Baker Mountain is an short 0.9-mile hike to rocky outcrops with sweeping views of the Village of Saranac Lake and the surrounding lakes and mountains
Baker Mountain
0.9 mile (1.8 round-trip)
North Elba, Essex County
McKenzie Mountain Wilderness
Hiking, Snowshoeing
Level of Difficulty: Easy
The Hike up Baker Mountain
Located just outside the Village of Saranac Lake, above Moody Pond. Baker Mountain is a short 0.9-mile hike to a small peak with great views of the surrounding lakes and High Peaks. The trailhead is off of Forest Hill Ave on the north side of Moody Pond. The trail is entirely on public Forest Preserve lands in the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness Area.
Just under two miles round-trip, the short hike up Baker Mountain is popular and has limited trailhead parking. The Trailhead Register marks the beginning of the trail just off Moody Pond Road. Just after the trailhead register, the trail arrives at a Y-shaped trail junction. Follow the trail markers to the right. After a short distance the ascent begins. Amidst a mixed, mid-successional forest, the trail pushes upward along an increasingly stony path flanked by large glacial erratics.
After a number of bends, the path temporarily levels out at about the .4-mile mark before climbing through a bedrock clearing that provides a view from a rocky outcrop. The summit of Baker Mountain can also be seen looming above.
After the rocky outcrop, the trail is steep for its final ascent to the summit. The trail passes over a number of stone staircases and then hooks along the south side of the mountain, yielding partial views.
The Summit of Baker Mountain
The final section is a pine-laden path that to the leads to the summit. The summit is tree-covered, identified by its elevation and Geological Survey marker in its center. Side trails lead to rocky outcrops with terrific views of McKenzie Mountain, the spreading neighborhoods of the Village of Saranac Lake, and surrounding lakes and mountains.
For the return trip, follow the same marked trail down as the one hiked to the summit.
Click here for a map and directions to Baker Mountain.
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: Baker Mountain is a popular trail for snowshoeing in the winter.
