DSettahr
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Pictures here: https://picasaweb.google.com/116537596394442741068/ConeyMountain#
When you drive the long, lonely stretch of Route 30 between the towns of Tupper Lake and Long Lake in the Adirondack Park, at about the midpoint of the route there is a small, bumpy mountain named Coney Mountain with an exposed summit to the east of the road that is clearly visible as you drive by. For years, I've wondered what the views were like from that summit. Within the past couple of years, a DEC trailhead sign went up on the road near the peak, and I finally decided to check it out for myself.
The National Geographic Map shows a herd path that ascends the south side of the mountain. The new trail takes a much more gradual route, looping around the north side of the mountain before ascending it from the east. It looks like someone put some hard work into the creation of the trail- perhaps the Adirondack Mountain Club's professional crew? Regardless of who it was, the trail was in great shape and an easy hike even with the final steep approach to the summit.
As I'd expected, the views from the summit were worth the climb. To the west, Lows Lake was hidden, but I could see Little Tupper and Lila, places that are on my "to visit" list but that I've never yet been to. To the south, Blue Mountain dominated the view. To the north, I could see Tupper Lake as well as Mt. Morris. To the east were the High Peaks, with the Seward and the Santanoni Ranges in the foreground. I could see right up the Cold River valley, a vantage point I've never had before. Beyond I could make out the larger peaks, particularly the MacIntyre Range, although they were obscured by the haze.
On the descent I decided to follow the old herd path (which was quite obvious). It's steep and in poor shape; the trail was rerouted when it was marked with good reason. About the only reason it's worth following is to see one of the I-beam surveying monuments that marks the county line. The path brought me back out to the road a few hundred feet south of where I'd parked and started hiking.
It's nothing major, and it's certainly not worth driving into the Adirondacks to visit alone, but Coney Mountain makes a great destination for anyone who happens to be driving by. If you're in the area, you've got an hour to kill, and want some great views for only a little bit of exertion, Coney Mountain is a great place to check out.
When you drive the long, lonely stretch of Route 30 between the towns of Tupper Lake and Long Lake in the Adirondack Park, at about the midpoint of the route there is a small, bumpy mountain named Coney Mountain with an exposed summit to the east of the road that is clearly visible as you drive by. For years, I've wondered what the views were like from that summit. Within the past couple of years, a DEC trailhead sign went up on the road near the peak, and I finally decided to check it out for myself.
The National Geographic Map shows a herd path that ascends the south side of the mountain. The new trail takes a much more gradual route, looping around the north side of the mountain before ascending it from the east. It looks like someone put some hard work into the creation of the trail- perhaps the Adirondack Mountain Club's professional crew? Regardless of who it was, the trail was in great shape and an easy hike even with the final steep approach to the summit.
As I'd expected, the views from the summit were worth the climb. To the west, Lows Lake was hidden, but I could see Little Tupper and Lila, places that are on my "to visit" list but that I've never yet been to. To the south, Blue Mountain dominated the view. To the north, I could see Tupper Lake as well as Mt. Morris. To the east were the High Peaks, with the Seward and the Santanoni Ranges in the foreground. I could see right up the Cold River valley, a vantage point I've never had before. Beyond I could make out the larger peaks, particularly the MacIntyre Range, although they were obscured by the haze.
On the descent I decided to follow the old herd path (which was quite obvious). It's steep and in poor shape; the trail was rerouted when it was marked with good reason. About the only reason it's worth following is to see one of the I-beam surveying monuments that marks the county line. The path brought me back out to the road a few hundred feet south of where I'd parked and started hiking.
It's nothing major, and it's certainly not worth driving into the Adirondacks to visit alone, but Coney Mountain makes a great destination for anyone who happens to be driving by. If you're in the area, you've got an hour to kill, and want some great views for only a little bit of exertion, Coney Mountain is a great place to check out.
