PROSPECT MOUNTAIN hiking, Lake George NY

April 21, 2023

Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Parkway climbs 5.5 miles from the entry gate to a parking lot just below the summit. There are three separate overlooks along the parkway-the Narrows, Lake George, and Eagle's Eye-from which to enjoy the scenery of the Adirondack Mountains and Lake George.

April 25, 2024 - After my discovery 2 days ago it was not too hard to decide where to hike next - PROSPECT MOUNTAIN from the south. I was curious about what route is taken thru the Lake George Rec Ctr, wet spots, & a section that goes thru LGLC property.

From the main parking area (720' el) there was new signage as to where to start. The route is the same as for the Berry Pond Trail to the lean-to/amphitheater (680' el), then the new trail bears R, & crosses the brook on a plank & heads up alongside the waterfall - nice! Continues on Guard Help Way paralleling West Brook. A R turn & we are on our way up the mountain, climbing gradually most of the way on an old woods road, & for a while never far from West Brook. Enter state land at 0.75 miles from the start. Then a sharp R at 1.2 miles & on a path for 0.2 miles. R & a L on old woods roads again. The climb gets a little steeper & I spot some white violets. The trail then turns L & climbs steeply for 0.1 miles over a washed-out section. Some wet spots are then encountered - you can step on rocks or work around easily - rocks have been placed for our benefit & there is an occasional new water bar. The trail then passes thru LGLC's McPhillips property for 0.2 miles. Some more wet spots then the trail emerges on a large parking area below the summit (you can drive here for a fee from Memorial Day weekend thru Veterans Day - so I prefer to do this hike in the off-season). Took the steep paved walkway up to the summit (2018' el) & encountered the only major blowdown of the day. I got 2.7 miles in 95 minutes.

Spent an hour in the summit area, eating lunch & enjoying the views, spent much of the time N of the road looking toward the High Peaks & Lake George - I prefer to see minimal signs of civilization. Had the summit to myself for half an hour; a solo hiker showed up, & 2 others arrived as I was leaving.

Back down with some short side trips to satisfy my curiosity. Back at the LGRC, I decided to keep going straight on 204th Way because it gets more sun than Guard Help Way ( but very lovely under its tall hemlocks) & I might have a better chance of seeing some wildflowers. Finished up on Algonquin Pass & Let's Go. 6.6 miles, 1472' gross el gain, 4.3 hours. The temp had gone down into the mid-20s overnight, rising thru the 40s on the hike & sunny.

April 2024 - For many years folks have been hiking up PROSPECT MOUNTAIN from the south, starting at the Lake George Rec Ctr, on an unmarked trail, but now it is an official DEC trail marked with blue markers (not to be confused with blue LGLC markers on the Berry Pond Trail). The shorter but steeper red trail still goes up from the east.

Nov 18, 2023 - PROSPECT MOUNTAIN up the red trail, had the summit to myself in the early pm, down via unofficial orange crossover to unofficial blue trail (less steep & less rocky) & back to red before the toll road. Fair weather until the top when a light lake-effect snow shower rolled in over Black Spruce Mtn. Looks like they have started to make snow at Gore Mtn. Temp ~40F. 4+ miles, 1600' el gain, 2.8 hours.

Oct 2, 2023 - PROSPECT & BLACK SPRUCE MOUNTAINS hike. Prospect by marked trail (dry, on top by 9am, a bit hazy but could still see the High Peaks), then BSM (2349' el) & loop back by bushwhack & old woods roads. Fall foliage was quite a bit more advanced above 1500'. Temp rising from the mid-50s to low 70s. 8.5 miles, 2280' el gain, 6 hours.

April 20, 2023 (Thu) - 5 vehicles parked on Smith St. Hiked up the steep red trail - the first part is on a man-made ditch with a jumble of rocks & not very pleasant. Crossed the parkway (open to vehicles from late May to Veterans Day), The trail improves as it goes over much open bedrock. Can see Crane & Gore Mtns thru the trees, Black Spruce Mtn blocks further views to the west. Spent an hour on top, mainly at a view looking north to the High Peaks & The Narrows of Lake George, Cat & Thomas Mtns in view too, not much civilization seen in this direction. 2 other people when I got there, 7 when I left. Dropped down a bit on the red trail & took a L on an unofficial blue trail (shown on OpenStreetMap) which soon climbs steeply to a nubble NE of Prospect's summit. Took a L on an unofficial white trail (not on OSM) which gets little use & is close to bushwhacking. Crossed the parkway & picked up an old woods road which I took to Eagle's Eye overlook. Some road walking then down the red trail. Good hiking weather with temp rising thru the 50s & sunny. 6.4 miles, 1768' el gain, 4.7 hours.