Baxter Mountain - High Peaks Region

Baxter Mountain

     The Trailhead for Baxter Mt is on Route 9N just east of Route 73 in Keene Valley. There is also another trail from Beede Road but I have not taken this trail. This is another short hike, just 1 mile to the summit and 770' elevation gain. This is a fantastic trail for families with young hikers and the inexperienced. When I pulled up to the trailhead (parking is on either side of Route 9N) there were no less than 15 cars. So if the weather is nice be prepared for a busy area.

Hiking Trail on Google Maps

More than half of this trail is located on private land but thankfully the owner has allowed this trail to exists so please respect the land and stay on the trail.

A small rock pile along the beginning of the trail.

A nice set of stairs.

Follow the Blue Blazes to the top. This trail is well marked and you will not have any issues following this trail to the top.

Lots of leaves on the forest floor and sun rays punching through the canopy above.

Just before the final push you will notice this is the spot where the other trail from Beede Road meets up with the Rt 9 trail. Continue to follow the Blue Blazes to the summit.

The Start of the final climb.

The first clearing before you reach the top you can spot the Fire Tower on top of Hurricane Mt to the Northeast.

The summit and sun are just over that next hill.

The view of the summit looking Southeast. 

The fall colors with Giant Mt in the upper left.

A flock of Geese making their way through the valley of the Ausable Lakes

The best view from the summit. Here you can see the Dix Mountain Range and the Great Range including Mount Marcy with Keene Valley at the bottom.

On the way back down I stopped for one more shot from the top.

Looks like I "closed" the Mountain. 

Final Thoughts:

This is a wonderful hike to take anytime of the year. The summit is full of rock outcroppings so be aware it may get icy in the winter. The trail is very easy with stairs and switchbacks to help as you gain elevation. It is a very popular hike so if you are looking for peace and solitude this is not the hike for you. If you want to take a visitor to the area that wants to see why we all love to live in this remote part of the state this is it. The views of the valleys and mountain ranges are amazing. I hiked this late in the afternoon to get more of the sun setting but I would recommend the opposite, instead hike this very early in the morning as the sun is rising. This will give you better light on the mountains for photos and it also might not be so busy. 

For more photos and video of the hike check out

 the youtube video below.

The trail to the summit of Baxter Mountain

Inman Pond - Lake George Wild Forest

Inman Pond Trailhead is located in Hogtown which is off Sly Pond Rd in West Fort Ann. This trail is a short hike roughly 1 mile to a small pond with two camping areas. There is a large bolder at the west end of the pond with the best views on the hike. You can also reach Buck Mountain and Pilot Knob Rd from this trail but most hikers tackle Buck from two other trails, one from Pilot Knob and the other from Shelving Rock Road. Sly Pond Rd turns into Shelving Rock a few miles north of this trailhead.

With any official trail in the Adirondack park there is a registration book for you to sign. This is very important, not only for your safety but for the park officials to gather data on use of the trail system.

I have hiked this trail many times but this time it was a solo trip on a beautiful day in early October. The changing leaves have just past peak and the warm breeze was allowing  them to float to the forest floor.

Just under a half mile the trail splits at a bridge. To the left and across this bridge the trail continues to Pilot Knob Rd and eventually Buck Mountain. To continue to Inman Pond keep going straight.

Be aware the trail blazes that started off Blue now become Red for the rest of the hike. At this point the trail start to gain in elevation but do not worry, it is short and not much of an uphill climb.

A rare floating magical leaf. While making my way to the pond I came upon this leaf floating in mid-air. It was attached by a spider web that was barely noticeable.

One of the unfortunate parts of being such a short trail is you tend to find people who like to party here. This is common on many trials that are under two miles in the park. Here is the result of careless people who tend to be in nature to party and not enjoy the surroundings.

At mile 1 you will reach a split in the trail. To the left is Campsite #1 and the path to the Big Rock, to the right is Campsite #2. This split is very difficult to notice (twice I have walked right by it).

I took the path to the left since my eventual end is at the Big Rock. But I did take the path to the right on the way out and have some photos of Campsite # 2 also. Here is the first view of the pond and since this is the outlet it is a bit swampy.

A little further down the path you get a better view of the pond and the trees that surround the the water. If you carry an ultra-light boat like a canoe from Adirondack Canoe Company here is your first spot to put in.

A sign that this area was used for more than just relaxation.

About 200 yards up the trail you will see these signs to guide  you to the right and towards Campsite #1.

Here is Campsite #1. A large area with a few spots for tents and a nice size fire pit. With all of the trees around the site there are many large roots so a large tent might not be suitable for, at least not without a good size sleeping pad.

A view of the pond from the shore of Camp Site # 1

To get to the Big Rock just continue the hiking the path along the water going the opposite direction you followed into the campsite. You will see and unmarked trail turn to the left and climb up a very small hill. Soon you will notice that you are at the bottom of this very large "rock." Take the path to the left of the rock and you will approach the top of the rock from the back side. Here is your best view to site and take in the site, have a snack and relax in (hopefully) the sun.

On the way out I made the trip over to Campsite # 2. I like this spot better than the other campsite. It is about the same size but it has a bit more privacy. It is also along the water and here is the best view of the Big Rock.

The path I took to the Big Rock from the parking area.

Here is a link to the Trail in Google Maps.