Lyon Mountain

The following is a pretty accurate description of today's hike. The dogs loved it, me too! The last time I had hiked this mountain was over 20 years ago with Larry Douglas, Bob Conway, my father, and I. We had hiked up and spent the night in the early 80's. Larry and myself are the only ones still alive. I enjoyed reflecting on that trip today as I meandered up to the summit.

We left the parking area at 9:16 AM and followed the new trail. We were the first on the summit for the day at 11:17, for a short period of time as a young couple from Ottawa arrived minutes behind me. When we started out for the summit it was blue skies, socked in when we arrived, with limited to no views. We stayed on summit for a few minutes before heading back down. We were the last to get out of the woods, and were back at the truck for 1:36 PM. A great day.

Lyon Mountain, at 3830 feet, is the highest point in Clinton County and the highest point north of the Saranac River. It is located in the northeastern part of Adirondack Park, west of Plattsburgh, NY in the Chazy Highlands Wild Forest. There is a new 3.4 mile trail that winds its way to the summit and fire tower. The trail has an overall elevation gain of 1900 feet over the 3.4 miles. The old trail is shorter (2.5 m each way) and steeper.

The hike is long but you are rewarded with a 360 degree view from the fire tower. Views all the way to Montreal to the north, the Green Mountains and Vermont to the East and the high peaks to the south.

Short Job Mountain

I've done this hike twice. I didn't even know about it until I had hiked it with Snickers and Bushwhacker one day (Thank you!). It is a nice little gem deep in the High Peaks, nestled near Johns Brook Lodge. If you find yourself in the area, and realize you just don't feel like a high peak but want to hike something, this would be that hike.

Its a little hike to get to, to begin with. From the garden parking lot its about 3 miles to Johns Brook lodge. From there its a short jaunt of about .5 miles, off the Ore Bed trail.

There are a few steep sections that can be tricky in the summer, but it is short lived before it turns into a short ridge walk to the summit that offers limited views of Armstrong/Upper Wold Jaw mountains.

The first time I had hiked this was February 9, 2014, with Cindy and Brian.
I eventually hiked it again with my son.

Its about 8.5 miles round trip, a nice little jaunt.

Rooster Comb Mountain

Almost a year since my last hike. Life sure did get in the way of my fun time.

This is a nice little hike with some very impressive views up the Johns Brook valley. It's not a high peak at 2762 ft., but it is a rewarding hike.

The trail starts at the parking lot south of Noonmark Diner off route 73, and begins on the flat skirting a small pond. From there is is a gradual climb through pines and then hardwoods. From the junction to hedgehog Mt it is a short hike to the open ledge of Hedge Hog.

Owls Head Lookout

I hiked this on 11-29-2014, a beautiful day in the woods. Cold or not, 8 degrees isn't bad when there's little to no wind. The dogs did great and I got rid of my cabin fever.

From the parking area followed a dirt driveway for a short distance before dropping into the woods on the left. From here I hiked though a very nice mixed forest, crossing a fairly new foot bridge over Slide Brook. The climb is easy for the first mile to this crossing. Once I crossed over it began to be a steady climb to the junction at 2.4 miles. Going left from the junction is a short, I found to be moderately steep 0.2 mile spur trail that brought me to the summit.

The summit has wide open views in almost all directions.

5.2 miles round trip
Elevation gain scent 1257’