Everything You Need to Know About Ampersand Mountain, New York

Ampersand Mountain is a great hike for the family, located in upstate, New York, in the Adirondack Mountains. It is past Keene Valley and Lake Placid, being about 2 and a half hours from Albany, NY. I suggest, if children are going to hike this mountain, that they be at least 9 years or older. There are some fairly steep parts and slight rock climbing that you will encounter on this hike. Also, I wouldn’t suggest bringing your dog, unless you can lift them up, or they’re good jumpers.

Overall, Ampersand is not a long hike, but it does have a lot of elevation gain within a short amount of distance. That being said, I would not hike this unless you are at least an intermediate hiker. Like I said, it’s not a long hike but there’s a TON of elevation gain. However, the view is super pretty and there is a beautiful pond you can walk to after your hike.

In this article, you will learn how to hike Ampersand Mountain, Ampersand Mountain hike in general, Ampersand Mountain trailhead, Ampersand mountain elevation gain, Ampersand Mountain view, Ampersand Mountain winter, Ampersand Mountain difficulty, Ampersand Saranac Lake, Ampersand Mountain parking, and more.

This post is all about Ampersand Mountain.

Ampersand Mountain:

Ampersand Mountain Directions

This hike is located in the Saranac Lake region, of upstate New York, in the Adirondack mountains. It is about 20 minutes from Lake Placid, NY. If you are planning a weekend trip or vacation in this region and are interested in hiking Ampersand Mountain, I suggest staying in Lake Placid or Saranac Lake. Lake Placid does have a lot more things to do than Saranac Lake. Which is why I would stay in Lake Placid, but Saranac Lake is also a great little town to stay at. Here is a link for places to stay in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.

Ampersand Mountain Hike Time & Elevation Gain

Ampersand is a little over 5 miles roundtrip, however, when my friends and I went, our phones recorded 6.5 miles. Overall, hiking to the summit and back took my friends and I about 3 and a half hours, but we did take some time at the summit to take in the views, eat, and relax. That being said, this trail does have a 1,742ft elevation gain, so yes, it is steep. In about 2.5 miles you gain almost 2,000ft, which is a good amount of elevation gain. Anything where the elevation gain is 1,000ft or more per mile, you are HUFFING and PUFFING.

Ampersand Mountain Conditions

This is comparable to climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower, so yes, hiking gets you in shape. Ampersand mountain height, is 3,352ft, just under a High Peak height (anything over 4,000ft, with the exception of some being just under 4,000ft). So, it is a good sized mountain and should not be taken lightly. PLEASE do not hike this if you are a beginner hiker, you will NOT enjoy yourself.

Also, to get to the pond/lake you will have to cross the road, back to where the parking lot is. Then walk about a one mile round trip (mostly flat) to get there. The pond is great, because it has a couple different beach like areas, that you can choose from to lay your stuff down and swim. The beach area is still pretty small, so keep this in mind if it’s a weekend, it will get crowded easily.

Directions to Ampersand Mountain Trailhead

To get to Ampersand Mountain Trail, you will stay on interstate 87 North (or South depending on where you are coming from) until exit 30. Once you take exit 30, you will take a left from the exit, and stay on route 73 (or right if you are coming southbound) towards Whiteface and Lake Placid for 13.2 miles. Then, you will take a slight left on CR-69. Then, in 2.5 miles, you will take a left onto route 73 again. You will stay on route 73 for 13 miles, then keep left onto Military Road. Then, in 3.6 miles take a slight left turn onto NY-86.

After your slight left onto route 86, in 2.4 miles you will keep left on route 86 again, then in 3.7 miles turn left onto River street. Then continue straight for half a mile, then in 8.2 miles, the destination will be on your left. However, the parking lot is located on your right, as well as, the pond. But, the hike/mountain is on your left (you will have to cross the street to hike Ampersand).

{Related Posts : Haystack Mountain & McKenzie Hikes}

Ampersand Mountain Parking

On weekends I recommend getting here early, anytime before 8:30am, because the parking lot does get crowded fairly quickly and it is a small parking lot. However, on weekdays, you can be a little more flexible. There are some pretty intense uphill parts, even a rope you have to use to help pull yourself up (very manageable though).

Once you’ve parked, you will cross the road to the Ampersand Mountain trailhead. This trail is pretty straight forward, you will follow the trail markers or you can follow your AllTrails offline (airplane mode) downloadable map (only for pro membership).

Ampersand Mountain View

Also, the Ampersand Mountain view is SPECTACULAR! If you are familiar with the area, and know Cascade and Porter Mountains, this summit is pretty similar to Cascade’s summit. It is completely rock top, smaller (than Cascade’s summit), but it has a decently sized summit with views all around.

It really is a hidden gem, because then you can swim afterwards, to reward yourself and your feet, for the hard work you just completed. The pond is set up, similar to a beach. There are tiny little “coves” on the sides, and one big swimming area in the middle (and it is covered in sand/pine needles). My friends and I went to the left side of the pond, and found our own little place to relax and swim. The pond will be located where you parked, unlike Ampersand, where you have to cross the street to access the hiking trail.

Ampersand Mountain is also apart of the Saranac 6ers.The Saranac 6ers consists of 6 different mountains within the Saranac Lake region of the Adirondack Mountains. This challenge is a great way to see Saranac Lake and the Adirondack Mountains in general. There are some mountains apart of this challenge I wouldn’t recommend, but Ampersand is DEFINITELY one that I do!

{Related Posts : Keene Valley New York & Hurricane Mountain}

Lasts Thoughts About Ampersand Mountain

I really loved this trail and highly recommend for anyone visiting this area, and who wants to see some great views, and do some swimming. It’s a lot of fun, a great workout, with EVEN BETTER payoffs! Also, I have hiked this mountain in the winter as well, and I think the view is even better in the winter. I will say, I would wait until the trail is broken in during the winter, so you don’t have to break trail.

If you had to break trail that would be a TON of extra work, which I don’t recommend. Ampersand is hard enough without having to break trail. But this is a pretty popular trail, so as long as you don’t hike this trail right after a snowfall, the trail should already be broken in. You will want micro spikes, snowshoes, and I think poles to hike this trail in the winter. And that’s all I have for Ampersand Mountain, thank you so much for reading, take care and get hiking!