Family Friendly hikes near Lake Placid this time of year?

[roadtripper]

I'm headed to Lake Placid with a group of about 20 people and I'm wondering if there are any good short family-friendly day hikes in the area. 0-5 miles round-trip I'd say.

Any other recommendations on what to see and do in this area or within an hour would also be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[iAmKrzys]

If you are willing to make the hikes longer by 1 or 2 miles you could look at Saranac Lake 6er peaks: http://saranaclake6er.com/.

For example see my trip report and pictures from Ampersand: http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?56672-Ampersand-Mountain-7-03-15

 

[iAmKrzys]

Actually, I missed "this time of the year" part of the question. I imagine that if trails are icy your group generally won't be equipped with microspikes, so flattish hikes may be more appropriate. I can think of two places that you might consider visiting:

1. Area around Adirondack Loj & Heart Lake should have some trails that might be doable (I have been there long time ago, so I don't really remember these trails): http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=17/44.18280/-73.96408
2. Paul Smiths Visitor Interpretive Center has a lot of trails in easy terrain, so they should be ok for a group of this size: http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=17/44.44901/-74.25884 (here is full trail map: http://www.adirondackvic.org/TrailMap.html )

 

[Daniel Eagan]

Peninsula Trails in Lake Placid are short and easy, with good views of Lake Placid itself. Very easy to get to.

 

[tgoodwin]

We're in "early mud season" mode right now, so conditions will indeed be variable. Mud is a given, but some trails will have a "spine" of icy residue while north-facing trails may still have snow. That said, there are still some good possibilities for your group.

Cobble Hill, right in Lake Placid, is accessed from a parking area just up the access road to Northwood School. This access road goes from Mirror Lake Drive and not Northwood Road. From that start, it is about one mile to the summit on mostly south-facing slopes that will be mostly free of ice and snow. The longer route that is on the north side will likely have snow plus lots of mud on the flat approach.

Other possibilities include Henry's Woods with a trip to the summit of Rocky Knob (2.5-3 mile round trip depending on how you go) and Baker Mt. in Saranac Lake, a two-mile round trip to a good summit view. There is additional information on local hikes at the web site for the local Visitors Bureau: http://www.lakeplacid.com/do/outdoors/summerfall/hiking/1-2-hour-hikes

Hope this helps and that the weather cooperates.