Good Luck Lake is a hike through beautiful forests to a remote lake with cliffs that overlook vast swaths of the Ferris Lake Wild Forest
Good Luck Lake and Cliffs
1.5 miles (3 miles round trip)
Ferris Lake Wild Forest
Arietta, Hamilton County
Hiking, Snowshoeing
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Good Luck Lake and Cliffs
The 1.5 miles Good Luck Lake and Cliffs trail is a popular hike located off of Route 10 south of Piseco Lake in the Town of Arietta in Hamilton County. The trail is located in the Jessup River Wild Forest Area in the public Forest Preserve. This hike leads to a campsite on Good Luck Lake as well as a short but steep climb up to the cliffs which offer an excellent view of the lake and the forests and rolling hills to the south.
The parking area is on the east side of Route 10, and the trailhead is on the west side. The trail is well marked, well worn, and easy to follow. The trailhead register is on the west side of Route 10.
The trail passes mostly through hardwood forests, heavy with beech and maple, except for the summit of the cliffs, which has white pine and spruce, and the lakeside that is dominated by larch, white pine, and cedar. The trail is mostly flat, with a few rolling hills.
There is a campsite on the lake that is primitive with a fire pit. Water access to the lake is via a short herd path across a stretch of bog to the water’s edge. This is a floating bog with noticeable bounce, jump on it to see the land ripple around you.
Good Luck Lake Cliffs
The trail that leads to the cliffs is steep and frequently bordered by beautiful erratics. The trail is well worn due to the popularity of the trail. The cliffs are visible from below at several points. From the top, there is an excellent view of the southern Adirondack lowlands. Overall, this is a short hike with multiple rewarding viewpoints.
Click here for a map and directions to Good Luck Lake and cliffs.
When You Hike Make Sure to Practice “Leave No Trace” to be Prepared and to Protect the Forest Preserve
Please follow “carry in, carry out” rules for all trash and follow other Leave No Trace principles when hiking in the public Forest Preserve and other wild areas. The seven Leave No Trace principles are: 1) Plan ahead and prepare; 2) Stay on hiking trails and camp at designated areas; 3) Dispose of human waste and trash properly; 4) Leave what you find; 5) Minimize campfires; 6) Respect wildlife; 7) Respect other hikers.
Educated hikers do not damage the environment. Prepared hikers do not need search and rescue unless injured.
Winter Use: Good Luck Cliffs is difficult to reach in the winter.
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