Adirondack Family Time™

Distance : 1.8 miles Elevation : 3,169' Vertical Ascent : 1,542' Catamount is a wonderful Adirondack family hike that takes children and families to a new level, behind easier hikes perhaps encountered previously. T his is a 1.8 mile hike (one way) is not for the meek though it begins as a flat wooded path for the first 0.5 mile before becoming steadily more steep. Follow the yellow painted slash marks through this private easement.  At about 0.5 mile  the trail bears right and begins to climb. Look for a small stream at 0.8 mi. and then the hike begins gaining in elevation and continues a mostly steep climb to the base of a narrow rock chimney at 1.5 miles.  

Owl's Head Mountain Keene, NY Distance: 0.6-mile Elevation: 2,120' Ascent: 476' There are a few mountain named Owl's Head around the Adirondacks. This small mountain in Keene can be seen from the Rt. 73 when you drive south from Lake Placid NY past the trail entrance to Pitchoff and Cascade Mountains. What looks like a little bump in a High Peaks backdrop is really a beautiful climb for people of all hiking ages and abilities. With over 300 activities including  33 easy hikes, 19 swimming holes/waterfalls, XC skiing/snowshoe trails, and 21 historic sites. 

Located in Lake Placid, the Brewster Peninsula Nature Trail s are a multi-use trail system. These easy hiking trails are used year-round for the benefit of walkers, hikers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers.   

Commonly referred to as Monument Falls, this quick trip to a shallow waterfall is worth the stop between Lake Placid and Wilmington.  The two tablets  commemorate the 100th and 50th anniversaries of the establishment of the Forest Preserve in 1885. This a popular fishing spot so in season, please be prepared to share space with anglers.    There is a small path along the AuSable River that leads from the parking area to Monument Falls.  There are plenty of flat rocks to sit upon and to explore. 

By Diane Chase What to do with kids in Lake Placid? Our first choice is to be outside whether on skis or snowshoes, our Adirondack kids are out being active.  There are so many places in the Adirondacks that we just drive by on our journey to another location. We pass the trail signs and think that we need to just take the time to explore.  The trail to Owens Pond, just outside Lake Placid, is one such trail. Part of the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area, Owens Pond is a quick 0.5-mile hike to a beautiful pond.  This hike or snowshoe is a great option for even the youngest of the group. 

A family walk in the Adirondacks (ADK) is all kids need! Roaring Brook Falls/ Giant Mountain Wilderness Area Distance - 0.3-mile Elevation - n/a Vertical ascent - n/a snowshoe: yes cross-country ski - yes Roaring Brook Falls as seen from Route 73, 3.5 miles south of Keene Valley  in the Adirondacks of New York Park at the Giant Mountain/Roaring Brook parking area and this is a quick 0.3-mile journey for all ages. The path forks for a variety of hiking options. The easiest is keeping the river to your right and heading to the base of Roaring Brook Falls

Take the kids on a beautiful family hike in the Adirondacks. Owl's Head (Keene NY) Trailhead to Summit: 0.6 Ascent: 460 ft Snowshoe - yes Owl's Head, located between Lake Placid and Keene, is a perfect hike for the entire family. It takes approximately 45 minutes round trip for an average hiker though we always plan for a bit more than an hour each way. The ascent is 460 ft., and very easy for even the smallest climber. The summit is semi-wooded, and has spectacular views of Cascade, Pitchoff and Giant Mountains. A Race to the top of Owl’s Head My husband asked for a new backpack for his birthday. Not a swanky designer, top-of-the-line camping pack but a comfortable pack that could carry our youngest in style up any number of hills. I sigh at how our lives have changed. Just a few years ago he would have had the Cadillac of camping gear. Now he pours over catalogs or bids on eBay for a Kelty child carrier. My husband’s birthday arrives and my son eagerly spil

The Flume Trail System is about eight miles of trails open to mountain biking, hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The Flume parking lot is about 2 miles south from the town of Wilmington on Route 86 on the opposite side of the Ausable River from the Hungry Trout Restaurant. The majority of the trails are free and open to the public. This trail network does connect to Whiteface Ski Area, which does require a ticket. Curses on that rain that wreaked havoc on the snow. I optimistically pack snowshoes hoping that the woods will still hold some of the white stuff. The children grab their own backpacks and fill each with the essentials. Flashlights, space blankets, first aid kits and gators are pulled from our winter kits. Then the games, stuffed animals and hardcover novels start being tucked around the sides. I remind them that we are just going for a bit of a walk, not winter camping. Once they realize they will be carrying their own packs, items start flying out faster tha

By Diane Chase Only in the Adirondacks can a person go for a walk and come across a museum. The Adirondack Mountain Club’s (ADK) Heart Lake Nature Museum seems more nature center than museum but what’s in a name. As in the Gershwin song, “You say either and I say eyether; you say neither and I say nyther.”* It’s not the name that matters but what is inside that counts. I double-check the meaning of museum and it is simply a building where objects of artistic, historical or scientific importance are kept and studied. My child’s collection of rocks, old bottles and action figures only partially meets the criteria. For all I know major scientific discoveries could be found in his room as well but would I want them on display? We are not ready to open up to the public and I’m not sure what the interest level would be anyway. On the other hand, the Heart Lake Nature Museum’s one room schoolhouse appeal gets children and adults alike to examine the natural world. The “Cranium Case” sho

By Diane Chase Take the family for this short hike located right in the center of the Adirondack's Lake Placid.  The kids of all ages will enjoy this scenic view of the High Peaks and village of Lake Placid. We are lathering the children with sunscreen. What a wonderful word, sunscreen. Up to this point we have unintentionally thwarted the sun’s rays by numerous scarves and ski masks. Sunblock would have been an unnecessary layer. Now the car has that smell of beach and summer and masks the musty road salt remnants of winter. We have discovered that a trip to the grocery store is best served after a bit of outdoor activity. Cobble Hill provides a quick remedy. The most challenging part of our climb up Cobble Hill is finding the entrance. Whitney Road is a private road so there is no sign posted. We are here at the good graces of easements and owners. A few cars are already squeezed against the side of the road. We park and walk up the road a bit then turn around. The trai