Cook Mountain
(2.6 miles RI, moderate, Lake George Basin Land Conservancy) There is just one short steep ascent to reach this incredible view of the Champlain Valley, northern Lake George and the Adirondacks.
Trailhead: Approximately 1.0 mi. south of the monument and traffic circle in Ticonderoga on Rte. 9N, turn E onto Essex Co. Rte. 5. The Ticonderoga Elementary and Middle School is soon passed on the right, and a pair of intersections is reached in about 1.2 miles. Lord Howe Road is on the Left and Baldwin Road on the Right. The trailhead is .5 miles South on Baldwin Road on the right at a gate on an old logging road with Lake George Basin Land Conservancy signs. Just beyond on the left is a state historical marker referring to this area as "Abercrombie's Landing," where 15,000 men landed to attack Ticonderoga which was successfully defended by Montcalm in July
Trailhead: Approximately 1.0 mi. south of the monument and traffic circle in Ticonderoga on Rte. 9N, turn E onto Essex Co. Rte. 5. The Ticonderoga Elementary and Middle School is soon passed on the right, and a pair of intersections is reached in about 1.2 miles. Lord Howe Road is on the Left and Baldwin Road on the Right. The trailhead is .5 miles South on Baldwin Road on the right at a gate on an old logging road with Lake George Basin Land Conservancy signs. Just beyond on the left is a state historical marker referring to this area as "Abercrombie's Landing," where 15,000 men landed to attack Ticonderoga which was successfully defended by Montcalm in July
Treadway Mountain
(7.8 miles RI, moderate, entrance fee to state campground)
This is a rewarding hike with outstanding views along the way and trees the three knobs that form the open rocky summit. Options for either a longer or shorter hike include: A return via Clear, Rock, North and Heart ponds which adds only 1.5 miles to the RI distance; or shorten your hike to 5 miles RT by paddling across Putnam Pond to a trailhead on the opposite shore. The canoe option makes for an interesting trip and requires less effort and time - this is perhaps the best choice for young hikers.
Trailhead: starts at a trailhead parking lot in the Putnam Pond State Campground (entrance fee). Take route 74 west from Ticonderoga and go 4.3 miles. Turn left on to Putts Pond Road and go 0.7 miles. The first part of the trail round the southwest end of Putnam Pond leads over rolling terrain 1.8 miles to the turn-off for Treadway. In the summer if you have a small boat, you can paddle across Putnam Pond to a short spur trail which leads up to the trail junction. In the winter, if the ice is thick enough, you can hike across the lake on snowshoes to the same spur trial. This will take about 1.2 miles off of the 7.8 mile round trip as well as same some additional up and down.
This is a rewarding hike with outstanding views along the way and trees the three knobs that form the open rocky summit. Options for either a longer or shorter hike include: A return via Clear, Rock, North and Heart ponds which adds only 1.5 miles to the RI distance; or shorten your hike to 5 miles RT by paddling across Putnam Pond to a trailhead on the opposite shore. The canoe option makes for an interesting trip and requires less effort and time - this is perhaps the best choice for young hikers.
Trailhead: starts at a trailhead parking lot in the Putnam Pond State Campground (entrance fee). Take route 74 west from Ticonderoga and go 4.3 miles. Turn left on to Putts Pond Road and go 0.7 miles. The first part of the trail round the southwest end of Putnam Pond leads over rolling terrain 1.8 miles to the turn-off for Treadway. In the summer if you have a small boat, you can paddle across Putnam Pond to a short spur trail which leads up to the trail junction. In the winter, if the ice is thick enough, you can hike across the lake on snowshoes to the same spur trial. This will take about 1.2 miles off of the 7.8 mile round trip as well as same some additional up and down.
Putnam Pond Campground
PUTNAM POND CAMPGROUND is a state campsite that is the trailhead for a number of hiking trails, such as Bear Pond Loop, which passes a series of wilderness ponds. Treadway Mountain is a rewarding hike with outstanding views, and Rock Pond Mine features the remains of an old graphite mine. Grizzle Ocean is another picturesque pond with a lean-to and a trail that circles the pond.
Bear Pond and Grizzle Ocean are both an easy 5 mile loop, Treadway Mountain is 7.8 miles RT, moderate, and Rock Pond Mine Trail is 5.4 miles RT, moderate. Trailhead is at the state campground at 763 Putts Pond Road. Take Route 74 West from Ticonderoga and go 4.3 miles. Turn Left on Putts Pond Road, and go 0.7 miles.
