Date: July 4, 2011
Rating: B- (The rating is a bit biased since I had hiked two of the High Peaks the previous day and this seemed dull in comparison. Otherwise, this provides a rather good view for the limited effort required).
Location: Lake Placid Village, NY
Difficulty: Easy. The elevation gain is around 460 ft. There are two options: an easy 1.1 mile trail with low grades and a steeper 0.4 mile trail which is also easy except for a brief segment near the summit, where one has to clamber up a sheer rock face. Those not sure-footed on sheer inclines would do best to take the longer trail. If taking the steep one, I would advise climbing the exposed ledge on the right side, where a short rope is also tied between two tree trunks to assist hikers (I first tried doing so on the left, but my backpack was shifting my Center of Gravity enough to make the required clambering problematic).
From the intersection of Lake Placid Club Drive and Northwood Road, turn onto Northwood Road and walk on till you see Cobble Hill Road and then turn left on to it. After walking for a minute or two, you will see a grassy patch between the houses on your left. You can cross this without fear of trespassing (it is ok to do so, as confirmed by asking an elderly gentleman who was busy tending his garden) to come to a road where looking to your left you will see a trail sign for Cobble Hill. Beyond that, the trail is obvious, and a little further, it splits off into the two options mentioned above. I took the steep one on my way up. I had been under the assumption that I would get views of Lake Placid village and lake from the summit. Not getting a view of the lake (only of Mirror Lake), I assumed I needed to explore the open rocky ledge near the summit more thoroughly. Still not finding such a viewpoint, I ascended again and took the easier trail down in hopes of finding a viewpoint along the way. Alas no, but some good came of it because, having descended, this trail goes along Echo Lake for a while.
Rating: B- (The rating is a bit biased since I had hiked two of the High Peaks the previous day and this seemed dull in comparison. Otherwise, this provides a rather good view for the limited effort required).
Location: Lake Placid Village, NY
Difficulty: Easy. The elevation gain is around 460 ft. There are two options: an easy 1.1 mile trail with low grades and a steeper 0.4 mile trail which is also easy except for a brief segment near the summit, where one has to clamber up a sheer rock face. Those not sure-footed on sheer inclines would do best to take the longer trail. If taking the steep one, I would advise climbing the exposed ledge on the right side, where a short rope is also tied between two tree trunks to assist hikers (I first tried doing so on the left, but my backpack was shifting my Center of Gravity enough to make the required clambering problematic).
From the intersection of Lake Placid Club Drive and Northwood Road, turn onto Northwood Road and walk on till you see Cobble Hill Road and then turn left on to it. After walking for a minute or two, you will see a grassy patch between the houses on your left. You can cross this without fear of trespassing (it is ok to do so, as confirmed by asking an elderly gentleman who was busy tending his garden) to come to a road where looking to your left you will see a trail sign for Cobble Hill. Beyond that, the trail is obvious, and a little further, it splits off into the two options mentioned above. I took the steep one on my way up. I had been under the assumption that I would get views of Lake Placid village and lake from the summit. Not getting a view of the lake (only of Mirror Lake), I assumed I needed to explore the open rocky ledge near the summit more thoroughly. Still not finding such a viewpoint, I ascended again and took the easier trail down in hopes of finding a viewpoint along the way. Alas no, but some good came of it because, having descended, this trail goes along Echo Lake for a while.
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| View from summit |
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| Mirror Lake and Lake Placid Village from the exposed ledge |
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| Clouds reflected in Echo Lake |
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