Local Hikes Near Garnet Hill Lodge

Posted in General, Things to Do

Below you will find a sampling of hiking trails that are easy to get to from Garnet Hill Lodge. For additional information on hiking trails in the Adirondacks, visit the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) or NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation websites.

William Blake Pond, The Nature Trail, and the Old Hooper Mine

All these trails begin across from the Garnet Hill Outdoor Center. Begin on the uphill driveway across from the ski shop adjacent to the tennis courts. Straight up the driveway, a turnoff will lead to the Old Hooper Mine. The Hooper Mine is a part of Garnet Hill history as garnet mining used to be popular here. Old cellar holes, foundations, mine equipment and the Hooper Mine itself are relics of that era. Look for garnets while you are there, some still remain! Just before the turnoff for the Hooper Mine is the beginning of the Nature Trail, on the right side of the driveway. Follow the Nature Trail to its end and you will be at William Blake Pond. An informal path (marked with a ribbon) leads from the pond back to the old Hooper Mine, making a nice loop.

Trail to the Lake

It’s about a mile from Garnet Hill Lodge to Thirteenth Lake, downhill going there and uphill coming back. To walk to the lake, begin on the left side of the front lawn and walk down Andy’s Run (formerly known as Matt and Jeff trail). Follow the red markers off of Andy’s Run, eventually crossing 13th Lake Road and the Old Farm Road down the Garnet Hill Beach Road. This is a nice little hike for guests wanting an after dinner stroll or new guests familiarizing themselves with the Lodge and its lands.

Balm of Gilead Cliffs

This is an exciting hike with one of the best views for the least amount of effort in the area. Begin across from the Outdoor Center, the same as the beginning of the Nature Trail. Follow the Nature Trail. Where this trail leads away up to William Blake Pond, continue straight an additional 75 yards past a house on your right. The trail up Balm of Gilead begins left just past a stream crossing. This hike is about 2 miles round trip.

Peaked Mountain and Peaked Mountain Pond

The trail up Peaked can begin at the state beach, hiking along the lake shore to where the trail ascends up Peaked Brook. Guests can also take a canoe from the Garnet Hill Beach across the lake and begin hiking on the far shore near where the brook enters the lake. Taking a canoe across the lake cuts out about a mile of hiking along the lake from the state beach. The trail will first come to Peaked Pond, a popular fishing destination. To continue up to the summit, walk to your right along the lakeshore. There are beautiful 360-degree views, and sights include the High Peaks, Ruby Mountain, and Gore Mountain. This hike is about 3 miles one-way.

The Wilderness

Hour Pond, Puffer Pond, Sacandaga River, and Siamese Ponds: The main trailhead which leads into this wilderness area is the starting point for many trails. It begins at the end of The Old Farm Road just past the Garnet Hill Beach road. These are all popular fishing or hiking destinations. See a map.

Crane Mountain

This is one of the most interesting hikes in the Southern Adirondacks. There is a pond near the summit, a succession of ladders up cliff faces and and the opportunity to make a loop, climbing up one trail to the summit and down another from the pond. The trailhead is off the South Johnsburg Road near Thurman. To reach the trailhead go south on Rt.28 to Wevertown and turn right on Rt.8. Go about a mile into the South Johnsburg Road. Look for a right hand turn after about 4 miles directing you to the trailhead parking. This is a great day hike which covers a wide variety of terrain.

There is so much to explore when hiking at Garnet Hill and throughout the Southern Adirondacks. Make plans to stay with us today!