Hurricane Mountain, July 2, 2012, Adirondack Park

Hurricane Mountain has long been noted as having some of the most remarkable 360 degree vistas in the Adirondacks High Peaks region. So when K and I decided to spend Fourth of July weekend 2012 in a cottage rental near Ausable Forks, just north of the High Peaks, we made sure to dedicate one day to going up the Hurricane.

There are several approach routes up Hurricane. We took the longest of them, the North Trail, located in the vicinity of Keene, with access to the trail head at the end of O'Toole Lane. Hike day was a warm and mostly sunny Tuesday morning. We always try to stay off of the trails on weekends, especially in the Adirondacks. An early start made sure that we met only a few people on the way up ... Sadly, it was a different story on the way down.

This hike was a litttle tougher than expected. After an easy amble to a lean-to campsite, the trail takes you up steep wash outs with plenty of knee-knocking boulder scrambles. But the summit, as advertised, is pretty spectacular.

Hurricane is not quite a 4000 footer... but it sure felt like one.

Peak: Hurricane Mountain
Route: The North Trail
Peak Elevation: 3694 feet, Gain: 1600 feet 
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Conditions: Party-cloudy, 70 degrees F