Washington County High Point Trip Report
Black Mountain (2640+ ft)
Date: September 18, 2000
Author: Mike Schwartz
From the junction of US 4 and NY 22 in Whitehall, go north 7.1 miles on NY 22 to a left onto
Washington County rte 6, signed for Huletts Landing. Turn left onto Pike Brook Road at 9.7 miles, and
park at the trailhead lot at 10.6 miles.
The trail is marked with red metal disks. There are not a lot of markers, but there are signs at every key
trail junction, so it's easy to follow. A few white/silver disks appear higher up the mountain, and are on
the correct trail. The summit is crowned with a noisy wind powered generator and a fire
tower/communications facility surrounded by an impenetrable chain-link fence. The views, especially to
the north, are outstanding. Lake George stretches out before you to the north, 2000+ feet below, and on
this clear day, the Adirondack high peaks were visible. There's a loop trail back reported to have equally
grand views to the south, but I chose to return the shorter way I came up. Time up 1:10, and about an
hour for the descent. Anyone using the Adirondack Mountain Club trail guide for this region should note
that there have been changes made to the Black Mountain Trail from the written description therein.
Trust the markings and signs on the trail to be accurate. Although it doesn't look like it on small scale
maps, Washington County is contiguous with Essex County, home of Mt Marcy.