Ampersand Mt.?

[soco7tyx7]

I'm planning to do Ampersand around Memorial Day weekend with some friends and wanted to know 1. what its like that time of year in terms of bugs and stuff along those lines, 2. if there's good trails around the area for further exploration. i dont have a map yet so unfortunately i cant determine that for myself. one of the guys i'm going with says its a really awesome climb and has some killer views. any feed back would be nice. thanx

[Kevin]

Ampersand is a moderately difficult hike with great views. Check topozone.com for some basic topos which have most of the trails indicated on them.

[Glen L]

&

& is generally considered the best bang for your buck in the Adks. The 1st m is flat & thru a magnificent"middle-age" growth forest. It gets steep near the summit. Believe the stats are 1775 ft elev gain over 2.75m. Climb takes as little as 90 min if you move along.
W/ a head lamp you can climb thru some fun talus caves 3 min below summit. (Search around the SW side the huge tumbled blocks for entrance)
From pkg area on SR3 you can hike NW on trail in 10 min to Middle Saranac L & the best sand beach in Adks. Wade out on firm sand bottom 150yds (still only waist deep) & turn around for view of where you've just been & drive home clean. Enjoy !

[steve40]

Thanks for the info GlenL and Kevin as I will also be hiking Ampersand for the first time Memorial Day Weekend.

[soco7tyx7]

maybe i'll see ya on the trail!

[steve40]

You will know if you see me on the trail.You will say to yourself there is no way that guy is going to make it to the top of this mountain.Going to hike it either Sunday or Monday,whichever day the weather is better.

[adk-46r]

When you get back to the parking area go down to the beach on that side of the road. The path is to the left side of the lot if you are facing it. Depending on the water level a really large and beautiful sand beach. It is a great place to kick back after and relax after fighting the black flies and the hoardes of people you will likely encounter on Memorial day weekend. There is a small mt. just up the road toward Tupper called Panther. It is a short but enjoyable hike with some good veiws. A great little trout pond at the parking area too. Don't forget Mt Arab fire tower in Tupper for another easy hike with great veiws as well as Goodnow mt. Fire tower in Newcomb and Blue Mt. Fire Tower in Blue Mt. lake . they are all about 1/2 hr. to 45 minutes away from the Ampersand trail head.
Mt Arab attatchment.

[Kevin]

Wow, I have to head up there in the fall - awesome colors!

[adk-46r]

Kevin,Mt Arab, Macomb, Van Hovenburgh, and Ampersand are some of the best Mts. for color in the Adks. All are easy access and worth the trip between Oct. 1st till the 12th as a general rule. Great hiking weather then too. Much like our bushwack up Macomb from west Mill brook.

[steve40]

I have to agree with adk-46r,Arab and Panther are both great little mountains and can be easily done on the same day.

[gjsullivan135]

Hey guys, I'm planning to do Porter and Cascade in one day this June. I would like to add Ampersand on the day before, as I will be coming from the south. Do any of you have any experience with multiple peaks over multiple days? Basically, are my eyes bigger than my (legs?) I guess stomach doesn't work here, though I do have a large appetite.
George

[Rik]

All depends on your fitness level. Many of us do hikes on back to back days. Ampersand then Cascade/Porter is pretty reasonable if you are fit.

[Mavs00]

I agree with Rik, Ampersand is a steep little hill, but it's a 5 hour day (give or take) at a relaxed pace. Unless you are totally unfit, I think you'll have no problem with Amper and one short day and Cascade/Porter (which is around the same in difficulty) on the next day.

In fact, In the middle of summer, If I had the gumption, I'd love to do a pre-dawn hike up to watch the sun rise on Cascade, then hike down and lunch in LP. Before finishing the day by hiking up Ampersand to watch the sun set.

Damn, That's a damn good idea, I might just try that one sometime.