Bear Pond and Grizzle Ocean are both an easy 5 mile loop, Treadway Mountain is 7.8 miles RT, moderate, and Rock Pond Mine Trail is 5.4 miles RT, moderate. Trailhead is at the state campground at 763 Putts Pond Road. Take Route 74 West from Ticonderoga and go 4.3 miles. Turn Left on Putts Pond Road, and go 0.7 miles.
Rock Pond-Clear Pond Trail
ROCK POND - CLEAR POND TRAIL
This trail is a yellow marked trail 3.25 miles long traveling past Heart, North, Rock, Little Rock and Clear Ponds. There are Adirondack lean-tos at Rock, Little Rock and Clear Ponds and each offers fine trout fishing. The trail leaves Putnam Pond at the public campground and returns to the pond at the opposite shore near the channel to North Pond. The hiker may complete a circuit of Putnam Pond by taking the blue trail south from Clear Pond, passing Mud Pond, crossing the Treadway Mountain Trail and then reaching the yellow trail from Grizzle Ocean to Putnam Pond Public Campground. There is a red trail from around Rock Pond, east 1.7 miles to Lilypad Pond. One lean-to is located at this pond.
This trail is a yellow marked trail 3.25 miles long traveling past Heart, North, Rock, Little Rock and Clear Ponds. There are Adirondack lean-tos at Rock, Little Rock and Clear Ponds and each offers fine trout fishing. The trail leaves Putnam Pond at the public campground and returns to the pond at the opposite shore near the channel to North Pond. The hiker may complete a circuit of Putnam Pond by taking the blue trail south from Clear Pond, passing Mud Pond, crossing the Treadway Mountain Trail and then reaching the yellow trail from Grizzle Ocean to Putnam Pond Public Campground. There is a red trail from around Rock Pond, east 1.7 miles to Lilypad Pond. One lean-to is located at this pond.
Bear Pond Trail
BEAR POND TRAIL
This blue marked trail makes a loop with the Rock Pond - Clear Pond Trail from Heart Pond to Bear Pond and back to Rock Pond. It is 1.0 miles from Heart Pond to Be ar Pond and 1.5 miles from Rock Pond to Bear Pond.
This blue marked trail makes a loop with the Rock Pond - Clear Pond Trail from Heart Pond to Bear Pond and back to Rock Pond. It is 1.0 miles from Heart Pond to Be ar Pond and 1.5 miles from Rock Pond to Bear Pond.
Rock Pond Mine
ROCK POND MINE
(5.4 miles RT, easy, entrance fee to state campground) The remains of the mine site include a huge metal steam boiler, a drainage tunnel, tailings, an open pit mine and stone foundations. If you choose to walk around Rock Pond, use caution on the section of trail along the north shore which is narrow, rocky and difficult to negotiate.
(5.4 miles RT, easy, entrance fee to state campground) The remains of the mine site include a huge metal steam boiler, a drainage tunnel, tailings, an open pit mine and stone foundations. If you choose to walk around Rock Pond, use caution on the section of trail along the north shore which is narrow, rocky and difficult to negotiate.
Mount Defiance
Mount Defiance
On July 5, 1777, during the American Revolution, British troops under Gen John Burgoyne, placed two canons on top of Mount Defiance. From Mount Defiance, the strategic importance of the Ticonderoga peninsula is evident. The top of Mount Defiance shows a spectacular view of Lake Champlain and Fort Ticonderoga.
A picnic shelter at the top is available for your convenience. The road to Mount Defiance may not be suitable for buses and RV's. There is parking at the base if you wish to walk to the top.
Directions: Right onto Baldwin, Right onto Alexandria to the end, Left on to The Portage. and a Right on to Defiance St.turn right beyond Dead End sign and enter gate at base.
On July 5, 1777, during the American Revolution, British troops under Gen John Burgoyne, placed two canons on top of Mount Defiance. From Mount Defiance, the strategic importance of the Ticonderoga peninsula is evident. The top of Mount Defiance shows a spectacular view of Lake Champlain and Fort Ticonderoga.
A picnic shelter at the top is available for your convenience. The road to Mount Defiance may not be suitable for buses and RV's. There is parking at the base if you wish to walk to the top.
Directions: Right onto Baldwin, Right onto Alexandria to the end, Left on to The Portage. and a Right on to Defiance St.turn right beyond Dead End sign and enter gate at base.
