Hiking with Swimming

[ChrisM]

I wanted to plan a few trips that include a good hike with scenic views and end with a nice place to go swimming.

Any helpful suggestions?

We will be staying in Long Lake, so any places in the Northern, Central and High Peak region are open to travel.

Thanks.

[LongLaker]

Owl's Head tower from Lake Eaton campground/day use area. (Boat rentals available at campground or at bridge in LL.)
Paddle across Lake Eaton. You can take out on the far side and pick up the snowmobile trail close to the shore line. (Sometimes you'll see a sign or flagging tape marking the spot - sometimes the sign goes missing - but poke around a little and you'll find a spot.)
Never had a problem stashing a canoe there.
Go left when you reach the snowmobile trail and follow until it joins with the Owls Head trail.
About a 6 mile hike RT.

[ChrisM]

Thanks LongLaker.

I appreciate it.

If you happen to think of any others please drop me a line.

Thank you.

[Kevin7]

The best swimming hole hike destination I have found in the Adirondacks (or anywhere!) is the Blue Ledges (access on the North Woods Club road near Minerva). A not too difficult hike brings you down to the Hudson Gorge with huge cliffs (the "Blue Ledges") towering opposite you. Here you find a lovely pool in the river with rapids above and below. The swim spot has both a great sandy bottom and big boulders to hang out on in the water. A truly delightful swimming hole.

Another great choice is Peaked Mountain on Thirteenth Lake near the town of North River. This is a superb hike, one of the best in the Adirondacks. You hike along beautiful Thirteenth Lake, then up along a lovely rushing creek, then through a beaver meadow, then to charming Peaked Mountain Pond, and finally a short steep climb up to the rocky peak of Peaked Mountain for some great views of the area. Spectacular but not busy. At Peaked Mountain Pond (half an hour before the peak) you can swim off the rocks near the campsite (trail to campsite branches off to left just when you think you have pretty much passed the pond). Isolated enough that my wife and I skinny-dip here.
You can also swim again at the end of your hike at the Thirteenth Lake beach at the trailhead.

[ChrisM]

Kevin7,

About fifteen years back me and the family went there. I agree that is a great spot.

Along with Blue Ledge on the Hudson, many moons ago.

If you happen to think of any others send it along.

Thank you.

[bighitt70]

ChrisM, We are headed up to Meacham Lake for the weekend and plan on hiking up to Debar Mountain and swimming in Meacham lake after...I will let you know how it is with a trip report.

[ChrisM]

Thanks bighit70.

Until then.

[DSettahr]

It's a bit far to the north, but Ampersand Mountain and Middle Saranac Lake is a solid mountain/swim combination.

[IndLk_Brett]

You could check out Crane Mountain located a bit northwest of Warrensburg. The hike up has some scrambly sections and a few ladders to climb along the way, but it's not terribly diffucult or too far to the top. There are some really great views and then just below the summit you will find Crane Mountain Pond in which to take a dip and cool off.

[Zach]

Watch Hill on Indian Lake is a fairly short hike with a nice view (though away from the lake) and a swimmable beach on the lake at the end. The downsides are that the trailhead is not marked (at least not last time I was there) the trail is not very well maintained from the hill down to the lake and there is a missing bridge at the beginning, but it's still a nice area.
Zach

[Hard Scrabble]

I wanted to plan a few trips that include a good hike with scenic views and end with a nice place to go swimming.

Any helpful suggestions?

We will be staying in Long Lake, so any places in the Northern, Central and High Peak region are open to travel.

Thanks.

I assume you have a boat.
There's a nice beach at the foot of the Kempshall Mountain trail not far from the outlet of Long Lake.
Jim

[LongLaker]

Tupper Lake Triad, ChrisM.
Arab Mt.+ Goodman Mt. + Coney Mountain followed by a nearby swim at Bog River Falls @ Tupper Lake. (There's even a patch for the triad.)
Have fun!

[forest dweller]

Well if you just need to get wet in frigid pristine water you could hike Colden, Marcy or Skylight and find gorgeous crystal clear pools in the Opalescent River.

[ChrisM]

Long Laker,

Agree, those are pleasant hikes. Family loves swimming at Bog River Falls.

Forest Dweller,

Those places along the Opalescent - where are they located about? Also, is this a possible day-trip. Thanks for your help.

[saabrian]

Only downside of Blue Ledges is that the hike is mostly uphill on the way back. But definitely a great place to swim.