There is a fire tower on the mountain overlooking Blue Mountain Lake. It has some interesting views, and can be checked out by driving just north of Blue Mountain Lake on NY 30. It is one of the most popular hikes in the Adirondacks, and many people also visit Moose River Plains or the Adirondack Museum after hiking the tower.
Here is Blue Mountain heading North on NY 28.
The registration box at the bottom of the mountain.
The trail is well maintained, despite it’s extensive use, with board walks across muddy locations.
The first part of the trail is relatively flat for a while, then gets steep for a bit.
A lot of the lower part of the mountain was rocky with lots little rocks to step over.
About halfway up the mountain you get partial views down the mountain.
Eventually the mountain opens up a little, and your walking on exposed granite, steep, but not too steep.
Once your almost to the top, you can look back and see Blue Mountain Lake through the trees.
You reach the top of the mountain, and there is a gradual ascent, as you cross to the eastern side of the mountain, where the summit and the tower is located. Finally, you see the tower through the trees.
The tower is a relatively short 50 or 60 foot, but it’s plenty high to get good views of the surrounding landscape.
Looking out to the Tower windows.
Blue Mountain Lake from the fire tower.
Moose River Plains to the south-west of the tower.
On the eastern side of the mountain, there is a radio tower and the old ranger’s cabin.
From the eastern side, their is a ledge, where you can see and look down towards like Lake Durant and Moose River Plains.
The radio tower up close, with the fence broken down around it. I didn’t hear radio signals in my ears, despite being so close to this big radio tower.
Flowers on the top of the mountain.
To the north-east there are views of the High Peaks Mountains. They probably woudln’t be as clear on a hazy day.
Tirnell Mountain is privately owned to the east, and you can see some active logging on it.
Seventh and Eight Lake as seen from Blue Mountain.
Here is a map of the hike.
