Above tree-line with kids?

[Daniel]

I'm trying to plan a few day hikes with my kids, ages 5 and 7, who enjoy hiking and can do 5 miles (roundtrip). Noonmark Mtn looks like a good option, with nice views.

I would really love to take them somewhere above the treeline, or with views to a region that is above the treeline, so we can see some dramatic, stark wilderness. However it looks like this is not possible until they are older and can hike longer distances. Any ideas?

Another option I was looking at was to hike in to the Johns Brook Lodge, and spend two nights there, so we can do a day hike starting from there. But even that doesn't look like it would get us above treeline within 5 miles.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[backwoodsman]

We took our kids up Goodnow Mt. when they were little,it wasn't too much for them,it has a nice firetower and observers cabin.Great views of the high peaks.

[AntlerPerak]

We took our kids up Goodnow Mt. when they were little,it wasn't too much for them,it has a nice firetower and observers cabin.Great views of the high peaks.

These are not above timberline but are open summits.

Mt Jo would be perfect. Easy hike of a few miles round trip, expansive views and doable for kids.

The Nubble on the shoulder of Giant offers a lot a bit more than Mt Jo but may be an option.

Sleeping Beauty down in Lake George is another.

Don't underestimate them as my daughter climbed Wright Peak at three years old. All under her own power. We watched her closely, took a lot of breaks and let her determine how far she wanted to go. I kept asking "You ready to turn around yet" She kept wanting to go farther. I was prepared to carry her down fully expecting her to wear out. But lo and behold she did it all on her own.

One thing it made for bragging rights in first grade. The teacher called about her fantastic stories about having climbed ten high peaks. The teacher was not expecting the old man to confirm that.

Let them set their own pace, don't push and be ready for lots of stopping to look at everything. When they have had enough turn around. It will take you a lot longer to get there so minimize the distance and monitor closely. When it gets to be a grind the hike is lost.

[hikerdad]

Hurricane Mt is a great peak...great views and above treeline...can't remember the distance but in the 5-6 mile range I think....as you said, Noonmark is great....also Pitchoff on rt 73 is great and just a bit over 5 miles if you can spot a car (or get picked up) so you don't have to walk on the highway....Cascade is also great...more than 5 miles but just a bit over and it's a very easy trail....enjoy!

[1ADAM12]

Big Crow is also nice and it is less than a mile to the top with great views

[pico23]

The Adirondacks are filled with open vistas although not technically alpine (above treeline) summits.

Noonmark is more like 7 miles I think. At least from round pond, since I hike with a dog I haven't ever done it from AMR where it is a bit shorter I think.

Giants Nubble would be a good option.

Hopkins would be a good option.

Rooster Comb

Hurricane

Sleeping Beauty (if the road to the clearing is open it's like a 3-4 mile RT and its still under 6 from the main parking area.

Buck Mountain

Blue Berry Cobbles (Bald Mountain)


and although it pains me to say it, driving up Whiteface (although I don't find the views impressive as Whiteface is sort of all alone).

[chudski63]

did big crow with the kids last weekend.....great views for the effert involved......great views also.....we also did owls head a couple weeks ago.....also highly recomended

[Skinney]

There is also Cascade Mtn. 4.4 mi Round trip w/beautiful 360 panoramic view. Very simple hike and a high peak This was my 1st in 8th grade.

Mt. Jo is definitely another consideration from Adk Loj and Heart Lake.

[Bill I.]

The Adirondacks are filled with open vistas although not technically alpine (above treeline) summits.

This is correct, that technically speaking only a handful of the High Peaks have natural tree lines, and these are of course the highest of the high.

But a number of other mountains have summits that closely approximate the "alpine summit" experience without the difficult access:

• The Jay Range: Though the trail is not marked, there was no shortage of families up there when I was there last. The range is a miniature version of Rocky Peak Ridge.
• Catamount Mountain: This is located north of Whiteface. It features a massive rock face and a trail marked only by cairns.
• St. Regis Mountain has a large, open summit.
• Ampersand has a bald summit.

Of those already mentioned, I have to also endorse Giant Nubble, Big Crow, and Hurricane.

[pico23]

This is correct, that technically speaking only a handful of the High Peaks have natural tree lines, and these are of course the highest of the high.

But a number of other mountains have summits that closely approximate the "alpine summit" experience without the difficult access:

• The Jay Range: Though the trail is not marked, there was no shortage of families up there when I was there last. The range is a miniature version of Rocky Peak Ridge.
• Catamount Mountain: This is located north of Whiteface. It features a massive rock face and a trail marked only by cairns.
• St. Regis Mountain has a large, open summit.
• Ampersand has a bald summit.

Of those already mentioned, I have to also endorse Giant Nubble, Big Crow, and Hurricane.

good picks...i was thinking of catamount but couldn't remember if it was cat mountain or catamount. Now that I think about it, cat mountain is in/around the 5 Ponds (as well as a Cat near lake george IIRC).

Isn't ampersand MORE than 5 miles RT, I was thinking more like 6-7 RT, or about the same as Noonmark?

I haven't done the Jay Range but it looks like a gem from the few shots I've seen.

St Regis is kind of a slog...again, I'm thinking more than 5 miles but much of it is flat ground walking till the caretakers cabin site where it finally gets steep and fun, these distances are from memory so I could be way off.

So my further contribution would be the Soda Range. I think the loop is just over 5.5 miles. Lots of views, not too much climbing after you gain Weston Mountain, fun hike.

[hikerdad]

Noonmark is 2.1 miles from the TH at the Ausable Club. The parking area to the TH is probably around .25 miles (I'd guess) so the whole hike would be about 4.5 to 5 miles RT.

[Daniel]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I really appreciate the help. Looks like we have a number of good options.

Thanks!

Daniel

[procook131]

I hiked Blue Mountain as a kid without much trouble with my Dad and sister. It's a little further south but near Old Forge where you can relax at the campgrround and go to the water park for a really fun weekend.

[AntlerPerak]

Depends upon where you are driving from but on Rte 28 at 4 & 1/2 miles north of Old Forge is Rondaxe (Bald MT), depends on who you ask as to what it is named. It is a small gem. Not above timberline but it has a rocky open summit with good views of area lakes. A one mile each way hike with 400 foot ascent. Also in that area is Rocky Mountain in Eagle Bay. Trail head on Rte 28 1/2 mile trail 400 feet gain a little short steep hike to open views similar to Rondaxe.

[woodlandclown]

noonmark is pretty tough at the top for such young kids i would think. I would bring them to Mt. Jo--perfect for kids with an awesome view. after that owls head (giant mountain wilderness), baxter mountain. roostercomb has some tough rock scrambles at the top--its actually a pretty decent climb. I would start them out on something smaller first and see how they do. johns brook lodge wont get you the views quickly. i'll ditto blue mountain. that is the very first hike i did and what got me into hiking and the adks so much i eventually moved here! great firetower and blue mountain museum for apres hiking makes an awesome day.