The 12ster challenge is family friendly, but a special eye should be kept on kids when in rattlesnake territory.ĭespite Backpacker’s analysis, one of the perks of the 12ster is certainly its proximity to the attractions, lodging and, of course, food and beverages that the village offers. Hikers should avoid the snakes and use caution if any are spotted. The snakes, like other pit-vipers, are temperature-sensitive and may be found basking on the bare-rock cliffs that dot the range. While the snakes are listed as threatened in New York, there can be dense populations in local areas, such as along the mountain range. Timber rattlesnakes can grow up to 4-and-a-half feet in length. It should also be noted that the Tongue Mountain range is home to timber rattlers, which are poisonous snakes that can pose a serious threat to hikers. It’s a world apart from the frenzied resorts and theme park atmosphere that draws millions of tourists to the southern edge of the lake.” The range also offers lean-tos and camping sites along the way, as well as the pleasure of reaching the highest point in the town of Bolton when you summit the 2,256-foot tall Five Mile Mountain.īackpacker Magazine has featured the Tongue range several times, saying in a July 2000 article that “the Tongue is a wild, mountainous peninsula that juts into Lake George. While 12 mountains may sound like a lot to accomplish, half of them are in this one range, meaning that a traverse of the range will go a long way toward earning your 12ster patch. Named as such due to the fact that the range is part of a large peninsula that juts into the lake, this part of the challenge will offer great views of the lake and the mountains across the water. The Tongue Mountain range is one of the most recognizable in the Adirondacks. Going to the pond will make the trail a loop, but several trip reports said the hike can be done in about four hours, including stops at the summit of Sleeping Beauty and the pond.
If you’re not in the market for an ultra patch and have the time, visiting Bumps Pond near the summit of Sleeping Beauty will add just a little extra to your hike.
On the west side of the lake, Black, Erebus, Buck and Sleeping Beauty mountains round out the dozen peaks. They are: Thomas and Cat mountains on the east side of the lake, as well as the Tongue Mountain range, which is made up of Brown, Huckleberry, Five Mile, Fifth Peak, French Point and First Peak. The mountains that make up the Lake George 12ster are located on both the east and west sides of the lake. For comparison, the Saranac Lake 6 are just a few miles shorter in total distance. The 12 mountains require almost 40 miles of hiking and about 9,000 total feet of elevation gain. Hit the eastern shore of Lake George, then hoofed north to Black Mountain.
While the Lake George challenge isn’t as demanding as becoming a 46er, this is still no joke. Relive the Annual Oktoberfest at Fishbrook Pond, Mt.