coming from Blue Mountain Lake, the trailhead is only ~1.5 miles down the road on the right. You will pass the Adirondack Museum the left before you get to the trailhead.
